Patent ID: 8282503

Claim:
A method comprising: categorizing a plurality of golf club shafts into a plurality of categories of golf club shafts based on a flexibility of the plurality of golf club shafts, the flexibility of the plurality of golf club shafts determined, while the plurality of golf club shafts are decoupled from any golf club heads, via a flexibility measurement mechanism configured to apply a predetermined force to the plurality of golf club shafts; determining a golfing level of an individual being fitted; and selecting an appropriate category from the plurality of categories of golf club shafts based on the golfing level of the individual; wherein: a first shaft flexibility range exhibited within a first category of the plurality of categories of golf club shafts optimized for individuals with a high golfing level is greater than a second shaft flexibility range exhibited within a second category of the plurality of categories of golf club shafts optimized for individuals with a medium golfing level; the second shaft flexibility range is greater than a third shaft flexibility range exhibited within a third category of the plurality of categories of golf club shafts optimized for individuals with a low golfing level; and shaft flexibility range differences between the first, second, and third shaft flexibility ranges are substantially consistent relative to each other.