[GolfSpy Dave]

TRUE AIM: THE NEXT BIG INNOVATION IN DRIVER TECHNOLOGY
An Official MyGolfSpy Review
www.mytrueaim.com
(CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TRUE AIM KIT NOW)

“True Aim is a product that has the possibility to be on EVERY driver, from the tour pro to the recreational golfer.” –Golfspy Dave

THE NEXT BIG INNOVATION IN DRIVER TECHNOLOGY
Innovations in driver design, such as the graphite shaft, titanium heads, and head adjustability, have all played a major role in defining the modern driver. These innovations have altered not only how the driver is used on tour, but they have also shaped the retail market as well. I believe that the product I bring you today, True Aim, will quickly be included in the same conversation as those other innovations and will have an impact on tour as well as your local golf shop.

That last statement likely aroused both your interest and skepticism so let me tell you some of the facts about True Aim:
• True Aim was used by a tour player at the 2011 BMW Championship.
• True Aim can not only allow you to be more accurate off the tee, but it also influences spin, launch angle, and other characteristics of your driver swing.
• All of the claims that True Aim makes are supported by extensive FlightScope™ data.
• A major shaft manufacturer was amazed that this product could generate more ball movement than a $400 shaft.
• The True Aim system allows you to optimize your tee shot using your existing driver.
• True Aim fittings can be preformed on a driving range by yourself, or with the help of golf instructor.

Now what if I was to tell you that all of this is accomplished by putting a decal on the top of your driver?

SERIOUSLY, THE TRUE AIM ALIGNMENT DECALS DO AMAZING THINGS!
Most of you reading this review right now are likely in one of two camps. You are either curious about how this is possible with a decal, or dismissive of these claims even being possible. To both groups, I say this, “read on” and your curiosity will be satisfied and your skepticism will turn into curiosity.



PUTTERS HAVE PERSONALIZED ALIGNMENT SYSTEMS, BUT NOT DRIVERS…UNTIL TRUE AIM
I think that all golfers would agree that the shape of a putter and the presence or absence of sight lines and dots affect how we aim a putt. Some people need to have a sight line to make anything, while others miss everything left as soon as a line is added. The visual characteristics of a putter affect accuracy. But what about the visual characteristics of a driver? Although aesthetic elements definitely come into play when considering a driver purchase, the graphic on the top of the driver is likely overlooked in the process. Nearly all of the top graphics are just brand logos or names anyway. Could that crescent moon, chevron, or line and triangle graphic affect how you swing the club?

True Aim, and its supporting data says that the visual components on the top of the driver definitely impact how you swing the club and should be individualized, much like loft and shaft. The True Aim system challenges the idea that the top of your driver is just for company advertising. The True Aim system allows you to truly aim the driver at address and thus optimize your driver performance off the tee.

SO WHAT IS THE TRUE AIM SYSTEM?
The True Aim system, developed by Tim Tucker and Jason Goldsmith, consists of a series of alignment decals that are affixed to the top of the driver. The golfer aims the alignment decal at the target and swings normally. The right decal will allow the golfer to be more accurate, and also produce a more desirable ball flight. The amazing thing is that the wrong decal will cause a golfer to be less accurate and to produce significantly worse ball flight.

The testing process is very simple and can be accomplished solo on the range, or if you want hard numbers, with the help of a golf instructor and a FlightScope or Trackman system.
• You make three to five good swings with your driver without a decal, and then three to five more swings with each of the temporary alignment decals.
• These temporary alignment decals cling to your driver like the decal in your car window that tells you when you need an oil change.
• The data collected allows you to identify the decal that works the best.
• Take your driver with the temporary decal on the course and play golf with it.
• Once you are sure that the decal is correct for you, remove the temporary one and stick on the permanent alignment decal (which then conforms to the rules of golf).



SO HOW DOES TRUE AIM SUPPORT THESE AMAZING CLAIMS?
TOUR PLAYER DATA
Let me show you the effect of the True Aim alignment decals using a PGA Tour Pro’s FlightScope™ data. This first graphic shows the shot dispersal for the pro using his regular driver without a decal, and also the results with the different True Aim alignment decal. Each circle represents a different decal, and as you can see, the circles are different sizes, and centered at different positions relative to the target line. Looking at the various circles in the graphic, you can see that some of the True Aim decals had a negative impact on dispersion and also overall shot shape. Keep in mind; the observed variation in the data is from the dialed in driver swing of a tour pro.



Now lets look at some isolated circles. The circle in the first graphic is for the pro’s regular driver without a decal, while the second is from the same player, with the same driver, but now with the Reversed T alignment decal on the top.



Here are two interesting pieces of data from FlightScope™ as well. Look at the difference in the swing characteristics between the pro’s driver without a decal and with the Reversed T decal.



Changing the True Aim decal changed the driver swing characteristics and with them the accuracy and ball flight, period.

5 HCP DATA
This FlightScope™ data was recorded for my friend Pete. We met Tim Tucker, the inventor of True Aim, one evening at a local driving range. After a few warm-up balls, Tim took Pete through the series of alignment decals and recorded the swing characteristics. Pete is a good driver of the ball, but does at times miss to the left. After working through the decals, we discovered that the “I” alignment decal produced the most accurate results, and that Pete’s ball flight was now a high fade. Watching this first hand, I can tell you that Pete was awestruck at the effect. The decal caused Pete to open the club a bit more than he would normally do, and thus the high fade. Pete didn’t change his driver, just how he saw his driver.



GOLFSPY DAVE DATA
Unfortunately, due to wisdom teeth being pulled 24 hours prior, I was not able to have Tim run me through the FlightScope™ process when we fit Pete. Thankfully though, I was able to test out the templates on a Trackman (thanks to Bobby Siravo at iFit Golf in Folsom, CA) and then also by myself on a driving range. Driving the ball is definitely the weakest part of my game and so I thought that if a hacker like me could see improvements with the True Aim alignment decals then anyone could see improvements.

TRACKMAN TESTING
Here are the average values for the different decals. The average reflects five swings where I felt like I made good contact with the ball. I was amazed at the affect that the alignment decals had on my swing.


Here are some of my findings:
• Some decals were horrible for me, causing me to top and shank balls numerous balls just to get five with decent contact.
• The “C” decal showed promise, but the Parallel I decal was amazing.
• The Parallel I was the last alignment decal that I hit (i.e. I was tired), and my distance numbers were close to with the ones that I got hitting my driver without a decal.
• The Parallel I decal lowered my backspin numbers by a ton!
• While my standard driver produced inconsistent ball flight (straight, straight, pull hook, fade, push) adding the Parallel I alignment decal produced the most consistent flight of the session (straight x4, draw).

DRIVING RANGE TESTING
On the driving range, I followed the guidelines in the True Aim kit. I hit the different alignment decals in the order on the scorecard, and generated a score for each one. I expected that the Parallel I would again be the best for me.



Here is a summary of the self-fitting instructions in the True Aim kit:
• Hit three solid shots with each alignment decal and then record points based upon where the ball ends up on the range relative to the aim line on the scorecard.
• Go slow and gentle as you remove the temporary decals from the driver, as they can be damaged if you are too rough pulling them off.
• Once you identify the highest scoring decal, go play golf with it on.
• Once it works on the course, switch to the permanent version of the alignment decal.




The results were similar to what I experienced with the Trackman. From looking at the data, I can see that there is a particular commonality to the decals that helped and those that hindered. The Reversed T, single line, and the True Aim logo decals were terrible for me. The Reversed C and the Parallel I decal were both strong, as was the box decal. It is difficult to quantify the feeling, but I just knew that I was going to hit the ball better when the “correct” alignment decal was on my driver at address.

I can’t begin to explain the science behind why this works, but the presence of the alignment decal on the top of the driver during that range session definitely impacted my swing. And therein lies the beauty of True Aim. If you have access to a FlightScope™ or Trackman, you can get numerical data and have hard evidence to select the correct decal choice. But you don’t need fancy high-tech equipment to use the True Aim system. You can find out which alignment decal works for you using just the True Aim kit, a bucket of balls, and the driving range. That is how close you are right now to driving the ball more accurately.


ARE YOU CONVINCED YET?
This product is going to explode through the marketplace. Remember that you heard about it here first at MyGolfSpy. You may still be skeptical, but mark my words; True Aim will be the most influential product to come out in 2012 and here’s why:
• Endorsement negotiations are underway with big name golf instructors.
• Tour players, not only on the PGA but also the Champions Tour and LPGA tour, are using True Aim.
• Having the permanent template on your driver conforms to the rules of golf.
• Golfers can fit themselves on the driving range.
• The final product will cost around $30

SHHHHH. I HAVE A SECRET DEAL FOR YOU.
I have saved the best feature of this True Aim review for last. The folks at True Aim have put together a prototype kit and MyGolfSpy readers get the first shot at them. These kits include a set of the temporary alignment decals for fitting, a set of “permanent” decals for once you find the right one, a graph for recording your fitting data, along with detailed instructions for self-fitting.

All of this for $19.95 plus shipping (and tax for CA residents).

Twenty bucks and you can optimize your driving with your own driver. Now is the chance to do it before the rest of your foursome does.

Here is the PayPal link: CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TRUE AIM KIT



WANT TO WIN A TRUE AIM KIT?
True Aim is also giving away a kit to five lucky MGS readers. Just leave a comment below and you are entered. Tweet a link to this article, including the hashtag #mytrueaim, and you get another entry. Like the True Aim Facebook page (HERE) and you get another entry. Winners will be announced December 19th.

[GolfSpy Matt]

When Dave told me that the "biggest product of 2012" was a decal, I laughed so loud that I didn't need to type "LOL" because he could hear me all the way in California. After reading this...I WANT IT! There's no question that driving is historically the weakest part of my game, and if this could fix it...well, it's worth much more than $30. I'm very excited to get my kit and give it a go!

[GolfSpy Dave]

GolfSpy Matt, on 12 December 2011 - 12:05 PM, said:

When Dave told me that the "biggest product of 2012" was a decal, I laughed so loud that I didn't need to type "LOL" because he could hear me all the way in California. After reading this...I WANT IT! There's no question that driving is historically the weakest part of my game, and if this could fix it...well, it's worth much more than $30. I'm very excited to get my kit and give it a go!

I had a good lump of the same skepticism when I saw it. But data is data and I know what happened when I tested it on the range. I truly believe that True Aim will be way more important in the marketplace this coming season than adding two settings to a sole plate or whatever.

The parallel I template is on my driver.

[apprenti23]

As a golf professional you always laugh and say to yourself "Boy, golfers will buy anything!" However, as a golfer, you think "I'd do almost anything to hit more fairways."

I would highly consider trying something like this. When I was reading, I was saying to myself "decals? that you take off and on? those are illegal." How exactly are the permanent ones applied?

Heck, the "line-em up" product sells like hot cakes so it must work for people when they're putting. Combine these two items and you'd have a stellar combination.

[GolfSpy Dave]

apprenti23, on 12 December 2011 - 12:47 PM, said:

As a golf professional you always laugh and say to yourself "Boy, golfers will buy anything!" However, as a golfer, you think "I'd do almost anything to hit more fairways."

I would highly consider trying something like this. When I was reading, I was saying to myself "decals? that you take off and on? those are illegal." How exactly are the permanent ones applied?

Heck, the "line-em up" product sells like hot cakes so it must work for people when they're putting. Combine these two items and you'd have a stellar combination.

The permanent decals have a stronger adhesive that sticks them "permanently" to the top of the driver. Much like the registration tag from the DMV on the license plate. I guess that when they become a permanent part of the club, then they conform to the rules of golf. The temporary decals do not conform though.

I was told that the permanent ones will come off, but not easily. Think a well stuck bumper sticker...

[hendricks97]

Im going to have to try these, but the only way is if I get it for free. Numbers or not, I cant justify $30.00 on stickers. My driver has no markings at all on the crown currently

[Tyk]

Hmm. . .never say never, right?!

[rchalpu98]

Would be very interested in product but concerned about what this does to resale value of the club. If the aiming decal does not work for the next buyer what happens to the club. Is the "permanent" decal actually removable?

[GolfSpy Dave]

rchalpu98, on 12 December 2011 - 02:19 PM, said:

Would be very interested in product but concerned about what this does to resale value of the club. If the aiming decal does not work for the next buyer what happens to the club. Is the "permanent" decal actually removable?

It is removable, but it is likely not to come off in one nice piece like the temporary. I'll ask the True Aim guys for more info.

Maybe once you get the right decal on, you will not be selling drivers as often

[wdgolf]

By putting the decal at an angle, this seems like a good way to tune how open/closed your club is (think ASP plate without having to ground the club). The decal will help you consistently open/close the club face to the same degree by giving you a straight line to line up against the ball.

[CliffJ]

If Tim is a right about this as he has been about other things in the past, this is a big, big winner....

[Jgolf]

Took me a while to believe what I was reading, but in the end I came away pretty much convinced. Definitely a product that I might consider if further reviews substantiate the claims...

JG

[hckymeyer]

I'm very intrigued, worth a shot for $20.

I'm also interested if you tested this out on fairway woods or hybrids? Seems like the same logic would apply.

[GolfSpy Dave]

hckymeyer, on 12 December 2011 - 08:05 PM, said:

I'm very intrigued, worth a shot for $20.

I'm also interested if you tested this out on fairway woods or hybrids? Seems like the same logic would apply.

According to the True Aim guys, the logic does apply and they will have decals for woods and hybrids in the future.
I did not test them, but what they said is that most of the testers ended up with a different decal from the one on the driver.
Makes sense with the shape of the wood or hybrid head being different.

More to come for sure.

[hckymeyer]

One more follow up question...Do they come in black? I have a white driver, just worried about the contrast with a white sticker.