This book simulates the complete trajectories (flight and subsequent ground run) of golf shots using the aerodynamic and material properties of golf balls, and establish the significance of wind’s impact on gameplay. It also presents insight into how physical parameters like launch conditions (speed, angle and spin-rate) and wind conditions affect the trajectory of a golf ball. It discusses the specific effects of wind on the flight trajectory and explore the consequences of effect of wind direction; impact of golf club selection on the wind-induced deviation; strategies and their effectiveness to counter the diversion due to wind; and the sensitivity of the trajectory to aerodynamic characteristics of golf balls. Furthermore, the impact of wind on a player's strategy is elucidated with cases studies on the renowned holes of three golf courses: (i) Hole 17, TPC Sawgrass, (ii) Hole 8, Muirfield Golf Club, and (iii) Hole 18, Pebble beach Golf links. It presents an integrated mathematical model and quantitative data on ball trajectory accompanied by insights and illustrations for players, golf-course designers, ball manufacturers, scientific community, and golf enthusiasts. This book will be useful for researchers and professionals in the fields of aerodynamics engineering, sports science and physics. Additionally, this book will be a good read for golf players and coaches, golf-course designers, as well as golf-ball manufacturers.
Author(s): Shantanu Malik, Sandeep Saha
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 114
City: Singapore
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Authors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
1.1 The Game of Golf
1.2 Golf and Physics
1.2.1 Launching a Golf Ball
1.2.2 A Golf Ball in Flight
1.2.3 Landing on the Fairway
1.3 The Golfing Environment
1.3.1 Golf Course Architecture
1.3.2 Wind
1.4 Golf and Wind?
References
2 Understanding the Motion and the Environment
2.1 Trajectory of a Golf Ball
2.1.1 Flight
2.1.2 Ground Run—Bouncing and Rolling
2.2 Golf Course Environment
2.2.1 Terrain
2.2.2 Features and Layout
2.2.3 Wind
2.2.4 Types of Golf Course Designs
2.3 Summary
References
3 Simulating the Motion in a Synthesised Environment
3.1 Simulation Programme
3.1.1 Algorithm
3.1.2 Numerical Schemes
3.2 Constructing a Model Golf Course
3.3 Summary
References
4 How Does Wind Impact Gameplay?
4.1 Impact of Wind on Gameplay
4.2 Analysing Wind's Effect
4.2.1 Heading and Wind
4.2.2 Clubs and Wind
4.2.3 Aerodynamics and Wind
4.3 Summary
References
5 Gameplay, the Course and Wind
5.1 Playing Golf in Windy Conditions
5.1.1 Compensating for Headwind and Tailwind
5.1.2 Compensating for Crosswind
5.1.3 Challenges and Limitations
5.2 Case Studies
5.2.1 Penal: Hole 17, Tournament Players Club, Florida
5.2.2 Strategic: Hole 8, Muirfield Golf Club, Scotland
5.2.3 Heroic: Hole 18, Pebble Beach Golf Links, California
5.3 Summary
References
6 Concluding Thoughts
