Next week, when the Ryder Cup unfolds at the K Club in Ireland, a small company in Tempe will make its small contribution to the Americans’ arsenal.

Hybrex Golf, a division of Vyatek Sports, makes a revolutionary shaft out of titanium and molded carbon fiber specifically designed for hybrid or rescue clubs, and fairway woods. By redistributing the weight, the Hybrex shafts are lighter and stiffer than either graphite or steel.

Just as important, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman likes what he “sees and feels.’’

“It’s not like Hybrex shafts are going to be our secret weapon or something,’’ Lehman mused. “At the same time, (Hybrex) has made them available to the Ryder Cup team, and I wanted our guys to get first crack at them before the Europeans do.’’

Lehman said he likes the new shaft because “it’s heavy, more like steel, and yet they’re very lightweight like graphite.’’ It’s an “awesome combination,’’ Captain America reported.

Howard Lindsay, the inventor and CEO of Hybrex shafts, which is located at 1711 W. University Drive, said he is more than happy to contribute to the U.S. cause. And since the shaft costs $250 – more than some clubs – these are the type of players who will make or break his fledgling company.

“We’re not going to sell a lot of these to 25-handicappers,’’ Lindsay reasoned. “At the same time, I am content to do a high-end, low-volume business that’s successful rather than an ego-release that’s doing millions.’’

Normally, I’d challenge such a noble gesture. But having witnessed the success of Lindsay’s other contributions to high-end sports equipment, I’ll buy what he’s saying.

For instance, Vyatek already makes some of the most sought-after – and expensive! – bicycle frames in the world, including Bacchetta, Santana and Titus. Or did you not know that the Titus frames START at $4,500 a pop?
Vyatek also makes tennis racquets that are lighter for Wilson, metal baseball bats that are stiffer for Louisville Slugger, and ski poles that are stronger for Scott. In fact, Vyatek’s contributions in the world boutique metals include BMW cars and Invacare wheel chairs.

“We’re like BASF,’’ Lindsay said with a laugh. “We don’t make the product, we make the product better. . . . We’re the ‘Intel’ inside high-end sports equipment.’’

It is all the rage, especially in golf. Believe it or not, at $250 per shaft, Hybrex is not even close to being the most expensive shaft in the game. That honor goes to Bomb Squad Golf, which sells a $1,200 model.

“When we started selling the Titus bike frame we discovered ‘spoke-sniffers,’ or guys who want the top technology and want to show it off,’’ Lindsay said. “Now we’ve got a new term for those types at Hybrex – ‘shaft-sniffers.’ ’’

Lindsay certainly knows what he’s talking about, judging from his resume. First of all, he worked in the aerospace industry for six years as an advanced materials expert, then took a job with True Temper, which arguably is the most well-known name in golf shafts, at least for the regular player. He knows shafts.

“They say that every graphite shaft has its own personality,’’ said Lindsay, meaning no two graphite shafts are alike, which causes inconsistency.

“That’s why the pros prefer steel. At the same time, our shafts have the low torque like steel without the weight, and that translates into club-head speed, which they love.’’

Yes, if you guessed Lindsay is basically a rocket scientist – he has patented such technologies as Isogrid, Exogrid and B1/Fusion -- you guessed right!

“We’re the first company to really combine titanium and carbon fiber, which are the big things in golf right now,’’ Lindsay pointed out. “The shaft is just starting to take off, and now we’re working on titanium/carbon fiber (club) heads, too. So this is exciting.’’

Hmmm. I wonder if Lehman’s lads could use a couple of those experimental club heads, too? Hey, you can never have too much of an edge, especially when you’re trying to combat those ridiculously successful Euros in the Ryder Cup.