GOLF - Physics and Golf
by Kevin Keene
If you are interested in the game of golf, it is highly recommended to read on this article which is about an interesting relationship of physics and golf.
You may already have heard something like this "in the case of irons hit down, and through the ball." I'm going to clear up a little misconception many golfers have. Even many of the golfers who know you have to hit "down" on the ball to make it go up don't really know why. I find when you understand why this is, and have this concept, you will be more in agreement with the action of hitting down on the ball and be better off for it. How many times have you heard, "I didn't get under that one" on a golf course? There is only one shot in all of golf that you want to "get under" the ball on, and that is the flop shot. Here is why.
What occurs to a golf ball when you hit up on it or "get under it" is that the lower part of the ball compresses on the lower part of the club head. This is not good, for the ball neither compresses that much, and imparts less backspin, or actually causes top spin to occur. Less compression means less distance, and loss of accuracy in some cases. Not only that but it is much more difficult to strike the ball consistently this way.
There is much less room for error and your results are very inconsistent. (Sound like any golfers you know?) When the ball is struck properly with the club head still on a slightly downward path, the club head strikes the middle of the ball, or just below the equator. The ball then compresses greatly, actually "taking the shape" (compressing against a large area) of the clubs face (which amazingly enough is angled upward), and thereby propelling the ball upward and with a great deal of spin. This is good for consistent distance because of the compression, and also good for accuracy and stopping ability because of the spin. And it is infinitely easier to strike the back of the ball than to "get under" it and hit it clean.
Science! I've seen this knowledge and the subsequent application take 5 strokes off a player's game without any swing change. Of course, all good players hit the back of the ball (some with more of a downward blow, large divots, than others) but never with an upswing, even if they don't really know the physics involved. This is not speculation! I have seen pictures which prove this. By the way, when you go to show your friends this amazing phenomenon, use a whiffle or a Nerf ball, you can actually show the compression with one. In fact if you're not convinced yourself use one of these balls and push the club head into the ball; first with an upward motion hitting the lower part of the ball, then with a downward motion hitting the back (right at the equator) of the ball science! Like I said, this is most valuable because now you understand how the concept works and can therefore apply it with confidence. To sum it up: hit the back of the ball!
By the way, with a driver on a tee ball you do want to hit slightly up on the ball. This by the way is why the tee ball is played further forward than any other shot. The reason being that you don't want backspin on a tee shot and (depending on the loft of your driver) will carry the ball a fit further.
Interesting, isn't it?
About the Author
Kevin Keene is a contributing writer at Body Sports, writing reviews of paintball gear. He also is a freelance writer contributing articles on golfing,more-paintball-gun-brands and golf ball.
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