Knowledge Bank

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) continues to grow and spread into new industries as advancements in its technology are made. Due to the wider design freedom and rapid prototyping abilities offered by metal AM, it has the potential to reshape club design within the golf industry given the growing emphasis on customization and revolutionary designs in clubs. While prior studies have explored the effects of different material clubheads and balls on the performance of golf clubs and users’ perceptions, there remains a gap in research regarding metal AM in clubs. The purpose of this research was to explore how metal AM affects the performance of golf clubs, specifically in the feel of golf putters.

To accomplish this, a metal AM putter fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) at the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) was tested alongside a consumer-grade putter of the same head design, produced commercially from traditional manufacturing methods. Both putters were subjected to strikes from a putter pendulum and acoustic analysis was performed on three face impact locations – heel, center, toe. Blind player testing was then performed by a variety of golfers and their feedback was recorded.

Data from time and frequency domain analysis revealed many acoustic similarities and some differences between the control and 3D printed putters. The pressure data for the impacts revealed minimal differences in peak pressures, impact time durations, and impulse shapes for each putter. From spectral analysis, both putters exhibited similar curve shapes, frequencies, and magnitudes. However, the control putter produced slightly higher magnitudes in the higher frequency ranges and the 3D printed putter exhibited higher magnitudes in the lower frequency ranges. Using ISO 532-1 standards, the calculated perceived loudness levels differed by less than 1% between the two putters at each face location. The sharpness values for the control putter were 6.2-8.9% higher than the AM putter. From the player testing feedback, 80% of participants perceived the control putter to produce sharper and louder sounds.

Overall, the combination of quantitative and qualitative data from acoustic and player testing concluded that a putter fabricated using metal AM creates duller sounds during putts, and these differences may be perceivable by players under typical playing conditions. The remainder of the acoustic characteristics of the two putters displayed marginal differences. These findings serve as a preliminary test in the effects of AM in golf putters. Subsequent testing can explore the effects that different printing processes, infill percentages, print orientations, post-processing techniques, designs, and golf balls have on the feel of a metal AM putter.