The Golf Ball

When it comes to choosing a golf ball, the decision is often divided into two categories, distance versus spin. Distance is more critical off the tee, getting you to the green quicker than a ball aimed for spin will. However, the latter will result in increased control over the ball, which will be particularly useful on shots around the greens, designed to set up shorter putts. Therefore the question for golfers has always been which to choose, one that offers more control, or more distance? To help answer this question, let’s analyze the engineering that goes into the golf ball.

First its important to note that the type of ball a golfer will choose varies by each player, depending on the golfer’s style of play. That being said golfers looking for more distance off the tee will prefer a harder ball, CNN’s Peter Sorel-Cameron notes. Whys this? Dr. Martin Strangwood, a member of the International Sports Engineering Association, is cited in the same article explaining that, “If you deform a rubber and then release it — so as it’s hit by the club head it compresses down and then it leaves the face, and so it returns to a spherical face — that loses energy. The more you deform it, the more energy you lose.” The rubber being referenced here is the material core of a golf ball, a Golf Galaxy states, adding that the larger the core of the ball, the more power and speed is generated, resulting in more distance. At Srixon, a leading golf brand, they report that “all shots have backspin [and] backspin is certainly helpful around the green for added control, but too much spin can reduce distance.” Due to this insight, a harder ball will benefit this type of golfer more than a softer ball, as it offers more distance but less control. Another noteworthy component of the golf ball is its trademark dimples that give it its distinct look. These serve great purpose, also helping the ball to travel further. How’s this? Well its quite obvious that anything flying through the air is fighting against wind resistance, this is where the dimples come in handy. As Cameron writes, “the dimples reduce the drag the air has on the ball, and gives even the shots played with major backspin a much truer trajectory.” Srixon agrees, stating, “…Drag is the force that opposes the golf ball’s motion.” Thus eliminating drag, and adding to the lift of the ball will give it more distance when hit. Lastly, the cover of the ball plays an important role in its flight. Referencing the Golf Galaxy article, “The cover is often made of Surlyn or urethane. Surlyn is durable and enhances distance and spin. Urethane is softer and offers better feel and control.” All these components work together to make the golf ball work as efficiently as possible for the desired play.

So to summarize, the golf ball is much more complex than most assume. And to answer the question which type of ball is best, well I really can’t. Ultimately it is up to the golfer as to what kind of ball he wants to use, depending on their skill set. There are many elements in each ball that allow it to work better for specific approaches, and its important to note just how huge of a role modern technology has on the sport, as seen through the engineering of the golf ball.

Here is a video explaining some of the science behind a golf ball’s motion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkaLsVOrBk0

Works Cited

“Ball Technology.” Performance – Srixon. Srixon Sports Europe Ltd. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

“Golf Ball Buying Guide.” Golf Ball Comparison Chart. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

Sorel-Cameron, Peter. “The Science of a Golf Ball.” CNN. Cable News Network. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.