The dynamic flexing of a golf club shaft during a typical swing

Newman, S.J.; Clay, Stephen B.; Strickland, P.

doi:10.1109/mmvip.1997.625343

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Various researchers have quantified the dynamic behaviour of golf shafts, sometimes using optical methods , but mostly by attaching strain gauges to the shaft (Milne & Davis, 1992;Butler & Winfield, 1994;Horwood, 1994;Kojima & Horii, 1995;Newman et al, 1997;Lee et al, 2002;Ozawa et al, 2002;Tsujiuchi et al, 2002Tsujiuchi et al, , 2004Harper et al, 2005a). In terms of the general pattern of shaft deflection during the swing (Figure 1), these studies showed that there are only small deflections during the backswing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of golf shaft stiffness on strain, clubhead presentation and wrist kinematics

Betzler

Monk

Wallace

et al. 2012

Sports Biomechanics

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The aim of this study was to quantify and explain the effect of shaft stiffness on the dynamics of golf drives. Twenty golfers performed swings with two clubs designed to differ only in shaft bending stiffness. Wrist kinematics and clubhead presentation to the ball were determined using optical motion capture systems in conjunction with a radar device for capturing ball speed, launch angle, and spin. Shaft stiffness had a marginally small effect on clubhead and ball speeds, which increased by 0.45% (p < 0.001) and 0.7% (p = 0.008), respectively, for the less stiff club. Two factors directly contributed to these increases: (i) a faster recovery of the lower flex shaft from lag to lead bending just before impact (p < 0.001); and (ii) an increase of 0.4% in angular velocity of the grip of the lower flex club at impact (p = 0.003). Unsurprisingly, decreases in shaft stiffness led to more shaft bending at the transition from backswing to downswing (p < 0.001). Contrary to previous research, lead bending at impact marginally increased for the stiffer shaft (p = 0.003). Overall, and taking effect sizes into account, the changes in shaft stiffness in isolation did not have a meaningful effect on the measured parameters, for the type of shaft investigated.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of golf shaft stiffness on strain, clubhead presentation and wrist kinematics

Betzler

Monk

Wallace

et al. 2012

Sports Biomechanics

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“…A number of examples of shaft loading patterns applied by human players have been published [12][13][14][15][16], but none of these papers reported how this loading changed depending on shaft flex or included the strain rates generated by the players. Using graphical data from one of these studies [16], it has been estimated that peak strain rates in human swings are approximately 0.02 s -1 [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The static and dynamic stiffness behaviour of composite golf shafts and their constituent materials

et al. 2011

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Golf shafts are normally characterised using static or quasi-static tests, yet the golf swing itself is dynamic. The purpose of this research was to determine whether stiffness properties obtained from these tests can be used when modelling the dynamic behaviour of golf shafts made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). Three shafts, matched for all properties except shaft flex, were subjected to human swing testing by 12 skillful players whilst strains were recorded. Peak principal strains as well as strain rates increased as shaft flex decreased (p \ 0.001). CFRP flat panels with lay-ups similar to those contained in the shafts were constructed and tested statically and at strain rates between 10 -4 and 4 s -1 . Some level of strain-rate dependency was found for these panels, but only for strain rates exceeding those seen during a swing, which suggests that static material tests are appropriate for measuring the dynamic stiffness of golf shafts.

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“…Methods employed by golfers, objectively noted during testing for the present study, to increase drive distance, which directly affects ball backspin and launch angle, may include using a more flexible shaft with a lower kickpoint. This can promote lag and increasing dynamic loft and clubhead acceleration late into the downswing (Newman et al, 1997). Table I shows that, via decreased frequency, longer shafts are more flexible.…”

Section: Spin and Launch Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table I shows that, via decreased frequency, longer shafts are more flexible. The associated increased acceleration of the lower part of the shaft and clubhead in late downswing is thought to be one of the main ways in which longer drives are achieved by longer drivers, via increased clubhead velocity at impact (assuming a perfect impact) (Newman et al, 1997).…”

Section: Spin and Launch Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, shaft torque and the action of gravitational acceleration of the clubhead closed this gap by the time impact took place. The greater the differential between the clubhead and the hands, the greater the acceleration of the clubhead in the latter stages of the downswing, thus creating lead deflection and higher clubhead and ball speeds at impact equating to greater drive distances (Newman et al, 1997).…”

Section: Accuracy and Combined Condition Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of shaft length on golf driving performance

Kenny

Wallace

Otto

2008

Sports Biomechanics

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The aim of this study was to determine how shaft length affects golf driving performance. A range of drivers with lengths between 1.168 m and 1.270 m, representing lengths close to the 1.219 m limit imposed by R&A Rules Limited (2008), were assembled and evaluated. Clubhead and ball launch conditions and drive distance and accuracy were determined for seven category 1 golfers (handicaps 0.21^2.41) who performed shots on a purpose-built practice hole. As shaft length increased from 1.168 m to 1.270 m, initial ball velocity increased (þ1.8 m/s, P , 0.01). Ball carry (þ4.3 m, P ¼ 0.152) also increased, although not significantly so. Furthermore, as shaft length increased, for all club comparisons there was no decrease in accuracy. Ball launch conditions of spin components and launch angle remained unaffected by shaft length. Launch angle increased (0.88, F ¼ 1.074, P ¼ 0.362) as driver shaft length increased. Our results show that clubhead and ball velocity together with ball carry tended to increase with no loss of accuracy.

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The dynamic flexing of a golf club shaft during a typical swing

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Effects of golf shaft stiffness on strain, clubhead presentation and wrist kinematics

Effects of golf shaft stiffness on strain, clubhead presentation and wrist kinematics

The static and dynamic stiffness behaviour of composite golf shafts and their constituent materials

Influence of shaft length on golf driving performance

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