Titanium Club-Wielding Golfers May Send Your Course Up in Flames

By: | April 3rd, 2014

Researchers at UC Irvine recently released a study showing that club heads coated in titanium can ignite fires.

Titanium clubs can produce sparks upwards of 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit which could easily ignite nearby plants, leaves and grass on the golf course or driving range.

Chemical engineering and materials science professor James Earthman says, “When the club strikes a ball, nearby rocks can tear particles of titanium from the sole of the head. Bits of the particle surfaces will react violently with oxygen or nitrogen in the air, and a tremendous amount of heat is produced. The foliage ignites in flames.”

After a series of fires have taken out a couple of California golf courses, many are debating whether or not titanium clubs should still be allowed on the links.

Via: TechSteel.net

Marshall Smith

Technology, engineering, and design enthusiast.

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