NorCal Golf Show Spring Specials

State of the Art Fitting

The major theme of the show is "Fitting". We have received our "Nike 360 Fitting System" so you can test any Nike driver with any shaft that they offer. The "360 Fitting System" is based on the Burrows Golf patent. We have been pretty high on the Nike SUMO2 - 5900 - this year's "high moment of inertia" leader.

We don't believe in random whacking. That's a waste of time. So, for all of our customers' testing pleasure, we will have our Achiever Launch monitor backed up with the EDH KUDO radar based system. For the first time in the Bay Area, you will be able to see how the radar-based launch monitor works and compare it to the more traditional Cheetah system. Test any Nike Driver and any custom shaft and know your results.

More important, we also have received a few pre- release adapters that will allow you to exchange any head and any shaft. For around $30 you can use your current driver and test it with a variety of shafts. The major companies, Callaway and Taylor Made - are offering an exchangeable head and shaft system that will cost you about $1000 if you fit two or three shafts with a head. The "Universal" system is the same fun, less money.

Buying a random head and shaft without launch monitor testing is an act of faith. Why risk your money when you can know for sure? There is no longer any reason to buy first, find out later.

The one thing that you need to know is "how about feel?" At the show, you can test several of the most popular, high performance heads with several of the high performance shafts and see for yourself if the exchangeable shaft system affects feel. This is absolutely the first chance that any players will have to test the new "Universal" system. One thing to know: The parts are going to be in short supply for two or three months due to extraordinary demand. We have our first shipment locked in - but there won't be many for sale. If you're thinking about building out your own "open market" driver system - see us at the show, satisfy yourself that the performance leaves nothing on the table and get your order in.

We think that exchangeable shafts and heads are going to be enormously popular in 2008 - especially the option that gives you the chance to use the clubs that you already own. Plus, we'll have hundreds of shaft options that can be tested for performance first, and then purchased to fit your own driver head.

There is one technical detail to consider. The adapters add weight to the head - increasing swingweight. They also have a tendency to raise the center of gravity of the head. It is quite likely that to get best performance from some heads, it will be necessary to cut the hosel down by half an inch or so. This is new technology so even we don't know all the answers - yet.

Then, think about fairways and utilities. Exchangeable shafts will work for them as well. One of the most difficult fitting choices is finding the right shaft for your utilities. The new systems will make that much easier.