What factors affect a golf ball's drag and lift besides spin and speed?

[Boyi]

Summary: What could affect Magnus force's magnitude and direction except for speed and spin?

Most golf flight simulators model the coefficient for drag (Cd) and lift (Cl) as a function of the relative spin ratio (rsr), where rsr = spin * radius / speed. In Figure 1, parameters of two similar shots are displayed side by side. It can be observed that Cd and Cl are not unique with respect to a same rsr value.

Figure 1.

This is especially obvious in Figure 2, where the parameters of the two shots are mixed, and sorted according to the rsr. We can see that for a same value of rsr, the Cd and Cl can be very different between when the ball is ascending and descending.

Figure 2.

I wonder other than rsr, what other factors can affect the drag and lift the ball experiences as it cuts through the air?

 

[boneh3ad]

The state of the boundary layer can play a large role. If it transitions to turbulence at a different location in one part of the flight path than in another, then there is likely to be a different in L and D.

 

[JBA]

If you haven't already, go to the below website for a detailed report on the elements affecting a ball trajectory:

https://www.golf-simulators.com/physics.htm