ORIGINAL: hugger-4641
ORIGINAL: banktoturn
ORIGINAL: hugger-4641
After this I guess the next question would be:
If you could a hit another smooth ball and a dimpled ball with all variables equal but with a perfect back spin, which would go farther?
Then we could compare the numbers and know which force actually has more effect.
hugger-4641,
The dimpled ball would go further, which is why they put dimples on them.
banktoturn
Yes, I think we all agree on that, the question is which force contributes the most, ''lift'' from the spinning (magnus effect), or reduced loss of velocity due simply to reduced drag from the dimples?
hugger-4641,
I don't know for sure, but my guess is that the dimples are more important. I base this guess on 3 things: 1) my observation that very worn range balls don't fly as far as new ones (a very obvious difference, when witnessed), 2) balls marketed as "distance" balls tend to have lower spin rates, and 3) the aspect ratio of a golf ball is so low that generating a lot of lift causes a big drag penalty.
banktoturn