How to Calculate the Flight Time of a Golf Ball

The longest recorded drive on a golf course was a mammoth 515 yards. Amazingly it was a 64-year-old, Mike Austin, who hit it at the 1974 U.S. National Seniors Open Championships in Las Vegas. Such a feat is out of reach for even the longest-hitting pros, but that doesn't mean experienced golfers can't give the ball plenty of distance and hit some big shots that stay in the air for several seconds.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf clubs
  • Golf ball
  • Stopwatch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get a stopwatch. If you plan on taking it very seriously, you could buy a proper sports stopwatch. Alternatively, all digital watches and even certain cell phones will have some kind of timer.

    • 2

      Ensure it's precise. You should definitely use a digital timer, as they are more accurate and convenient than analogue ones. Preferably whatever you use should also be able to keep time to the nearest hundredth of a second. This will allow you to time the flight of the golf ball in a far more exact manner.

    • 3

      Bring a friend. You will need someone to start and stop the watch at the right moment, as doing it yourself would be extremely inaccurate. Try and find someone with excellent eyesight and reflexes.

    • 4

      Position your friend. He should stand in a place where he's able to see the ball when it's struck and when it lands. You might want to consider bringing along a pair of binoculars, although it is not necessarily essential, depending on visibility.

    • 5

      Start the watch as soon as the ball is hit.

    • 6

      Watch the ball through the air. Both you and your friend should keep a close eye on the ball in flight. That way, if he loses sight of it, there is a better chance you will be able to point out where it is. Use the binoculars if required.

    • 7

      Stop the timer. The flight time of the ball finishes as soon as it hits the ground, so your friend should press the stop button the second it bounces. Check the watch and make a note of the flight time.