Golf Clubs Wood

General Definition
Golf clubs designated 'woods' (golf clubs wood) are intended for driving the ball long distances. They generally have a large head and a long shaft for maximum club speed. The first woods were, in fact, made from wood. TaylorMade introduced the first metal woods. More recently, manufacturers started using materials such as carbon fiber, titanium, or scandium. Metal 'golf clubs wood' are still called woods to indicate their purpose. Most woods made today have a shaft of graphite and a titanium, fiber composite, or steel material head. Three or four clubs normally make up the wood set. The largest wood, the driver, is often made of hollowed out titanium with feather light shafts. The driver length has been increased to an average of about 45", today. All wood heads are now larger in volume, with the drivers maxing out at 460cc.

Regulations
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA), define the shape and physical characteristics of clubs that are permitted for pro tournament play. "Spring effect" of thin wood faces is now yielding greater ball speed and distance. As of January, 2008, the USGA and R&A have agreed on the limits of the spring effect by a coefficient of restitution (COR) measurement of 0.830.