Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Overview
Next time you’re playing catch with your kids or watching a
game on TV , ask them to think about the different balls used to
play different sports. What do they look like? Why don’t baseballs,
soccer balls, footballs, and tennis balls have indentations like a
golf ball?
While you may not realize it, the 300–450 dimples that dot the
surface of a golf ball actually help it travel farther than a ball with
a smooth surface. Love this science of golf fun fact? We’ve got
plenty more to share. Here you’ll find games and factoids to help
your middle-school student connect the dots between science
and golf. To get started, print out a copy of the Golf Science
Facts for each person who wants to play. The Golf Science Facts
highlight key information about different science principles, as
well as how they might help a golfer improve their game. Refer to
the Golf Science Facts as you play each game.
Ready to challenge your child to a game of Caddie’s Choice,
Guess My Principle or Nine Hole Mix-Up? Take a swing and get
ready to learn about the science and math that make golfers
successful on the greens.
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Golf Science facts
Refer to the diagrams and principles here to play the games included in this guide.
Diagram
Action
Scientific Principle
full swing
Lever Arm
A lever arm is a simple machine. A stiff bar that pivots
or turns on a fixed point. It is used to transmit force.
How many lever arms work together in a golf swing?
A golf swing can be thought of as two levers. One
lever is made up of the combined work of a golfer’s
shoulder, arms and hands. The second lever consists of
the club rotating on an axis through the golfer’s hands.
motion of a
golf ball
Projectile Motion
Projectile motion is the motion of a moving object that
has been given an initial velocity. The object then moves
through the air following a path, or parabolic trajectory.
The path is caused by the effect of gravity on the object
as it travels vertically to its peak and then descends to
the ground.
Why does a golfer need to understand how projectile motion works?
When a golf ball (the projectile) is hit by a golf club, the
club gives the ball an initial velocity. The initial velocity
can be thought of as having both horizontal and vertical
components (an x, y axis). The ball will move along
that x, y axis in an arc, in a parabolic trajectory that is
caused by the effect of gravity on the ball.
full swing
Momentum transfer
Momentum transfer is the amount of momentum one
particle gives to another.
How can momentum transfer impact a golfer’s
tee shot?
A golfer’s downswing creates momentum. The
momentum achieved in that swing provides an energy
momentum transfer to the the head of the golf club,
creating club-head velocity. The energy from the swing
is given to the club head. A well-timed transfer of
energy or momentum will create maximum
club-head velocity when the ball is hit. This can result
in long drives or tee shots.
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Golf Science facts
Refer to the diagrams and principles here to play the games included in this guide.
Diagram
Action
Scientific Principle
full swing
Friction (club head)
Friction is the result of one surface or object rubbing
against another.
Why does it help a golfer to add friction to the face of
a golf club?
When you look at the head of a golf club you may notice
the grooves cut into the face of the club. Those grooves
add friction to the head of the club. When the ball is hit
by the club face, friction will help transfer momentum
to the ball and also create backspin. Backspin creates
lift allowing the ball to stay in the air several seconds
longer, adding yards to a drive.
putting
Kinematics (putting)
Kinematics describes the motion of objects.
If you understand kinematics can it make you a more
accurate putter?
Unlike a drive, where a golfer wants to swing for power
and distance, putting requires accuracy over a relatively
short distance. Putting is an impact movement. This
means a golfer will apply a force to a ball that is not moving. While the putting stroke may look fairly simple, to
hit the ball accurately with the correct power, a golfer
may be thinking about his aim, the club-head velocity
when he hits the ball, the position of the club in relation to his body and the point of contact between the
ball and the club.
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Golf Science facts
Refer to the diagrams and principles here to play the games included in this guide.
Diagram
Action
Scientific Principle
full swing
Moment of Inertia
Moment of Inertia is a property in physics that shows
how difficult or easy it may be to set an object in motion
around an axis of rotation.
Would a golfer prefer to have a higher or lower Moment of Inertia when they are driving a golf ball?
Every golfer who wants to hit their drive with power and
accuracy needs to understand that Moment of Inertia
applies to a drive because a golf swing is a rotating
motion. The higher the Moment of Inertia of an object
(the ball), the more force you will have to apply, via the
downswing, to set the ball in a rotational motion. Golfers who keep the Moment of Inertia of their swing as
low as possible, making it easier to start their swing, will
have a faster downswing and longer drives.
flight of
golf ball
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with
forces acting on objects passing through air or other
gaseous fluids.
What aerodynamic principles have had an impact
on golf ball design?
Did you ever wonder why a golf ball is covered in
“dimples”? The dimpled pattern creates aerodynamic
lift allowing the ball to have less drag and remain in
the air much longer. The current design of a golf ball
also has a compressed core. This maximizes the energy
transfer from the club to the ball, producing increased
spin and balls that will roll farther.
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Golf Science facts
Refer to the diagrams and principles here to play the games included in this guide.
Diagram
Action
Scientific Principle
full swing
Ground reaction forces
In physics, more specifically biomechanics, ground
reaction forces are the equal and opposite forces
exerted by the ground on a body that is touching it.
Can simply standing on the ground help a golfer
power their swing?
The ground is the link in a kinetic chain of energy
transfer. We’ve studied Newton’s Third Law of Motion
in other sports, so we know that if a golfer pushes their
legs into the ground during a swing, the ground will
push back with an equal force. That transferred force
is the ground force reaction. That force continues up
the kinetic chain into the golfers body and thereby into
their swing. An efficient transfer of ground reaction
forces to the kinetic chain will help a golfer create
power in their club head speed by using their bodies.
all golf
movements
Stability
Stability allows a body to keep some parts still while
other parts are in motion.
How can a golfer’s center of gravity make them a
better player?
Can you think of another sport where stability is important to a player’s success? It might surprise you
to know that in football, offensive lineman anticipate
being pushed and so they lower their center of gravity
to keep themselves stable, allowing them to do the job
of protecting the quarterback. Surprisingly, the same
holds true for a golfer. A golf swing demands that a
golfer keep some parts of their body still while other
parts are working to create enough momentum to drive
a ball 300 yards. It will make that task easier if the golfer
can maintain a posture that keeps the center of gravity
near the middle of their body. Stability helps a golfer
maintain control of the mass of their body while they
are moving.
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Game #1: caddie’s choice
Materials
Two sheets of paper divided with dashed lines, to create a set
of Golf Scientific Principle Cards (9 cards in total). One sheet of
paper with 9 questions that represent the “front 9” holes of a
golf course. The answer key.
Set Up
Cut out the Golf Scientific Principle Cards (9 cards in total).
Make one set of 9 cards for each person who wants to play.
Place the paper with the questions in the center of the table
so all players can take a turn asking a question from the sheet.
Place the answer key upside down (encourage players
not to look ahead when they are checking the answer for the
question they ask).
To PLAY
Between two and four players are each given a complete set
of the Golf Scientific Principle cards, below. There are 9 cards
in total. Players are told that they are going to pretend that
they are caddies (the person who carries a golfer’s clubs at
a golf match). On each hole of a 9 hole course, the golfer is
going to ask his or her caddie to help them decide what action
they should take on the golf course.
One at a time, players take turns reading one of the “golfer’s”
questions from the “front 9” question sheet. The first reader
begins with the first hole. For example, the first player reads,
“In order to reach the green, I need to hit my ball in an arc
over a tree and a pond. What scientific principle will help me
achieve this?
After the question is read, each child looks through their cards
(encourage them to refer to the Golf Science Facts sheet for
help) and chooses the card/principle that they think applies
(in this case it would be Projectile Motion). They place that
card face down in front of them. When all players have made
their choice and have placed the selected card in front of
them, they all turn the cards over at once. Players can use the
answer key to confirm how many people got the correct answer. Before play moves on to the next question, encourage
players to discuss why they made the choice they did. One
point is awarded for each correct answer. The player with the
most points at the end of the 9 questions wins!
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
caddie’s choice Questions
FIRST HOLE
In order to reach the green, I need to hit my ball in an arc over a tree and a pond.
Which scientific principle will help me achieve this?
SECOND HOLE
I have my ball on the tee. It is a long way to the green. I want to hit a shot with
a faster downswing so I’ll hit a longer drive. I know my golf swing is a rotating
motion, but which scientific principle will help me reach the green?
THIRD HOLE
I think that my golf ball has more lift and less drag, allowing it to spin and roll
farther. What scientific principle makes that happen?
FOURTH HOLE
I’m on the green and need to make a precise shot over a short distance. Which
scientific principle will help me find a stroke that is more accurate on the green?
FIFTH HOLE
I need a simple machine that will allow me to transmit force on a golf ball. What
scientific principle will help me achieve this?
SIXTH HOLE
When I swing the club, my legs push down onto the ground. Then, the ground
pushes me back in an equal and opposite reaction. The ground and I are connected
in a kinetic chain of energy transfer. Which scientific principle explains this?
SEVENTH HOLE
There are grooves cut into the face of my club, which are designed to transfer
momentum to the ball and create backspin. Do you know which scientific
principle makes that happen?
EIGHTH HOLE
When I swing a golf club I realize how hard it is to hold some parts of my body still
while other parts are moving. I try to keep my center of gravity near the middle
of my body, but it’s tough to do. Which scientific principle should I study to help
keep my lower body locked, while my upper body moves?
NINTH HOLE
I want to try to hit the longest drive I’ve ever hit. I think that I need to create a lot of
club-head velocity. I have to find a way to move the energy from the swing to the
club head. Which scientific principle would help me do that?
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
caddie’s choice principle cards
Friction
Kinematics
Moment of inertia
(club head)
(putting)
Ground reaction
forces
Projectile motion
Stability
Momentum
Aerodynamics
Lever arm
transfer
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
caddie’s choice answers
FIRST HOLE
Projectile motion
SECOND HOLE
Moment of Inertia
THIRD HOLE
Aerodynamics
FOURTH HOLE
Kinematics (putting)
FIFTH HOLE
Lever arm
SIXTH HOLE
Ground reaction forces
SEVENTH HOLE
Friction (club head)
EIGHTH HOLE
Stability
NINTH HOLE
Momentum transfer
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Game #2: guess my principle
Materials
One sheet of paper with dashed lines that will be cut into strips. Each
strip will contain the name of a scientific principle that appears in the
Golf Science Facts. These strips will be folded and placed in a small
bowl or paper bag. Players will also need their copy of the Golf Science Facts.
Set Up
Cut out the strips of paper using the dashed lines as a guide. Fold
them and place them in a small bag or bowl. Then, make sure players
have their copy of the Golf Science Facts available.
To PLAY
Ask players to sit in a circle. Then pass the bowl or bag around the
circle and ask each player to remove one strip of paper. Do not show
the other players the scientific principle that you chose. Then, after all
players have chosen a principle from the bag, take a moment to read
about the principle you chose from the Golf Science Facts.
Once you are sure you have an understanding of how that principle
connects to golf, the game can continue. Tell the players that they are
going to pretend to be the scientific principle they chose. They are
going to be asked yes and no questions about their principle and so
they should answer “yes” or “no” according to the information they
have reviewed in the Golf Science Facts sheet. Check back at any
time during the game if you need to double check your thinking.
Starting with one player and continuing clockwise around the table,
the first player selects a player and asks them a “yes” or “no” question.
Questions should be designed to give you enough information to
guess what principle the other players are. For example: Player 1 may
ask player 4, “Do you have rotational motion?” If player 4 answers
“yes,” player 1 might guess that player 4 is the Moment of Inertia.
If player 1 is correct, they score one point and player 4 must sit out
the balance of this game. Players go around the table in a clockwise
direction taking turns asking questions, but when it is their turn, they
can ask their “yes” or “no” question to any player at the table.
Once a player has guessed which principle you are, you are out of the
game. There is no penalty or points awarded for an incorrect guess.
When one game has concluded, players should be encouraged to
throw their strips back into the bag and play another round of “Guess
My Principle.”
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Game #2: guess my principle
Lever Arm
Projectile Motion
Momentum Transfer
Friction
Kinematics
Moment of Inertia
Aerodynamics
Ground Reaction Forces
Stability
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Game #3: nine hole mix-up
Materials
9 paper cups. One sheet of paper with dashed lines that will
be cut into strips. Each strip will contain a summary of the
scientific principle that appears in the Golf Science Facts.
These strips will be folded and placed in the paper cups by
the players. Players will also need their copy of the Golf
Science Facts.
Set Up
Cut out the strips of paper using the dashed lines as a guide.
Fold them and place them in the paper cups per the rules
under the “To Play” section. Place 9 paper cups in a row on a
table where all players can see them. Each paper cup should
be labeled with a separate scientific principle. Then, make
sure players have their copy of the Golf Science Facts available.
To PLAY
Two to nine players may play at one time. One player is
selected to be the first “golfer”. This player hides their eyes
or leaves the room so the other players can work together
to prepare all nine holes (i.e. cups) for the game to begin.
Each cup, or hole, represents a golf principle discussed on
the Golf Science Facts sheet. The strips of paper represent
the summary of each principle. The remaining players who
are not the “golfer” for this turn work together to place those
individual summary slips in each cup. They can choose to put
the correct, matching slip in the cup or they can purposely
place the wrong summary slip in the wrong cup. When there
is a slip of paper in each cup, the “golfer” can return to the
room. One by one the “golfer” takes each slip of paper out
of the cup and without looking at the Golf Science Facts,
determines whether or not that slip of paper matches the
scientific principle represented by each cup. The “golfer” gets
one point for each correct answer. Each of the other players
takes a turn at being the “golfer” while the other players mix
up the nine holes for them. Once every player has had a turn
as the golfer, the player with the most points wins.
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
Game #3: nine hole mix-up principle summaries
A golf swing can be thought of as two levers, one being made of the golfer’s shoulders,
arms and hands and the other being the club rotating on an axis.
The motion of a ball moving along a parabolic trajectory after being hit–moving
towards a peak and then falling back down due to the effect of gravity.
A well-timed transfer of energy or momentum from a golf club to the ball’s head,
creating maximum velocity.
The result of two surfaces rubbing against one another, helping to transfer
momentum and create backspin, and lift, allowing a ball to stay in the air longer. This
can add yards to a drive.
All of the characteristics of motion that a golfer considers in play — her aim, the clubhead velocity when she hits the ball, the position of the club in relation to her body and
the point of contact between the ball and the club.
Golfers who want to have a faster downswing and longer drives will need to study the
property in physics that shows how easy it can be to set an object in motion around an
axis of rotation.
Design properties of a ball, like having dimples, which create lift and minimize drag.
By exerting the force of a golfer’s body on the ground, during a downswing, the
ground will then generate a force back into the golfer’s body, passing energy through
a kinetic chain, or ultimately, into the swing.
It will help a golfer maintain control of their body mass while they are moving if they
keep their center of gravity near the middle of their body.
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Golf Learning Guide for Parents and Educators
nine hole mix-up answers
LEVER ARM
A golf swing can be thought of as two levers: one is the golfer’s shoulders,
arms and hands and the other is the club rotating on an axis.
PROJECTILE MOTION
The motion of a ball moving along a parabolic trajectory after being hit –
moving upwards towards a peak and then falling back down due to the effect
of gravity.
MOMENTUM TRANSFER
A well-timed transfer of energy or momentum from a golf club to the ball,
creating maximum velocity.
FRICTION
The result of two surfaces rubbing against one another, helping to transfer
momentum and create backspin, and lift, allowing a ball to stay in the air
longer. This can add yards to a drive.
KINEMATICS
All of the characteristics of motion that a golfer considers in play -- her aim,
the club-head velocity when she hits the ball, the position of the club in
relation to her body and the point of contact between the ball and the club.
MOMENT OF INERTIA
Golfers who want to have a faster downswing and longer drives will need to
study the property in physics that shows how easy it can be to set an object in
motion around an axis of rotation.
AERODYNAMICS
Design properties of a ball, like having dimples, which create lift and minimize
drag.
GROUND REACTION FORCES
By exerting the force of a golfer’s body on the ground, during a downswing,
the ground will then generate a force back into the golfer’s body, passing
energy through a kinetic chain, or ultimately, into the swing.
STABILITY
It will help a golfer maintain control of their body mass while they are moving
if they keep their center of gravity near the middle of their body.
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