An Optimal Design Procedure for Golf Clubhead Considering Impedance Matching

This study aims to develop a system for golf clubhead to maximize the flying distance of a golf ball after impact. The procedure consists of a step of pre-design with a CAD software, a process of optimization performed by the combination of a general purpose FEM code and an optimization program developed by the authors, and a step of redesign. For the optimization process, the relation between eigen frequencies and the coefficient of restitution (COR) is verified numerically at first. Based on the results of numerical examination, an approach is proposed for the optimal design in impact problem with basis vector method. And the basis vectors are created by using the sensitivity functions of eigen frequencies obtained by modal analysis. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the validity of the developed system.