What is Wrong with Steel Shafts?

One of the best things about watching a James Bond movie is all the high tech goodies that are always on display. I remember “Golden Eye”, with the Russian scientists Natalya and Boris…well, I met them! Actually it was Nataliya and David, but they really are Russian scientists, and more

importantly they have come up with something so innovative it will

soon rock the golf world…Scandium Golf Shafts.

If Scandium sounds familiar it is; you will find it on the Periodic Table as the 21st element. But never before has it been used for golf. The Russians have used it for many a year in the construction of Mig Fighter jets because of its light weight, strength, and durability. My trusted friend Randall Doucette is one of the top club fitters in the U.S.A. His forte is rebuilding, and I don’t think there would be a more objective person out there when it comes to the pros and cons of various manufacturers’ products. If it sounds like I am trying to sell you on this guy…I am. One of the coolest things Randall did before I even gave him my spiel about trying to get involved with Scandium Sc™ in golf was this: He pulled out a random steel shaft, and rolled it on the bench (…wobble, wobble, wobble…) then another, then another, but they were not straight. He then randomly picked a Scandium shaft … PERFECT. Such a simple test, but it said it all.

Every season the golf industry introduces new equipment that is possibly superior to the equipment introduced a year ago (more of an evolution rather than an improvement). Over the years, the “REAL” changes in the equipment came with material changes: the move from hickory shafts to steel, and then the introduction of titanium, and graphite. These fundamental material changes pushed the industry to enforce limits in the size, weight, and COR (coefficient of restitution) values to keep “fairness” and most importantly, integrity in the game.

Golf shafts are still the engine of the golf club. Shaft choice by PGA Tour Pros is based purely on performance, rather than endorsement contract requirements. Players will always refer to a flex change, or reduction in weight to maximize the performance of the club head. Like NASCAR, it is what is underneath the hood that makes it go. After all, who looks at the shaft? Players do, but very few endorsement contracts specify particular shaft use, preferring to give players the freedom of choice.

Unfortunately, in the metal shaft category the choice is still limited, and a change in feel from graphite, or titanium is not welcomed by the game’s best players. The stepped shaft used in golf has changed little in more than 60 years. Steel shafts are made from thin steel sheets that are cut, rolled and welded. The weld creates a seam from the butt to the tip on the shaft. The seam has thickness variations, strength variations (as the weld is stronger than the parent material), and causes ovality of the shaft cross-section. As club head speeds have increased, more injuries have resulted. Scandium is about to change all of that. Finally, a material that will reduce the vibrations that cause tendon, and RSI (repetitive stress) injuries, while at the same time revealing the feel that is required in a well struck shot. Most metals become brittle with use, actually stiffening over time…not scandium, it retains memory; that is why it is so desired in military applications.

Recently, the golf industry has been introduced to a new material, and new manufacturing techniques using patented Scandium Sc™ metal in seamless shafts. These shafts have been used on Tour by the top PGA, and LPGA players on an UNENDORSED basis, including the recent winner of the Bridgestone Invitational in 2008.

If Scandium is so good, why has it not flooded the market? Well, with so much being invested into steel, titanium, and graphite over the years, many would like to recoup their investment. The answer is that simple… So, while I can’t make you James Bond, I can at least give you a look into the future.

What is Scandium?

Scandium is the 21st element in the Periodic Table of Elements, located beside titanium, which is the 22nd element. Scandium is 70% stronger, and lighter than steel, 40% stronger than graphite, and 25% stronger than titanium. Scandium Sc™ shafts are manufactured from a single tube using a proprietary 25-step production process to create a seamless, extruded shaft. This manufacturing process results in unmatched consistency from club to club, lowest torque of 1.4 degrees, unprecedented accuracy, and distance.

Variable wall thickness and the metal’s high tensile strength results in a vibration dampening system called ShockBlok™ with 270% better shock attenuation than steel shafts. ShockBlok™ protects golfers’ bodies, bones, and joints. The high vibration energy is directed away from the hands, arms, and shoulders into the club head, significantly reducing fatigue, and wrist, shoulder and elbow injuries. The Bridgestone champion actually cured his tendonitis problems by using Scandium Sc™ shafts in his irons for the last year. The energy that is redirected from the golfer’s hands is directed back into the club face. The resulting “energy kick” gives the added bonus of extra distance on every shot. Scandium Sc™ shafts registered substantially longer distance than any other shaft it tested against, in some cases by as much as 16 yards at identical swing speeds, using identical 6 iron heads for the test.

While the added distance of the Scandium Sc™ shafts was impressive, the dispersion/accuracy ratings it achieved were even more overwhelming. The Scandium Sc™ shafts recorded dispersion/ accuracy ratings as low as +/-1.33 feet from the target zone on center hits. This low dispersion rating showed that the Scandium Sc™ shafts are nearly 5 TIMES more accurate than their nearest competitor. The 2008 winner of the FEDEX CUP attributed his win to the accuracy of his irons!

For more information: 1-888-389-3149

www.accragolf.com

www.e21golf.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandium

Kanata Shaft Company: 888-574 2387

Pro Golf Teaching Academy: 419-514-8295