Golf Ball Flight Principles

Golf ball aerodynamics and physics that are used today to design golf ball performance characteristics are far more technical than I could possibly understand. The basics of golf ball flight however will always be the same and is not all that complicated to understand. The golf ball will always be round, it will always have some kind of dimples or bumps on it, it will be launched with spin and it will fly through the air.

Dimple design can impact flight characteristics, including spin rate.

Here is what happens from impact on: Once the ball is impacted, it is deformed somewhat. When it leaves the clubface in a deformed state, it is different aerodynamically until it regains its perfectly round shape. Once it is round, moving in a forward direction and spinning backward (back spin), it assumes its normal aerodynamic properties. As air smashes into the front of the ball, the dimples trap air into them and drag more of the air up and over the top of the ball than what passes underneath the ball. This creates a low-pressure area on top of the ball. Low pressure on top of something (like an airplane wing) creates lift. As the ball is spinning through the air at a certain forward speed, a low-pressure area is formed behind the ball that introduces a drag component. While all this is going on, the earth’s center of gravity is pulling down on the ball because it has a weight component.

The weight of the ball is pulling it to earth; the lift, drag and air around the ball create friction that wants to slow down its spin rate and also its forward speed. All three of these components of lift, drag and weight coupled with the balls spin rate and initial velocity, create the trajectory or shape of the balls flight. You should see now that the golf balls dimple design can change the drag, lift and overall flight characteristics including the spin rate. Try out different balls and find out which one works best for you.

Golf Ball Flight Principles

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  • 10:49AM - Nov 27, 2009RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    I am wondering if the lift, air and drag component are all changed by the different dimple design. By changing from ProV1 to a LadyFlyer would that change all three of the components of lift, drag, and air or just one specifically? If anyone is able to explain this it would be of great help. You can explain it in a complicated way also because i have a fair amount of physics background so i would hopefully be able to understand it. Thank you

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  • 11:21AM - Aug 3, 2009RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    This may have been covered before but I was wondering about how many holes or rounds should a golf ball be used in.

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  • 11:17AM - May 5, 2009RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    gpierson, go to the GolfWorks website, golfworks.com and look up the ball fitting software. We sponsor a complete independent ball analysis done every year with actually hitting all golf balls made. It includes distance, accuracy and spin rates. It is pricey however.

    I only play the Callaway Tour iX or the Tour i. So, if I could only use one of them on your island, it would be the iX. I know, you want to know why? I have many times played my “all alone 9 hole 2 ball scramble” in the afternoons at my club. The Callaway always wins out for my swing, game and equipment over the Titleist and Nike One balls that I use for comparison. It wins in two areas, it ends up a little farther out with my driver and it seems to always bite a little better on the greens. The feel is the same to me on all the balls I mentioned.

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  • 8:56PM - May 4, 2009RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    Ralph, thanks for all the advice you’ve given on golf balls. On one hand it’s extremely helpful to make a decision, but the other hand, it’s almost overwhelming for me. There are SO many balls out there!!!

    2 quick questions:

    1. Is there any sort of MPF on balls that you’ve or anyone else in the industry has come up with?

    2. If you were stranded on an island with your favorite clubs (and the island had a beautiful golf course), and you had a choice for ONE package of a dozen golf balls, what would you choose?

    Thanks, gpierson

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  • 12:55PM - Mar 17, 2008RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    Jack Butler, the golf ball “bounce test” has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on any performance variable of the golf ball.

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  • 11:17AM - Mar 17, 2008RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    Ralph,

    Is comparing how high 2 golf balls rebound when dropped side by side onto a concrete floor a valid way to determine which will be the longer playing?

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  • 10:56AM - Mar 12, 2008RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    beans, you are probably a good candidate for a softer ball. This however does not necessarily mean it will go farther, only that it will probably feel better to you. However, by experimenting, you will most likely find a ball that will gain you some distance. Forget about the loft thing with your irons and fairways as this will not provide the kind of help you need. You should look at driver loft so that your trajectory is correct which will be a big factor in increased driving distance. The most success I have had with slow swingers is with seniors who are losing distance and want to get some of it back. Mostly at this stage of their golfing careers they are smooth swingers who basically always keep the ball in play. So, I usually recommend increasing the length of their driver by 1” and possible going ½” longer on the irons. You leave the head weight alone and only lengthen the clubs if you are modifying your present clubs. It is best to build or buy a new set at the new lengths, but first, find out if they work for you by using a launch monitor. This will allow you to gain some swing speed and usually results in about 10 more yards with the driver and 5 or 6 with the irons. Not a lot of distance but every little bit helps.

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  • 12:26PM - Mar 11, 2008RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    Mr. Maltby,

    Do you know of any golf ball, or have tested that would help a very slow swinger gane more distance.

    Would slow swings be better off with weaker lofts on irons and drivers? Can you give me an examlpe off someone you have fitted before. Thanks

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  • 11:59AM - Mar 10, 2008RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    winston, you basically select a ball for hardness (compression) based on your own preference and feel. You also select the ball based on the distance you hit it and the trajectory you are shooting for. It seems strange, but you are much better off playing the more expensive balls because they all around perform best.

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  • 9:57AM - Mar 10, 2008RE: Golf Ball Flight Principles

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    Ralph,

    With that being said about compression. What about a tour professional that has a 120 mpg driver swing speed, would compression come into the picture then?

    Do tour pros prefer 4 piece over a 3 piece ball? Should players with 50 mpg drivers speeds play these balls.

    Your comments are appreciated.

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