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!
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- Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist TSR2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 S
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (54-M, 58-L @60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Onyx (46-50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Onyx (54-60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.
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Equipment
Adam Scott testing green “Masters Use Only” putter + 6 interesting equipment photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Welcome to the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson event at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, which, for your geographical reference, is about 25 minutes from Dallas.
In early-week equipment news, we saw some interesting putter testing from Adam Scott, a Maxfli golf ball signing on the PGA Tour, a 16-year-old’s WITB, a PGA Tour player using another PGA Tour player’s backup putter, and Jordan Spieth weighed in on why he recently switched out just his 7-iron (and then made a hole-in-one with it).
With so much to report and so little time to waste on the intro, let’s get right into this week’s equipment rundown from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
See all of our photo galleries from the week here
Adam Scott’s new L.A.B. putters
Before we get into a couple of the new prototypes Scott has been testing, above is a photo of the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max prototype putter that he’s been using, and will likely continue to use this week in Texas.
That being said, following the Masters, Scott was looking to try a couple putters with a slightly lighter weight to help with his feel on fast greens.
One of the new prototypes we spotted on Tuesday was a L.A.B. Golf DF3 “Proto 2.1”, custom-built with Scott’s preferred blue colorway, and an Australia-inspired Kangaroo laser engraving…
We also spotted him with a green-colored “For Masters Use Only” Mezz.1 Max prototype…
While it’s unlikely Scott will make a switch this week, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward, especially on courses with faster greens.
We also got a peek into Scott’s full WITB this week, which consists of a super-mixed set of Srixon irons, including a ZX Utility 3-iron, a ZX-5 MkII 4-iron, ZX-7 MkII mid-irons (5-7) and Z Forged II short irons (8-9).
See Scott’s full WITB from the CJ Cup here
An update on Daniel Berger’s Odyssey Jailbird
Last week in New Orleans, we highlighted Daniel Berger’s Ai-One Jailbird Mini putter because of its unique sightlines.
Well, we have an update.
According to Callaway Tour Manager Joe Toulon, who spoke with GolfWRX.com this week, Berger’s Jailbird Mini is actually from fellow Tour player Tom Kim’s stash. Kim is a prolific putter tester, and the exact putter Berger is currently using was actually originally made for and tested by Kim. The putter didn’t make it into Kim’s starting lineup, however, so he gave the putter back to Odyssey, and it eventually made it’s way onto Berger’s gamer roster.
Jordan Spieth’s new 7-iron
As the story goes, Jordan Spieth changed out his Titleist T100 7-iron on Wednesday before the 2024 Valero Texas Open, and then on Thursday, he used the 7-iron to make a hole-in-one from 199 yards on the 16th hole.
Good timing on that switch, Jordan.
On Tuesday at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, GoflWRX.com caught up with Spieth to get the full story on why he switched just the 7-iron.
Our full story is over on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, but here’s a snippet of what Spieth had to say:
“I hit my 7-iron a lot, especially on my own. The spin rates, relative to my 6-iron and my 8-iron, were lower, so it was going too far. I was trying to figure out why, if it was something in the makeup of the iron. I got the lies and the lofts checked, and everything was fine. So finally I was like, ‘Can I just get a new one and see if it fixes it?’
“Maybe there was one other time throughout my career where I changed just one iron, so it’s very unusual. I think it’s just because the grooves were worn down from hitting it too much.”
Ben Griffin signs with Maxfli to play the golf ball
At the beginning of the year, LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson signed a deal with Maxfli to play the company’s golf ball, and now, Griffin has officially joined team Maxfli, as well, thus expanding the company’s Tour presence.
GolfWRX.com caught up with Griffin on Wednesday in Texas for a video interview about his new golf ball of choice, and how he marks it…
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A 16-year-old is playing on the PGA Tour this week, using a 2-iron!
Amateur golfer Kris Kim, at just 16 years of age, is making his PGA Tour debut this week after receiving a sponsors exemption into the event. In 2023, Kim won both the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship and the European Boys’ International Championship.
On Tuesday in Texas, we got a look into Kim’s bag, which revealed that he’s currently playing a TaylorMade P-770 2-iron, and a bag full of TaylorMade clubs.
Check out Kim’s full WITB here
A smart golf ball stamping
I’m not going to sit here and pretend to be a big math guy, because I’m not. However, I do recognize David Nyfjall’s purple ball marking as a square root symbol.
While I don’t know the particular significance of the square root symbol for Nyfjall, I do know you have to be fairly intelligent to even consider using a marking like that. Pretty cool stuff from the Northwestern alum, and 2023 Byron Nelson Award winner.
And, with that, we say goodbye to Texas and TPC Craig Ranch. We’ll see you next week at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte for more insider equipment news and storylines.
For now, don’t forget to check out all of our photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
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- Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 50 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 X
Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Rescue (19.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Takomo 101U (4), Takomo 101T (5), Takomo 301 CB (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-14F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (58-A)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: L.A.B. Golf DF3
Grips: SuperStroke, Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
More photos of Wesley Bryan’s WITB in the forums.
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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
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
Pierceson Coody WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi 10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi 10 Tour (15 degrees)...
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19th Hole1 week agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole1 week ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole3 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole2 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole2 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
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Equipment3 weeks agoWhat we know about Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D-printed Avoda irons
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19th Hole6 days agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
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?