Playing Disc Golf at Altitude Altitude has a huge impact on the flight of disc golf discs. When playing at elevation, golf discs fly more overstable, and surprisingly don’t go very far.
How do temperature and altitude affect disc stability?
In very general terms, increases in altitude, temperature, or humidity will tend to make discs less overstable. In the same fashion, decreases in altitude, temperature, or humidity will tend to make discs more overstable.
How does altitude affect your golf game?
Hooking and slicing are reduced in severity due to altitude’s effect on the golf ball. A hook or slice is generated when the ball's spin axis is tilted and the lifting force pulls a little to the left or right (as a result of the golfer imparting some amount of sidespin to the ball) instead of straight up.
Does elevation affect the spin on a golf ball?
The amount of spin generated on a given shot is the result of a complicated physical interaction among the club's properties, the ball's properties, and the golfer's swing properties. These aren't going to be directly affected by elevation. On the other hand, it's easy to see why many golfers believe that the ball spins less.
How do atmospheric conditions affect the flight of a disc?
Differences in atmospheric conditions will influence the flight of the disc. Specifically, air density changes are inversely proportional to changes in altitude, temperature, and humidity. Taken individually, if altitude, temperature, or humidity increases, the air density (e.g. air resistance) decreases.
Does elevation affect disc golf?
Yes, generally higher altitudes tend to make discs "appear" more overstable or require faster speed to turn it over. With less dense air, there is less force to turn the disc over.
Are discs more Overstable at elevation?
High altitude makes discs MUCH more stable/overstable. If you went to sea level, all of your discs would act more understable than you're used to if you throw them at the same release angles you do at 5800'. High altitude makes discs MUCH more stable/overstable.
Do discs fly farther at lower elevation?
0:434:41How Elevation Affects the Flight of a Disc: VLogmas Day 13 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo today i want to explain why that happens and some of my favorite tricks for when you're playingMoreSo today i want to explain why that happens and some of my favorite tricks for when you're playing at different elevations. Now you might be thinking i've heard people talk about how discs fly more
Does altitude affect a car's performance?
Higher Altitude Means Less Power Generally speaking, an engine loses three percent of its rated power for every 1,000 feet of altitude gained. This means you could lose as much as 20% of your vehicle's horsepower if you drive it from sea level to Big Bear Lake (with its 6,750 elevation).
Does humidity affect disc golf?
In very general terms, increases in altitude, temperature, or humidity will tend to make discs less overstable. In the same fashion, decreases in altitude, temperature, or humidity will tend to make discs more overstable.
How does disc weight affect flight?
A lighter disc will spin easier and can therefore have HSS for longer. High Speed Stability is the tendency for the disc to pull left (rhbh) early in the flight while speed and rotation are high. Generally, lighter discs tend to have lower high speed stability. But then again if it is heavier it will fall faster.
How do pros throw so far disc golf?
0:421:39How do pro disc golfers throw so far with such little effort? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen pros throw far they're pulling the disc in front of their chest here and they're not rotatingMoreWhen pros throw far they're pulling the disc in front of their chest here and they're not rotating their shoulders too fast because that's going to bend the elbow.
How far can average person throw in disc golf?
Average Throwing Distance in Disc Golf As mentioned, most beginners tend to throw disc golf discs at an average distance of 175 to 250 feet. Meanwhile, with around 1 to 2 years of experience, recreational players have an average throwing distance of approximately 200 to 300 feet.
How far do average disc golfers throw?
Typical Distance Throwing them at a distance less than that could result in catastrophic skips that do more harm than good. A seasoned disc golfer with average power will generally max out around 400 feet/122 meters at most.
Does 1000 ft elevation make a difference?
This means that even an elevation as low as 1,000 feet will slow you down. Specifically, each 1,000 feet above sea level will slow you down by about one percent. Even more than beating up the quads, this is the Achilles heel of the "fast" downhill courses. In order to get the big drop, they have to start high.
Should cars be adjusted for high altitude?
Some engines may be a big sluggish at higher altitudes because of the lower air density and hillier driving conditions. It's important to have your engine tuned up regularly and ready to handle some of the inherent challenges of a high-altitude environment.
Does fuel injection adjust for altitude?
Most modern vehicles with fuel injection can automatically compensate for higher altitude. The Electronic Control Module (ECM) (also called Electronic Control Unit - ECU) will adjust the fuel mixture for higher altitude to prevent the engine from “running rich” (too much fuel in the mixture, and not enough oxygen).
How does air density affect the flight of a disc?
Air Density. Differences in atmospheric conditions will influence the flight of the disc. Specifically, air density changes are inversely proportional to changes in altitude, temperature, and humidity. Taken individually, if altitude, temperature, or humidity increases, the air density (e.g. air resistance) decreases.
What factors affect disc flight?
Plastic. Although not as significant as other factors affecting disc flight (such as speed/power levels), the type of plastic can influence how a disc flies. As a general rule, the discs made of more durable (e.g. premium) plastic will have a more overstable flight and discs made of less durable (e.g.
What happens to air density when you increase altitude?
Taken individually, if altitude, temperature, or humidity increases, the air density (e.g. air resistance) decreases. Likewise, if altitude, temperature, or humidity decreases, the air density increases. Higher air density means discs will slow down faster, but the cruising speed window is lower as well.
What is an OAT disc?
Off axis torque (OAT) occurs when the rotational force of a disc is not centered on an axis that goes through the center of the disc in a direction perpendicular to the flight plate at the time of release.
Which wind will push discs forward?
Top. Wind. Tailwinds will tend to push discs forward and have the effect of increasing HST values, with less of a right-turning line and the potential for more distance. Headwinds will tend to push against discs and will have the effect of decreasing HST values, with more of a right-turning line.
Does disc weight affect stability?
Disc Weight. Changes in disc weight do not inherently affect the stability of a disc. However, as disc weight decreases, the speed/power required to throw the disc also decreases and more effort can be put toward throwing the disc.
Do discs fade at lower speed?
This means discs will begin to turn at a lower speed thres hold and discs will begin to fade at a lower speed. Lower air density would have the opposite impact. Discs will maintain speed better with a higher overall cruising speed window where discs will require more speed to turn and fade.
What is the coolest thing about disc golf?
One of the coolest things about disc golf is how the flight characteristics of your discs change as the elevation changes. This facet of disc golf adds an element of challenge to the game that few other sports have. There are many tricks that can help you adapt to this change in flight patterns that you might find useful during your next trip to the Tahoe disc golf courses.
What are the differences between flight characteristics?
Flight characteristics are not the only differences you should keep in mind. The conditions are most frequently very dry and the winds can be quite active. These factors will combine to dehydrate you faster than you may be accustomed to at home. The thinner air will also get you winded faster than usual.
What adjustments should be made with equipment?
Driving adjustments are usually best made with equipment, but putting adjustments should be made with technique.
Is disc golf in the high desert?
The Tahoe area has many quality disc golf courses to choose from, but before you go there are some basic fitness goals you should have in mind before you play. The Tahoe disc golf courses are all in the high desert. Flight characteristics are not the only differences you should keep in mind. The conditions are most frequently very dry and the winds can be quite active. These factors will combine to dehydrate you faster than you may be accustomed to at home. The thinner air will also get you winded faster than usual.
How does altitude affect golf?
Hooking and slicing are reduced in severity due to altitude’s effect on the golf ball. A hook or slice is generated when the ball's spin axis is tilted and the lifting force pulls a little to the left or right (as a result of the golfer imparting some amount of sidespin to the ball) instead of straight up. Thus, instead of just holding the ball up against gravity, the lifting force also pulls to the side, creating the curved trajectory. If the lifting force is less due to lower air density, then the curvature will also be less. At 5,000 ft elevation, the air density is about 14% lower than at sea level, so the lifting force is also about 14% less and the hook or slice will curve about 14% less. It's easier to hit the ball straight, but it's harder to intentionally curve it.
Why does a golf ball fly at high altitudes?
The golf ball flies further in high altitudes mainly due to the change in air density, which decreases as elevation increases. Thinner air exerts less drag force on the ball. The ball moves more easily through the air and doesn't slow down as quickly as it flies, resulting in greater distance.
Why does the golf ball spin less?
Since the air is less dense at high altitudes, the spin has less effect on the ball's flight. The ball's spin generates a lifting force (like the wings of an airplane) as it moves through the air. The thinner the air, the smaller the lifting force. Thus, at higher elevations the trajectory is less influenced by lift, and thus has a "flatter" shape and a more glancing impact with the ground. This produces extra roll, which contributes to the increased distance but also makes it harder to hold the green, even though the spin is the same.
What is a hook in golf?
A hook or slice is generated when the ball's spin axis is tilted and the lifting force pulls a little to the left or right (as a result of the golfer imparting some amount of sidespin to the ball) instead of straight up.
Why does the ball spin less at higher elevations?
It is also sometimes said that the ball spins less at higher elevations. This is false. The amount of spin generated on a given shot is the result of a complicated physical interaction among the club's properties, the ball's properties, and the golfer's swing properties. These aren't going to be directly affected by elevation.
What is the effect of the spin of a ball on the trajectory of an airplane?
Thus, at higher elevations the trajectory is less influenced by lift, and thus has a "flatter" shape and a more glancing impact with the ground.
What is the lifting force of a 5,000 ft slice?
At 5,000 ft elevation, the air density is about 14% lower than at sea level, so the lifting force is also about 14% less and the hook or slice will curve about 14% less .
