Golf Club Head Research Articles

Effects of Resistance Training Methods on Golf Clubhead Speed and Hitting Distance: A Systematic Review.

Uthoff, A, Sommerfield, LM, and Pichardo, AW. Effects of resistance training methods on golf clubhead speed and hitting distance: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2651-2660, 2021-Resistance training is widely regarded within the golfing community to improve golf performance by increasing clubhead speed (CHS) and drive distance and can be classified into 3 categories: nonspecific, specific, and combined. However, it is currently unclear which resistance training methods are most effective in improving predictors of golf performance. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to compare the effectiveness of nonspecific, specific, and combined strength training methods on CHS and drive distance. A systematic search strategy was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to identify eligible articles through PubMed, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE (EBSCO), and Google Scholar. The searches identified 4,557 potentially relevant results, with 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Thirteen studies investigated nonspecific resistance training, one study investigated specific resistance training, and 7 studies investigated combined resistance training. Collectively, resistance training positively impacts golf CHS and hitting distance, but adaptations vary depending on the type and intensity of training, as well as subject's characteristics. Using a combination of nonspecific and golf-specific training (average increase of 4.1% CHS and 5.2% hitting distance) seems to enhance golf performance more than nonspecific strength training (average increase of 1.6% CHS and 4.8% hitting distance). Eight-week programs including golf-specific movements at high velocities for 3 to 4 sets of 5 to 15 repetitions are the most effective in increasing CHS and hitting distance. Future research investigating how golf-specific training influences CHS and hitting distance in various subgroups may provide further insight regarding prescription of this training type.

An investigation of the effectiveness of vibration-reducing gloves for controlling vibration exposures during grinding handheld workpieces

Prolonged and intensive vibration exposures during the grinding of handheld workpieces may cause hand-arm vibration syndrome. The objectives of this study are to develop an on-the-hand method for evaluating vibration-reducing (VR) gloves, and to determine whether VR gloves can significantly reduce the vibration exposures. A worker holding and pressing a typical workpiece (golf club head) against a grinding wheel or belt in order to shape the workpiece was simulated, and the input vibration and those on the workpiece and hand-arm system were measured. Ten human subjects participated in the experiment. The results demonstrate that VR gloves significantly reduced the vibrations at the palm, hand dorsum, and wrist. The grinding interface condition and hand feed force did not substantially affect glove effectiveness. The use of gloves slightly increased the workpiece resonant response, but the resonant response did not significantly affect glove effectiveness. This study concluded that the use of VR gloves can help control vibration exposures of workers performing grinding of handheld workpieces.

Golf Clubhead Optimization Based on Contribution of Eigenmodes

This study is aimed to optimize a golf clubhead for the purposes of maximizing the driving distance. Since the sensitivity-based approaches cannot be applied in impact problem, the authors developed an optimization system by using basis vector method. The relation between the eigenfrequencies and the coefficient of restitution is examined with finite element method (FEM) models numerically at first. Based on evaluating the contribution of eigenmodes, the authors proposed an approach to create the basis vectors using the sensitivity functions of eigenvalues. Computational results are presented for demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

A model for simulating vibration responses of grinding machine-workpiece-hand-arm systems

The objective of this study was to develop a vibration model of a grinding machine-workpiece-hand-arm system. A lumped-parameter model structure of the system was proposed, and its major parameters were determined using the mechanical impedance measured at the grinding point of a typical workpiece (golf club head) held by two hands and referenced to the vibration transmissibility spectra measured at the wrist and on the upper arm of human subjects. The model reasonably predicted the vibration transmissibility spectra measured on the club head and the driving-point response function when the grinding contact stiffness was below a certain value. This suggests that the model is acceptable not only to enhance the understanding of the system responses, but also to explore some engineering methods for controlling vibration exposures during the grinding process. The identified model parameters reveal that the major resonance of the handheld workpiece depends primarily on its mass and grinding contact stiffness. The feed force applied in the grinding process can substantially affect the grinding contact stiffness; as a result, it can significantly influence the resonance. Vibration-reducing gloves can marginally increase the workpiece resonance, but these gloves can reduce some vibration transmitted to the hand-arm system. This study also clarified an important mechanism for the prediction errors of linear human vibration models, which is useful to further improve human vibration modeling.

Measurement of three-dimensional orientation of golf club head with one camera

Golfers' swings vary with each individual and golf club manufacturers provide the service called “Fitting”, to select an appropriate golf club for each swing, to an each golfer. In order to find the appropriate golf club for each golfer, it is necessary to measure the position and orientation of a golf club head. It can be supposed that the measurement error needs to be less than 0.5 degree. There is an existing method whereby the three-dimensional (3D) orientation of a golf club head is measured from the 3D positions of points on the golf club head. This method is generally used in the area of motion analysis, and has problems in that the system has many restrictions in its installation, large installation space is required, and costs are incurred to the future expansion of the fitting service to many locations, as two or more cameras are needed. The “Fitting” service requires a method that needs small space, low cost and little calculation time. Therefore, A method was developed, whereby the 3D orientation of a golf club head was calculated based on one image from just one camera using the Newton-Raphson method, which needs little calculation time, and the measurement accuracy was validated compared with the experimental results. It was proved that the developed method is useful to a golf club fitting service because the measurement error is less than 0.5 degree of our target even when various golfers' swings are measured, whereby markers are attached possibly near the outline of the head in the case of the farthest distance between markers from 80 to 95 mm, and then the coordinates of the marker center are identified by calculation from luminance and coordinates of each pixel in an area surrounding the marker.

ゴルフスイングシミュレーションの妥当性の検討

Golf is the sports that have been enjoyed by the people of a wide age group. The many golfers aim to get the high score and hope to getting the longer distance and raising the ball speed by the golf club (Driver). The improvement of the golf club head has been accomplished. In 2008, the upper limit of the coefficient of restitution of the golf club head was regulated. Therefore, the study of the golf club shaft comes to attract more attention. Therefore, in the previous study, the golf swing simulation has already been proposed by the authors. In this simulation, considering the motion and torsion of the grip of the golfer, the golf swing was simulated. Also, this swing simulation consists of the finite element approach using the grip motion obtained by the swing image. In this study, the accuracy of the proposed swing simulation is discussed.

Measurement of Three-dimensional Orientation of Golf Club Head with One Camera

We developed a method to measure the three-dimensional orientation of a golf club head with one camera using the Newton-Raphson method which requires less calculation time. In this method, the orientation is calculated from the relation between the coordinates of markers on the head in the coordinate system of the club head and the coordinates of markers on the photo. Golfers hit balls with Irons whose club lie angles were 62° and 60° or 64°, and we took photos of the club head hitting balls. We calculated impact lie angles and face angles of the club head using this method and also measured the ball flight with a flight measuring machine. The results are as follows: (1) When the golfers used 64° (60°) clubs, all of them hit balls at larger (smaller) impact lie angles than when using 62° clubs. (2) Most of the landing points of the ball when the golfers used 64° (60°) clubs were more to the left (right) than 62° clubs. However, the reverse was the case with some golfers, because they changed face angles. In fitting, we need to find advanced methods to change lateral deviation adding on changing club lie angle.

A-17 カメラ1台によるゴルフクラブヘッドの3次元姿勢計測 : ヘッド設計値に対するインパクト時の姿勢を計測する方法(映像分析,推定,構造)

Relative to the measurement of a three-dimensional orientation of golf club head with one camera even if markers are put on any positions, we developed a jig which makes it possible to set a golf club at an intended standard orientation and a plurality of intended orientations quickle. The investigated setting errors of the jig were not larger than 0.1°. And, also, it is confirmed using this jig, it because possible to measure a head orientation relative to the intended standard orientation. Additionally, the following results are obtained. (1) The measurement error can be decreased by increasing the number of the head orientations considering the shaft angle change, but not decreased by increasing those considering the face angle change. (2) In case of setting considering the face angle change only, changing face angle with not 0° shaft angle makes the measurement error to be less than with 0° shaft angle.

J1010305 ゴルフスイングのシミュレーションに関する研究 : スイングスピードがゴルフクラブのしなりに及ぼす影響

Golf is the sports that have been enjoyed by the people of a wide age group. The many golfers aim to get the high score and hope to getting the longer distance and to raising the ball speed with the golf club (Driver). And the improvement of the golf club head has been accomplished. In 2008, the upper limit of the coefficient of restitution of the golf club head was regulated. Therefore, the study of the golf club shaft comes to attract more attention. The authors already proposed the swing simulation referring the swing image of the golf swing robot. In the proposed swing simulation, the finite element model of golf club which consists of the golf club head and the laminated composite shaft is used. In this study, using the proposed swing simulation, the effect of the swing speed to the behavior of the swinging golf club shaft is clarified.

Vision-based Assembly and Inspection System for Golf Club Heads

Golf club head production is started by creating metallic films and forming blank casts, which then undergo complex and sophisticated assembly procedures, morphological inspection and strength testing. Not only chemicals used in these processes often threaten the health of operators, but also most of this backend processing involves manual assembly and welding, demanding substantial amounts of manpower. In light of these pitfalls, this paper proposes a Vision-based Assembly and Inspection System for Golf Club Heads (VAIS-GCH) to mitigate the time-consuming and labor-intensive golf club head production process. Two cameras are coordinated to capture top-view image of the striking plate, and top- and side-views of the casting body for visual processing. After the barycenter shift and shifting angle of the striking plate are determined, a robot arm is then directed to suction up the striking plate from the conveyor belt, adjust it to the canonical orientation, and move the yet-to-be assembled striking plate to the top of the casting body. The 3D spatial positions of the casting body, namely, the XYZ shifting angles of the coupling opening, are detected by comparing the top- and side-view images captured with pre-stored 3D golf club head template to facilitate the coupling of the striking plate and casting body. The side-view camera monitors the insertion depth of the striking plate during the coupling process to make sure the surface of the striking plate levels with the casting body. The loft angle, formed by the line perpendicular to the tangent of the bottom of casting body and the tangent of the striking surface, is tested to confirm whether specifications are satisfied. Through the coordination of two cameras, the accuracy and efficiency of the golf club head assembly are increased significantly. The alignment error is smaller than 0.8 mm and the assembly and inspection process takes less than 2 s.

The Behavior of Golf Ball Putting on Artificial Turf

The putting of a golf ball requires control of the speed and direction and an understanding of the interaction between the ball and the putting green by the golfer. The putt can involve a combination of the ball flying over, skidding across, and rolling on the putting green. This study used finite element analysis as a tool to investigate these behaviors, and this paper documents the results for putts with different initial velocities. The finite element analyses were performed in LS-DYNA using a viscoelastic material model for the turf and an elastic material for the golf ball and club head. A high-grade artificial putting turf was characterized by its compressive stiffness in a Universal Testing Machine and displacement of a golf ball resting on turf. The static and dynamic friction between the golf ball and artificial turf were investigated. The ball velocity and deceleration resulting from different putts were examined to help in the characterization of the behavior of the turf. The finite element model will be used in future studies to determine the optimal putter loft and rise angles to achieve consistent putts.

A-14 カメラ1台によるゴルフクラブヘッドの3次元姿勢計測 : 計測マーカーを任意の位置に貼付して計測する方法(ゴルフスイング)

We developed a method to calculate the coordinates of markers on the club head through one set of camera. This method is enabled by setting the club head at some known postures and taking the photos of each posture. So we could measure the three-dimensional postures of the golf club head with markers applied to any positions of the club head with a camera. Following points are made in terms of the measurement accuracy. (1)The measurement error can be decreased by increasing the number of rotation axis which we rotate the club head around. (2)The measurement error can be decreased by increasing the number of the postures we set. (3)The measurement accuracy of the current method is lowered comparing to the three-dimensional measurement machine measuring the coordinates of markers.

High Speed Golf Ball Impact on a Substrate

This project aims to investigate the effect impacting a high speed golf ball on TiN coated metal plate, a simulated golf club head. It was found that the surface coating caused greater deformation of the golf ball. It can be said that a club with this coating will absorb less energy from the impact. The result of this is that the energy will that was not absorbed by the club threw deformation will remain in the golf ball. This extra energy will be transformed into two forms of kinetic energy. The other will be used up by the forces acting on the ball during flight. This research is important as large golf club and golf ball companies have great interest and motivation to further their understanding of new ways to improve their golf clubs.

Relationships Between Field-Based Measures of Strength and Power and Golf Club Head Speed

Increased golf club head speed (CHS) has been shown to result in greater driving distances and is also correlated with golf handicap. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between field-based measures of strength and power and golf CHS with a secondary aim to determine the reliability of the selected tests. A correlation design was used to assess the following variables: anthropometrics, squat jump (SJ) height and squat jump peak power (SJPP), unilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) heights (right leg countermovement jump and left leg countermovement jump [LLCMJ]), bilateral CMJ heights, countermovement jump peak power (CMJPP), and medicine ball seated throw (MBST) and medicine ball rotational throw (MBRT). Fouty-eight male subjects participated in the study (age: 20.1 ± 3.2 years, height: 1.76 ± 0.07 m, mass: 72.8 ± 7.8 kg, handicap: 5.8 ± 2.2). Moderate significant correlations were reported between CHS and MBRT (r = 0.67; p < 0.01), MBST (r = 0.63; p < 0.01), CMJPP (r = 0.54; p < 0.01), and SJPP (r = 0.53; p < 0.01). Weak significant correlations (r = 0.3-0.5) were identified between CHS and the other remaining variables excluding LLCMJ. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified that the MBST and SJ were the greatest predictors of CHS, explaining 49% of the variance. Additionally the intraclass correlation coefficients reported for tests of CHS and all performance variables were deemed acceptable (r = 0.7-0.9). The results of this study suggest that the strength and conditioning coach can accurately assess and monitor the physical abilities of golf athletes using the proposed battery of field tests. Additionally, movements that are more concentrically dominant in nature may display stronger relationships with CHS due to MBST and SJ displaying the highest explained variance after a stepwise linear regression.

운동량 보존 법칙을 이용한 골프공의 속도 측정 방법

In this paper, the golf club head hit the golf ball moves at a constant velocity, then move in the same direction at a constant velocity of the golf club head, the velocity of the golf ball was hitting and flying the golf ball is calculated. If velocity is different before you hit the golf ball, each of the velocity of the golf ball is calculated. The purpose of this paper is to make it easy to find out the velocity of a club`s head, the mass of a golf ball, the velocity or the direction of a golf ball after impact in playing golf. The results of the experiment are represented in tables and figures. And we also propose the comparison analysis between our research and other traditional ones, the implications, and futhur studies in the future. The results of this study, unlike other studies, it was can be seen that measurements of several factors superior to the measurement of the velocity of the golf ball.

The Effects of Postactivation Potentiation on Golf Club Head Speed

In golf, an increase in club head speed (CHS) has been shown to increase driving distance and is correlated with handicap. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a postactivation potentiation (PAP) intervention on CHS. A FlightScope launch monitor was used to record CHS in 16 golfers (aged 20.1 ± 3.24 years, handicap 5.8 ± 2.26) during 2 testing sessions that were separated by 1 hour, using a counterbalanced design. The mean CHS of 3 swings was recorded with (experimental) and without (control) 3 preceding countermovement jumps (CMJs). An increase in CHS of 2.25 mph (effect size, 0.16; p < 0.05) 1 minute after the CMJ intervention was recorded. Therefore, acute enhancements in CHS are possible when performing a CMJ before a golf drive. This may have implications for training and on-course performance enhancement as a result of increased driving distance and possible reductions in handicap; this PAP intervention is practically viable.

Near-Net-Shape Production of Hollow Titanium Alloy Components via Electrochemical Reduction of Metal Oxide Precursors in Molten Salts

Metal oxide precursors (ca. 90 wt pct Ti, 6 wt pct Al, and 4 wt pct V) were prepared with a hollow structure in various shapes such as a sphere, miniature golf club head, and cup using a one-step solid slip-casting process. The precursors were then electro-deoxidized in molten calcium chloride [3.2 V, 1173 K (900 °C)] against a graphite anode. After 24 hours of electrolysis, the near-net-shape Ti-6Al-4V product maintained its original shape with controlled shrinkage. Oxygen contents in the Ti-6Al-4V components were typically below 2000 ppm. The maximum compressive stress and modulus of electrolytic products obtained in this work were approximately 243 MPa and 14 GPa, respectively, matching with the requirement for medical implants. Further research directions are discussed for mechanical improvement of the products via densification during or after electrolysis. This simple, fast, and energy-efficient near-net-shape manufacturing method could allow titanium alloy components with desired geometries to be prepared directly from a mixture of metal oxides, promising an innovative technology for the low-cost production of titanium alloy components.

GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH STIFFENING AND SOUND TUNING COMPOSITE MEMBER

A golf club head with sound tuning composite members forming at least a portion of the surface of the golf club head is disclosed herein. The composite members being a composite layer made out of a sandwiched core layer that is interposed inside the midsection of the composite member to provide vibration damping and sound tuning characteristics.

IRON-TYPE GOLF CLUB WITH VIBRATION DAMPING

The present invention relates to an iron-type golf club head which comprises a body member with a central cavity therein, a damping member and a face member disposed within the central cavity. Further, the rear surface of the body member includes an opening, preferably circular in shape. The body member is composed of a first metal material and the face member is composed of a second metal material. The damping member is preferably composed of a EPDM material.

209 カメラ1台によるゴルフクラブヘッドの3次元姿勢計測(計測技術)

We developed the method to measure the three-dimensional posture of the golf club head based on one photo taken by one set of a camera, and found the following in terms of the measurement accuracy. (1)The measurement error can be decreased by putting markers on the wider surface of a head. (2)In the case where the posture of a head significantly deviates from the standard posture, the measurement accuracy deteriorates compared with the case of a small deviation. (3)The measurement error can be reduced by identifying the coordinates of the center of markers instead of visually selecting a pixel as the center of markers.