Sports Knowledge Base - Club-Ball Aerodynamics .

The interaction between the club head and the ball will determine how far the ball will go and in which direction. There is a relationship between the speed of the club head and the initial velocity of the ball. This relationship depends on the coefficient of restitution of the ball, which varies between different types of balls.

To obtain maximum distance in the drive, a ball must be selected that maximises restitution for the club speed. If the chosen ball is too soft for the club speed, too much energy will be spent deforming the ball and not enough energy will be stored in the ball.
Similarly, if the ball is too hard for the club speed, then the ball will not deform enough, and again, will not transfer adequate energy. This is why it is important to choose a ball that matches the club speed. Here is a graph relating initial velocity of the ball with club speed:

There are three main elements that, in theory, determine the distance a ball travels. This neglects the effects of wind/air resistance. The distance a ball travels will be determined by

• the initial speed of the ball, - a function of the coefficient of restitution and the club head speed and club specification
• the angle at which it is hit into the air, and
• any spin that has been imparted on the ball by the club.

From simple physics we all know that a greater initial velocity and larger initial angle will produce a longer shot, although once your angle gets too large, then your distance will start to decrease again. The optimum angle for a simple trajectory problem to achieve maximum distance is 45 degrees.

However, with golf, because of the spin on the ball, air/wind resistance, and other factors, this angle is generally less (for maximum distance) and varies from one situation to another. Here is a diagram of these three keys to maximise distance:

Now let's look at spin more closely. To produce a hook (ball veers left) or a slice (ball veers right) a golfer must change his stance and the way that he hits the ball.
This makes ball poition vital

For a slice, the golfer will shift his feet to the right. This will cause his club to hit the ball later in his swing and will therefore mean that the club will hit the far side of the ball first. This will put an inward (clockwise) spin on the ball, causing it to veer to the right.

Conversely, to achieve a hook, the golfer will shift his feet to he left. This will cause the club to hit the ball earlier in the swing and will therefore mean that the club will hit the close side of the ball first. This will put an outward (anti-clockwise) spin on the ball, causing it to veer to the left.