Defining Feel

First of all, there are as many opinions as to what the definition of feel is as the word is, is. My definition of feel correlates directly to playability factor (MPF). Basically, when a golfer strikes a golf ball it either feels good or it feels bad. Sometimes the feeling is in-between good and bad. When we say that we hit the ball good, most of us are saying that we hit the ball solid. When we say we hit it bad, it could be the result of a hit low on the face of the club or out toward the toe or even into the heel. These are usually poor feeling shots and most golfers would probably say that the shot did not feel solid.

The skill level of a player will impact how a given club feels.

Whether a shot feels solid or good is simply defined as a shot that is hit within the clubs horizontal sweet spot and the center of gravity of the clubhead is driven below that of the golf balls center of gravity. So, it can be said that the lower the center of gravity in the clubhead (easier to get it under the balls c.g.) and the bigger the horizontal sweet spot on the face (wider hitting area for solid shots), the more solid shots that will be hit more of the time.

MPF basically defines this by putting lower center of gravity clubheads and wider horizontal hitting area clubheads in the higher playability categories. It just so happens that these type clubheads are the easiest to hit solid more of the time. Clubhead designs that are harder to hit (higher centers of gravity and smaller horizontal sweet spots), are usually harder to hit consistently solid. So, the skill level of the player is quite important in determining just how good or bad a certain design clubhead will feel. Obviously, the average golfer (actually all golfers) will get more consistently better feel from higher MPF clubhead designs.

A final point: Feel can be influenced by sound. Various clubhead designs along with varying impact locations can produce different sounds. Each individual has their own opinion on what the sounds represent, but they are a factor to consider. Try this experiment. Put a set of foam ear plugs deeply into your ears. Top this off with a set of ear muffs. Now, either strike a few putts or hit some balls on the range. You will experience a completely different kind of feel. Everything I said above is still true about the good and the bad hits, but your perception as to how you evaluate this is very different. As a matter of fact, it will drive you crazy to hit balls in this manner because the sense of sound is very much a part of feel and to play good golf you definitely need all your senses.

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