Weather Effects on Golf Ball Trajectories
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.Apply This Science to Score Improvement
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.
Temperature
Warmer temperatures equate to longer carry distances. The difference between a cool morning and hot afternoon can be a full club.
You can provide me with yardages for each club in your bag. I'll input your values into a program I have written, and send you a template which will outline how different temperatures will change the real yardages for each club.
Wind
You can immediately download a copy "Reading Playing the Wind." I'll explain how you can easily measure the wind's speed (without using any kind of electronic device) and how much each mph of wind will affect your various club ranges.
You can provide me with yardages for each club in your bag. I'll input your values into a program I have written, and send you a template which will outline how different speed winds will change the real yardages for each club.
Altitude
With increased altitude comes less dense air, meaning less friciton drag and longer carry distances.
You can provide me with yardages for each club in your bag. I'll input your values into a program I have written, and send you a template which will outline how altitudes will change the real yardages for each club..
Hitting Uphill or Downhill
You need to adjust your club selection when hitting uphill or downhill. But how much?
I've worked out how to estimate elevation change (uphill or downhill shots), and created a formula for how much shorter or longer a yardage plays. OR, send me the location of any golf hole along with your normal carry distances, and I'll work out how far the hole plays and what club to hit.
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Hitting Uphill or Downhill
You need to adjust your club selection when hitting uphill or downhill. But how much?
