Originally posted by: adwilk
I've posted similar to this before, but not seeking the same answer and certainly not the same explanation.
Sorry, I'm a golf nut..
If you decrease Loft on a club, a driver in particular, will ball spin increase or decrease...??? Will swing speed make a difference on this effect. For example
Player A has a swing speed of 88mph and a ball spin rate of 3400 with 9.5 degrees of loft.
Player B as a ss of 124, bsr of 3750 with 9.5, would they both notice similar results if they changed to 8.5 or 10.5.... I really want to know the effect of spin and launch angle when multiple variable are applied...
For the last 20 yrs or so, when I became aware that metal head components were available for purchase, I have been building all of my clubs. I?ve done some research in order to construct clubs most suitable to my swing.
Assume no friction, an inelastic ball and club head, and the club head has a 10 degree loft: When struck the ball contacts the clubface 10 degrees below the normal and leaves the clubface 10 degrees above the normal or at a 20 degree angle from the horizontal (ground). The normal is a line perpendicular to the clubface. Speed is not a factor.
In the real world, and off the top of my head, the factors that REDUCE the effective loft angle of a driver are (Irons have some different factors):
1. Decreasing club shaft stiffness
2. Shaft has a low rather than high shaft flex point.
3. Increased roll diameter of the clubface. (Clubface roll is the vertical arc segment of a circle, bulge=horizontal segment)
4. Ball impact point is below the club head?s center of gravity
5. Ball impact point is offset from the club head?s center of gravity towards the toe.
6. When addressed, the ball is closer to the right foot than normal. (Right handers)
7. Swing axis (point on chest just below chin) is vertically displaced forward of ball at impact.
8 British researchers have empirically found that friction is not a factor i.e., a polished clubface without grooves and wet from dewy grass had the same loft as an unmodified dry club.
9 Low spin rate ball design.
I can?t see why shaft torque should be a factor if the ball impacts near the horizontal and vertical center of gravity. It would be a major factor in horizontal off COG impacts.
Off the top of my head has run dry but as far as swing speed:
Factors mentioned above should combine to decrease the effective loft angle of a club as swing speed is increased.
Remember someone has said, "There is more bad physics discussed in golf than any other sport". I hope I'm not adding to that knowledge base.