Study of the Impact and Energy Loss in Golf

Jack Stephenson, Nick White, Jamie Reuland

Purpose

To investigate the impact of a golf ball being hit by a driver and analyze the energy loss of the collision

Methods

We are using a golf simulator that utilizes high speed photography to gather data

Trials

We are going to use the average of 5 trials where the ball was hit center face

Assumptions

These are some of the assumptions we are making during these calculations:

• Assuming a coefficient of restitution of 0.7 for the golf ball
• Assuming machine to calculate exit velocities is accurate within reason
• Neglecting drag since we are looking at the moment during and just after impact
• Mass of golf ball is 45g
• Mass of club is 305g

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Impact

Videos/Pictures of the Ball at Impact

Data

The velocities taken from the launch monitor

Calculations

Using dynamics equations to find energy loss

Conclusion

Impact

01

Diagram

Motion

Collecting Data

Data

02

Data (m/s)

Data Averages (m/s)

AVG Ball Speed (Post)

73.74

AVG Ball Speed (Pre)

0.00

AVG Clubhead Speed (Post)

?

AVG Clubhead Speed (Pre)

50.18

Calculations

03

Guiding Equations

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* Using COR (.7) and gathered velocities to find clubhead speed post impact then find energy loss.

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Solving

Conclusion

04

8.39%

34.32 J

384.00 J

349.68 J

of the total energy is lost during the collision

energy lost

before collision

after collision

Statistics

Each Swing

Deformation Energy Lost

Deformation

Potential Sources of Error

Human Error: not hitting the ball square

Simulator Error: The machine may not have been fully accurate for ball tracking

Lack of Repeatability: variable swings

Sources

Slow-Mo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TA1s1oNpbk&t=32s

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Thanks

Do you have any questions?

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