How do they calculate golf ball speed?

Answer by  technogeek (6640)

The same speed gun that is used in baseball, the same type radar device that the police use to catch speeders, is the same way that golf ball flight speed is determined.

Answer by  mike707 (63)

Ballspeed in golf is a measurement of the rebound speed of the ball off the club. Typical measurement machines are called launch monitors and capture rapid photos of the ball off the face or track its flight using radar. Machines use algorithms to calculate speed, backspin, and launch angle.

Answer by  primatefreak (1616)

Yes, it's the same speed gun (doppler radar device) used in baseball. In golf it is called a launce monitor.

Answer by  mjgbucks (6)

They use a laser that has a field of view. When an object enters the field of view, the laser field is disrupted. Therefore, the time at which the ball enters the field can be measured as can the time at which the ball exits the field. The velocity is determined as the distance traveled divided by the elapsed time.

Answer by  ebentley (25)

There is a machine that can be used which is a radar, but another way it can be calculated is using photogrammetry.

Answer by  williamsjh (33)

A mechanical device called a launch monitor is used to measure golf ball speed. This device uses Doppler radar to measure club head speed, ball carry distance, and launch angle.