From an outsider’s perspective, it might seem like the game of golf simply involves swinging a metal club at a round ball and hoping it lands in or near a hole. However, the game is much more scientific than that. In fact, the precise science behind the golf ball is one of the most important contributions to how the game is played.
The first golf ball was pretty simple. In the mid-1500s, a new game was becoming popular that used a small, round ball. Called the “feathery,” the leather ball was filled with feathers. Makers boiled the feathers to soften them and then hand-packed them densely into wet leather. As the balls dried, they became very dense and extremely hard. Early golfers could hit a feathery about 200 yards.
Today’s golf balls are very different and rely on some of the same elements of science that impact how planets move in space. Like the Earth, these round objects have a hard core surrounded by a mantle of varying densities. This kind of structure helps control off-center spinning and allows the ball to travel faster.
Next, there are those characteristic dimples! Dimples create aerodynamic forces for the golf ball, much like the shape of an airplane’s wings create lift. These tiny indentations grab the air that would otherwise flow right by its surface and generate “Magnus lift” to help the ball rise into the air and essentially ride the airwaves further. Since the air is grabbed closer to the ball’s surface with all the dimples, there is less room behind the ball in the “drag zone,” which means less force is trying to slow the ball down. More lift and more speed mean a golf ball travels much further than a smooth surfaced ball.
For more information about the science of a golf ball’s design, check out this interesting video from the United States Golf Association (USGA): Science of Golf: Why Golf Balls Have Dimples.
Eagle Point Golf Club, We’ll Set You Up for Success on the Course.
We know golf is more fun when you understand all the facets behind the perfect swing. Meet with our Head Golf Professional, Logan Genaw, for a personalized lesson or a quick tune-up to examine your game and learn how to make it better. Logan is a graduate of the Golf Academy of America with proven experience helping golfers of all skill levels improve their games. After observing your swing, he’ll break down a few techniques into bite-sized mini-lessons so you can practice new skills without becoming overwhelmed. Logan can even help you understand the different types of golf balls available and select the right style for your game.
Our course at the Eagle Point Golf Club is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. With six tee boxes at every hole, you can choose to play a game that’s appropriate for your skill level, even with more experienced players in your group.
Reward Yourself with a Stay and Play Package at the Resort at Eagle Point
If you need a little extra coaxing to build up the confidence to try the Eagle Point Golf Club course, make a weekend out of it with a customized Stay and Play Package. You’ll find luxurious accommodations at our boutique hotel, The Chalets at the Resort at Eagle Point. We make it easy to enjoy a hearty breakfast, get a quick golfing lesson, and head out to the course. At the end of your day, stay for fine dining at the Talon Grill and then kick back and rest with a beautiful view of the greens from your room at the Chalets. The next day, you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to do it all again.
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