Effect of Shaft Length on the Club Head Speed in Golf

Abstract

The effect of the shaft length on the head speed in golf swing is investigated in order to obtain a longer distance of driving shot. Seven driving clubs, which have almost the same specifications except the shaft length, were manufactured for the experiments. Using these clubs, the head speed at the impact was measured during the swing by fifteen experienced golfers of both sexes in comparison with that by a golf robot. Results showed that the increase in the length of the club shaft created an increase in the head speed at the impact on all the subjects. The rate of the speed increase on the professional golfer was almost the same as that of the robot, and those on the male golfers were larger than the robot. On the other hand, it was smaller on the female golfers. By the consideration on the relation between the head speed and the ball speed at the impact, the total effect on the increase of driving distance is expected by the increase in the head speed using a longer shaft in spite of the reduction of the head weight.