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!
Odyssey Golf announced Tuesday that the already popular Damascus Milled putter lineup is getting more options.
Initially launched back in April, only in a Damascus Milled #7 head (in plumbers or double bend configurations), the family grows to four with a One Wide, Two and Rossie S shape, all available in the second limited-edition drop at retail on June 6th.
“Damascus Steel is a beautiful material, and the patterns tell the story, because every one is different” said Odyssey General Manager, Jacob Davidson. “But what stands out is that as beautiful as these putters are, the feedback from Tour has been the exceptional feel of these putters. We wanted to deliver the most premium performance-driven putter we’ve ever done at Odyssey. When you look at this product, we have so much confidence because there is not one thing we’d do different. On this one we really took our time over the last couple years to try to perfect the design.”
Created from a layered construction of multiple steel alloys, this Damascus Steel insert is forged, folded and pressed to create a unique, striking pattern in every piece. Think of it like a fingerprint. Each Damascus construction comes with its own 1-of-1 style pattern. No offerings will ever look the same.
The layered structure, combined with a specialized heat treatment, delivers a finely tuned, highly responsive feel different from other insert materials. The Damascus steel is audibly different compared to other inserts, potentially with slightly more feedback. Odyssey also uses AI-designed back contours to maintain consistent ball speed across the face, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern tech.
Each head in the line is precision-milled from stainless steel and features a blasted silver finish to complement the Damascus insert and sole plates.
With Tour feedback, Odyssey has also developed, in collaboration with Golf Pride, a grip featuring meticulously crafted edges, pistol shaping and a classic modern tour feel.
L.A.B. Golf has been the pioneer when it comes to Lie Angle Balanced putters for years now. When you talk to another golfer and zero torque putters comes up, as it will since it is the hottest thing in golf, the first brand out of their mouthes is L.A.B. Golf. Currently their putter line up has something for every golfer, wether your like blades or mallets. But the company has a new creation for golfers that we saw out on tour just a few weeks ago and is now available to us, the VZN.1i putter.
One of the big stories with the new VZN.1i putter is alignment in the form of the shape. L.A.B. has always given us plenty of alignment options in their putters with different line formations and shapes that can be laser etched onto the top of the putter. With this new design they used the shape of the head and the open cavity in the middle to help enhance the alignment for players. These shapes help players lock into their intended line to improve accuracy and concistency.
“VZN.1i was approached formulaically by combining everything we’ve learned from the success of previous L.A.B. Golf models into a familiar mallet shape that’s easy on the eyes and even easier to putt with,” said Cameron Day, Senior Vice President of Product at L.A.B. Golf. “Every L.A.B. putter is engineered to roll the ball on its intended line through Lie Angle Balance technology. With VZN.1i, we took things a step further by simplifying another critical aspect of putting: alignment.”
Like most of the other L.A.B. mallet putters the VZN.1i is machined from a solid block of aluminum and features a 303 stainless steel face insert. Steel face inserts on all L.A.B. putters not only enhance the sound and feel but they improve ball speed for better distance control. The new shaping also offers two ways of picking up your ball, using the sole or the rear flange can scoop up the ball. The company is offering the VZN.1i with a 1.5 degree forward shaft lean or a vertical shaft option in order to fit more golfers. Each VZN.1i is hand balanced and 10 other stages before it is complete and ready to ship. L.A.B. has its custom program where the golfer can select their length and lie but also head color, shaft upgrades, and grips to make their VZN.1i fit them perfectly.
The VZN.1i is available now starting at $499 for stock models and $599 for custom.
In our forums, one user has asked a question sure to interest all sorts of golfers. What’s the most comfortable walking shoe of 2026?
@RobDMB posed the following question:
“Looking for suggestions/recommendations on the currently available most comfortable walking shoes – preferably waterproof. Essentially looking for something comfortable like a running shoe, but with some stability and waterproof for golf. Decent room in toe box as well. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own recommendations on the best walking shoes that can also survive a number of golf rounds. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- SheriffBooth: “To check all your boxes I’d vote for whichever of the current Nike lineup fits your feet the best. Obviously the Victory Pro 4 and Victory Tour 4 are good enough for the two best players in the world, but the new Pegasus, Next% Tour 3, and Tempo all look really good too.”
- i*windows: “when I had issues with my feet I played in Asics running shoes they were a little bit like the hoka’s above, very comfortable, now I’m back to Ecco shoes which are great.”
- mshills: “Everyone’s feet are different so this will be a long list of lots of different shoes. For me, anything from Ecco’s Biom lineup. Nothing else comes close.”
Entire Thread: “2026 Edition: Most Comfortable Walking Shoe?”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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~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?