Material Selection Case Study - Essay Example

The outcome is that presently golf clubs have been developed that perfectly suit each of the aforementioned groups. It is now even possible to customize the manufacturing of these kits to satisfy individual taste, preferences and financial strength. Golf manufacturers have been able to satisfy their customers, largely because of the wide array of materials available for use. Through research and development, new materials or new combinations of existing ones have been unearthed to develop even better fitted kits.

A recent study by Peterson (2003) has revealed the extent to which technology and material selection for that matter, has contributed in boosting golfer player performance over the past 20 years. The author found, for example, that the average driving distance of median tour players has increased by 27.3 yards from 1993 to 2003.The improvement in performance was traced to better golf equipment developed for the game by manufacturers. This report reviews commonly used materials in manufacturing golf clubs.

In doing so, it gives plausible reasons why and how they were incorporated as materials into golf clubs. The report concludes with the presentation of some possible materials that could be used in future for manufacturing these equipments. Golf clubs come in various shapes, sizes and colors. The shaft of a golf club measures about 89 to 115 centimeters in length and has a diameter of about 12 millimeters towards the grip end of the club. The most common way of classifying shafts is based on the extent to which they bend when swings of a player are applied to them.

On the basis of how they withstand this pressure, they are described as either being stiff or soft. Stiffer shafts facilitate relatively faster swings than their softer counterparts for a given load applied. Generally, the stiffer the shaft, the greater it can potentially impart the ball when struck. However, if it is too stiff, a golfer may not be able to apply enough swing to it for its maximum effect to be manifested. In that case, it leads to a loss of distance coverage. This problem notwithstanding, stiffer shaft gives greater accuracy than their softer counterparts.

Materials used for making shafts are steel, graphite fiber, a combination of steel and graphite, among others.The grip is the end of the shaft opposite to the head. It is commonly made from materials such as rubber, synthetic leather, or derivatives of these materials.The third component of a golf club is the club head. This is that part of the club that comes into direct contact with the ball when hit. A golf club head can be made from persimmon or maple wood, metal inpregrenated woods such as titanium or iron or steel woods, among others.3.0 Materials used in manufacturing golf clubs As already mentioned, various materials are employed in the manufacturing golf clubs.

These materials possess unique properties that aid the making of superior and easy to use golf clubs. This section takes a good look at these materials and highlights some