Conor Liston

CS6031

Interactive Media in Society

Final Project Area Exploration

Golf

Conor Liston – 11069201

Introduction

As part of my final project as part of the MA in Interactive Media I would like to explore the area of Golf and focus more on the golfer themselves and how their technique, mental thoughts and preparation could be improved before playing golf using technology. In this article I will look at the area of golf as whole and the factors, which influence the game and identify the key stakeholders /actors, from human to non-human and identify the roles and influences they have in the game which make golf a game to be enjoyed. I will map this field of research in detail in order to devise a concept for a piece of technology which could be used in the sport to aid golfers.

Human Actors

Players

Golf players are the main actors in the game of golf; they play the game and are the basis of how technology and equipment in modelled. Golfers may play golf on a weekly basis or once or twice a year. They range in level of experience and ability. People may play golf because they think it is fun to play. Other may be more competitive and relish the challenge and pressure and are constantly striving to improve their game. It’s the latter type of person that will improve and lower their handicap because they have the desire, compared to those who just enjoy the game as good fun without taking it very seriously. Both types of people take away different motivations from the game. The mentality of the golfer as well as the equipment plays a huge roll. A golfer playing well will be high in confidence, willing to take on the impossible shot, hold there nerve under pressure and sink the putts that count. This confidence can be aided by many factors. The equipment that the golfer is using can contribute to them feeling better about themselves and believing that they can play well as they have the best equipment. With the advancements in technology in the game of golf the equipment the golfers use is being constantly modified in order to make the ball travel further i.e. Clubs are being modified with different shafts, golf balls are made differently, golf gloves are being manufactured using different material etc. All these advancements are well but all in all it comes down to the golfer himself to hit the ball. A golfer with old-fashioned golf clubs but a good technique and mentality will win over a golfer with a poor mentality and technique but the best equipment on the market.

Caddies

Cadies play an important role on the golf course, as well as carry the golfers bag, they help them with club selection based on calculating yardages to where the player wants to hit the ball. They also help the players read putts by looking for contours on greens and seeing where best to aim the putt to give it the best chance of going in the hole. Caddies also have to assist their players mentally. Knowing the right time to say the right thing. For example if a player is playing well, Caddies have to keep them focused and not to lose complacency and visa versa if players are going through a rough patch in their round, caddies have to keep them motivated and keep them in a positive frame of mind. This is an important skill that good caddies have. Mentally preparing the player before each shot by removing all doubts from the players mind so the player can fully execute the shot without being cautious or hesitant. Most cadies are there to make money by caddying for players and see the game in a different light, whereas some enjoy the buzz or guiding a player around the golf course to try and make him achieve the best score possible.

Spectators

Spectators enjoy watching golf and analysing how players play the game. Most may play the sport themselves however other may enjoy the competitive edge of the sport when watching competitions and may have no aspirations in playing it themselves. Spectators on a golf course have to follow a strict code of conduct and be aware of their surrounds in order not to distract players or get in the way of players hitting the ball. Silence while players are hitting is a must along with positioning in order to not get in the line of sight of the players, which could distract them when hitting. Spectators must also follow the designated pathways on a golf course and avoid walking on fairways or greens unless instructed to do so.

Golf Club Staff

Golf Club staff is those in charge of the running of golf clubs. They are concerned more with making money from players and running the golf course as a business rather than a sport. These people are an important element to a successful golf club as income generated is partly put into sustaining the golf course and club house so that the golf course can sustain their standards

Coaches

Golf coaches are responsible for teaching golfers either beginners or professionals how to improve their swing and to generate a more consistent swing that golfers are comfortable with and also feel comfortable with. Coaches also teach players mental techniques in order to fully prepare them before they go out on the golf course. Coaches are there to make money as well as pass on knowledge they have gained through experience.

Course Staff

Course Staff or green keepers are responsible for maintaining the golf course and keeping the playing surface in good playing condition. They are motivated by financial reasons as many are full-time employed by clubs however a good golf course will reflect on its green keepers who are motivated by not only financial reasons but for the love of the game and the best interests of maintaining the golf course itself. In the case of Ballybunion golf club many of the course staff are local and also have the local community at heart. With the golf course in Ballybunion being such a major tourist attraction and source of income and employment for the town the green keepers acknowledge that keeping the course in top class condition can only be a positive for the area and its status worldwide.

Equipment Manufacturers

There are many manufacturers of golf equipment from gloves to grips to clubs to balls. All the manufacturers are in financial competition to incorporate the latest golf technology in their equipment. They pride themselves as having the unique piece of equipment which will meet the golfer’s needs. “Balls that fly further”, “Clubs with increased accuracy”, “Gloves with improved grip”. With advancements in technology and the science of the golf swing, new materials and technologies are used in the manufacturer of golf clubs which unless monitored could threaten the foundations of the game. With clubs able to hit the balls further, golf course staff are struggling to keep up with the advances in technology by maintaining the challenging element of their golf course by which they pride themselves. Courses are having to me made longer in yardage with balls travelling further.

Non-Human Actors

Golf Clubs

Golf clubs are the main piece of equipment used to play golf. Golf clubs influence many areas within the sport of golf; the golfers who use them, the manufacturers who make them, the golf courses designed for them to be used on. There are many important functions of a golf club which determine the effectiveness of the golf shot, from the grip to the shaft and down to the club head. As the grip is the only connection your hands and the rest of your body has with the club it is a very important part of the club. The thickness of the grip is all important for the individual golfer as a small grip can cause the grip to twist before impact causing the club face to be closed. This can happen when the golfer unconsciously grips harder just before impact resulting in the twist. On the other hand a grip that is too thick for your hand will tend to break loose at an off centre impact thus causing the club face to be open. The glove size that the golfer wears determines how thick the grip needs to be made.

The pressure that the golfer has on the grip plays a major role in the direction in which the ball will travel after impact. Studies have shown that professionals exert about 25% of the maximal force in their grips, whereas amateur’s grips are much tighter. Having a very firm grip contracts in the wrist, forearms and upper arms, which will in turn reduce the fluidity of energy transfer from the backswing to the downswing. This reduces the velocity of the swing which compromises control and accuracy.

The shaft of the golf club is the only dynamics part of the club when the golfer swings. All the irons and woods must have flex. It’s the flex that transfers the power generated by the golfer to the club head then the ball. If the shaft is too stiff, the shaft will not be loaded enough to unload, thus being unable to square the club head at impact, resulting in a slice or fade. If the shaft is on the other hand too soft, it will load and unload faster, thus causing the clubface to be closed at impact, causing a hook or draw shot.

The club head has many features which determine the playability of the club. Here is a list of the common features:

▪ Loft – The angle formed by the center line of the hosel (center of the shaft) and the clubface.

▪ Lie – The angle formed by the hosel and the base line of the club head.

▪ Offset - The measurement of parallel distance usually in mm. from the leading part of the hosel to the leading edge of the clubface.

▪ Camber Sole – The curve radius between the leading edge and the trailing edge or the heel and toe of an iron. It can be either two ways camber or a four ways camber.

▪ Bounce angle – The angle formed the leading edge and the base line when the club is placed in its playing position.

▪ Bulge – The radius feature you will find on the clubface of wood head from heel to toe. This feature is to compensate for the direction of the ball in an off center impact.

▪ Roll – The curve from top to bottom of the clubface of a wood head. This feature has no effect on ball flight or direction. It is for the visual appearance of the club head to instill confidence as it will make the loft appear to be more than what it actually is.

▪ Club face angle – This feature has an important effect on the direction of the ball direction. It comes in either closed, square or open. Most Wood head have a visual appearance of a closed club face but they are actually square, it is again a visual appearance. To determine the club face angle, a gauge must be used.

Rules

Golf is game made up of many rules, knowing these rules will not only keep the traditions of golf alive but assist you in playing a your round of golf. Not knowing a rule could lead to a player losing strokes on their scorecard or putting down a higher score than necessary. For example if players unintentionally tee their ball outside of the tee markers, Rule 11-4 states that you would receive a two-stroke penalty for breach of this rule. On and around the greens, rules that could save you strokes would be Rule 16, which states that you may not touch your line of putt, or fix spike marks, but that you may fix ball marks. Also two penalty strokes are given to players that accidentally hit the flagstick with their ball which was lying on the green too close to the hole, a breach of Rule 17-1. There are many places where knowing Rules of Golf will help save you strokes.

Etiquette

Golf etiquette is the practices and rules governing the socially acceptable behaviour on the golf course. Here are some basic rules regarding golf etiquette. Both the golf club and golf ball can cause harm to you and others if you do not pay close come close to someone in front of you or in an adjacent fairway, yell “FORE!” This will warn another golfer of an incoming golf ball. One very important rule is that you should leave the course as you have found it. This allows the course to be enjoyed by other who follows you. If you take a divot while striking the ball on the tee or in the fairway, immediately replace the sod. The will allow the grass to grow back for the next person who hits from that spot. On the green, repair any ball mark you might have caused by your ball landing on the green. Even if you didn’t cause it and you see one in the area your ball landed, please repair the mark to allow the green to heel and allow the ball to roll smoothly over the mark.

If you drive a cart, make sure to observe any cart rules by the golf course. You may see signs stating that the carts should be on the “Cart Path Only” or to follow the white line marked by the golf course superintendent to denote area not cross with the golf cart.

The pace of play is important for not only you and your playing companions, but all others who follow you on the course. Tee times are usually set so many minutes apart to allow a certain pace of play. Generally, golf course wants you to play each hole in approximately 15 minutes. This means that for each 9 holes, 2 hours and 15 minutes should be sufficient time
to complete each side. A ranger might be present on the course to tell you to pick up your pace.

Here are some additional tips:

· The person furthest from the hole is the first to hit

· Be ready when it is your turn to hit

· Don’t spend too much time looking for a lost ball, help look for your playing partner’s lost ball to save time

· On the green, do not stand where you can cast a shadow or walk in the line of another golfer’s putt

Wear appropriate attire at the golf course. This usually means a collared shirt, shorts that come close to the knees and golf shoes. This may seem like a lot to know, but many of these rules of etiquette should be common sense, while others will take a little time to learn the more you play this wonderful game.

Golf Bags

The golf bag plays a huge role in influencing many other factors in golf. Players may choose to carry their own bags or hire caddies to do this and pay them. Pull carts may also be hired by the player from the club shop along with ride-on carts however these can be damaging to golf courses if not driven within the marked boundaries.

Mentality

Golf is just as much a mental game as it is physical. You have to have the right mentality to play a game of golf. Focus is the most important mental element to playing golf. If players are not focused in the present and the next shot they will find that their mind will drift away from the shot leading to them to make a poor swing resulting in a poor shot. Positivity on the golf course is also very important. Players must be though and always have a positive outlook in order to prevent your confidence from eroding and destroying your game. If it important to be positive over every shot and not put yourself down. If you feel you’ll miss the shot because you missed one previously then there is a high percentage that you will make a poor stroke. Many average golfers speak negatively to themselves during a round of golf. For example ‘I will never make this putt’ or ‘I can never read greens right’. It is not until they hear themselves that they realise they are doing it as it has become a bad habit. You have to change your internal dialogue to become a successful golfer. To become a successful golfer it is important to change your internal dialogue. If you don’t, missing a putt may put you off your game for months. Another important point regarding the mental side of golf is that it is easy for people to put up barriers in their minds. For instance if you think you’ll never get below 90 strokes in a round, the changes are high that you’ll never score in the 80’s. If golfers can control these barriers and negative thought s and remove them with positives they will find that they will approach the game differently and make better scores which will bring extra confidence and prepare them for the pressure situations they may be faced with on the course.

Physicality

A good golf swing is essential in maintaining consistency and accuracy. It is important that golfers are mentality ready to begin to swing the club. The loss of focus of a golfer during a swing could lead to an extra movement in the swing which could affect the contact with the golf ball. Golf swings vary for each golfer however the essential mechanics of a good golf swing remain the same. Physics has always modeled the golf swing to a two-lever action. One lever is formed by the shoulders, arms and wrists rotating in the upper chest. The second lever is the club rotating through the wrist cocked and un-cocked. Coordinating the timing of these two levers is one of the most difficult things to teach and learn.

The golfer’s downswing has been analyzed and has found that the action of the left arm is critical. The pull of the left arm provides the acceleration relative to the shoulder joint. The left arm should pull the golf club and body toward the ball. Then, as the left shoulder slows, the hips and legs push the body and club toward the ball. This combination of movements is usually quite unnatural and difficult to teach to the novice golfer.

The momentum achieved through the downswing provides an energy momentum transfer that generates a club-head velocity. This club-head velocity at impact is the key. Those golfers that have a well-timed fluid transfer of energy or momentum achieve the highest possible club-head velocity at impact. Tiger Woods describes his explosive swing focus on that his legs and hips drive forward, whereas, his upper body simply unwinds. He described this momentum transfer process in the framework that the lower body starts the whip action, the legs and hips drive forward delivering linear momentum, and the upper body unwinds delivering angular momentum.

Golf Courses

There are 2 main types of golf courses, links courses and parkland courses. Links courses are situated on coasts with the soil being sand based which leads to better drainage, which helps keep links courses, open all year round. Wind plays a major role in playing golf on a links course as opposed to parkland courses, which are more inland and sheltered by trees.

The growth is in the popularity of golf and the large sums of money associated with the sport in terms of golf course manufacture has led to the development of turf management which is a term used to refer to the skills of maintaining a golf course. Turf management is largely concerned with the management of fairways and particularly greens, which have to be strictly manicured in order to enhance playability. Many golf courses are built in natural and sterile environments with very fast drainage. This means that greens have to be fed regularly. The key element of a good green is speed and consistency. The tool used to measure the speed of greens is called a stimpmeter. Factors such as cutting height, rolling of greens, frequency of mowing and vertictutting, which forces the grass blades to stand upright influence the speed of greens. The grass that grows on links courses is different to that on parkland courses due to the make-up of the soil. Geographical location of a golf course is an important factor. For instance Ballybunion golf club in County Kerry, Ireland is built on a stretch of link land between the mainland and the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a main road running alongside the course with rows of houses along the road. This can cause issues with safety when players are playing as loose shot could find there way over the perimeter fence and into areas where people may be walking.

Conclusion

After exploring the area of golf in detail for my Final Project I have found that there are many different factors which influence each other and are of consequence of others within the sport of golf. There are issues and problems within one area of golf as a result of the activities within a different area. For instance if a player decides to drive a golf cart around the course they are effecting the natural look of the grass by driving the cart in the rough or on fairways. This leads to the grass being compacted and possibly causing it to die. This causes problems and work for greenkeepers in charge of course maintenance.

Overall I feel with the knowledge and experience I have to date from playing and having a keen interest in golf as well as the additional knowledge and insight I have gained from doing this exploration I am equipped enough to explore and dise possible project idea surrounding the sport of golf.

Bibliography

Websites

· Felix, Andrei, “Golf Swing Guru – Golf Mental Tips”, Consistent Golf Swing,

(http://consistent-golf-swing.blogspot.com/2011/01/golf-mentality.html)

Cited: 06 – 12 – 2011.

· “Improve your golf scores by improving your mentality”, beginninggolfguide.com,

(http://www.beginninggolfguide.com/improve-your-golf-scores-by-improving-your-mentality/)

Cited: 06 – 12 – 2011.

· Christian, Isaac, “Where are the difference between a links golf course and a parkland golf course”, Articlesbase,

(http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/what-are-the-differences-between-a-links-course-and-a-parkland-golf-course-1948881.html)

Cited: 07 – 12 – 2011.

· Brumer, Andy, “The Club/Ball Hitting Matrix: We’ve made contact”, PeachPit,