You can hit it with a hammer, and it absorbs the blow.

a hammer and an anvil.

Graphite also absorbs the shock of a hit. The first (graphite) clubs that came out were too flexible, but now you can get them to be just as firm as you want and need.

You just can't hit him flush.

You could hit a slice and then the ball would go up and the wind would blow it back at you. This is a day where you really have to strike at the ball.

It absorbs faster than cotton.