Titanium Club Wielding Golfers May Send Your Course Up In Flames!

Mar
25
2014
NZPA / Peter Graney

NZPA / Peter Graney

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.

Marshall Smith

Technology, engineering, and design enthusiast.

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