True Frequency Technology is a high level (but easy to use) Excel – Raw Shaft Sorting Program. It’s main function is to simplify and define the overall ‘True Frequency’ of a full set of raw uncut shafts. This in turn will result in a refined ‘True Frequency’ profiled set of golf clubs. Raw shaft data is compiled in 5″ beam length increments, and charts up to 13 shafts for both irons and woods.
True Frequency Technology is now available to clubmakers everywhere. Please see our Clubmakers Registry page for details on how to purchase the rights to use.
Required: A working copy of Microsoft Excel on your computer and a Frequency Machine for shaft profiling with a tip weight. No specific weight is required as this is a sorting methodology. Minimum weight should be 254g.
The TFT sort engine automatically defines and assigns a TFT stiffness value. The program then sorts and then reorders the raw shaft data by the overall stiffness. Sorted data is then plotted in a graphical format for a quick visualization. The program then allows you to assign club heads to target either a hard slope or soft slope.
Option 1 – Hard slope (TFT default)
A hard slope will increase the total frequency range, producing a slightly steeper slope. This sort will often yield a more traditional rate of change in the range of 3 – 5 CPM for every ½ inch of playing length.
- softest RAW shaft – assigned to the longest club to help get the ball airborne
- stiffest RAW shaft – assigned to the shortest club which helps produce a slightly lower ball flight
- resultant slope – will be in direct relationship to the variation found in the raw set of shafts. The greater the variation within the raw set, the greater the final rate of change will be within the assembled set
Option 2 – Soft slope
Designed for those looking to have slightly softer wedges (increased spin) and a slightly firmer long irons.
- soft slope option – will yield a reduced rate of change in the range of for every ½ inch of playing length
- resultant assembled set – will have a softer slope with a slightly reduced CPM range
Both Options 1 & 2
True Frequency Technology rates the resultant data by classifications from ‘Class A’ to ‘Class E’. To get a “Class A” set can be difficult due to manufacturing tolerances and variability. Regardless of the final sort classification, you can be sure you will have a far superior set than that of a random build.
A ‘Class A’ set of shafts will have very little variation shaft to shaft. To reduce the variation simply measure just a few extra shafts, then eliminate and replace those shafts.
Naturally the tighter the overall raw TFT profile, the tighter the assembled frequency will be.
Even a even ‘Class E’ set of shafts will still produce a great set of clubs, thanks to True Frequency Technology. If this ‘Class E’ set of shafts were not sorted, then the resultant the play-ability would be inconsistent at best.
- The True Frequency Technology® sorted graphs will display each 5 inch beam length and its calculated TFT Value. True Frequency Technology® will re-organize the raw shaft frequencies through the TFT sort engine. This allows the clubmaker a final build with overall tighter profile tolerances and virtually eliminates the need of ‘nibbling’. Nibbling is now an out dated technique originally designed around ‘butt frequency’.
- Adhering to a 4 or 4.33 CPM rate of change should not apply to all shafts. Different shaft manufacturers have different intents. True Frequency Technology®, when combined with the TLT tipping increment will allow a constant butt to last step pattern. By maintaining this pattern the shafts intended design remains intact. This keeps step patterns in line relative to each other, eliminating the unevenness of a “nibbled” set.
- Now that the shafts have been sorted, stabilized, simply follow the TLT tipping increment guide. This is all part of the Registered TLT Clubmakers package which spells out the progressive tip cutting methodology.
A Perfect Slope?
A perfect slope or curve is simply not attainable – by any system. Keep in mind that most golfers have a tough time detecting 1/3rd of a flex (3 CPM), where True Frequency Technology should keep you well within this limit.
Total beam length profiling incorporates butt, mid, and tip frequency. The final True Frequency Technology® slope is the key factor in driving consistency into the completed set.
Deviations will always exist. Both the clubmakers ability to measure and cut accurately, or the manufacturers ability to maintain tight tolerances. Fluctuations will exist, so keep your expectation realistic. True Frequency Technology® will allow a greater consistency to be built into your set.
Profile sorting through True Frequency Technology will simplify your high end build efforts and drastically improve the end result. Improved feel and consistency for players of all levels.
The resultant slope or curve will be in direct relationship to the variation found in the raw set of shafts. A greater variation within the raw set results in a greater rate of change within the assembled set.
TFT Classification chart
Class A – a very good set of raw shafts
Class E – a poor set of raw shafts that will still work well once the TFT sort is complete.
The ‘Shaft – Beam 0, -5, -10, -15, -20‘ above indicates how much the total beam length was reduced for each measurement – (shaft profiling)
So if the raw shaft was 40″
- 0 – has 5″ clamped and 35″ being measured
- -5, has been reduced 5″ and now has a beam length of 30″ being measured
- -10, has been reduced another 5″ and now has a beam length of 25″ being measured
- -15, has been reduced another 5″ and now has a beam length of 20″ being measured
- -20, has been reduced another 5″ and now has a beam length of 15″ being measured
Shown below are 2 sets of raw iron shafts from 2 very reputable suppliers – both premium level shafts
Set 1: Class E set of shafts
- Poor consistency with too much variation. If this set was built without a True Frequency Technology sort the set would not perform with any form of consistency.
Large variation – Class E set through the use of the TFT sort engine
- 11 CPM range in the butt section Beam 0
- 15.5 CPM range in the -5 beam
- 31.5 CPM range in the -10 beam
- 86 CPM range near the tip section (Beam -15)
The vertical column is cycles per minute and the horizontal row is each individual shaft A – G.
Note the lack of consistency in the cycles per minute (columns) and the excessive ‘Range’ with high ‘Min’ and ‘Max’ values. A very poor set of shafts that would result in a very inconsistent set if built randomly.
If this set of shafts were not sorted – shaft A (weakest) could be in your 7 iron and shaft G (stiffest) could end up in your 8 iron. These 2 clubs would perform and feel quite different from each other. Result: poor frequency profile build with grave play-ability issues.
How to correct? First run this set of shafts through the TFT sort engine. Then install the weakest shaft in the longest iron (shaft A) and the stiffest shaft in the shortest iron (shaft G). This set of shafts have now become far more consistent than what they would have been if installed randomly. After the sort, this set will play with a decent amount of consistency.
You have increased the value of the shafts and optimized them for a greatly improved play-ability.
Set 2: Class A set of shafts
Very good consistency and is now ready for a high end build.
Note the consistency in the cycles per minute (columns) and the greatly reduced ‘Range’. Overall maintaining very tight ‘Min’ and ‘Max’ values. A very good set of shafts ready for a premium build.
Note the near flat line cycles per minute, indicating very little variation shaft to shaft. This is a great set of raw shafts.
This is a set of shafts you want for your premium build with a very tight frequency profile.
Note how small the range of this Class A set of shafts is.
- 2 CPM range in the butt section Beam 0
- 3 CPM range in the -5 beam
- 6 CPM range in the -10 beam
- 10 CPM range near the tip section (Beam -15)
The TFT sort engine has far exceeded any butt frequency sort and has established a perfect base line for your premium level build with unparalleled consistency.
So I believe you can see the value in the True Frequency Technology sort engine. Please register today to join my elite group of golf clubmakers