ABSTRACT
There is scope within the rules of golf to vary the design parameters of a golf club to affect the dynamic properties and so alter the way its swings. The two important design parameters that affect this, from a rigid body standpoint, are its mass and inertia matrix along with those additional parameters that determine their respective position or orientation. A golf swing is assumed to be generated from the combination of an arm and shoulder turn in three-dimensional space. The swing is set to accelerate into a released phase where the club is free to rotate about a virtual spherical joint at the wrist of the player. A mathematical model describing spatial kinematics and the dynamic effects of a swing on a club has been produced. The effect of variations in the parameters and set-up on the rolling, hinging and cocking motion of the hands and the consequential closure at impact are investigated.
