The strong correlation between clubhead shape and strong trajectory

The year 2008 was a pivotal one for drivers, with important regulations for clubhead volume and shaft length added, as well as rules set for the repulsion coefficient. The clubhead volume can no longer be designed to exceed 460cc since then under the rules.

However, clubheads have continued to grow in size even after the volume limit was set. This is because manufacturers expanded the crown surface area and shallowed the head. In other words, clubheads now appear even larger during approaches.

This change also significantly impacted performance. Becoming the mainstream, the resulting shallow back head shape presents a lowered and longer back head in addition to shallow clubface thickness. This type of design lowers and deepens the head’s center of gravity. Conventionally, a low and deep center of gravity seems contradicting, but the modern design of making the back shallow has become effective in managing to balance these two adjustments.

The modern large driver with a shallow back head shape and expanded crown surface area features several advantages. The moment of inertia has been increased, making the ball less likely to stray and easier to raise trajectory. A shallow back head with more weight behind the head facilitates the back of the club to lower at impact, increasing the loft angle.

Of course, these drivers also come with setbacks. The most prominent one is how it becomes more difficult to maneuver and swing due to the upsizing and weight distributed to the periphery. Consequently, this frequently causes the ball to slip rightward. Because it is difficult to swing through, many golfers cannot achieve the same head speed as with smaller drivers of the past.

What I also find problematic is the light feel of the ball. Although hits appear exhilarating as the ball is struck with elevated trajectory, it is vulnerable to headwinds and may not fly as well as it looks.

The weight and lightness felt are elements that cannot easily be scaled by trajectory tracking equipment. In real-life golf that PROTOCONCEPT envisions, results need to be demonstrated on the course rather than being displayed as good performance figures on a measuring device.

The PROTOCONCEPT C01D driver solves these and all other problems that modern drivers have. First of all, the driver does not adopt a shallow back head shape and large crown. Designed to make approaches and swings easier, the driver also features a head shape that facilitates visualizing the ball path. And yet, it provides a sense of security by making shots feel less difficult.

In fact, this shape contributes significantly in terms of performance. By not adopting an extremely shallow back and providing the head with enough rigidity to push the ball on impact, the C01D's characteristically solid feel and strong driver ball flight are achieved. Three different loft angles are available: 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 degrees. If you choose the right launch angle, you should be able to strike a solid and strong trajectory with propulsive power.

In order to compensate for the weaknesses of the shallow back head shape, it does not make sense to incorporate a deep face and high back head shape like the models of the past for advanced golfers. PROTOCONCEPT pursued ideal strong trajectory while providing the forgiveness and sense of security sought by today's golfers. As a result, the clubhead's moment of inertia is quite high compared to others in the market but does not compromise maneuverability.

What PROTOCONCEPT is looking for is more than just distance.
Strong trajectory for real-life golf. When you attack with the C01D, you will surely feel there is such a thing as a 'solid' feel of the ball.

PROTOCONCEPT Brand Producer
Yasufumi Kawasaki

The strong correlation between clubhead shape and strong trajectory

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