Whilst golf has always enjoyed a popular following among casual fans, it is also increasingly attracting the attention of another passionate yet unlikely group: scientists. Beyond the caddies, carts, and clubs, the game of golf is an applied science.
The seemingly simple act of striking a golf ball involves a wide range of processes, putting into practice physical principals such as energy transfer, kinetics, launch angles, spin, and momentum. However, in spite of the growing interest in the fledgling field of “golf science,” few books thus far have provided a thorough overview of the subject.
In The Science of the Perfect Swing, mechanical engineer Peter Dewhurst offers a comprehensive guide to the science of modern golf. Based on three decades of experience in the physics of golf, Dewhurst examines topics such as the interaction between club face and ball, trajectory and impact, and the physics of putting.
Rich in illustrations, graphs, and charts, Dewhurst presents physics-based discussions in an easily accessible format. Each chapter also contains a substantial “Findings and Consequences” section, which draws conclusions based on the scientific theory, and makes recommendations on ball-striking and other facets of the game. From the mechanics of club design to modeling the trajectory of the ball, The Science of the Perfect Swing unravels some of the elusive mysteries about what it takes to play a great game of golf.
Interesting and informative, The Science of the Perfect Swing strikes a perfect balance between hard science and an accessible tone that will appeal to golf enthusiasts, engineers, and anyone with an interest in sports science.
Peter Dewhurst graduated first in class in mathematics at the University of Manchester, where he was subsequently continued his research in applied mathematics and engineering mechanics to receive a Ph.D.
Other awards, in his career, have included the Taylor Medal from the International College of Production Research, the President’s award from the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Rhode Island Governor’s award for Technology, and the U.S. National Medal of Technology from President Bush senior.
Dewhurst is also Professor Emeritus in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, and Industrial Engineering, at the University of Rhode Island, where he was two-time winner of the Carlotti Award for research excellence.
‘The Science of the Perfect Swing’ by Peter Dewhurst is published in hardback by Oxford University Press price £22.99 www.oup.com