Scratch Golfer

Mark Wainfor, a PGA qualified pro golfer since 1989, has up to 20 years as a PGA Golf Professional to his name. He’ll share his top golf tips and experiences with you here

The Club That Changed The Sound Of Golf

The Story Of The Metal Wood

Hi Everybody! Golf is filled with inventors who tinker with club design in search of a better product. Metal Woods however were not meant to be better, just a cheaper alternative to the handmade wooden club. Read on and learn the science behind the club that changed our game forever..

Test Your Metal, Damage Control

In the 70s hundreds of new driving ranges were built to accommodate the "golf boom" in America. The first metal woods were mass produced due to numerous requests from driving range owners. They were frustrated as hundreds of wooden clubs they hired out to beginners were becoming damaged beyond repair. Initially, the club manufacturers were hesitant because, when hit, the metal wood sounded strange and they thought it would put people off. Therefore, the heads were made to look like wooden clubs with fake inserts and screws.

The Adams Family

Traditionally, wooden clubs were considered unique works of art that were difficult to find and, once found, stayed in the bag forever. Gary Adams founded the Taylor Made Golf Company, he introduced his Pittsburgh Persimmon driver at the 1979 PGA Merchandise Show. The club face was more stable than the wooden version, creating a greater Moment of Inertia for straighter, longer shots.

The Pros started to use this driver on tour in the early 80s. Taylor Made is still the No1 Driver used on tour today.

Bigger Is Better

Using space-age technology, Callaway Golf became an innovator in the golf club industry. In 1991, it introduced The Big Bertha Metal Wood, the first over-sized driver. The Big Bertha had a deeper face and perimeter weighting which gifted golfers more distance and accuracy, especially on mishits.

Titanium And Trampoline Effect

Titanium club heads were introduced in the late 90s. Titanium is very light weight and increases club-head speed. This metal is also incredibly hard enabling the club face to be manufactured extremely thin. This creates a "Trampoline effect" and optimizes ball flight, trajectory and launch distance.

Which Metal Wood is your favourite? Have you ever hit a wooden club? Please share with us on Facebook.