First Look: Thin Ply Technology (TPT) Golf Shafts
Golf Accessories

First Look: Thin Ply Technology (TPT) Golf Shafts

First Look: Thin Ply Technology (TPT) Golf Shafts

TPT (Thin-Ply Technology) is not new to the world of high-end composite materials. The technology, now present in for the first time in a line of golf shafts, was originally used in sailing masts for the America’s Cup. Its invention took TPT from an unknown to an 80% market share leader in just four years (2003-2007).

From there, the technology expanded to F-1 series race cars, skis, snowboards, and satellites. Recently the company entered the golf equipment realm.

tpt

The goal for this initial line of shafts was to produce the world’s most consistent and uniform shaft, using a patented manufacturing technique called  “Thin-Ply Winding Method.”

The vast majority of shafts are produced by wrapping sheets of material (flags) around a steel mandrel. If you’ve ever added “wraps” underneath a grip, this is a rudimentary analogy, but you get the picture. When sheets overlap a “spine” is created and while spines and how to orient them during shaft installation is the topic of much debate, TPT’s proprietary winding technique eliminates spines from the conversation.

TPT shafts leverage longitudinal and off-axis plies to produce a shaft which has nearly uniform flex and torque regardless of shaft orientation.  An image of  D.N.A.’s double-helix is an appropriate visual to get the basic concept.

TPT-7

According to TPT, when compared to high-end shafts from other manufacturers, specifically Fujikura’s Motore Speeder, its shafts varied less (as measured by CPM) regardless of shaft orientation. The yellow line represents the variation in CPM of the TPT shaft, and the blue line represents the variation in CPM of the Fujikura Motore Speeder shaft. The benefit is a shaft which offers nearly identical performance regardless of orientation. This is what TPT refers to as perfect concentricity.

Two_Shafts_Compared-no-label

TPT TECHNICAL INFO

Founder of TPT, François Mordasini makes the following claims:

  • TPT utilizes both Intermediate Modulus (IM) and High Modulus (HM) materials in shaft construction
  • IM fibers are used for longitudinally oriented plies (running from the top to the bottom of the shaft). These plies are comprised of the highest composite flexural modulus and the highest composite strength.
  • Similarly, we choose the best HM fibers for the off-axis plies. Off-axis plies more or less form the double-helix wrap of the shaft. In this case, best means resistance to twisting.
  • Once we have chosen the two fiber grades that best suit the requirements of the shaft, we optimize the resin content of the two materials.
  • IM fibers we have experience with include Toray T800, T1000 and T1100, Hexcel IM7, IM8, IM9 and IM10 and Mitsubishi MR70.
  • HM fibers that we use include Toray M46J, M55J and Mitsubishi HR40, HS40.

CURRENT LINE

This initial line features driver shafts targeted at players in four distinct swing speed groups, ranging from 60 MPH – 120 MPH. This “Blue” series is mid-torque throughout the line, but each swing speed has both a mid and low kick point version.

tpt-specs

ON DECK

During 2017 TPT will expand offerings to include lower torque (lower spin) driver shafts, lighter weight driver shafts and a series of fairway-specific shafts. Iron shafts are on the horizon, but not expected to reach the market until sometime in 2018.

TPT-6

More Info

TPT Shafts are available through premium custom clubfitters like True Spec Golf and Club Champion. MSRP is $700.

For more information visit the TPT Golf Website. You can also follow TPT Golf on Instagram and Facebook.

 

For You

For You

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Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris is a self-diagnosed equipment and golf junkie with a penchant for top-shelf ice cream. When he's not coaching the local high school team, he's probably on the range or trying to keep up with his wife and seven beautiful daughters. Chris is based out of Fort Collins, CO and his neighbors believe long brown boxes are simply part of his porch decor. "Isn't it funny? The truth just sounds different."

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel

Chris Nickel





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      Lorne M

      7 years ago

      If I can purchase two shafts from two different manufacturers, both have mid launch profiles, 3.4 torque, both are 74 grams and 264 cpm’s, one cost $95 and one cost $700, which should I buy?

      Reply

      KM

      8 years ago

      So much for spine orientation, usually you can install the soft side in the loading direction and have the hard/stiff side in the target direction, not with this shaft.

      Reply

      TWShoot67

      8 years ago

      I’d love to test one of these shafts, maybe club champion here in Philly will let me test one as 700 is a bit steep to just buy and hope it fits my swing. But looking at that chart make s me feel like it’s able to install with no worries about spline.

      Reply

      Dannyoh

      8 years ago

      I’ve hit one of these. The shaft was at least a flex too stiff for me. Sidespin numbers were freakishly low. It just wants to fly straight. I’m really intrigued to get fit for one.

      Reply

      dcorun

      8 years ago

      $700 is way out of my league. I guess the Pro’s will be playing them since they won’t be paying for them. I’ll stick with my Accra F150.

      Reply

      Dgolfer

      8 years ago

      Yes very interesting but very hard to endorse this cost.

      Reply

      Jeff

      8 years ago

      $700! Whoa. That is a silly price point. I would live to compare one of these $700 shafts to a $40 Grafalloy ProLaunch. I don’t think that there would be much of a difference.

      Reply

      Mat Tisdale

      8 years ago

      What I’d like to know is what’s the cost to benefit ratio? is the product being more concentric vs the other brands actually going to show us a true gain? or is this just something that sounds really good that just cost a bunch of extra $$ just for the sake of being a “little bit” better??

      Reply

      David W

      8 years ago

      I was custom fitted for a shaft for my G30 and now I’m hitting an M1 and I want to get fit for it (need a little higher launch angle). I was reading this and thinking, I’ll try one of these. Then I saw the price and almost spit my coffee all over my desk :-)

      Reply

      Carolina Golfer 2

      8 years ago

      David, I was very intrigued as well, until I saw the price. Just like every product, there will be a target audience. But I am not the target on this one..LOL

      Reply

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