Golf

Improving the pace of play on a golf course is much like trying to control flow rate through a funnel, or traffic on a highway. 

USGA engineer Steve Quintavalla explains why a golf ball is designed with tiny dimples, or impressions, on its surface. 

Golfers can have their Handicap Index calculated at a USGA-licensed golf club using this simple mathematical formula 

Wind, rain, temperature, and air pressure can all affect a golfer's ability to make his or her next shot. 

Golf club innovations have led to efficiently utilize the mass of the club head and more. 

Agronomy is used to maintain turfgrass and create ideal environments for golf. 

LPGA golfer Paula Creamer's swing is analyzed to illustrate potential and kinetic energy. 

Suzann Pettersen, a professional golfer on the LPGA tour, uses putting to help demonstrate the physics concepts of work, energy, and power. 

The physics concepts of torque, centripetal force, and double pendulum effect help with powerful drives. 

The brief collision between the club face and the ball produces friction, which unleashes spin. 

A stimpmeter calculates green speed by relying on the principals of kinematics: position, velocity and acceleration 

Professional golfer Mike Miller's drive is analyzed and used to explain the physics concepts of collisions and compressions. 

The Rules of Golf limit the volume of the head of a golf club to 460 cubic centimeters. 

Golf balls have gone through radical changes to improve spin, reduce drag, and help the ball travel farther. 

Science, technology, engineering, and math go into the setup of a golf course. 

Torque and moment of inertia are two key physics concepts to hit the ball straight.