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2009 
Wow - great video of the testing and research facilities at Nike Golf!
http://www.sandbox8.com/2009/06/05/inside-the-oven-behind-the-scenes-at-nike-golfs-rd-facility/
For me this is great stuff. Originally shown on www.sandbox8.com, this video is a tour of nike golf's research labs. They are doing fantastic stuff and the detail that goes into the design is great.
I would love to show research labs all around the world in sport so if you have a video then please get in touch (sportstechreview@googlemail.com).
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2009
TOPGOLF introduce new online golf game
TAGS: Golf websites
TopGolf, the unique sports entertainment complex that is more than just a driving range, has introduced an online version of one of their most popular games. Available at TopGolfTheGame.com, the online game allows players to select the power and accuracy of each shot while aiming for any of 10 targets. Like the real game it is based on, points are scored based on accuracy. In celebration of the new release, TopGolf will award prizes every week for ...
2009
Wilson to launch new iron set
Wilson have about to release a new set of irons used by Ricky Barnes during the US Open. According to Golf Monthly
"A relatively thin topline is combined with a healthy cavity in the back in the FG Tour, creating an iron that looks traditional at address but still offers a consistency of strike from the fairway. This formula should attract interest from Tour players as well as low and mid handicap amateurs ".
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2009
Sports scientists and technologists are not investigating the correct parameters in golf!
TAGS: Golf clubs
In an very interesting article published by Geoff Mangum of puttingzone.com, he explains that those technologists in the field of examining golf putting performance through have got it all wrong. In contrast to the views commonly held by those in my profession, Geoff suggests that technologists should aim to measure the parameters most necessary for putting improvement by asking real experts want needs to be measured. Although, what he fnally suggests to actually measure at the end of the article is extremely difficult and I am unsure if the equipment exists to do so, I do believe Geoff has a very serious and valid point. Very few in the sports design industry actually ask the right questions before conducting research with tools that are available.
2009
Professional tee systems offset tee
Professional tee systems offset tee seems a revelation and so obvious. I would love to do a bit of high speed video of this in my lab on the golf robot to see if it actually works, although the basic principle seems sound. The benefits according to the website are promotion of the sweeping swing, reduced tee friction increasing distance, optimol launch angle to promote solid contact. I could easily test all these principles - I hope they get in touch?
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2009
Titleist release new ProV1x ball
TAGS: Golf balls
According to Titleist, "the new ProV1x ball with a new, softer Urethane Elastomer™ cover, the Pro V1x provides improved playability and feel with mid and short irons. Featuring an improved, higher coverage 332 dimple design, along with a new staggered wave parting line and exclusive A.I.M. (Alignment Integrated Marking)™ sidestamp, the Pro V1x golf ball maintains long, consistent distance with softer feel and Drop-And-Stop™ control around the green".
2009
Is golf bad for your hearing?
TAGS: Golf clubs
In an interesting article published in the British Medical Journal, M A Buchanen investigated the potential loss of hearing whilst playing golf. In particular they examined the case of a 55 year old man with reduced hearing in his right ear. The damage was attributed to...
2009
Sensoglove allows you to monitor grip pressure during swing
TAGS: Gloves
Sensoglove computerised golf glove allows you to monitor your grip pressure as you swing. A lighter grip usually translates to more precision in a shot, therefore being able to monitor and understand grip pressure is definately an advancement.
According to sensoglove.com:
"The SensoGlove computer is a...
2009
Gyroscopic golf club to improve smoothness of swing
TAGS: Golf clubs
Gyroscopic club head of a similar vain as Powerball has been developed to eliminate the jerkiness associated with the golf swing. Apparently, the clubhead forces you swing to swing in the "correct" plane and "grooves" a perfectly timed release.
2009
PING Anser - fine-tune your putting
PING have released a new iWi Putter Series which allows you to change the putter head weighting at the heel, toe and overall. The weights come in 12-gram, 20-gram and 28-gram tungsten allowing nine possible combinations. However, the weights set is sold separately.
For more information see www.pinggolf.com
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2009
ProStance success
TAGS: Swing training
PGA Coach and European Tour men’s and ladies coaches Dr Paul Hurrion and Stewart Craig have invented and patented an amazing golf teaching and practice aid that will revolutionise the way golf is taught and coached.
The ProStance was born out of...
2009
TaylorMade Spider Rossa putter
TAGS: Golf clubs
TaylorMade Spider putters have received notable attention in recent weeks hence its inclusion in this blog. TaylorMade describe its innovations as...
2009
Indoor golf arena to be built in the Netherlands
Indoor Golf Arena is to be the world’s largest, most unique and diverse indoor golf training centre, open 365 days a year and offering high quality indoor golf training facilities. It aims to instill an interest and passion among customers about golfing. Synthetic grass, 20 state-of-the-art ProTee Golf Simulators and 28 hitting bays will be employed to provide you with the best indoor golf training. The center is equipped with a kid’s training area, bar, lounge and an up market restaurant as well.
If you plan to bring your business to the golf course, they also have a conference room, meeting rooms, sky lounges, and the like. The 4-star hotel at the club makes sure neither you nor your invitees have to spend a single minute in something, which is sub standard. Now, who would have thought golf can be so cool! You will forget you ever wanted to do something else when you treat your eyes with the luscious and luxurious grass that grows on the golf course.
Text from bornrch.
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2009
Public art and mini-golf?
Based in Minneapolis Walker Art Center have built a mini-golf centre designed by esteemed artists. looks nice and apparently plays well.
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2009
Nike "Karma" balls for those with a cool temperament
Nike have released thier "softest compressionl" golf ball to date for added feel and distance. The nice calming packaging certainly envokes more relaxed feel. They can be purchased at Amazon and for more details see the Sand Trap.
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2009
DIXX lite digital instruction putter
Utilizing a micro Inertial Navigation System (INS), the DiXX Lite Putter can identify the putter face position in relation to the ball at impact and display the information immediately on the vibrant color LCD. A Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) monitors several key factors of the swing motion, including path, tempo, speed and hand vibration levels.
All of the information can be collected into usable data (personal statistics) that can be analyzed to correct bad putting habits. The DiXX Lite Putter includes the computer module which can be removed and replaced with the playing module which confirms to USGA Standards.
Information taken from DIXX lite website.
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2009
Callaway I-MIX clubs
TAGS: Golf clubs
Perhaps a little behind time- but the Callaway I-MIX club set is an ingenious way to select the correct shaft and head for your specific swing speed and trajectory.
2009
New brand for a new sport
TAGS: Golf clubs
HOLZundEISEN, a german golf brand, have jumped onto the bandwagon of urban golf and released a new tough and durable iron suitable for long and short shots. Played on the streets of cities, this sport demands...
2009
Golf with a twist (or is it a spin?)
Most new sports created today are based on existing sports or sports equipment, simply due to the ease of transition. But are the mechanics and design of the equipment understood or do they require a complete redesign?
One such new sport is disc golf which, as the name suggests, is a mixture of golf and Frisbee throwing. In essence, 18 disc pole holes (metal baskets with chain surrounds, mounted on poles) are situated at particular points around a course and the aim is to score the lowest round by taking as few throws as possible. Typically played in public parks, there are over 2000 courses in America and 20 in the UK. Current equipment includes warm clothing (any type) and a set of Frisbees (or discs). Each disc within the set is designed to accommodate one of the three disciplines; driving, approaching and putting. Throws include forehand, backhand, hyzer, anhyzer, spike hyzer and so on. The discs and throws can be used in any combination to fulfil the goal. Disc golf was invented in 1976 and it is surprising to learn that very few researchers have investigated the aerodynamics of disc flight despite the popularity of the competitive and recreational sport. The sport is becoming so popular that Nintendo are scheduling the launch of a disc-golf based video game in late 2008. So what are the basics of disc flight?
Frisbees are able to sustain flight through a combination of lift and stability generated from the aerofoil and gyroscopic traits of a rotating disc respectively. A standard competition rotating disc’s aspect ratio is estimated at 1.273, which is relatively low. In general the lift-to-drag ratio is proportional to the aspect ratio and therefore a high lift-to-drag ratio is expected for sustained flight (of a static wing). Without rotation the Frisbee would continue to stall in flight. Normally instability is addressed through the addition of tails however, the gyroscopic nature of Frisbees combats pitch and roll; instead instability is normally from left to right. This is due to the position of the centre of lift and centre of mass during flight. If the centre of lift is aft of the centre of mass it will bank right whereas if the centre of lift is positioned forward of the centre of mass it will bank left. Experienced Frisbee throwers have the capability to adjust the position of the centre of lift to generate long-straight-steady flight or curved-banked flight.
There are three main varieties of discs: drivers, mid-range discs and putters for the three varieties of throws named above. The driver is designed to sustain long-straight flight with the aim of covering the furthest distance possible. In fact the furthest distance thrown was achieved using a driver. There are three further sub-categories of drivers namely distance, fairway and multi-purpose (used for both driving, approaching and putting). The putt and approach discs are similar to those used in the recreational sport designed to achieve accuracy, control and predictability. Differences in design are due to the geometrics of the disc edge and diameter. However, as yet, the subtleties of each disc design have yet to be rigorously investigated, or perhaps have yet to be published. What is the future of disc design? Perhaps the putters will have high-friction edges to stick to the basket upon entry. Perhaps the drivers will have a frictionless bottom to slide along the ground further upon impact. Perhaps the clothing will harness the potential energy of the rotating arm to increase the distance of the subsequent throw upon release.
As the popularity of disc-based sports such as disc golf and ultimate Frisbee increases it is hoped that the mechanics of simple disc flight will be more understood.
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