Technology In Golf
Outcome 1:
Investigate the role of technology in optimising sports performance
M1 Compare and contrast the technological developments for optimising sports performance over the last 10 years.
Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for a practical purpose or purposes.
The Game of golf has rapidly improved over the last 10 years and this is due to the
Technological developments in the game and the improved fitness and training regimes.
Over the last 10 years the golf clubs used by professionals and amateurs have rapidly improved this is due to the fact that the materials used to make the clubs have changed and they have also been able to enlarge the hitting area on the clubfaces.
Here is how certain clubs have changed over the last 10 years:
Woods: Nowadays there are vast ranges of woods on offer from very shallow faced woods right the way too deep-faced drivers. These clubs offer so much more forgiveness then the woods around 10 years ago, 10 years ago titanium was just being put on the market and was very expensive to buy, metal headed drivers where most commonly used by professionals and amateurs. Woods today offer so much more, you can have offset woods to stop slicing the ball. They also have something called
the “The trampoline effect” this is a clubface which has a thick elliptical area and thinner perimeter area generates the spring like effect for extra distance.
Irons: Like woods there are a vast selection of irons to choose from, you can still have the old fashioned bladed club, but these are hardly used by amateurs only the very good single figured handicappers might use blades, nowadays nearly all manufacturers will make cavity back irons these irons offer a lot more forgiveness when struck badly, they have vastly improved since 10 years ago cavity backs where still used then but they still where no way as good as what they are now, due to how rapidly technology has developed over 10 years.
Balls: The golf ball is changing every year, In 1921, the R&A and USGA standardised the size and weight of the ball. Since then further constraints have been proposed which are detailed in the rules. Between 1931 and 1990, both organisations differed on the dimensions of the golf ball which meant that the game played on either side of the Atlantic was similar but different.
Today there is a rich variety of golf balls to suit the individual game and circumstance. Some offer control, some offer distance while others are suitable for practice only. Antique golf balls are avidly collected and are becoming increasingly valuable. A dimple patterned Guttie in good condition is worth about $US 500. Now companies are making balls with titanium cores for extra distance, they are forever changing the dimples on a ball, this effects the spin rate and the ball flight. They also make balls with covers that are a lot more durable. A 3- piece golf ball is used mostly by lower handicappers and professionals e.g. Titleist Pro V1. The ball most used [next page]