What is a clubhead?

In golf, the clubhead is the part of the golf club that strikes the golf ball. It is typically made of metal, but can also be made of wood or other materials. The clubhead is attached to the shaft of the club by a hosel.

The clubhead is designed to impart a specific amount of spin and launch angle to the golf ball, depending on the type of club. For example, a driver is designed to hit the ball a long distance with a high launch angle, while a putter is designed to roll the ball into the hole with minimal spin.

Anatomy of a Clubhead

The clubhead is composed of several key parts:

• Face: The part of the clubhead that makes contact with the golf ball. It is typically made of a thin, flexible material that helps to impart spin to the ball.
• Sole: The bottom of the clubhead, which rests on the ground during the swing.
• Back: The opposite side of the clubhead from the face.
• Hosel: The opening in the back of the clubhead where the shaft is inserted.
• Loft: The angle of the clubface relative to the ground. This determines the launch angle of the ball.
• Lie: The angle of the shaft relative to the clubface. This affects the direction of the ball flight.
• Offset: The distance between the center of the clubface and the center of the hosel. This helps to improve the alignment of the clubface at impact.

Types of Clubheads

There are many different types of clubheads, each designed for a specific purpose. Some common types include:

• Driver: The longest club in the bag, designed for hitting the ball a long distance with a high launch angle.
• Wood: A type of club that is longer than an iron but shorter than a driver. There are typically 3, 5, and 7 woods in a golf bag.
• Iron: A type of club with a smaller head than a wood, designed for more accuracy and control. Irons are numbered from 1 to 9, with lower numbers representing longer clubs and higher numbers representing shorter clubs.
• Wedge: A type of club with a high loft, designed for hitting the ball high in the air and stopping it quickly on the green.
• Putter: The shortest club in the bag, designed for putting the ball into the hole on the green.

Clubhead Technology

Over the years, there have been many advancements in clubhead technology. Some of the most notable innovations include:

• Metal woods: Metal woods replaced wooden clubs in the 1970s and 1980s, providing greater distance and accuracy.
• Titanium: Titanium is a lightweight and strong metal that has been used in clubheads since the 1990s. It allows for larger clubheads with a lower center of gravity, resulting in more forgiveness and distance.
• Variable face thickness: Modern clubheads often have a variable face thickness, with a thinner section in the center and a thicker section around the edges. This helps to improve the performance of the clubhead across a wider range of impact locations.
• Grooves: Grooves on the clubface help to impart spin to the golf ball, improving control and stopping power.