By Craig Dolch
Reprinted from The Palm Beach Post
June 11, 2002

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - European Ryder Cup member Padraig Harrington was the latest to try one of the new trends on the PGA TOUR. He brought his Wilson Fat Shaft iron and driver to get their shafts tested at the SST PURE® trailer.

SST PURE® tests the clubs to reduce any irregularities and inconsistencies, rotating the shafts to where there will be the most consistent performance.

"We as players want the clubs to swing the same way every time, because that produces the best shots," Harrington said. "I don't have any problem doing this before the U.S. Open because I know it's going to help my game. It can't do your clubs any harm."

The system was designed by Miami businessman Dick Weiss, who in 1999 persuaded the USGA to change its rules regarding shaft adjustment. He uses a combination of computers and sensors to test each shaft, then realigns them with the same settings.

"The computer doesn't care if it's the best player in the world or the worst, or whether the shafts are steel or graphite," Weiss said. "What you're seeing is when players miss a shot, they're not missing by as much as they used to."

More than 130 players are using the technology, including Jack Nicklaus, Kenny Perry and Raymond Floyd.