Physics
 

One of the benefits of learning TGM is the Science. There are probably many that have started into the study and application of TGM with little or no Physics backgrounds. They actually developed an interest in physics through their study of G.O.L.F..

TGM could be used as a tool to help foster the learning of physics in youth, that ordinarily would have NO interest in the subject. I believe I read that this actually happened to one person on this forum.

There are probably also some science and physics buffs out there that simply enjoy that part of TGM. I see nothing wrong with that. These people should, however, have a very good understanding of Chapter 14, The Computer, so as to be able to positively utilize the information in their golf game.

My background is not extensive... but I will start the discussion if anyone is interested.

Physics... as I understand it, consists of 4 basic factors. From these 4 things... MASS, SPACE, TIME, and ENERGY all physics is comprised.

MASS-- matter, weight, etc.
SPACE-- distance measurements
TIME-- measured in seconds, or parts of a second
ENERGY-- the capacity to do WORK(Force x Distance)

One can easily see how all these factors have involvement in a golf stroke. Lets start with MASS.

HOW MUCH DOES (MASS) INFLUENCE THE DISTANCE A GOLF BALL CAN BE STRUCK BY A PERSON WITH A GOLF CLUB; THE MASS OF THE PERSON STRIKING THE BALL, AND/OR THE MASS OF THE GOLF CLUB?

Re: Physics
 

ok, i'll bite...i think mass influences distance via the equation "F=ma", where "F" is the force imparted (ie by the clubhead to the ball), "m" is the mass of the thing imparting the force (essentially the clubhead mass IMHO), and "a" is the acceleration of the thing imparting the force (ie the clubhead)...i don't think the mass of the person has much of anything to do with it except that bigger/stronger people may be able to accelerate the club faster than a smaller person of the same skill level...hence why 155 lb pros can hit further than 250 lb ams (they have more skill) but the long driving contest guys are often bigger (skill+strength)...as an aside my belief is that the issue/importance of clubhead velocity is overemphasized...i have seen posts in various forums that cite studies that show pro-swings (w/o ball contact) have max velocity AFTER impact point...why all the emphasis on clubhead velocity then?...well because your max acceleration is usually just BEFORE your highest velocity and as general rule if the club got to a higher max velocity, it was very likey also at a higher acceleration unless the time frame is very different...anyway, there's my $0.02:-)

-hcw

Do you think a Hitter with more Mass(bigger Launching Pad) has more of an advantage? What about the swinger?

As far as the mass of the club... remember the Featherlights?

I would think 1-D, Structure lends itself to part of the answer.

Hitters do have a shorter swing length so mass would probably aid them while a swinger can have a longer swing length and move quickly up to a point, the point being the mass is too much for them control or sustain any amount of acceleration/speed.

Also 6-F-1, Timing adds to the definition of which may be better for a hitter or swinger.

It does come down to the individual's traits, I believe what you will find in TGM in regard to this topic is merely a guideline, in otherwords one hitter may have more success with less mass while a swinger may in fact have more mass and be successful. But the norm or a starting point would suggest a Hitter is more likely to be successful with more mass than a swinger.

hcw,

The spot ain't called sweet for nothing. hahah. Most golfers (non machiners) would benefit with less swing speed in order to hit the sweet spot. One MAJOR benefit from TGM is that we hit the sweet spot more often most non pros.

6b

you talking to me? :-)
 

...if so, IMHO, then more mass only helps if can accelerate it the same, whether it be the mass of the person or the clubhead...

...no savvy Featherlights, but from the name i'll guess they were lighter clubs that proposed to allow you to hit farther...again, in my view less mass means you have to up the acceleration...so if they were half the mass, i'd say you'd have to double the acceleration to stay even...but as 6b pointed out, most of us (or at least I) would be a lot better off hitting the sweet spot a little slower, more often....

-hcw

For any given person/swing there should be a 'sweet spot' of mass vs. speed. I personally love the feel of a heavier club. I keep my swingweights up around D4-D6 - perhaps a 'feel vs real' issue, but it really helps me ensure that I am truly 'swinging'. The other advantage is that the more mass, the harder it is to be 'off plane'.

While there is certainly an issue with having clubs that are 'too heavy', I think a big reason that kids often have great swings is that the clubs are heavier for them. That really lets the swing happen.

I'd be curious to get input from those equiptment guru's out there on exactly how to find the best combination of mass vs speed vs shaft flex from a physics perspective.

Gentlemen,
The design of both the golfing and human machines must be able to "handle " the demands of both it's mass and it's acceleration. For instance...If you had an 18-wheeler coming down a mountain side at 65 MPH and it approached a sharp curve...if it didn't slow down it would slide in a "straight" line of the mountainside... same scenario with a Porch 911 traveling at 65 MPH, it wouldn't have to slow down as much and be able to maintain the "Arc" of the curve...Why? Well the RPM's of the Porche's wheels are higher, it is lighter and it has a smaller radius and Moment of Inertia compared to the radius and weight of a longer and heavier 18 wheeler whose Moment of Inertia is much greater. Bottom Line ...is the machine designed for "hauling Freight" or is it designed for "hauling ___"? Rule for this Forum...Not allowed to use profanity...but you know what I mean!!! Do you think this has anything to do with the "Endless Belt" concept?

Annikan

PS. If Strong...Hit... If Quick Swing...If Both do either or Both!!!
- Gospel According to Homer

The real question is can a Hitter successfully match a max lag, Snap Releasing Swinger? I don't think so. I believe that's like asking the semi to match the porsche's cornering ability. The most effective Hit uses a big pulley, the most effective Swing, a small pulley.

Re: you talking to me? :-)
 

Featherlites!
In the 70's a hobby turned into a business, club repair and assembly/fitting and I continued for about 15 years. Many side benefits, free golf, etc., and an opportunity to learn many facets of design/repair/fitting/shaft flex/torque/bend points, on and on.
I assembled several sets of the then new featherlites and experimented with the proper shafts for B swing weights, etc. Another story.
I found generally I could gain distance w/ the Featherlites but was usually all over the place re. the intended target and distance was undependable. Although not featherlites, some of the early Calloway Irons, the Wilson Reflex Irons seemed to provide skewed distances.
Although we are discussing swingweight here, IMHO it is almost a non factor, but over all weight of the club is very important to the conversation.
I ended my gain of knowledge re. shafts, weights, etc., in 1993 so can not discuss the current equipment on the market.