Alan Hocknell
Papers
2
Total Citations
22
H-Index
2
About
Alan Hocknell is a leading figure in golf engineering, whose work bridges the gap between mechanical performance and the subjective experience of the player. His research centers on the modal characteristics of golf equipment and the elusive concept of "feel" in club design. Hocknell’s foundational study on hollow golf club heads (1998, 17 citations) provided a critical framework for understanding how vibrational modes influence impact dynamics, directly informing the design of more forgiving and responsive drivers. More recently, his 2020 work on engineering "feel" (5 citations) broke new ground by systematically surveying competent golfers to deconstruct this abstract sensation. He identified ball trajectory, hand sensation, and—most critically—impact sound as the three primary components of perceived quality. By quantifying these subjective elements, Hocknell has enabled engineers to tune equipment for a more satisfying player experience, moving beyond pure physics to embrace human perception. His contributions are essential reading for anyone interested in sports engineering, product design, or the intersection of biomechanics and materials science.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Engineering ‘feel’ in the design of golf clubs5 citations · 2020