Development of a clubhead-ground impact model to predict iron shots

Engineering of Sport 15 - Proceedings from the 15th International Conference on the Engineering of Sport (ISEA 2024)

In recent years, golf participation rates have increased rapidly across the globe. In the US, 18% more rounds of golf were reported in 2021 compared to 2019. To capitalize on this market, equipment manufacturers use computer models to optimize new equipment. Several researchers have developed models to predict the trajectory of a golf shot using the kinematics of the swing. However, the majority of published research is for modeling a driver. A previous study determined that amateur golfers hit the ground before the ball on nearly one-third of iron shots. Therefore, to predict these shots, a model needs to account for the clubhead striking the ground. To date, no published models have considered the ground reaction forces (GRFs) experienced by the clubhead during a swing.