The Golf Lab
August 13, 2008 
 Golf Lab Members Only Newsletter
 Donate Your Swing to Science - Results
In This Issue


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Greetings!

Three weeks ago we ran the "Donate Your Swing to Science" program at the Golf Lab. Thirty five players participated. All but three players showed immediate and significant benefits in their ball speed and control of the golf club - measured and proven on our launch monitors. Since then, there have been some amazing reports coming back from the golf course. The emerging science of balancing golf clubs is more than just another gimmick. It's simple, it works and it delivers results.

Some examples: A young woman tournament player who had never broken par in a tournament traveled to Texas and posted scores of four under, even and two under to win the tournament by eight strokes. She's a very good player and we don't want to imply that counter weighting her clubs was the only reason she played well, but we can say one thing for sure: it didn't hurt.

A fourteen year old girl who had never broken 75 in a tournament shot 75, 73 in her first tournament with counterweights in her driver and irons for second place and then won her next tournament at El Macero in Sacramento. In the tournament, she hit one drive 275 yards. She is not a big girl. She weighs 120 pounds.

Several senior men have returned to the Golf Lab with reports of posting their best rounds of the year. Others have telephoned and emailed, reporting much higher percentages of fairways hit. Handicaps will be coming down.

 Testimonial
 

Hi Leith,

Since you asked me to provide you with a report I wanted to provide you with an update after we installed new counter weights a few weeks ago in my driver and irons. You might recall that we shortened my Taylor Made Burner driver and pured the shaft prior to my visit with the guys that did the counter weighting a few weeks back.

Well, I must admit that I think that the counter weighting really works! Since the weights were added my average score is about two over par compared to around four over on a usual round. The really amazing thing is that the dispersion of shots around the hole on my irons really has really come down. And the number of birdies has per round has doubled (also helped that I got a new Scotty Cameron putter). It might be that my confidence is up as a result of the weights, but overall I'm just playing better.

I'll give you another update in a few weeks as I'm going to play some tougher courses and that will be a good gauge of how well I'm playing.

Mike Luckin

 


 The Fitting Process
 

It takes an hour to figure out which weights deliver the best results in which clubs. Counterweights come in four gram increments from 8 to 30 grams. We start by testing the six iron. The first step is to hit eight shots with no weights. That's the mark to beat. Then, we choose a weight and hit eight more shots. We move up and down the weight spectrum, looking for the best ball speed and the most consistent swing path, face angle at impact and trajectory. During the testing I watch and listen. I can tell a lot by how the impact sounds. I delete missed shots, but keep track of how many shots are missed. Most of the time one weight stands out as the best performer.

We use different weights for the driver. Balance- Certified is the company that pioneered balancing golf clubs, starting with putters and moving through many different designs always trying to improve results. The latest Balance-Certified product is the "Shaft Stabilizer". It is unique. It is more than just a "butt weight". It is a long, cylindrical weight that positions most of the weight under a player's lower hand. It works better. There are two weights to test - one 30 grams and one 60 grams. Most of the time, the lighter weight delivers better results. But not always. You would think that big, strong guys would get better results with the heavier weight. Surprise. We frequently find that the young women do better with the 60 gram weight.

 


 Launch Monitor Testing is Required
 

There is a "buzz" beginning on the Internet about counter weighting golf clubs. Most of the comment seems to focus on heavier weights. I think that is dangerous to trust your feel when choosing a counter weight. In real life, the increase in distance is quite small. Two to four MPH of ball speed translates into six to ten yards of additional carry. That's pretty tough to see, and even more difficult to remember if you're outdoors, hitting range balls. It's absolutely impossible to compare improvements in consistency without a launch monitor. As a general rule, if you can feel the weight easily, it is too heavy.

 


 Free Counterweight Fittings for Golf Lab Customers
 

We are trying to start a revolution. The last "Donate Your Swing" program offered free fittings for counterweights. In the long run, that's not going to be a good business model. But, we're willing to make a sacrifice to get the ball rolling. In the future, that hour of launch monitor time is going to cost $75. But if you respond within three days and book your appointment within the next week, you can have your counter weight fitting for free.

I'm taking appointments for this Saturday and next Monday and Tuesday. Call the Golf Lab to reserve a convenient time. I will start at 9 AM and the last available appointment is at 6 PM.

If you decide to purchase counterweights for your golf clubs, the cost is $20 each for irons - installed - and $55 for your driver - that's the Balance-Certified Shaft Stabilizer.

 


 Coming Up
 

We've been doing a lot of work at the Golf Lab to change our look and feel and improve our custom services. Our interior displays are all new - highlighting over 50 sets of new and classic irons - each one available to be custom fit with the shaft that performs the best for you. If you're looking for "playable classics" or a set of inexpensive irons for a friend who wants to get a good start in golf - we've got the best selection in California. We've got a new display of putters - some the best of 2008 and some the best of 1908. You can choose from over 100 wedge styles - all available with the custom fitted shaft of your choice. And, if you want to move out some of your own collection, we're always open to "buy, sell or trade".

We're always on the lookout for improvements in technology that will help us do a better job fitting and building clubs. In the past month, we acquired two Matrix Composite Multi Match machines that will let us do an even better job of finding the "magic shaft" for your clubs. We've also added custom grinding capability for wedges. Utilizing Scratch forgings, you can get your wedges custom ground to your exact specifications at the Golf Lab.

And keep an eye out for the next emails. The "Markdown Season" has started so there will be some good buys for this year's best products. And, the next "Donate Your Swing to Science" program will find the best shaft for your driver.

 


We're easy to find, just a minute off of 101 at Embarcadero in Palo Alto.

Best regards,


Leith Anderson, Bob Huff and Clint Smith
The Golf Lab

phone: 650-493-1770
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