Why golf balls keep bouncing out of the hole: The science behind it!

Why golf balls keep bouncing out of the hole: The science behind it!

An interesting phenomenon is currently causing a lot of talk in the golf world: time and again, the golf ball rolls promisingly towards the hole, only to bounce out again in a disappointing way. Why is this happening? A recent study by Stephen Hogan from the University of Bristol and Máté Antali from the Széchenyi István University in Győr, published in Royal Society Open Science Journal was published, sheds light on the darkness.

The scientists present two reasons for the annoying “lipping” of the ball. Firstly, the inclination of the ball and its rolling movement play a crucial role. If the ball hits the edge of the hole at an unfavorable angle, its center of gravity remains above the level of the green and edge lipping occurs. With this phenomenon, the ball comes at an angle to the edge of the hole without falling into it. Secondly, hole lipping occurs, where the ball falls into the depths with a rotation in a direction other than the rolling direction. It can happen that the ball disappears under the edge of the hole, but does not hit the ground and spins out again.

About the physics of the golf ball

But that's just the tip of the iceberg of golf ball research. The technology behind the perfect trajectory is just as fascinating. The trajectory of a golf ball is significantly influenced by the combination of gravitational and aerodynamic forces. These forces depend, among other things, on the speed of the ball and the condition of the air. How Golfballs.de explained, a British golf ball with a diameter of 41.1 mm and a high initial speed of 75 m/s has a Reynolds number of approximately 2.1 × 10^5. This number is an indicator of the ball's behavior in the air and influences the buoyancy and drag values.

Another exciting detail is the development of the golf balls themselves. In the past they were made from wood and later from leather and feathers. Today's times bring us modern materials that must meet The R&A and USGA ball specifications. For example, golf balls must weigh between 1.68 and 1.62 ounces and have a minimum size to meet sporting requirements. In addition, the dimples placed on the surface of the balls are not only a visual eye-catcher, but also reduce air resistance and improve flight distance compared to smooth balls, as discussed in Wikipedia is to be read.

Golf and frustration – a familiar duo

Some golfers might say, “Golf is half fun, half putting.” This frustration is not unfounded when you consider how many factors come into play in a seemingly simple shot. Researchers have developed two models to explain and analyze the phenomenon of “lipping out” in more detail. Even if there are some technical hurdles, one thing is clear: the fun of the game remains, despite all the challenges.

The golf ball remains a fascinating topic that captivates both casual golfers and professionals. And who knows – perhaps future research will one day reveal a third reason for “lipping out”!