Thursday, April 28, 2011

Golf Ball Sciene

Geometry
A golf ball has a size limit of 1.68 inch. in diameter (almost all balls nowadays are 1.68 in diameter), it must not be heavier than 1.62 ounces, and the golf ball must be round.
Technology
Golf's biggest advancements have come via dramatic improvements in ball construction. Compared to 30 years ago, today's golf ball travels farther, rolls longer, doesn't lose its round, flies straighter, and won't split its cover if you look at it wrong. Precisely engineered dimple patterns have allowed manufacturers to alter everything from trajectory to spin rates.
Cover
Synthetic 'Balata': A polyurethane blend that provides a balata-like responsiveness with Surlyn-like cut resistance. Usually combined with wound construction for the ultimate combination of soft feel and better control. Generally used in todays high-end balls.
Surlyn blends: A hard, tough-to-cut cover offering less feel but more durability. Gives more distance but less maneuverability at a good price. A popular choice for beginners.
Dimpled ball flies farther
A ball moving through air experiences two major aerodynamic forces, lift and drag. Dimpled balls fly farther than non-dimpled balls due to the combination of two effects:
First, the dimples on the surface of a golf ball cause the boundary layer on the upstream side of the ball to transition from laminar to turbulent. The turbulent boundary layer is able to remain attached to the surface of the ball much longer than a laminar boundary and so creates a narrower, low pressure, wake and hence less pressure drag. The reduction in pressure drag causes the ball to travel further.
Backspin ball lifts
Second, backspin generates lift by deforming the airflow around the ball, in a similar manner to an airplane wing. This is called the Magnus effect. Backspin is imparted in almost every shot due to the golf club's loft (i.e., angle between the clubface and a vertical plane). A backspinning ball experiences an upward lift force which makes it fly higher and longer than a ball without spin. Sidespin occurs when the clubface is not aligned perpendicularly to the direction of swing, leading to a lift force that makes the ball curve to one side or the other. Unfortunately the dimples magnify this effect as well as the more desirable upward lift derived from pure backspin. Some dimple designs are claimed to reduce sidespin effects.
Clean Ball flies better
To keep the aerodynamics optimal, the golf ball needs to be clean, in order to avoid any impediments to the aerodynamic effect of the ball. Thus, it is advisable that golfers frequently wash balls. Golfers can wash balls manually, but mechanical ball washers are also available.
Myths
More dimples mean a higher trajectory.
Not true. The optimum number of dimples on a golf ball is between 350 and 450. Trajectory is determined by the dimple's depth--not the number.
Golf balls travel farther when they are warm.
Somewhat true. Colder temperatures do decrease a ball's velocity more than warm temperatures; although, the air temperature affects distance much more significantly than the temperature of the ball. The moral of the story is don't bother putting the ball in the oven before teeing off. Your pocket will do just fine. A two-piece ball will have a little faster initial velocity off the clubface in cold weather, so keep that in mind next time the frost is on the ground.
When a golf ball is hit, the impact, which lasts less than a millisecond, determines the ball’s velocity, launch angle and spin rate, all of which influence its trajectory.
What We Recommend
Most novice players should try two-pice balls that use a more durable cover so that mis-hits don't ruin the ball's roundness and flight characteristics.
Advanced players should try to stay away from (synthetic) Surlyn covered two-piece balls, which don't offer as much feel and lack the ability to "work" the ball. Try a few different balls in the appropriate category for you and find one that makes you feel lucky.
Determine if you like two- or three-piece balls.
Today, spin rates are a function of cover softness rather than construction. Still, a two-piece ball generally produces more distance and less spin, while a multi layer (three-piece or four-piece) ball gives you more feel and additional spin. A three-piece ball often flies higher than a two-piece as well, because spin is what causes a golf ball to lift.
Pick a ball that suits your level of play.
If you mis-hit or top the ball a lot, you're not going to want an easy-cutting ball. Conversely, if you're a scratch player, you're not going to want something that feels hard and gives you less spin and control--even if it won't cut.
Choose a ball that fits your budget.
Golf is an expensive sport. Some balls cost more than $5 a piece. Find the right ball for your budget. Often similar balls--of the same construction--vary greatly in price. Be conscious of this. Generally, urethane covered balls cost more, while the (synthetic) Surlyn covered balls cost less.
Consider the material
While most two-piece balls have a synthetic core that varies only in softness, some companies are now adding exotic materials such as tungsten and titanium. Companies claim that because these exotic materials are dense and the center of gravity is more centrally located, the balls spin more. Some companies use these materials in ball covers, promising added feel and distance. Other companies use multilayer construction. These are higher-priced balls generally made with synthetic covers. They provide a good combination of durability, soft feel, and consistency.
Tips
Determine which compression is best for you.
Compression is a measure of how hard the ball may feel--the higher the compression number the harder the feel (and the less it compresses during impact). A common misconception among players is that a 100-compression ball always flies farther. This is not true. Clubhead speed, rather than compression, is most important to distance. For some golfers, a lower-compression ball will fly farther. In fact, many of todays touring pros prefer a lower compression of about 80 for the added 'feel' rather than just distance.
HK Snob

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

My First Golf Gear

This is my first time to start with Golf, I always thought that Golf is made for Old man... Well, I probably wrong, as I am not old!
This is the gear that some one wants to let go for his upgrade! This green horn would abuse this gear for learning from basic...

HK Snob