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1. 

   Nabuquduriuzhur said, 8 months ago

   Xf=Xo+VoT-1/2AT2 (gravity) -1/2dA/dT*T2 (wind resistance)
2. 

   Steve Plegge said, 8 months ago

   Don’t drink and derive!
3. 

   Major_JF said, 8 months ago

   @Nabuquduriuzhur

   With a golf shot you need to use parabolic motion and that requires a X and a Y. Solving Y = Yo + Voy*T – 1/2 g*T^2= 0 (Yo for the difference in height between the pin and the hole) for T=/=0 will give you the flight time that is needed to solve X = Vox*T = distance to the hole. If you can find out the relationship between the launching angle and the initial velocity it would be a simple matter to calculate how hard you need to it it.

   Wind resistance on a golf ball is only practical to calculate on a 100% calm day. The winds at different elevations will play a much larger part in where the ball lands than wind resistance. Plus wind resistance is related to the speed and shape of the object not the change in acceleration (also known as a jerk).
4. 

   dukedoug said, 8 months ago

   @Major_JF

   And yeah … once you have calculated how hard to hit it then you just need to be able to control every shot accurately … and there’s your problem, right there.
5. 

   einarbt7 said, 8 months ago

   If it was that easy …
6. 

   skeeterhawk said, 8 months ago

   I only got past basic algebra. Math isn’t my strong point. I like science though. I used a chart or table and trial and error with the little trebuchet. But I’ll ask do those equations account for rotation on the ball? That will have a big effect on its trajectory. I’m assuming not, if computing wind resistance requires “perfect” wind conditions. But yes. Computing the ballistics and actually striking the ball exactly right are two different things. Amazing that you could shoot that well, Jason.
7. 

   vwdualnomand said, 8 months ago

   golf…another form of self abuse.
8. 

   Doctor11 said, 8 months ago

   Good luck with that, Roger.
9. 

   SwimsWithSharks said, 8 months ago

   Whatever you do, Roger, don’t try the math in “The Golf Machine”. Golf pros give it to engineers to drive them crazy with computations.
10. 

    Stephen Gilberg said, 8 months ago

    Jason’s words are so scrunched, they must have been an afterthought on Bill Amend’s part.
11. 

    Felix The Cat said, 8 months ago

    @Steve Plegge

    Tell that tio the guys who designed this bridge
12. 

    DavidRT said, 8 months ago

    In real life as opposed to an idealized textbook problem, during the approximate parabolic flight of the ball, gravity will act straight down and is constant. Air resistance will act in the opposite direction to the velocity and will vary with velocity (faster —> more, slower —> less but the actual equation can be quite complicated often related to higher powers of the velocity than v^1). The force will be the vector sum of Fg and Fa. Add spin and Bernoulli’s forces come into play. With backspin, there will be less air pressure under neath the ball than on top of the ball giving a slight upward force which reduces the effect of gravity slightly – but remember, spin will be slowing down.
    Can you see why without idealizations and approximations, the vast majority of significant problems in physics and engineering cannot be solved. The best solution for a golfer, Practice, Practice, Practice !!
    Because computer can quickly calculate iterations and successive approximations, we can land the Curiosity rover on Mars. GO Physics !! GO Math !!
13. 

    4lou2toon said, 8 months ago

    @Steve Plegge

    well done!
14. 

    jrcarter53 said, 8 months ago

    Don’t forget to throw in humidity; that affects the air density. Also I’m sure the age of the ball will come into play? Old balls don’t travel as far.
15. 

    burleigh2 said, 8 months ago

    @dukedoug

    Yeah, if only it was that easy, every math and physics nerd would be FANTASTIC at most all sports!
    Now if you got a launching device that was hooked up to a computer and you could adjust the angle and force, any math/physics nerd would be able to get on the green in 1-2 shots on virtually any hole (depending on the max force of the device and obstacles in the way).
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