The trajectory of a golf ball and the distance it travels depends on its initial trajectory, speed and spin, as well as what it's moving through (air). The air is not always the same. It varies in temperature, pressure, humidity and density. If there were no air whatsoever, the golf ball would not travel far. Likewise, if a ball is hit in air with no spin, it will not travel far. Check out the graph below of a golf ball hit with a driver under 3 different conditions. Check out the graph below of a golf ball hit with a driver under 3 different conditions.Note first of all that the horizontal and vertical scales are quite different so as to depict clearly the differences in the conditions.
MAX Height (yd) | Carry Distance (YD) | |
---|---|---|
Normal Conditions | 38 | 248 |
No Air (AKA on Moon) | 8 | 180 |
In Air but no backspin | 6 | 120 |
The spin on the ball creates lift which increases the height reached and increases the time of flight so that the ball travels further. If there were no air, spin wouldn't matter at all. If the air is changed (pressure, temperature, density) the height and distance travelled will change.
Under normal conditions, the air does not change very much, but the amount can be significant and should be taken into account, otherwise your ball will fall too short or too long of its mark. I provide a service to golfers who are interested in determining how the weather will affect their shots. You can determine the effects of temperature, wind and elevation.Using accurate golf ball trajectory software, one can calculate how to adjust your club selection for changes in temperature, wind, altitude and elevation (uphill/downhill shots). See below.
We have been providing golf advice online since 1999 and have been research the best in golf science since 1996. From Probable Golf, you can get advice on how to improve your game using math & science, how to best arrange your golf group foursomes to reduce repeat pairings, how to protect your home or business from errant golf balls, how to best interpret golf statistics.