Projectile formula for a golf ball

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of the Vector Launch Monitor from Accusport, which captures critical golf performance metrics such as golf ball speed, club head speed, launch angle, and spin rates. The user seeks to develop a "what if" formula to analyze how adjustments in these variables can optimize shot distance. The inquiry includes the possibility of implementing this formula in Excel or a Visual Basic application, leveraging additional data like club head mass and golf ball weight for comprehensive analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of projectile physics as it relates to golf.
  • Familiarity with the Vector Launch Monitor and its data outputs.
  • Basic knowledge of Excel formulas and Visual Basic programming.
  • Awareness of golf club specifications, including club head mass and ball weight.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to implement projectile motion formulas in Excel.
  • Learn about Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to automate calculations.
  • Explore advanced golf physics concepts to enhance understanding of shot optimization.
  • Investigate additional metrics that affect golf performance beyond those captured by the Vector Launch Monitor.
USEFUL FOR

Golf club builders, performance analysts, and golf enthusiasts interested in optimizing shot distance through data analysis and physics applications.

stratman65
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Hello,

I am a golf club builder here in Fort Worth. I recently bought a Vector Launch Monitor, www.accusport.com, which has a high speed camera hooked to a laptop with software that allows me to capture the golf ball speed, club head speed, launch angle of the golf ball, rpm of back spin and rpm of side spin. I get real time output with each shot measured plus an accumulated average. It also calculates distance of each shot.

This is all based on projectile physics but my knowledge base ends there. Since I am getting real time data what I would like to add to the process is a "what if" formula that let's me enter in the club head speed, launch angle, back spin and then make adjustments to one of these variables so that I can demonstrate what could be the optimum variables for best shot distance for any golfer. There are other variables that the launch monitor does not capture but I have access to such as club head mass (cc's), weight of the club and weight of the golf ball.

It there a formula that I can use that I can plug into and Excel formula or write a VB app that would allow me to plug in the variables and get an answer it would be great.

Thank you for any help or guidance you can give me.

Stratman :smile:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
stratman65,

The accusport website you gave seems to say that the Vector Launch Monitor comes with the kind of software you're describing. What is that you want to do that it doesn't do?
 

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