Golfers know the sinking feeling all too well: a seemingly perfect putt rolls towards the hole, hits the rim, and pops back out. This frustrating phenomenon, often referred to as a “lip out,” isn’t just bad luck — it’s a consequence of physics and mathematics. A new study published in Royal Society Open Science sheds light on the mechanics behind these maddening moments, explaining why a ball can seemingly defy gravity and escape the hole.
Understanding Angular Momentum and the ‘Lip Out’
The most common “lip out” occurs when a putt is struck with too much force and arrives at the hole slightly off-center. This creates a competition between two forms of angular momentum, which is essentially the measure of an object’s rotational force. For a putt to succeed, the angular momentum propelling the ball into the hole must be greater than the angular momentum causing it to rotate around the hole’s rim. When the rotational force around the rim wins, the ball bounces out.
The Role of Spin in Rare ‘Lip Outs’
A rarer and even more perplexing type of “lip out” happens when the ball appears to drop into the hole before unexpectedly popping back out. According to applied mathematician John Hogan of the University of Bristol, a coauthor of the study, this is often due to spin. The spin means the ball rotates around an axis perpendicular to the ground or the hole wall once it’s inside.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- The ball descends, converting its potential energy (energy due to its position) into rotational energy (spin).
- That spin is then converted back into potential energy, creating enough force to launch the ball back out of the hole.
Broader Trends in Sports Physics
The “lip out” phenomenon isn’t unique to golf. Similar unpredictable events happen in other sports, such as a basketball dancing on the rim before falling through (or out of) the hoop. This research aligns with a growing trend of applying physics and mathematical analysis to explain seemingly illogical events in various sports, including baseball and squash. These investigations aim to demystify the mechanics behind these moments, offering a deeper understanding of the forces at play.
Seeking Solutions: A Challenge for Golfers
While the research clarifies why “lip outs” occur, it doesn’s provide immediate solutions. John Hogan, who doesn’t play golf himself, acknowledges this, stating that figuring out how to prevent these frustrating moments is a challenge best left to the professionals. The study’s primary aim was to illuminate the underlying physics, leaving it to golfers to leverage this new understanding to improve their game.
Ultimately, this research isn’t about solving a golf problem—it’s about revealing the fascinating physics at play in a familiar sporting scenario.
The research highlights the intricate and often surprising ways physics govern the world of sports, transforming a frustrating moment into a chance to appreciate the beauty of scientific principles in action
