The Evolution and Innovation of Golf Clubs

Golf's Origin

Sep 30, 1400

In Scotland around the 1400's, a new sport took hold. Golf is a game in which a player must get a ball into a cup. Most clubs were made of wood, mostly by the players themselves. There was no standard club design, and play rules were unclear.

Golf Begins

Period: Sep 30, 1400 to Sep 30, 2012

In Scotland around the 1400's, a new sport took hold. Golf is a game in which a player must get a ball into a cup. Most clubs were made of wood, mostly by the players themselves.

The Clubs Take Shape

Sep 30, 1500

A set of clubs contained longnoses for driving, grassed drivers for mid-range shots, spoons for short range shots, niblicks( AKA wedges) and a putting cleek.

The Golf Balls

Sep 30, 1618

In 1618, the Featherie ball was introduced to the game. This ball design would last for more than 200 years. It was made of 3 pieces of leather, and “a top hat’s worth of feathers” , sewn together. Most players used wooden clubs to keep from damaging the ball because it was expensive. However, wooden clubs were not as accurate or controllable as iron clubs were.

Irons

Jan 30, 1800

Before the 1800’s, irons were made by blacksmiths. Because of this they were heavy and crude, which made them very difficult to use. Also, they easily damaged the Featherie balls, which limited its ability to be utilized effectively.

The Gutta-Percha Ball is Developed

Sep 30, 1850

Around 1850, the Gutty ball was developed. It was made out of a rubber called Gutta-Percha. It was much stronger than the Featherie balls, and now, a selection of iron headed clubs were utilized now the game. The irons gave the golfer much more stability and control when hitting off an awkward lie.

The Adoption of Iron-Headed Clubs

Oct 30, 1875

The adoption of drop forging in the late 1800’s meant that more effective iron clubs could be mass produced in factories. Wooden headed clubs were often handmade until about 1910, when iron clubs began to take over due to popular demand. One of the most important innovations was the adoption of grooved lines on the head of Irons. These grooves allowed for the ability to increase the amount of backspin on the ball, which in turn increase distance and control.

The "Haskel Ball" is Developed

Sep 30, 1898

In 1898, the Haskell ball was invented. It involved winding rubber string around a solid composite core, which was then covered in Gutta-Percha. This change from a solid Gutta-Percha ball, to a composite core added 20 yards to a golfer’s shot. This design would be used for the next 90 years.

The Early Sand Wedge

Sep 30, 1900

The early sand wedge design was invented by Gene Sarazon, and is still used today. Sand wedges are used to help the golfer get the ball out of a sand trap

Steel Shafts

Sep 30, 1929

The R&A only legalized steel shafts when the Prince of Wales used them on the St. Andrews course in 1929. Billy Burke was the first to win a tournament with Steel shafted clubs when he won the 1931 U.S. Open. The advantage to a steel shaft was increased accuracy and durability. However, they required a completely different swing technique than the slow and smooth swing of the wooden clubs. Instead, it required a precise and controlled body swing.

Graohite Shafts are Introduced

Sep 30, 1970

In the 1970’s, the graphite shaft was introduced. This was easier to manufacture, and more affordable for you average golfer. They were also lightweight and, theoretically, stronger. However, they were prone to too much torque. Now, those problems are a thing of the past.

Golf Clubs Today

Sep 30, 2005

TaylorMade was the first company to introduce the metal “woods”. Eventually, the metal “woods” replaced wooden woods. Lately, the biggest trend in golf club anatomy is titanium heads and graphite shafts. Titanium heads allowed for larger club heads without compromising weight.

Golf Clubs Today Continued

Sep 30, 2005

The evolution of larger driver heads has been a major change in design and is great to most golfers. The larger head has a more forgiving hitting area, and also add distance and accuracy. Hybrid clubs involve the combinations of woods and irons. This hybrid gives the golfer the strength of a wood, and the cutting power of irons in deep grass.

Bibliography

Sep 30, 2012

~Golf Club History. (2011). - The Evolution of the Golf Club from 1500 to Present. Retrieved September 24, 2012, from http://www.golf-club-revue.com/golf-club-history.html
~Raasch, R.. (Year, Month. Day ). In The Fascinating History of Golf Clubs. Retrieved Sep. 30, 2012, from http://www.parexcellencemagazine.com/golf-equipmen