Golf Technology and Equipment Flashcards

What does 'lie angle' refer to in golf club fitting?

Answer: The angle between the shaft and the ground when the club is in playing position

Lie angle is the angle between the shaft and the ground when the club is soled in its proper playing position, affecting shot direction.

What is the primary purpose of a dynamic club fitting session?

Answer: To measure a golfer's swing characteristics with actual ball flight data

Dynamic fitting uses real swing data and ball flight to match equipment specifications to the golfer's individual swing characteristics.

What is 'kick point' (also called flex point) in a golf shaft?

Answer: The location on the shaft where maximum bending occurs during the downswing

Kick point is the location on the shaft where maximum bending occurs during the downswing, influencing trajectory and shot feel.

Which of the following best describes 'moment of inertia' (MOI) in golf club design?

Answer: The resistance of the clubhead to twisting on off-center hits

MOI measures a clubhead's resistance to twisting when the ball is struck off-center, with higher MOI producing more forgiveness on mishits.

What launch monitor metric most directly measures how efficiently energy is transferred from the clubhead to the ball?

Answer: Smash factor

Smash factor is the ratio of ball speed to clubhead speed, directly measuring energy transfer efficiency (ideal is approximately 1.50 for drivers).

According to USGA rules, what is the maximum length allowed for a golf club (excluding putters)?

Answer: 48 inches

USGA rules allow a maximum club length of 48 inches for all clubs except putters, though most commercially available drivers are 45–46 inches.

What is the primary benefit of a low center of gravity (CG) in a driver or iron?

Answer: Higher launch angle with lower spin for maximum carry

A low CG promotes a higher launch angle while generating less spin, which is generally the optimal combination for maximum carry distance.