Golf Club Deflection

Intro to Finite Element Analysis

Overview

This project focuses on optimizing a golf club driver to achieve the highest possible coefficient of restitution (COR), which directly influences ball speed and driving distance. Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in Abaqus, the interaction between a golf ball and driver clubface is simulated to study how shaft material stiffness affects energy transfer during impact. A CAD model of a driver and a simplified golf ball are analyzed under controlled impact conditions, allowing consistent comparison of different materials. By isolating shaft properties and holding other variables constant, the study establishes a computational framework for evaluating and improving golf club performance through material selection

 Figure 1. Dynamic implicit model

Methodology

A defeatured CAD model of a golf driver was imported into Abaqus CAE 2022 and assembled with a simplified single-core golf ball. All parts were meshed using structured C3D8R hex elements. A dynamic implicit step simulated impact, with the ball assigned an initial velocity of 41.5 m/s toward a stationary clubface. The top third of the shaft was fixed to approximate grip conditions

 Figure 2. Ball and golf club mesh

Ball modulus was calibrated (100–5000 MPa) by comparing deformation to experimental data, resulting in selected values of 500 MPa and 1000 MPa. Shaft materials (wood, graphite, titanium, steel) were then varied while holding geometry, contact conditions, and impact velocity constant. Ball velocity, acceleration, displacement, and coefficient of restitution (COR) were extracted for comparison

 Figure 3. Golf ball deformation ranging from 100 - 5000 MPa elasticity

Results

At 500 MPa ball stiffness, shaft material had minimal influence on displacement, velocity, or COR, as ball deformation dominated energy absorption

At 1000 MPa, material effects became more pronounced. Stiffer shafts (steel, high-modulus graphite) produced higher ball acceleration and slightly higher COR values, while wood showed the lowest energy transfer efficiency

Overall, increased shaft stiffness improved energy transfer, particularly with a stiffer ball model

 Table 1. Variable shaft results

Next Steps

Future work should incorporate a multi-layer golf ball model, more realistic grip and swing boundary conditions, and frictional contact. Refining mesh density and exploring alternative face and shaft material combinations could further optimize driver performance.