1. Introduction to Custom Grinding

2. (Furthest point of the toe) (Before Material is Removed)
TERMINOLOGY
Toe Juncture
Top Line
Crotch /
Rye Neck
Apex
(Furthest point of the toe)
Toe Area
Par Area
Belly
(Before Material is Removed)
Material Used by Permission:

3. CUSTOM GROUND CLUBS ADVANTAGES
Clubmaker:
Exclusive Service
Demands High Price Point
Offers Ultimate Custom Fit
Exclusive Model
Achieve Target Head Weights
Uniqueness – there isn’t another one like it, UNLESS you make it.
Customer:
Status
Soles Match Turf & Swing Type
Obtain Exact Desired Set-Up
Shift the CG location if Desired
Material Used by Permission:

4. ‘DISADVANTAGES’ of CUSTOM GRINDING
- Only available to touring pros and VIPs
- Mostly a Status Symbol
- Raw Castings or Forgings Not Readily Available
- Skills Training Not Readily or Easily Available
Material Used by Permission:

5. Altering Existing Clubheads
Why most clubmakers don’t grind:
- Loss of Head Weight
- Unknown Performance
- Matching Finishes (Breaking through Chrome)
- Specialty Heads Unavailable for Grinding
- Skill Set
Material Used by Permission:

6. Material Used by Permission:
GRINDING STRATEGIES
Roughing Shape
Targeting:
EFFECTS
- Toe Profile
Appearance
&
Playing
Characteristic
Change
- Blade Length
- Sole Width
- Leading Edge
- Soul Contour
‘Roughing Shape’ stage - it is the intention of targeting 6-8 grams above weight target before going into the ‘Refining’ of the shape
Material Used by Permission:

7. Material Used by Permission:
GRINDING STRATEGIES
Refining Surfaces
- Reinforces Features of the Grind
- Works Out Belt Marks in Preparation for Finishing
Shape to Target Weight:
Within 1 gram for Satin Finish
Within 3 grams for Mirror Finish
Material Used by Permission:

8. Material Used by Permission:
GRINDING STRATEGIES
Polish to Final Finish
- Semi-finish heads require satin blends - Mirror will require total finishing of the head including blasting of face
Material Used by Permission:

9. Many Kinds of Grinds & Effects of Those Grinds
Face length
Toe height
Toe profile
Leading edge bevel
Leading edge radius
Sole width and shape
Target weight
Effects:
Change of C of G
Appearance Change
Performance Change
Material Used by Permission:

10. Material Used by Permission:
TOE HEIGHT: HIGH TOE
Allows maximum distribution of weight
across the clubface - Gentle blending on grinding belt and
convolute wheel - Least amount of material removal
Material Used by Permission:

11. TOE HEIGHT: STANDARD TOE
- Reflection of most common blend
used on the market - Will cut into blasted finish on topline
- Best to satin entire topline.
Material Used by Permission:

12. Material Used by Permission:
TOE HEIGHT: LOW TOE
Requires altering topline over
scoreline - Convert topline to satin finish
Material Used by Permission:

13. Material Used by Permission:
TOE SHAPE: SQUARE
- At address, toe appears more perpendicular to leading edge of clubface; removes mass from toe shifting CG closer to heel
- Benefits: Square set up look, easier alignment for some slicers
Material Used by Permission:

14. Material Used by Permission:
TOE SHAPE: STANDARD
- Apex of toe has equal balance of radius above and below
- Semi-square at address
- Benefits: For the golfer looking for a traditional set-up
Material Used by Permission:

15. Material Used by Permission:
TOE SHAPE: FLARED
- Radius is greater above apex of toe, less below
- Blade has an open appearance at set up; never looks closed
- Benefits: Reduces turf resistance in deeper grass, good visual set up to many golfers
Material Used by Permission:

16. Material Used by Permission:
TOE SHAPE: LOWER C of G
Reduces upper and mid toe mass resulting in a lower vertical CG
Reminiscent to many Asian club shapes
- Benefits: Lower CG for getting the ball airborne more easily
Material Used by Permission:

17. Material Used by Permission:
LEADING EDGE: BELLY
More prevalent to game improvement Irons
More solid contact on uneven lies uneven lies and inconsistent swings
- Greater relief from turf resistance
- Benefits: Inconsistent angle of attack; playing shots from the rough
Material Used by Permission:

18. LEADING EDGE: STRAIGHT
Most common radius in today’s styling
- Provides turf relief from side-hill lies and rough
- Benefits: Most golfers. Inconsistent angle of attack; playing shots from off the fairway
Material Used by Permission:

19. LEADING EDGE BLEND: STANDARD
- Beveling from leading edge to sole
- Helps prevent blade digging
- Benefits: Variety of swing planes
Material Used by Permission:

20. LEADING EDGE BLEND: SHARP
- Easily cuts through hard-pan, dry crusty turf and lush or gnarly rough
- Benefits: Sweeping or picking swings; those who need help cutting through the turf
Material Used by Permission:

21. LEADING EDGE BLEND: BEVELED
- Does not promote cutting action but sharp enough to cut divots in a variety of turf conditions
Benefits: Variety of course and turf conditions. All-around design.
Material Used by Permission:

22. LEADING EDGE BLEND: ROLLED
- Significant beveling from leading edge to sole
- Helps prevent blade digging, particularly in more aggressive, sharp angle of attack swings.
- Benefits: Golfers with sharp descending blows who impart a lot of backspin on the ball; trapping iron shots
Material Used by Permission:

23. CUSTOM GRINDING Customer Interview
- Why are they wanting a custom grind?
- Cosmetic/Shape
- Function
- Status
- Combo of above
- Discuss Various Options
- Discuss Feasibility of Selected Grind
Material Used by Permission:

24. Material Used by Permission:
DETERMINE THE GRIND
Using a ‘Custom Grind form’ or other kind of documentation, establish the customer’s requirements
- Shaping request
- Club specs
Execute sample shape for their review
Material Used by Permission:

25. Material Used by Permission:
AGREE ON FINAL SHAPE
Sign off on final shape with client
Make a template of the face for your files
(Used X-Ray Film works well for this)
The following measurements are handy;
- Face height
- Bounce angles
- Sole width (2 edges of face blasting)
Material Used by Permission:

26. SAFETY
FIRST

27. Equipment Belt Assortment Leather Gloves Eye Protection
Breathing Protection
Multi Tool Grinder
Leather Gloves
Eye Protection
Wheel Assortment

28. GRINDING TECHNIQUES Profiling
Shape face first
Shape perimeter after face profile is met
Do not overheat the head
- Dip in water bucket to keep temperature down
Weigh & Measure - It’s easier to take off metal
than putting it back on
Material Used by Permission

29. GRINDING TECHNIQUES Toe Height
Reduce to height prior to shaping apex of the toe.
Blend toe shape once topline juncture is blended.
Lower toe height will lower CG (Depending on Amount of Material Removed)
Lower toe appearance can be achieved by grinding a larger radius at the toe juncture
Material Used by Permission

30. LET’S GET GRINDING

31. Portions of this presentation originally from:
‘An Introduction to Custom Grinding’
9/27/2004
by Jeffery D. Sheets
Used by Permission