How did helmstetters vision conflict with usga rules

Assignment Help Project Management

Reference no: EM133486040

Assignment:

In 1991 Callaway Golf Equipment introduced their Big Bertha driver and revolutionized the golf equipment business. Big Bertha-named after the World War I German long-distance cannon-was much larger than conventional woods and lacked a hosel (the socket in the head of the club into which the shaft is inserted) so that the weight could be better distributed throughout the head. This innovative design gave the clubhead a larger sweet spot, which allowed a player to strike the golf ball off-center and not suffer much loss in distance or accuracy.

In 2000 Callaway introduced the Big Bertha ERC II forged titanium driver. "Designing the ERC II was a dream experience," said Richard C. Helmstetter, senior executive vice president of research and development and chief of new products. "We had no restrictions, so we were able to think outside the box to accomplish our goal of making the energy transfer from club to ball as efficient as possible. This allows golfers to generate more ball speed without swinging harder, which leads to greater distance. We used a combination of advanced new computer design technology and hands-on research with golfers from around the world. As a result, we created some design elements that go beyond any previous driver designs. Feedback from the players who have tested this driver indicates that our efforts dramatically improved the performance all golfers can expect to get from these drivers."

However, there was a big problem. The new version of Bertha did not conform to the coefficient of restitution (COR) requirement established by the United States Golf Association (USGA). As a result it was barred from use by golfers in North America who intended to play by the USGA's Rules of Golf.

The USGA felt that the integrity of the game was being threatened by technological advances. Players were hitting balls so much farther and straighter that golf courses around the world were being redesigned to make them longer and more difficult. This was expensive.

So in 1998 the USGA established performance thresholds for all new golf equipment. In order to prevent manufacturers from developing more powerful clubs, the USGA limited the COR of new golf equipment to 0.83. The COR was calculated by firing a golf ball at a driver out of a cannonlike machine at 109 miles per hour. The speed that the ball returned to the cannon could not exceed 83 percent of its initial speed (90.47 mph). The USGA called the ratio of incoming to outgoing velocity the coefficient of restitution (COR). Studies indicated that a 0.01 increase in COR resulted in 2 extra yards of carry. The Big Bertha ERC II's COR was 0.86.

After numerous efforts to get USGA to change its technical requirements, Callaway's engineers went back to the drawing board and in 2002 introduced Great Big Bertha II, which conformed to USGA's 0.83 COR restriction. They also continued to produce the ERC II.

Questions:

1. How did Helmstetter's vision conflict with USGA rules?

2. How could this mistake have been avoided?

Reference no: EM133486040

Questions Cloud

Discuss the manufacturing sector or construction sector : Based on the above statement, discuss both challenges with examples given either in the manufacturing sector or construction sector.

Developing relevant quality standards for stakeholders : Considering this, examine the process that should be applied in developing relevant quality standards for stakeholders.

Role of scope and wbs from the project manager perspective : Define the role of Scope and WBS from the Project Manager perspective. Specifically, review the critical nature of scope and WBS roles within a project.

Contribution of kaoru ishikawa to project quality management : Evaluate the contributions of Kaoru Ishikawa to project quality management. Practical illustrations should be considered in substantiating the response.

How did helmstetters vision conflict with usga rules : How did Helmstetter's vision conflict with USGA rules? How could this mistake have been avoided?

How these tools are suitable for customer : Explain how these tools are suitable for a customer-centric environment.

Developing an anti cyberattack tool : We are going to make a hypothetical project. Our topic is developing an anti cyberattack tool. We are now initiation stage of the project.

Read the pmi code of ethics and professional conduct : Do you think that the PMI code of Ethics can be adopted as a global ethical standard? Why or why not?

Discuss risk management as an organizational routine : What lessons have you learned from your experience in this risk management class that you were able or will be able to apply in the real world?

User Account

All Pages