Golf challenge
Even Tiger Woods has never played golf this way. Before you can play a par 3 hole, you must first make your own golf club!
Levels of difficulty:
Level 1 - Make a simple golf club, and hit a golf ball with it
Level 2 - Make a golf club that can hit a golf ball 5 metres
Level 3 - As level 2, and complete a golf hole in only 3 shots (with a witness!)
Equipment: K’NEX set, plus a light practice plastic golf ball with holes in.
Safety: Make sure you supervise the hitting of the golf ball so as to avoid personal injury or damage, and in particular ensure that no one is located where they can be hit by a golf ball or golf club.
Test area: For level 2: 5m distance marked out. For level 3: Simple par 3 golf hole, with a starting point to tee off from, and a hole to finish in.
Approach: How long will your golf club be? How can you make the shaft which you hold? What will the club head that strikes the ball look like? How will you fasten the head to the shaft? For level 2, how can you make the club strong enough to hit the ball hard? Should the club head be flat like a putter, or at an angle like an iron and a wedge? If your club breaks when you hit the ball, how can you prevent this? For level 3 ... the best of luck!
Handy Hints (please click to view):
A2 - 3 ways to connect K'NEX rods and connectors
A13 - Making shafts for sports equipment
Teachers' Notes
A project to design, make and test a strong structure, which will particularly interest children who enjoy sport.
Possible solution: See photo.
Before starting: Set up a par three golf hole on the playground, or on an area with well-mown grass.
Conclusion: Examine the best clubs to see how the makers have built a strong structure.
Copyright © Andy Shercliff 1996 and K'NEX User Group 2004
Website last updated 22 November 2024. Feedback 
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