Introduction to Aerodynamics Aerodynamics is the study of the motion of fluids in the gas state and bodies in motion relative to the fluid/air. In other words the study of aerodynamics is the study of fluid dynamics specifically relating to air or the gas state of matter. When an object travels through fluid/air there are two types of flow characteristics that happen, laminar and turbulent. Laminar flow is a smooth steady flow over a smooth surface and it has little disturbance. Intuition would lead to the belief that this type of air flow would be desirable. It would make sense to assume that this smooth undisturbed air would create the least amount of resistive force due to friction. The golf ball seemingly defies this theory by traveling farther with its disruptive surface texture that creates the second flow characteristic, turbulent flow. Turbulent flow is flow that is disturbed and creates whirlpool like features. The turbulent air actually lessens the difference in velocity of the air layer that is extremely close to the ball compared to the rest of the air and so lessens the friction acting on the ball. Drag is a major contributor to how an object travels through fluid/air. Drag is caused by the disrupted air immediately behind an object moving through fluid/air. It acts perpendicular to and in the opposite direction of travel of the object and impedes the motion of the object. It would make sense that if the drag is minimized the object will travel farther. Lift or curve in the motion of an object through air is a phenomena that is noticeable in a ball traveling through fluid/air. This change in direction is due to the effect that spin has on the object in motion. This can be explained by Bernoulli's Principle. Bernoulli, a 1700's physicist and mathematician, showed that the speed of an object through liquid/air changes the pressure of the air. The velocity of a spinning ball relative to the air is different from one side to the other creating a low pressure on one side and a high pressure on the other. This causes the ball to move in the direction of the lower pressure. The golf ball is typically hit with an undercut causing a reverse rotation and therefore a lifting action on the ball. The History of Golf Balls The golf ball has changed dramatically through the years. Smooth hardwood balls were used between the 1400 and 1700's.
For years it was thought that the golf swing was a solid piece of movement without any differentiating variables. Vast expansion in technology over the last 20 years has produced more information on the biomechanics of the golf swing. “ Golf Biomechanics applies the principles and technique of golf mechanics to the structure and function of the golfer in an effort to improve the golf technique and performance” (Hume P., Keogh J., and Reid D. 2005) Biomechanics, “The scientific discipline that applies mechanical principles and to understanding movement.” (Hume P., Keogh J., and Reid D. 2005) allows scientists to observe a golfer’s swing to near milliseconds to the point of impact. This is much more precise to previous measurements used such as video recordings, outlines, etc. Understanding how the swing works by breaking down the movements within the swing through visual aids emphasize the opportunity for a better swing and in turn, better golf. Studies of biomechanics within the golf swing have shown the sequential separation from torso to pelvis, disproving the original theory of a solid swing with continuous motion known as the X-factor. Before understanding how the biomechanics of the golf swing works with the X-factor, the basics of the swing must be established.
Many people might think that swinging the bat straight through the ball would be enough to hit the ball a decent distance off the bat. There's many more mechanics involved in the swinging process. Muscle has only a small part to play in the swinging a bat for power. There are two types of mechanics involved while swinging a bat, Linear and Rotational. Rotational mechanics are the dominant source of power in the swing. Out of the rotational mechanics come the two forces that help generate the speed and power of the swing, torque and the other comes from the energy of rotation. Speed from the energy of rotation comes from the path that your hands follow as you swing the bat. The speed generated by the circular rotation from your hands is like a ball at the end of a string, as long as your hands are moving in a circle then the ball continues to accelerate in a circle. So the bat will also move in at an increasing speed as long as your hands are following a circular path as you swing. Any foward movement of the hands or body in a straight line won't add to the overall bat speed.
Golf is the ultimate battle between man and nature. It is a beautiful sport in which dreams come true and hearts are broken. Man is challenged on every stroke by nature’s elements. Wind and rain are only a few of the conditions that affect this great game. Undulating hills, sand bunkers, thick rough, and even creeks and ponds come into play on most golf courses. These features are fierce at Augusta National Golf Course. Located along the fall line, the natural beauty of the region is the perfect complement to this championship golf course. Every spring when the flowers are in full bloom, Augusta plays host to The Masters Championship and is transformed into the Mecca of Golf.
Avid golfers know all too well the elusive nature of the golf club’s sweet spot. It is a mystery they spend hours trying to solve on the links, usually to no avail. What sets apart amateurs from the professionals is the ability to consistently strike the highly critical pinpoint portion of the club. It is easy to see the difference between the consistency of an amateur and a professional with the definition of the wear spots on the pro’s golf club located where the sweet spot should be (see figure 1 below). Although many complex factors influence the path of a golf ball, the sweet spot has proven essential to maximize the final distance. The sweet spot is all powerful because of its ability to compress the golf ball. The transfer of energy that occurs through the perfect strike produces the largest velocity of the ball and therefore the greatest distance. The reason that mastery of hitting the hot spot of the clubface is close to unmanageable for the average amateur golfer is simply because of all the factors at play. Focusing on the most important part of the golf swing, impact with the ball, narrows the whole motion down into a split second of action. For golfers, the swing has little to do with success on the course, it is how efficient players are at the moment of striking the golf ball. In other words, it all comes down to that moment of impact. This allows people with a variety of body types and ages to excel at the sport throughout their life. Strength has a small role in lowering scores on the course and sending the ball farther down the fairway. An example of the small role that the golfer’s physical size plays, in relation to mastery of the sweet spot, is that I, at 5’7”, consistently drive the ball further than my 6’2”, considerably larger father. Researching and perfecting the sweet spot remains an important field of study in all the big name club manufacturers, as well as in the United States Golf Association (USGA).
First off, the knuckle ball. It is called the hardest pitch to hit. A pitch that seemingly floats like a butterfly and then magically drops into the strike zone, dumbfounding the batter and almost always resulting in a strike out. But how is this pitch actually thrown? The name of the pitch essentially entails how the pitch is thrown, the pitcher curls his fingers into his hand, placing the knuckles of his fingers on the ball, and releasing the ball in this manner and fashion. But why does this work? It comes down to the position of the laces. By throwing the ball off the pitcher’s knuckles, the ball exhibits no spin throughout the entire duration of the pitch. This allows different lift forces within the air is passes to exert themselves upon the ball. By doing this, the ball is subject to different planar movements as a result of different lift forces manifesting themselves upon the baseball that is thrown. In a simplistic explanation, this is why a knuckle ball “knuckles” as it is thrown.
Part of the physics of a golf swing (from the point of view of the golfer), means finding the release (wrist uncorking) point so that at the bottom position, where the players hands are directly above the ball, the golf club is in the vertical position parallel to his arms. This will maximize the speed of the club head upon impact, and result in the farthest
Imagine the sun bursting through the trees for the first time of the new day, the smell of freshly cut grass still potent to your nose as you tee the ball up for a round of golf in the cool mist of a spring morning. "That is what brings you back every time, the smell of the air, the coolness of the whether and the beautiful surroundings that make every shot enjoyable." (Suess, PI) This is the game of golf in its finest and most exquisite time to many people and many people it has touched in its long history. Golf is a lifestyle and not just games to people that are avid in playing. The game of golf has a history that is rich in technological advances and personal accomplishments, which through time has shown to shape the sport into what it has become today.
With this discovery, Phil Young persuaded Fred Bommer, to “head up the Acushnet Golf Division” (Titleist Story - Titleist.com. (2016). They set out to develop the highest quality and best performing golf ball in the world; one that would be uniform and consistent in quality, ball after ball. A trait that is still found within the Titleist brand (Titleist Story - Titleist.com. (2016).
What is aerodynamics? The word comes from two Greek words aerios concerning the air, and dynamis, meaning powerful. Aerodynamics is the study of forces and the resulting motion of objects through the air. Humans have been interested in aerodynamics and flying for thousands of years, although flying in a heavier-than-air machine has been possible only in the last hundred years. Aerodynamics affects the motion of a large airliner, a model rocket, a beach ball thrown near the shore, or a kite flying high overhead. The curve ball thrown by big league baseball pitchers gets its curve from aerodynamics.
The golf swing is possibly one of the most challenging and technical processes. In Eric Nagourney’s article, Exploring the science of the golf
In conclusion, we have seen how different forces act upon a ball that is thrown. Enough that it will slow a ball up to 7 mph after the ball leaves the hand of the pitcher who throws it. Forces such as Magnus effect, gravity, air resistance, drag and seam use play factors in the trajectory and velocity of a pitch. If used correctly they can be very effective in getting the batter out.
How does the air pressure inside a ball influence the bounce height/vertical motion of that ball?
Golf. A sport that started out with just a wooden stick and ball, is now a very well know game by many people all around the globe. The sport that also just started out as a way to mess around has become a job for some of the people and is making some golfers millions of dollars each year. A sport that many people spend their whole lives playing or watching used to not be exactly what is today. Even though golf is a very well known sport now, golf has been around for hundreds of years and is played by people all over the world. The sport of golf has been dated all the way back to years before 1,000 and has kept growing exponentially ever since. According to the International Golf Federation, they have 144 different countries a part of the organization, leaving out 51. The game of golf is played at many different levels all the way from junior tournaments, all the way to professional events. The evolution of the sport of golf is made up of a couple main things. These two main things are how golf got its start, and what has changed about the game.
...the more energy is lost and the less the ball bounces back. The less denting that occurs, the more energy is kept and the higher the ball bounces back.