Effect of large heads on clubhead speed?

[glebert]

OK, this is just something that has been rattling around in my head for a while. Has anyone done some studies on how much the air resistance of large drivers impacts clubhead speed? If you swing a stick with a balloon on the end it isn't the weight of the balloon that slows it down, it is the air resistance. It seems that there has to be a similar effect swinging a huge headed driver. It wouldn't be the volume of the head per se, it would be the cross sectional frontal area (I think).

I actually did a little experiment on this with my launchpad simulator. The virtual driving range gives you clubhead speed. I'm not saying the absolute speeds are accurate, but the trend was interesting. I found that I was able to get much higher clubhead speed with a small headed 3w than I could with my driver, and a larger 3w fell in between. The numbers were very repeatable.

400cc driver at 45": 105mph (typ), 109 (max)
190cc 3w at 43.5": 107mph (typ), 114 (max)
shallow 3w at 44.5": 109mph (typ), 117 (max)

This is is no way rigorous, just thought it was interesting. Anyone have any data?

Greg

[PiKapp23]

While I have never tested this fact personally, there was an article on GolfDigest.com a couple months ago about this very subject and the fact that manufacturers are aware of this and are experiementing with designs that will lessen the resistence of the larger heads. I looked for the article to post the link but it's no longer there and I didn't see an archive (it was from Michael Johnson in his 'Equipment on Tour' article - I think it was in the magazine, so if you have older issues it was probably published 2-3 issues ago).

Just as a side note, do you remember an 'infomercial' driver from a few years ago with holes in the face to reduce wind resistence? I do not remember much about it as it's been several years ago, but it's interesting that even at that time (pre-460) at least one company was attempting to address issue.

[mako224]

I don't think air resistance is a factor in distance. It might be a factor in clubhead speed but I would bet that any loss there would be more than overcome by the trampoline effect and larger sweetspot of a large headed driver.

[Fourputt]

As the driver heads have gotten bigger, my clubhead speed has remained constant. I first had my CHS measured in 1989, and even though I've aged 20 years (I'm 62 now), my typical speed is still in the 95-100 range, with a max of about 108 when I swing out of my shoes. So no, I don't think that it has any practical effect on actually playing the game.

[PiKapp23]

This is the article of which I was referring:

http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/...081003johnson2

Basically it says because of aerodynamic drag, in player testing a 460cc driver compared to a 300cc driver lost 4 mph club head speed, which could equate to several yards. However, from what it says this will only make a difference in a fast swing speed. One reason this is not noticed at all is that heads, while they have become larger, have also become lighter (as the entire club has - club head, shaft, and grip) which should lead to a faster swing speed, but the drag technically does have an impact.

Of course, when it comes right down to it, this probably has very little impact on our game. It is interesting, though...

[RocketSauce]

While I have never tested this fact personally, there was an article on GolfDigest.com a couple months ago about this very subject and the fact that manufacturers are aware of this and are experiementing with designs that will lessen the resistence of the larger heads. I looked for the article to post the link but it's no longer there and I didn't see an archive (it was from Michael Johnson in his 'Equipment on Tour' article - I think it was in the magazine, so if you have older issues it was probably published 2-3 issues ago).

lol, that infomercial was for the AIR HAMMER ! Yes, the same guy who makes THE Hammer... POWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!

[bigoak]

There will be more air friction with a larger surfaced head. This will slow the swing. A lighter shaft is intended to off set this.

[Fourputt]

lol, that infomercial was for the

And the Air Hammer was nonconforming under USGA rules, which is why it came and went almost unnoticed.

[RocketSauce]

And the Air Hammer was nonconforming under USGA rules, which is why it came and went almost unnoticed.

i doubt if thats the reason it came and went (because it was nonconforming). i think the real reason it came and went is because it was a cheap piece of junk with a gimmick... just like The Hammer!

[JaY_B]

I am aware of a study that went in to this, when I'm in the library this afternoon I will note down the name of the journal (If I can find it) so you can look it up .

[kyldo]

My clubhead speed with my 3 wood is just as fast as my driver. I had never thought of why, but I think it's probably for this reason.