A recent article in Golf Digest titled Intellegent Design: how computers and digital analysis have amped up golf’s innovation curve got me thinking about my limited view on the new golf products. When I first started playing golf my freshman year of college the equipment was a really fun part of the experience. Every year a whole new set of innovations was introduced at extraordinary prices allowing me to capitalize on last years products that had drifted into my range. The goal to lower scores, shot straighter, drive longer through equipment is an incredible urge for an avid or not so avid golfer. But after reading this article I realized that my view of the new products coming out every year with dramatic changes is only a recent phenomenon. “From 1993-’98 Callaway introduced four drivers. In 2007, the company launched four drivers in one week.” How did this innovation curve occur? Well they use the same tools we do as product development consultants to design their new clubs.

The article credits the computer aided design software that allows for virtual testing in a matter of minutes as opposed to days as the main driver of this incredible product development acceleration. Of course the supporting cast of new materials, better manufacturing processes and talented engineers has helped but the true tool to anyone creating new products is CAD.

Those inventors who still believe in working in a shop and creating rough prototype after prototype to test are going to fall farther and farther behind the curve. The good news is that if you take the plunge into the computer generated world, having a shop background will be a great advantage. If you commit yourself to learning this software, it won’t take long and believe it or not I think it is fun. It takes a mix of real and virtual design to create a great product. Ignoring the benefits of CAD will force you into the development rate of the mid 90s in golf equipment while your competitor (the guy who had the same idea at the same time) is accelerating past you.