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A new mechanical golfer will be calibrated to produce a specific set of launch conditions, using a new calibration ball. The new head speed will be 120 mph (up from 109 mph) using a titanium driver with a spring-like effect (COR = .820) compared to the present club head, which is laminated wood with no spring-Like effect (COR = .780). Learn more about COR..click here. The launch angle, for the calibration ball will be 10 degrees with a spin rate of 42 rps (revolutions per second) equivalent to 2,520 rpm. These launch conditions reflect the average conditions on the PGA Tour but the head speed (120 mph) is that of the very longest hitters. The test ball will be launched under these test conditions, indoors,
to measure its actual launch conditions (which may be different
than those of the calibration ball). These measurements along with
the aerodynamic properties of that ball will then be used in a computer
simulation to determine the overall distance. The USGA claims that because of the increased head speed and using the new titanium driver the ball will travel 30 yards farther. However, it is not the USGA’s intent to fail any ball when these new test conditions are adopted. To make sure this is so, a new limit will be established at 317 yards (up from 291.2 yards) even though this is not an additional 30 yards. A test tolerance will be reduced from 5.6 yards today to 3 yards under the proposal because the test techniques are better than those used since 1976. Because of the small differences in machine settings, ball performance and the inability to produce exactly the same results on several successive tests, even using the same six balls, a test tolerance is added to the limit. If a ball exceeds the limit plus the tolerance then one is sure that the ball exceeds the limit. A test tolerance is a requirement for every test procedure. If a ball falls inside of that tolerance (in this
case between 317 and 320) it means that there is a chance, in a
subsequent test that it may exceed the limit + tolerance. It is
thus not wise on the part of the manufacturer to produce a ball,
which is above 317 yards even if this can be done with some degree
of confidence because the test is only accurate to within +/- 3
yards. Under cover of an “update” the USGA is actually rolling the standard back, OR something is amiss. Consider the illustration below: The limit today is 291.2 + 5.6 yards tolerance. The proposed limit is 317 yards + 3 yards tolerance. Fig 1: The effect of the proposed updated
ODS test on the fates of currently conforming golf balls A, B and
C (for illustrative purposes only). If the new conditions result in a 30-yard increase (as stated by the USGA) then only ball “A” of the three currently conforming balls A, B, & C will pass the new proposed test. The USGA has stated that it wishes to enhance the test procedure, not take balls off the Conforming List. It is not technically sound to set a standard where a ball is knowingly in the tolerance zone (between 317 and 320). So the only way that all balls will pass the new test procedure is if longest balls today do not exceed 287 yards, which is only seven yards longer than when the standard was set at 280 yards (which was the distance of the longest ball) in 1976. This is something we should question. If today’s longest ball is in fact ball “A” at 287 yards, it still has 4.2 more yards before it would reach today’s limit of 291.2. Under the proposed standard this same ball will go 317 yards and have no room for improvement. This would suggest a roll back of 4.2 yards. The proposed launch conditions of 10 degrees and 2,520 rpm represents those of the average PGA Tour player today. Many are hitting the ball higher and with less spin, which is getting closer to the optimum launch conditions for the modern ball (approximately 12 degrees and 2,200 rpm), which will result in the maximum distance. This could be 5-yards or more than the proposed launch conditions will produce.
Fig. 2: Proposed vs. approximate optimal launch conditions If the justification for the proposal is to reflect the conditions of today’s golfer on tour then when these change in five years to about 12+ degrees and a spin rate of about 2200 rpm will this require another change? “In the future, the USGA will continue to observe changes
in equipment and players to determine if changes in the ball test
methods are necessary.” Using the same reasoning the USGA must then again change to reflect the average launch conditions in five years or the reasoning today is flawed. Concomitant with a move to different launch conditions is to draw another line in the sand, perhaps at 325+ yards. Is it not better to move to, and test at optimum launch conditions
for each ball now, rather than string this out to the same inevitable
conclusion? Frank Thomas (6 July 2003) For more on golf balls...click here
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