A new golf handicap

Research published in the British Medical Journal found that one of the clubs in the hands of a professional golfer generates a noise over 130 decibels louder than the sound of a jet plane at a distance of more than 30 metres.

Ear specialists suspect the "sonic boom" when the head hits the ball could be responsible for hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) in a 55-year-old British golfer.

The man played with a titanium club three times a week for 18 months but rejected it because of the unpleasant noise, which he likened to a gun going off.

Tests on six thin-faced titanium clubs made by King Cobra, Callaway, Nike and Mizuno found that all made a louder noise than standard stainless steel drivers, which are thicker. The Ping G10 was the loudest.

Wellington audiologist Richard Bishop said an "impact noise" of 130 decibels was similar to a gunshot and capable of causing permanent damage.

"Hearing loss is usually associated with repeated exposure ... but it's not unknown for a one-off incident to cause permanent damage." Keen golfers should take sensible precautions when using the noisy clubs, such as wearing earplugs.

Hutt Golf Club trainee pro Dean Kingsbeer said he had not heard of titanium drivers causing hearing problems but he had noticed they were noisier than traditional clubs.

"I think it would be more of a problem at a driving range, where there would be a real echo." He uses the Ping G10 and finds its "boom" less intrusive than some of the other clubs.

Golf equipment supplier Rob Noster said the latest titanium clubs were "much quieter".