Watch enough ESPN, and you might begin to think that performance on the golf course is all about toting a bag full of name-brand golf clubs. While big name clubs often perform well, it’s actually the science behind the club—as well as the technique of your swing—that sends that little ball soaring toward the green. In fact, while golfers are putting time in at the local driving range perfecting swings, club manufacturers continue to perfect the physics of golf clubs.
Reducing Drag during Swing
Technique is essential to a solid hit, but power and speed are also important. According to studies, air resistance—known as drag—on the club can reduce the power of a swing by up to 10 percent. Air is most resistant on the largest, flattest part of the club: the head. Subsequently, most club heads feature groves along the flat edge to allow for increased airflow. Drivers are also designed to improve airflow through aerodynamic shapes on the back of the driver head.
Large club heads provide some benefits to overall swing and initial impact with the golf ball. Since a larger head will also increase drag—which could lead to up to a 15-yard reduction in how far the ball travels—companies must work to strike a balance between powerful heads and optimal airflow.
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