The Evolution of Modern Golf Equipment: From Hickory to Steel and Beyond

A fascinating look into the transition from hickory-shafted clubs to those of the 21st century, this book traces the evolution of the golf shaft as the transition was made from early wooden materials to steel, then to fiberglass, aluminum, titanium, and graphite. This was an experimental period in the development of golf shafts, and it was fraught with many starts and stops. In each chapter, the reader will be introduced to each manufacturing company and will be presented with details and features on each unique design, along with the first year each new shaft was available to the public. Many diverse designs and different materials of construction are presented. The reader will be surprised at the wide variety of ideas that were tested and will see a number of designs they may not be familiar with.

Documentation of this time period is sparse, and the author has worked meticulously to provide an accurate timeline. Much of the information provided in the book can't be easily found elsewhere and serves as a reference to compare any future golf clubs.