Nylon helps golfers straighten their drives

For golfers seeking the right swing weight on their clubs, Karsten Manufacturing of Phoenix, Arizona, has developed plugs of different weights to attach to the back side of a golf club head. At 1/4″ depth, the elliptical-shaped plugs are made with various densities of Thermocomp HSG, high-specific gravity nylon 6 composite from LNP Engineering Plastics. A key advantage of this material is the economy of scale of injection molding. The overall size of the plugs is always the same, requiring only one mold.

Due to the nature of the titanium used to make them, golf club weights are not equal when they come from the manufacturer.

“If the goal for a certain swing weight driver is 205 grams and the clubs come in at 186 to 192 grams, then we add different weight plugs to ensure that each has a total head weight of 205 grams. With the plugs, every club is now usable and this has enabled us to lower our inventory,” says Dan Kubica, director of club development at Karsten.

In addition to helping a golfer achieve his or her ideal swing weight, the plugs have a positive effect on performance. Their placement on the club’s perimeter enables the driver to remain square through impact and stabilizes loft.

LNP Engineering Plastics

610/363-4500

(Circle 157)