The aims of this study were to examine the effect of shaft flexibility on the performance of junior golfers and to determine whether there is a relationship between golfers' physical characteristics (16 anthropometric measures, age, experience, strength), performance and shaft flexibility. We assessed the performance of 30 male golfers, aged 7-10 years, with three 7-iron golf clubs of different shaft flexibility at a driving range. The performance parameters measured for equipment evaluation were ball distance achieved, shot dispersion and impact position of the ball on the clubface. The results suggest that there is no particular shaft flex suitable for the age group considered and that experience, strength and arm span are the significant factors when selecting optimal shaft flexibility for children.

This study was designed to look at arrangements for menstruating girls in primary schools. We report the results of a questionnaire sent to the head teachers of 344 randomly selected primary schools throughout the UK. Although sanitary towels were available in 90% of schools, most girls had to ask an adult for a towel. Almost 60% of schools had disposal facilities, but in only 43% were facilities situated within individual toilet cubicles. The deficiencies identified in provision for girls in primary schools should be addressed.

A B S T R A C TFor most professionals the opportunity to influence the design of a new hospital ward or out-patient unit comes once in a lifetime. The Royal United Hospital in Bath has recently commissioned a new children's centre, which is scheduled to open in 2001. This article presents the results of a consultation exercise, undertaken by a team of health psychologists, which was designed to obtain the views of all members of the multi-professional team involved with children and families, as well as the service users themselves. The results of the consultation process have influenced the final design.

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Further study is required to determine whether puberty is really occurring earlier in girls.