What causes the dimples on a golf ball?
As the air hits the dimples on a golf ball, small pockets of turbulence are created. This creates a small layer of air close to the surface of the ball.
How far does a golf ball with dimples fly?
It is widely believed that a golf ball without dimples would fly about half the distance of a golf ball with dimples because of this technology. This is because dimpled balls create about half the drag of a smooth ball.
What would happen if a golf ball was smooth?
Very simply stated, if a golf ball were smooth, the air would flow quickly over the top and create quite a bit of turbulence behind the ball. This turbulence would cause a tremendous amount of drag on the ball and force it down from the sky sooner.
How many dimples does the V1x have?
Dimple volume even varies within brands for examples the Pro V1 has 352 dimples compared to 328 on the Pro V1x. The Rules of Golf require dimples to be symmetrical to stop the ball wobbling or flying sideways as the ball spins.
Why are golf balls designed with dimples?
Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball's surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.
Why a dimpled golf ball can be hit further than a smooth ball?
Dimpled golf balls travel further than smooth golf balls is because the dimples on a golf ball create turbulence in the boundary layer. This actually helps reduce drag and increase lift.
Are dimples more aerodynamic?
First, dimples allow air to flow more smoothly around a ball's surface, which decreases the wake and low-pressure area behind the ball, resulting in less drag. Second, the dimples increase lift by causing the air to move faster at the top of the ball, creating lower pressure there.
Do dimples on a golf ball make it go faster?
Lift generated by a dimpled ball A dimpled golf ball not only accelerates faster than a smooth one, but it can also attain more lift, provided there is significant backspin on the ball. Backspin makes the air move backwards faster on the top of the ball than at the bottom, thanks to the dimples.
What would happen if a golf ball has no dimples?
Dimples help the ball fly through the air because they help the ball lift. If a ball doesn't lift, it travels forward like a half-inflated balloon, subject to any and all outside interferences. If a ball only has dimples on one of its sides, it's practically impossible to hit the ball straight.
What would happen if a golf ball did not have dimples?
It's easy to assume a ball would go farther if it didn't have indentations all over the cover, but in actuality, a ball without dimples would be nearly impossible to keep in play. "Dimples are what make the golf ball fly," said Nardacci.
How far would a golf ball go without dimples?
If you swing like a PGA Tour player, about 160 yards. According to Frank Thomas, Golf Digest's chief technical advisor and former technical director of the USGA, a smooth golf ball with no dimples would travel about 130 yards when hit with a modern driver by a tour-caliber player.
How would a golf ball fly without dimples?
0:391:31How far does a golf ball without dimples go? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo this this ball without dimples. Yeah this is the exact core. As normal probably one yeah but onceMoreSo this this ball without dimples. Yeah this is the exact core. As normal probably one yeah but once it's in the air it's all about the opponent.