MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: How high does a golf ball fly, when hit by an average person?

Date: Fri Mar 11 13:00:58 2005
Posted By: Norm from Georgia, Staff, Materials Engineer, U S Air Force Materiel Command
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1108667765.Ph
Message:

There seems to be a lot of variables involved with the trajectory of a golf ball's flight. If you check out the simulation shown at http://www.ecs.syr.edu/centers/simfluid/red/golf.html you will find that if we used the suggested values for an amateur player of 60 m/s launch velocity, at a 9-deg angle, causing the ball to spin at 2500 rpm, the ball is expected to land 150 meters down range, after reaching a height a little more than 10 meters up. But, if you vary those variables slightly, you might find that you get significantly different results. As to how clubs affect the spin and angle variables, I would suggest checking the diagram at http://probablegolfinstruction.com/elevation_club_selection.htm which compares the trajectories of balls hit with a driver, a 5-iron, and a 9- iron. The article also emphasizes differences that weather conditions can make on the results. I hope that these two sites will sufficiently address your question.


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