MAKING GOLF EASIER WITH TITANIUM AND MATERIALS SCIENCE

摘要

The metal of the Titans is now extensively used in golf club heads allowing the weight to be strategically placed by the designer, making a user-friendly head with an oversized "sweet spot." As a tribute to Professor Mike Meshii for his contributions to the field of Materials Science, and to help ease him into what expects to be one of many pursuits in his well-deserved retirement, this paper discusses the application of titanium and materials science to fabricating the modern golf club head. Specific topics covered include the design and manufacture of hitting faces, often with judicious weighing using dense elements such as tungsten, processes for producing the clubs, and the evolution of materials used in golf balls. With very thin, high strength faces a major "trampoline" effect can be built into the head adding distance to the golfer's device. Can the average golfer benefit from these advances? - Yes, although it may cost you.