Are Your Clubs PURE?

Despite being used by countless Tour pros and loads of custom club builders – including the world’s largest – SST PURE remains an unknown to many golfers.  That’s a shame, because it can make your clubs perform and feel better.  In this article, we’ll bring you the facts about this process so you can start PUREing your clubs and your shots.

Find out what shafts need SST PURE the most HERE

“What is SST PURE?”

SST PURE is a process through which a club builder finds a shaft’s most stable bending plane or Neutral-Axis.  Said more plainly, it finds the correct way to install a shaft so that it bends in a stable, repeatable way.

Every shaft has imperfections.  Modern shafts are very good, but they will never be perfect.  As such, they are going to be stronger in certain spots, weaker in others.  SST PURE minimizes the effects of these imperfections by finding the best, most stable orientation.

“What are the benefits of SST PURE?”

Longer, straighter golf shots.  In a Golf Myths Unplugged test [read it HERE], we found a PURE’d shaft produced 7 yards more distance with a six iron as well as hitting shots 2.2 yards closer to the target line.

Additionally, PUREing helps you to swing the club faster and more consistently.  When the shaft is moving off-plane (not in the directions you intend), your body has to adjust and “fight” the shaft.  When the shaft is PUREd, moving only the intended directions, it speeds up and improves your swing.

PUREing also makes your clubs feel better.  In the aforementioned test, 6 out of 7 golfers were able to feel the difference between a PURE and un-PURE shaft.

“Is SST PURE only for driver shafts?”

No, every shaft can be PUREd – steel and graphite, driver through putter.  While some would argue that it makes the biggest difference in a driver shaft, an argument can be made for almost any club.  PUREing a putter shaft won’t drastically change your dispersion, but putting is a game of inches, and a perfectly installed shaft can make a measurable difference.

“Can you PURE an old (used) shaft?”

Yes, you can PURE any shaft.  If you’re using a shaft that you like, but want to get more out of it, a club builder with an SST PURE machine can remove the shaft, PURE it, and then re-install it in the correct orientation.

“What equipment is required for SST PURE?”

An SST PURE machine is required to perform SST PUREing.  There is no substitute.

“How is SST PURE different than spining or FLOing a shaft?”

SST Pure, spining, and FLOing all have the same goal – finding the best orientation of the golf shaft.  SST PUREing is simply a much more scientific, accurate way of achieving that goal.  It’s a bit like asking how is a Formula 1 race car different than a tricycle.  Both are ways to go from here to there, but one does the job on a very different level.

“How do you install an SST PURE’d shaft?”

When a shaft comes out of the SST PURE machine, it has a line on it (see the line on the tape above).  This line is installed straight up (think “logo up”) to orient the “strong” side toward the target.

There is an alternative called “Soft Side PUREing” where the strong side faces away from the target.  The benefits can be a softer feel and higher launch, but this method is the exception, not the rule.

“How does SST PURE work with adjustable hosels?”

The answer to this question varies based on which adjustable hosel system you use.

If your adjustable hosel system does not change the shaft’s orientation, there’s no issue at all.  You can install the shaft as you normally would, make adjustments, and the shaft will remain in the PURE position.

If your adjustable hosel system changes the orientation of the shaft, you will need to re-install your shaft if you decide on a new setting.  This is why it’s important in your fitting to nail down not only the right shaft and head but also the correct hosel setting.

Visit SST PURE HERE

Visit Club Champion HERE

Watch Nick Sherburne Explain SST PURE HERE

Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf

Matt has worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking.

He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.

Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.

Latest posts by Matt Saternus (see all)