The Effect of off Center Hits on a Golf Ball’s Smash Factor and Dispersion
The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effect of off-center hits on the smash factor and dispersion of a golf ball upon impact. A golf club apparatus was constructed to eliminate human error and swing the golf club consistently. A simulator was also used to track the ball flight and give the necessary numbers to calculate the smash factor and dispersion. Thirty trials were conducted for the toe-struck sample, where the golf ball was addressed one inch from the center of the golf club, toward the toe, and thirty trials were conducted for the heel sample, where the ball was addressed one inch toward the heel. Two separate two sample t Tests were used to determine the statistical significance of toe vs. heel hits for smash factor and dispersion. For the smash factor trials, there was not a significant difference between the toe and heel strikes. For the dispersion trials, there was a significant difference between the toe and heel strikes. Golfers strive to improve their game. They must consider smash factor and dispersion of the golf ball when trying to maximize their golfing potential. Albeit the experimental results for smash factor indicate that there is no difference between heel and toe strikes, the results for the dispersion indicate that, if the ball is impacted slightly away from the “sweet spot,” the ball should be struck toward the heel to minimize the dispersion.
Research Done By:
Jamon Ford
Warren Mott High School
Lawrence Jhons
Warren Woods Tower High School
Warren Consolidated Schools