Equipment
How Fujikura’s Enso Lab is changing the way shafts are made, and fit
You know when you’ve been looking up recipes online, and as you scroll the Internet there’s an ad that pops up for cooking supplies?
That’s “Big Data” at work. Big Data is a pool of information that gets analyzed by computers and put through algorithms to reveal patterns and trends. Obviously, this is very effective in the marketing world. A 32-year old male with two kids is most likely to buy… diapers, a crib and a tricycle. So, advertisers want to show ads to that 32-year old male that will want him to buy their diapers and cribs and tricycles. Get product in front of the people most likely to buy your product. Duh.
So that’s big data in the smallest of nutshells.
But what does this have to do with golf shafts?!
Well, Fujikura is using analytical computations that are very similar to the concept of Big Data. Using a large pool of data from its Enso Technology Lab, which uses eight cameras at up to 2000 frames per second to observe how the club/shaft moves in space, Fujikura has developed a predictive analysis program to predict not only how certain changes will influence shaft performance, but, in the future, what shaft will be right for a player’s golf swing.
Big Data can predict with statistical confidence that the 32-year old with kids will buy diapers, and Fujikura can predict with statistical confidence how changes to certain variables will effect shaft performance, and what shaft is right for what swing.
At least that’s how Alex Dee, Vice President of Fujikura, explains it. This system is incredibly convenient for Dee and his team of shaft designers because the predictive analysis can now predict how prototypes will behave. That means before even building the shaft in the real world, Dee and his team have access to data analytics such as shaft droop, bend, flex, CPM, torque, kick point, and all of those golf-shaft-descriptors. That creates more time efficiency, and the ability to dial in exactly what they want from a golf shaft and how they want it to perform.
For today’s consumer, this is beneficial because Fujikura has used these analytics to develop its new Fujikura Pro 2.0 and Pro 2.0 Tour Spec shafts. You can learn more about them here.
For the future consumer, and for the future of golf shaft fitting, Fujikura’s analytics have great potential. It’s possible that sometime in the near future — Dee says less than 2 years on our podcast — you’d be able to take a swing and get instant feedback on what shaft is right for you (based on predictive analysis, aka Big Data). We’ll have to wait and see exactly how that will work, and what the system will look like. But for now, while you wait for that technology to come into existence, you can book a fitting for yourself at a local Fujikura shaft fitter.
Don’t miss our podcast with Fuji’s tour rep Marshall Thompson and VP Alex Dee!
- LIKE49
- LEGIT6
- WOW3
- LOL2
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK14
As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
View this post on Instagram
According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
- LIKE21
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB1
- SHANK3
It seems like the RBC Heritage is full of new gear to be spotted, and you can add TaylorMade’s P-UDI utility irons to that list.
We spotted a 17-degree P-UDI 2-iron in Nick Dunlap’s bag yesterday, and now have some photos of both the 3- and 4-irons. Nick has his P-UDI 2-iron setup with a Project X HZRDUS Black 4th Gen 105g TX shaft.
From what we can tell, this new P-UDI utility iron looks to have some of the usual TaylorMade technology as we can see the Speed Slot on the sole of the club for additional face flexibility. A toe screw is usually used to close off the hollow body design that will probably be filled with a version of TaylorMade’s Speed Foam that is present in the current iron lineup. This hollow body, foam-filled design should offer additional ball speed, soft feel, and sound, as well as an optimized CG for ball flight.
“Forged” is etched into the hosel, so we can assume that either the face, body, or both are forged for a soft and responsive feel. The club looks good from behind and at address, where we can see just a little offset and a topline that I would consider medium thickness. We don’t have the full details on what is under the hood or how many loft options will be available yet.
TaylorMade P-UDI 3-iron – 20°
TaylorMade P-UDI 4-iron – 22°
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
- LIKE13
- LEGIT1
- WOW3
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK1
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)
Photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
Joaquin Niemann names 3 PGA Tour events he’d love to play each year ‘in a perfect world’
Spotted: Bettinardi irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Collin Morikawa WITB 2024 (April)
Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here. Driver: TaylorMade...
WITB Time Machine: Jordan Spieth’s winning WITB, 2022 RBC Heritage
At the 2022 RBC Heritage Jordan Spieth defeated Patrick Cantlay on the first playoff hole after nearly holing his greenside...
Jason Day WITB 2024 (April)
Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10) Shaft: TPT...
Ludvig Åberg WITB 2024 (April)
Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)...
-
19th Hole1 week agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoThings got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
-
19th Hole1 week agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoReport: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 days agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 days agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoAddiction, spinal fusion, and scam artists – Everything Anthony Kim revealed in candid interview with David Feherty
Pingback: Fujikura launches new Ventus TR Blue shafts for 2022 (plus a deep Q&A) – GolfWRX
~j~
Feb 5, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Wow. Terrible crowd and responses so far. As ata naldt I’m all for different methods of collecting and using this data.
I would question though the degree of specifics on comparing multiple types of shafts by swing type alone. But to know how and when one ‘loads’ the shaft is almost imperative to being fitted into something that works for them
Sid
Feb 5, 2018 at 5:47 pm
If you don’t have an Enso Optimized shaft it’s likely you are swinging the wrong shaft and based on erroneous subjective feeel.
If you can’t get an Enso Optimized shaft you are on the long road of trial and error and error and error and ….. wasting a lot of $$$$$$$$
CB
Feb 5, 2018 at 2:05 am
Will this system be able to present data when shafts are tipped and, head weights and grip weights are changed also, and relate that to the MOI with each change? If not, then I guess we’ll never know how the shafts react with those variables and with different kinds of heads. May be we still are 10 years away for that.
OB
Feb 5, 2018 at 10:44 am
From Fuji/enso website:
“Using 3D Motion Capture, Fujikura’s proprietary enso system measures thousands of shafts and swings. This data is used to develop the precise technologies found in the construction of better performing, higher quality shafts.
Enso measures:
Club performance during a swing pre and post impact
Shaft deflection and twist during swing
Club head placement upon impact of the ball
Club head performance based on shaft movement
———————————————-
That should answer your ignorant blurt. MOI has nothing to do with the enso data because it covers all the necessary variables in the measurements. If you disagree then wait 10 years before you try it.
CB
Feb 6, 2018 at 2:16 am
Not as ignorant as you, seeing as you’ve been analyzing this for decades, right, and you’re still here, and haven’t figured it out? Because if you had, you’d be a billionaire like Parsons. But you’re just a moron, a pretender, who actually knows nothing, but just immature like a 5 year old child. That much is true.
OB
Feb 3, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Overengineering (or over-engineering) is the additional designing of a product to be more robust or extra featured than is deemed necessary for its primary application to be completed successfully. Either (charitably) to ensure a more than sufficient factor of safety, more than sufficient functionality limits, or to overcome potential design errors that are considered acceptable for most users expectations. Overengineering can be desirable when safety or performance on a particular criterion is critical, but it is generally criticized from the point of view of value engineering as wasteful both in materials and cost. As a design philosophy, such overcomplexity is the opposite of the “less is more” school of thought (and hence a violation of the KISS principle and parsimony).
Overengineering generally occurs in high-end products or specialized market criteria, and may take various forms. In one form, products are overbuilt, and have performance far in excess of expected normal operational limits (a family sedan that can drive at 300 km/h, or a home video cassette recorder with a projected lifespan of 100 years), and hence are more expensive, bulkier, and heavier than necessary. Alternatively, they may become overcomplicated – the extra functional design may be far more complicated than is necessary for its typical use. Overcomplexity could overwhelm most typical users and potentially reduce the usability of the product by most end users, and can decrease productivity of the design team due to the need to build and maintain all the additional features.
A related issue is market segmentation – making different products for different market segments. In this context, a particular product may be more or less suited for a particular market segment, and may be over- or under- engineered relative to an application.
James T
Feb 3, 2018 at 7:24 pm
Is this a cut & paste job? Because you never mentioned Enso…
OB
Feb 4, 2018 at 12:35 am
I’ll let you come to your own conclusions to this Wikipedia definition as it relates to the game of golf.
CB
Feb 4, 2018 at 2:32 am
If somebody wants the best of the best, and they have the time and resources, they will go out and make the best of the best, no matter what it takes.
So, go make sense of your poor life where you can never have the best of the best or even achieve anything in life with all the restrictions you put on yourself with your negativity.
OB
Feb 4, 2018 at 10:50 am
How do you determine a “the best of the best”? Price? Popularity? Promise? Propaganda?
I have seen the “capitalistic” evolution of the pristine game of golf over many decades and I can tell you that the game of golf is deteriorating; both in participation and equipment design.
What we are witnessing is not technological advancement; we are witnessing false promise that destroys true commitment to the great game of golf. It’s really quite pathetic when playing golf depends on what new toys you have in your bag. Totally unathletic and completely delusional.
CB
Feb 5, 2018 at 1:59 am
You must be a socialist. Marxist-Leninist, I presume, with a fascist tinge? Thought so.
Over many decades? So you’re old enough to know to shut up? May be not mature enough do so though.
I’m still young, positive, and raring to go. Not beaten down and disappointed, pessimistic and cynical like you, old man. You know, people still talk about giving elders their respect and all? Well not for people like you, you’re not good enough of a leader or example to be given any respect. You’re still a child, not appreciative of the people who try. People who still go out and make things, and makes things happen. You just don’t get it.
As old as you say you are – perhaps you should fade into the background? Yeah, may be it’s time. Let us young innovators run things, and get ahead. Thanks
OB
Feb 5, 2018 at 10:07 am
Your personal attack on moi reveals your fragile gearhead mentality. Your MOI comment above is not only silly and unrealistic, you expose your pessimism, negativity and ignorance too.
I have offered fact-based comments and all you rely on is ageism and blind political nonsense likely because you are too young to understand what you are spouting about socialism/fascism. IOW you are a nutcase … sooo obvious.
CB
Feb 6, 2018 at 2:20 am
Grow up
Rob
Feb 3, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Predictive analytics, aka big data. Golf, aka cricket.
Bob
Feb 3, 2018 at 5:09 pm
IOW, sell the sizzle, not the steak?
PXG, P790, ENSO, etc. are all a cancer on the game of golf?
The dude
Feb 3, 2018 at 9:58 pm
Why??…is it the manufacturers fault that someone buys their over priced product?……you obviously need to rethink your thought of supply and demand
Bob
Feb 4, 2018 at 12:43 am
Nicklaus promoted a standardized golf ball for the tour game.
As for the manufacturers they are introducing costly equipment with the promise the clubs will compensate for golfer’s deficiencies, and we know that’s not realistic.
Someone who buys the overpriced overengineered overhyped clubs have more money than brains or talent. The golf equipment market is a scam and degrades the game of golf by suggesting that you can improve your game to defeat the opponent and conquer the course by buying the latest greatest clubs. Equipment has become toys for the incompetent.
The dude
Feb 4, 2018 at 8:29 am
You have zero evidence to back that…..you have an opinion that is tired. Hail Capitalism!!!
Bob
Feb 4, 2018 at 10:48 am
My ‘evidence’ is the eloquence of my factual-based commentary; while your’s is a twitter blurt capitulation to your feelings.
CB
Feb 4, 2018 at 11:25 am
At least he is not some deranged pessimistic loser like you, Bob
Bob
Feb 4, 2018 at 2:56 pm
I somewhat agree with you. The gearheads posting on this free forum and the main forum are “deranged” and “losers” who “optimistically” await the next new fantastic club models promising “tour” performance because the clubs are in some pro’s bag.
Me? I just enjoy providing a “sane” assessment of clubs and instruction articles. Thank you Golf WRX for promoting open and transparent discourse.
The dude
Feb 4, 2018 at 12:46 pm
“I have No idea what you just said….”
-said everybody
Bob
Feb 4, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Is that you, Andy, in anonymous drag… and blocking my comments for moderation? Soooo obvious ….!
Ron Burgundy
Feb 5, 2018 at 2:00 pm
you’re on the wrong website than Bob. Run along
Sid
Feb 5, 2018 at 5:43 pm
Is that the voice of a WRX moderator?