Steve Rothberg

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Steve Rothberg is a pioneering researcher in sports engineering, with a particular focus on the design and performance of golf equipment. His work bridges mechanical engineering and human perception, exploring how golfers interact with their clubs. Rothberg’s most cited paper, “Hollow golf club head modal characteristics: Determination and impact applications” (1998, 17 citations), laid foundational insights into the vibrational behavior of modern club heads, directly influencing design for improved feel and performance. In his notable 2020 study, “Engineering ‘feel’ in the design of golf clubs,” Rothberg investigated how competent golfers perceive the shot, identifying ball trajectory, hand sensation, and—most critically—impact sound as the three primary components of ‘feel.’ This work demonstrates his unique ability to translate subjective player experience into quantifiable engineering parameters, advancing the science behind equipment design. Though his citation counts are modest, Rothberg’s contributions are highly specialized and impactful within sports engineering, offering a model for integrating human factors into product development. His research continues to shape how engineers approach the subtle interplay between mechanics and perception in elite sports equipment.