Based in the heart of the DFW Metroplex, United Sports Technologies has quickly become a force in the golf industry. For 2008, they continue to improve and refine their line of high performance golf shafts.

UST made its first big splash with the original Proforce shaft which became very popular for its combination of control and solid feel. UST built on this legacy with the introduction of the Proforce V2 three years ago, which quickly became one golf’s most popular shafts. The flexible tip section of the V2 combined with low torque gave the shaft the high launch angle many players desired without sacrificing control or feel. It also paired very well with a wide variety of heads and has become a staple offering in woods among most OEMs. For 2008, UST is building on the legacy of the Proforce brand, introducing the new HMOI, and V2 iron shafts, along with not-yet-introduced-tour-only AXIVCore shafts which have just been spotted out on the PGA Tour.

The new trend in golf clubs today is MOI. Heads are being engineered with maximum forgiveness in mind and weight is being pushed further back and to the perimeter of the club head to accomplish this. According to Jamie Pipes UST’s Manager of Field Research and Product Testing, this has began causing unique design challenges for shaft manufacturers, "The CG of the heads are moving further from the shaft’s axis or center line. This can cause the shaft to load, lag and/or droop differently. We strive to make shafts that compliment the heads and perform at the highest levels of consistency."

The Proforce HMOI has been designed to work in concert with the new breed of high MOI heads. As MOI has increased, so has head weight with many drivers tipping the scales at 205 grams or more. The HMOI has a higher balance point helping to produce a more playable swing weight. The increased head weight also causes greater shaft droop at impact. In order to prevent this, the HMOI has been designed with a more stable tip section which prevents droop and allows players to swing aggresively through the ball.

UST has just introduced a new prototype called the Proforce AXIVCore, an extension of the HMOI. The shaft should fit the gap providing a higher launch than the V2 but still lower than the V2 High Launch series. According to Mr. Pipes, "AXIVCore line will be UST’s highest launching, low spinning shaft to date. The AXIV Technology weaves carbon fiber in four critical directions to provide what we call Rapid Shaft Recovery for consistency and feel and the counter-balanced technology provides the flex profile for high launch, low spin."

Although the Proforce AXIVCore is still a prototype, it has already been in play on the PGA Tour. Rod Pampling put it in the bag the first time he tested it at the WGC Match Play event. Although the initial reactions have been very positive, UST plans to bring a tip-stiff version for testing to Tour as well as to suit players who prefer the a tip-balanced shaft over a counter-balanced one.

Photo: Matt York AP

UST has also introduced new Proforce V2 iron shafts. The 95-gram constant weight shafts will provide consistency throughout the set for better ball flight control and feel. The middle weight is a good compromise for players who want to switch from steel but still want some heft in their iron shafts.

However UST is still actively pursuing R&D in the field of graphite iron shafts. "Possibly lighter and heavier models in the V2 irons. Even better, possibly a whole new line of iron shafts? We believe that graphite iron shafts have a huge potential," according to Mr. Pipes.

Last but not least, UST is also introducing a training aid called the Easy Flex Tempo Trainer. Available for both woods and irons, the Easy Flex is a super flexible shaft designed to help golfers maintain a smooth tempo throughout the swing and square the club face without being overly handsy.