I'm absolutely dumbfounded at the number of RUclips "clubfitters' that are utterly clueless on how to Spine and FLO a golf shaft. Firstly, the actually spine of a steel golf shaft is NOT the hardest plane of the shaft, the OPPOSITE that side is. That's why the shaft (soft plane) turns UP when clamped to a fixed point at one end and downward pressure is applied to the other. Occasionally there will be two planes, but these will easily be identified with the same procedure by simply turning the shaft slowly while under pressure as Jim did in this video. Once the soft plane is identified, you can choose to install with soft plane facing target or away from target. 9 and 3 o'clock. OR, you can install soft plane facing away from you or behind you at address 12 and 6'oclock. If you install soft plane facing target (9 o'clock) you will likely see a higher ball flight with reduced draw/fade bias and overall tighter dispersion. Conversely if you install soft plane facing away from target (3 o'clock) you will likely see lower ball flight with reduced draw/fade bias and overall tighter dispersion. If, on the other hand, you choose to install soft plane facing away from you at address (12 o'clock) off center oscillation can occur leading to wider dispersion. Not recommended. And lastly, if you install soft plane facing down or behind you at address (6 o'clock) you will likely see club head droop leading to open club face increasing percentage of fade/slice. Also, the shaft *can* oscillate more erratically in this plane configuration. This is not recommended either. The main take away here is to have your clubs consistent in order for your ball striking to become repeatable. Consistent and repeatable, that's the journey we are all on. Note: if you're going to FLO a shaft, attach the laser to golf head END of the shaft, not near the grip or middle. The oscillation largely occurs and is pronounced/erratic at at the tip, thus the most important part to measure.
I always line up the straight FLO with the target line so the shaft bends the straightest in line with the target line minimizing crooked shots due to weird shaft behavior. Usually the FLO alignment is pretty close to the softest bend angle found in the spine finder. That puts the stiffest shaft orientation in the up/down position (perpendicular to the target line) and minimizes shaft droop at impact. The shaft bends less in that direction and maximizes the bend with the direction of the swing and target line to make the bend contribute to head speed (and not wobble).
Thanks for responding to my comments. I do my FLO a bit different from you. I use a weighted laser pointer on a bare shaft to find the best FLO, then double check it with the head in place. Since I always orient the head to the FLO, I stopped using spining couple years ago
Flo at 12 o'clock even if it's different from the spine? Just want to be sure as I'm just getting into messing with clubs. Your videos are an awesome source for club making, Thank you.
Hi Jim not sure I understand but what is the point of finding the spine if when you flo the shaft is being moved around to find the flat line oscillation ?
Ping G425 stock shafts are counter balanced cuz of the heavy head weight. I want to put in my ACCRA FX 3.0 260 M3 (not counter balanced) and play it at 44.75” and D3. How do you make that build? Maybe that’s a topic for a follow up? 😊 Keep up the great work!👍🏌🏻♂️
Hey Jim! Big fan of the channel from the UK, it’s inspired me to build my dream set of irons, 2007 Taylormade RAC TP MB. I’ve pulled the existing shafts, cleaned out the heads but there is a lip 1 1/8 inch inside the hosel that I can’t get the shaft in past. It leaves a gap of about 1/4 (maybe less) inch down to the bottom of the hosel. Do I need to fill that gap prior to installing the new shafts, if so, what with? Thanks 🙏
im a bass fisherman i spine my own rods i build cause it does make a different in hitting stumps an casting farest as possiable so i know spine in golf club does make a difference..them shafts that dont have a spine i think would benifit weekend warrior everyone i hit they all play good
Another way of getting it unstuck is simply un-screw and hold the shaft with your thumb and forefinger and on a hard floor surface simply drop the butt end on the floor. May have to do it a few times. Key is to not hold the head and release your thumb and forefinger when you drop it a couple inches off the floor. You'll hear it release.
I wish while you was showing show the spine to the flo ? i always put mine to the side cause i feel like i am swinging to the side in this golf game have you seen what makes a difference on the monitor? i dont have no monitor to test my ideas i only see on course when i hit more fairways..i always thought the letters on shaft was were you want on bottom from factory.I know they dont check every shaft unless you pay for that guy to do it for you
Jim ... I just noticed, so I have to ask ... What happened to the door behind you? Looks like an errant golf ball got the door and shattered it from the other side ... Keep up the excellent videos!!
it was an errant 5 irons to be exact. Mine! I know right!. It was early on the set up of the fitting room I hit the net support pole and "fling" right into the door.
Interesting info on spine and flow. I wonder when you purchase from say Callaway Customs do they spine and flow or is this an advantage with working with a club builder like your self directly?
Great explanations. I’m just starting to get into club building here in Atlantic Canada. I just received my Golfworks gripping station and I done a little practice on a few old steel and graphite shafts. But todays the day I re-grip my iron set and 3 wood. I have a question about why someone would want to play a golfpride align grip on an adjustable hosel? Did the customer tell you what setting to align the flow and grip? I’m just curious. I assume the Callaways would be the ideal setup for FLO and an align grip. Anyways great content, and you now have a new subscriber here on the east coast of Canada.
I believe the customer had wanted it in the neutral setting. The adapter would have to be pulled and re-glued into another position if it was to be moved to keep the spine and flo.
Callaways would be the one for adjusting with out messing up the alignment. A survey was conducted about adjustable clubs shortly after they became mainstream. 90 percent of the golfers did not touch the club once purchased, 90 percent of the remaining 10 percent adjusted the club once. It is the last percentage that are the tinkers.
I know spine FLO is so controversial but surely the flow would want to flow down the target line so that it moves as consistently the same at impact? I use the mark my “spine finder” gives me @ 3 o clock for a RH golfer
Jonny that is good position too. When it comes right down to it. Its about the bend in the shaft. Does it bend down in the swing or does it kick? or both. I met a gentleman with several high speed cameras and he professed that the shaft bent down. Ive went with that ever since we had that discussion
you know that has been a question posed by others in the past. A good one too. Personally, I would say no, If the manufacturing process is proper, trimming should have no affect on the FLO
Hi Jim, just to be on the safe side. Is the hardest part of the shaft at the top or bottom? I would think that the hardest part of the shaft would be at the bottom and the softer part would be on top, cause it can bend the most.
another great question Samson, Like most answer I would say it depends, I did a set of steel shafts where you could see the lie where the shaft was joined. After spinning I found that line on top. figuring that was the hardest side. Other folks smarter than me have also made your same claim about bending, I might have to investigate further.
spinning helps shorten the process to find FLO. SPinning is the right church where FLOing is the right pew. If you are a maker that puts the spine forward or back and FLO it can help there too.
FLOing a shaft on a driver with an adjustable hosel is pointless if adjusting the settings results in a change in orientation of the head relative to the shaft
if you were to find spine assemble the club and then adjust the club, in several cases yes it is out of align. However there are a few companies where you can make the adjustments and not ruin the alignment. Callaway and the cogs is one and Titleist as long as one clog adjustment is used.
First the cut, then the peanut gallery…sooo goooodddd!!!!! Keep them coming!😂
I'm absolutely dumbfounded at the number of RUclips "clubfitters' that are utterly clueless on how to Spine and FLO a golf shaft. Firstly, the actually spine of a steel golf shaft is NOT the hardest plane of the shaft, the OPPOSITE that side is. That's why the shaft (soft plane) turns UP when clamped to a fixed point at one end and downward pressure is applied to the other. Occasionally there will be two planes, but these will easily be identified with the same procedure by simply turning the shaft slowly while under pressure as Jim did in this video. Once the soft plane is identified, you can choose to install with soft plane facing target or away from target. 9 and 3 o'clock. OR, you can install soft plane facing away from you or behind you at address 12 and 6'oclock. If you install soft plane facing target (9 o'clock) you will likely see a higher ball flight with reduced draw/fade bias and overall tighter dispersion. Conversely if you install soft plane facing away from target (3 o'clock) you will likely see lower ball flight with reduced draw/fade bias and overall tighter dispersion. If, on the other hand, you choose to install soft plane facing away from you at address (12 o'clock) off center oscillation can occur leading to wider dispersion. Not recommended. And lastly, if you install soft plane facing down or behind you at address (6 o'clock) you will likely see club head droop leading to open club face increasing percentage of fade/slice. Also, the shaft *can* oscillate more erratically in this plane configuration. This is not recommended either. The main take away here is to have your clubs consistent in order for your ball striking to become repeatable. Consistent and repeatable, that's the journey we are all on. Note: if you're going to FLO a shaft, attach the laser to golf head END of the shaft, not near the grip or middle. The oscillation largely occurs and is pronounced/erratic at at the tip, thus the most important part to measure.
Hi Jim,
Liked the explanation about Flo ing the shaft re different head shapes and weights within the head. Excellent video 👍👍Chris
Thanks 👍
I always line up the straight FLO with the target line so the shaft bends the straightest in line with the target line minimizing crooked shots due to weird shaft behavior. Usually the FLO alignment is pretty close to the softest bend angle found in the spine finder. That puts the stiffest shaft orientation in the up/down position (perpendicular to the target line) and minimizes shaft droop at impact. The shaft bends less in that direction and maximizes the bend with the direction of the swing and target line to make the bend contribute to head speed (and not wobble).
Thanks for responding to my comments. I do my FLO a bit different from you. I use a weighted laser pointer on a bare shaft to find the best FLO, then double check it with the head in place. Since I always orient the head to the FLO, I stopped using spining couple years ago
Awesome explanations Jim.
thanks Matt
Flo at 12 o'clock even if it's different from the spine? Just want to be sure as I'm just getting into messing with clubs. Your videos are an awesome source for club making, Thank you.
Great video! So if I rotate the 12 o'clock mark, which way would favor a draw? 3 o'clock?, 9 o'clock? What happens at 6 o'clock?
Thank you
What books would you recommend for club building and repair, present day? Great channel, never miss it. Thanks.
Hi Jim not sure I understand but what is the point of finding the spine if when you flo the shaft is being moved around to find the flat line oscillation ?
Ping G425 stock shafts are counter balanced cuz of the heavy head weight. I want to put in my ACCRA FX 3.0 260 M3 (not counter balanced) and play it at 44.75” and D3. How do you make that build? Maybe that’s a topic for a follow up? 😊 Keep up the great work!👍🏌🏻♂️
Hey Jim! Big fan of the channel from the UK, it’s inspired me to build my dream set of irons, 2007 Taylormade RAC TP MB. I’ve pulled the existing shafts, cleaned out the heads but there is a lip 1 1/8 inch inside the hosel that I can’t get the shaft in past. It leaves a gap of about 1/4 (maybe less) inch down to the bottom of the hosel. Do I need to fill that gap prior to installing the new shafts, if so, what with? Thanks 🙏
im a bass fisherman i spine my own rods i build cause it does make a different in hitting stumps an casting farest as possiable so i know spine in golf club does make a difference..them shafts that dont have a spine i think would benifit weekend warrior everyone i hit they all play good
Wouldn't you want the flow flatlining left to right rather than up and down? As the club when swinging moves left to right not up and down.
You can also just tap grip end of shaft on floor a couple of time and it will loosen up as well.
I'll have to try that next time, thanks for the tip.
Another way of getting it unstuck is simply un-screw and hold the shaft with your thumb and forefinger and on a hard floor surface simply drop the butt end on the floor. May have to do it a few times. Key is to not hold the head and release your thumb and forefinger when you drop it a couple inches off the floor. You'll hear it release.
The shaft you pulled out is a counter balanced shaft I think Ping was focus on high MOI head for forgiveness the customer might not know that.
I wish while you was showing show the spine to the flo ? i always put mine to the side cause i feel like i am swinging to the side in this golf game have you seen what makes a difference on the monitor? i dont have no monitor to test my ideas i only see on course when i hit more fairways..i always thought the letters on shaft was were you want on bottom from factory.I know they dont check every shaft unless you pay for that guy to do it for you
Jim ... I just noticed, so I have to ask ... What happened to the door behind you? Looks like an errant golf ball got the door and shattered it from the other side ... Keep up the excellent videos!!
I believe his fitting room is on the other side of that. So in theory yes haha
it was an errant 5 irons to be exact. Mine! I know right!. It was early on the set up of the fitting room I hit the net support pole and "fling" right into the door.
Can you (shortly) put the lights out when flowing? So we can see the laser.
will do the next time I do this. thanks
Interesting info on spine and flow. I wonder when you purchase from say Callaway Customs do they spine and flow or is this an advantage with working with a club builder like your self directly?
Mike, I am not aware of spine or flo as a service for any OEM customs dept. Folks like us would be the best bet.
I agree with spine and flo…problem is that it goes out the window in adjustable drivers once you change the setting…is there any way around this???
If the adjustable club doesn't move as in is a Callaway. The cogs rotate into position the shaft remains in the same spot.
Pour a little acetone or grip solvent on the cut, heals faster!
lol! NOT! only because I did that by mistake.
Great explanations. I’m just starting to get into club building here in Atlantic Canada. I just received my Golfworks gripping station and I done a little practice on a few old steel and graphite shafts. But todays the day I re-grip my iron set and 3 wood.
I have a question about why someone would want to play a golfpride align grip on an adjustable hosel? Did the customer tell you what setting to align the flow and grip? I’m just curious. I assume the Callaways would be the ideal setup for FLO and an align grip.
Anyways great content, and you now have a new subscriber here on the east coast of Canada.
I believe the customer had wanted it in the neutral setting. The adapter would have to be pulled and re-glued into another position if it was to be moved to keep the spine and flo.
Callaways would be the one for adjusting with out messing up the alignment.
A survey was conducted about adjustable clubs shortly after they became mainstream. 90 percent of the golfers did not touch the club once purchased, 90 percent of the remaining 10 percent adjusted the club once. It is the last percentage that are the tinkers.
I know spine FLO is so controversial but surely the flow would want to flow down the target line so that it moves as consistently the same at impact? I use the mark my “spine finder” gives me @ 3 o clock for a RH golfer
Jonny that is good position too. When it comes right down to it. Its about the bend in the shaft. Does it bend down in the swing or does it kick? or both. I met a gentleman with several high speed cameras and he professed that the shaft bent down. Ive went with that ever since we had that discussion
Would it be more accurate if you cut the shaft to length and tip before checking for the spine or the FLO?
you know that has been a question posed by others in the past. A good one too. Personally, I would say no, If the manufacturing process is proper, trimming should have no affect on the FLO
Hi Jim, just to be on the safe side. Is the hardest part of the shaft at the top or bottom? I would think that the hardest part of the shaft would be at the bottom and the softer part would be on top, cause it can bend the most.
another great question Samson, Like most answer I would say it depends, I did a set of steel shafts where you could see the lie where the shaft was joined. After spinning I found that line on top. figuring that was the hardest side.
Other folks smarter than me have also made your same claim about bending, I might have to investigate further.
When you buy an adjustable driver off the shelf, with an OEM supplied shaft, do the manufacturers spine and flow the shafts?
no. The assembly is more about the aesthetic have the components are choosen
@@McGolf Thank you. Love the videos
don,t the shaft copany,s check for spine?
not typically, However there are some companies that will mark the "spine" and align the labels to spine. How many that is, I dont know
Hey Jim. So after you find the spine and flo, do you set the shaft in the head on the flo marking at noon position?
I do, some prefer towards the target and some away. I prefer 12 oclock
What is the point of spining if you orient the head on the shaft based on the 'FLO?
spinning helps shorten the process to find FLO. SPinning is the right church where FLOing is the right pew. If you are a maker that puts the spine forward or back and FLO it can help there too.
Paper cut ! 😂
Graphite splinter in the finger hurts like hell too 😩
very much,
FLOing a shaft on a driver with an adjustable hosel is pointless if adjusting the settings results in a change in orientation of the head relative to the shaft
if you were to find spine assemble the club and then adjust the club, in several cases yes it is out of align. However there are a few companies where you can make the adjustments and not ruin the alignment. Callaway and the cogs is one and Titleist as long as one clog adjustment is used.
Man paper cuts do sting ouch
Ping weight is 27g moveable weight. The heaviest of any drivers ever
The head was heavier than the normal driver. Makes sense, if you were to move it, it would actually move CoG
Your wife was right. Just sayin
I know I know, that happens more often that I would like to say