Driver ball flight

[mtibt]

I have been working on my flexibility especially left shoulder turn back when using driver. I have noticed great increase in distances but also that the ball flight seems to have at least 3 parts to it. First, ball goes normal trajectory, then, it seems to accelerate to another level of flight, then, finally, it takes on yet another level and acceleration until it maxes out drops down and rolls forever. Great to watch and I am loving the improved distances averaging 290 and straight.
Anyone explain this phenom.

[GregJWillis]

I can't imagine a ball ever accelerating to any position after it has been hit. It is at it maximum speed right after being struck. Wind resistance will cause it wo decelerate. So I can only explain this as you look at the ball "seeming" to be doing this, in reality it is not. But good to hear you hitting it better!

The left should turn back behind the ball is a crutial element that gains you great power and when combined with the flexability of keeping your hips and torso as still as possible in the takaway gains torque.

[mtibt]

Thanks for your reply. I understand what you are saying however even in calm wind conditions the ball flight has been rising in distinct phases as it reaches its maximum trajectory all the while gaining distance versus my old ball flight which just reached its maximum arc then fell.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

[tomallinder]

Re: Driver ball flight

When I do hit a really good driver shot the ball starts high, then seems to move downrange a while before gradually falling which would seem to mean that the energy expended was imparted on the ball properly.

If I hit one of those shots that gradually climb then I know I came at it outside in and put too much spin on it...

Ball flight on a well hit drive is a thing of beauty though.

Flexibility is something that is important to loading up on the right side... And I think a lot more people are working on that these days.

Now, If I could just save that power for the impact...

[johnnnyc]

Re: Driver ball flight

there are 2 parts to a ball flight, launch angle, which is the 1st part of the ball flight and spin, visually identified during the 2nd half of the ball flight. if the ball appears to "baloon" on the 2nd half of the ball flight you may want to consider heavier weight shaft, stiffer tip, stiffer flex shaft or decrease the loft on your club. it's all about club fitting my friend

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Driver ball flight

Hi T,

This is quite natural, your explanation in the first thread: What happens, is you hit the ball with loads of spin so the ball starts low due to the degrees of loft at impact(I suspect you use a very low loft driver or your hands are ahead at impact delofting the club), once the spin reduces the ball seems to climb suddenly and then just balloons out at the end.

If you watch the pros live and stand behind them you will see this type of flight, only created by extream club head speed. My friend off 1 has the same flight, he uses a 8.5 degree driver too which exagerates this effect.

You are clearly on the right track....


Ian.

[Started2k3]

Re: Driver ball flight

once the spin reduces the ball seems to climb suddenly and then just balloons out at the end

I am not a physist, but this does not make sense.

The spin of the ball causes the lift (Magnus Effect). The other major forces on the ball are gravity (pulling it down) and drag (slowing the ball down). If the spin is reduced then the lift is reduced. However, if the speed of the ball is reduced with the same spin rate then lift is increased.

I think this is the cause of the "ballooning" at the end of a "pro" drive. Immediately after launch the ball is travelling so fast and the spin is so low that the Magnus Effect is minimized. The ball slows down due to drag, but the spin rate has not slowed down as much, so additional lift at the end of the ball flight is achieved, hence the ball rises at the end.

I find that the best way to think about the Magnus Effect is look at the back of a ball and imagine an arrow (or use your index finger) at the front of the ball pointing in the direction the ball will travel due to lift (or spin). The arrow would point straight up if there is only backspin, but point right or left if there is only sidespin (hence slice or hook), and somewhere in between for a rising slice (like I seem to get all the time). If you have more spin with the same ball speed then the arrow is bigger (more lift). If you have lower ball speed but the spin is the same then you achieve more lift.

Next time on The Science Guy, we will be determining the exact reason why knowing all about the Magnus Effect has not cured my slice.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Driver ball flight

Started,

Thats exactly like I was trying to say, it seems the pro hits so hard the first 70 yds is straight and low, then the "lift" comes and finnally balooning......

Obviously you spend to much time watching the Discovery Channel...


Ian.

[Started2k3]

Re: Driver ball flight

Obviously you spend to much time watching the Discovery Channel...

To tell you the truth I don't even get The Discovery Channel or in fact the Golf Channel. I just searched the www.

Most of the research that I found on the web was done on cricket balls!?! but the findings are also true for any ball that is spinning in flight.

I was only interested because I wanted to know how in the h-e-double hockey stick my drives would begin left and then end up on the next fairway over on the right.

Has the information helped? In a way. I now know that my clubhead path was out-in (RH) and my clubface was open at impact. So I was doing two horrible things which resulted in a crazy slice. All I need to do is make my clubhead path straight and make sure that clubface is square at impact...soooo easy ... or at least it is easy to type.

[Loki]

Re: Driver ball flight

Excessive spin like what you describe actually robs your drives of distance. If your clubface strikes the ball on the downswing, your clubhead features a low center of gravity or if you are using a low kickpoint shaft you can potentially create unwanted excessive spin off of the tee.

Most drivers and shaft combos are created for Joe Average Golfer who swings 85-90mph and needs a lower center of gravity in his driver and low kick from the shaft to get his ball airborn and increase overall distance. When your swingspeed increases however, these characteristics are not necessarily a good thing as you will hit the ball too high for overall carry or cause the ball to balloon because of excess spin which robs the ball of roll once it hits the ground. Ask your local pro or golf shop about a driver that will help reduce these characteristics in your swing and ask to try them out on the range. Most shops have used clubs that will fit your needs without the need to spend $400.

[powerhungry]

Re: Driver ball flight

You guys will find what your talking about in this PDF. Whether you'll understand it tho is another thing


Golf ball flight->
http://www.smcm.edu/nsm/physics/SMP03S/WarringK.pdf

makes for good bed time reading I expect...

[Loki]

Re: Driver ball flight

Here's an excerpt that gives a scientific view on how excess spin reduces overall distance:

"Spin rates of 800 and 900 radians per second produce the furthest range. With the same initial conditions, a spin rate of 1000 radians per second is too fast of an angular velocity."

From the preceding portions of the paper this basically means the Magnus Effect (boundary layer around the ball pushing it upward) is greater than gravity and causes the ball to balloon. This prevents the shot from achieving its optimal distance.

[Loki]

Re: Driver ball flight

Here's a good article that explains rate of spin among amateurs, pros and long drive champ Jason Zuback. Good reading...http://www.golftipsmag.com/content/p.../dominant.html