View Single Post
Old 10-23-2009, 08:18 PM   #15 (permalink)
botsapper
PSmodder lurker
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chino
Posts: 1,605
Thanks: 26
Thanked 908 Times in 522 Posts
True, a smooth ball could have a lesser force barrier but that critical speed is attained @ 300+ mph, but a dimpled golf ball passes its critical Reynolds number and with a smaller drag tail @ 55 - 300mph. This is within the practical ranges of a stroked golf ball, struck by a 40"+/- golf club, & within a 4 degrees from tee level, initial launch speed of 160+ mph, consistent backspin and resultant Magnus force lift. A dimpled golf ball creates beneficial lift & stays aloft longer, thus travels longer. The configuration would take all of the advantage of the smaller drag resistance @ the most of its flight. Tests indicate greater lift on spinning dimpled golf balls but even non spinning dimpled golf balls still have lower drag tails compared to spinning/non spinning smooth balls.

Zipp dimpled bicycle wheel covers have shown very good Reynolds numbers compared to smooth ones. It only begs for ecomodders to now use & favor 'dimpled' wheel covers over smooth ones. Another one on the 'must' list.
http://www.zipp.com/_media/pdfs/tech..._the_edges.pdf
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to botsapper For This Useful Post:
E.Roy (10-24-2022)