The Physics of Golf

by Theodore P. Jorgensen

This revised and expanded bestseller includes a new chapter on putting, a new appendix on the fundamental physics covered in the book, increased coverage of modern club design, and an updated reference section. As in the previous book, most of the mathematics is relegated to a technical appendix. The first edition of this book was enthusiastically received by the both the science press in Physics Today, IEEE Spectrum, and Nature and the golf world in American Golf Pro and Golf Week.

Genres: Nonfiction, Physics, Sports

201 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1993

Reviews

[Rejean Cantin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to grasp the basic physics laws first, but was worth it

Was very helpful to understang the D plane!
Many other interesting facts and concepts. In the end I enjoyed and learned a lot.

[Armin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being an engineer and an avid golfer, this was a treat to read.

[Johan Monge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dense analysis of the game of golf, with specific emphasis on the drive. The author’s academic dissection is useful in creating and tweaking one’s own swing, yet this book should be accompanied by frequent practice/playing as its lessons must be "felt" and internalized to be applied with any consistency

[Randal · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I have this PhD in physics, you see, but never became a physicist. So I can't really muster either an awe or a deep collegial appreciation for the science, one of which you'd have to have to really appreciate this book fully. Instead, I just wonder why he didn't apply his torque argument to the horizontal component of the swing plane. Still, I have to appreciate a data-based approach to the swing and found some satisfaction in the author's dissatisfaction with verbal, feel-based, analogous descriptions of the golf downswing. And I took away a couple of things to try, which is always good.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for those who want a mathematical model of the golf swing and are interested in other aspects of golf as they relate to physics. It is probably only interesting for those with engineering backgrounds, because it is pretty steep in technical lingo. It hasn't made me a better golfer, but it is fun to think about the science inside a round of golf.

[Ken · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the most difficult book to get into. It tells the reader nothing except for the abundance of mathematics that are relevant at best to someone with Asperger.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, especially as a physicist. I’ve found the D plane a useful way to determine the relative orientation of the club face based on the spin of the ball.