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Science of Golf

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Science of Golf

NBC Learn, in partnership with the United States Golf Association, uncovers the science, technology, engineering and math behind the game of golf. For lesson plans provided by the National Science Teachers Association, open the video and click on "Lessons". If you are having trouble viewing the videos

, click here.

Science of Golf

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Showing 1-20 of 20

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/22/2014

Clip Length :

00:04:37

Description :

A major obstacle on the golf course is not just a sandpit or rough, but long wait times on each hole. Engineer Matt Pringle at the United States Golf Association explains how improving the pace of play on a golf course is much like tr ...

Science of Golf: How the USGA Determines the Pace of Play

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/22/2014

Clip Length :

00:05:48

Description :

In order to setup a golf course for the U.S. Open Championships, the U.S. Golf Association uses science, technology, engineering and math to ensure that players need skill and strategy to perform well. "Science of Golf" is produced in ...

Science of Golf: Course Setup

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/08/2014

Clip Length :

00:04:18

Description :

The impact between a club and the ball produces equal and opposite forces, demonstrating Newton's Third Law of Motion, and also transfers momentum from the club to the ball. "Science of Golf" is produced in partnership with the United ...

Science of Golf: Newton’s Third Law of Motion & Momentum

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/08/2014

Clip Length :

00:04:52

Description :

The game of golf is intricately tied to weather conditions. As Weather Channel meteorologist Paul Goodloe explains, wind, rain, temperature and air pressure can all affect a golfer's ability to make his or her next shot. "Science of G ...

Science of Golf: Meteorology & Weather

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/05/2014

Clip Length :

00:05:06

Description :

Professional golfer Mike Miller's drive is analyzed and used to explain the physics concepts of collisions and compressions. "Science of Golf" is produced in partnership with the United States Golf Association and Chevron.

Science of Golf: Energy in Collisions & Compressions

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/28/2014

Clip Length :

00:05:48

Description :

From inertia to acceleration, USGA research engineer Jim Hubbell explains how Newton's Laws of Motion are demonstrated in every round of golf. "Science of Golf" is produced in partnership with the United States Golf Association and Ch ...

Science of Golf: Newton’s First & Second Laws of Motion

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/21/2014

Clip Length :

00:04:48

Description :

All golf courses have one thing in common - their playing surface is turfgrass. Golf course superintendents use the practice of agronomy to maintain the turfgrass and create an ideal environment for golf. "Science of Golf" is produc ...

Science of Golf: Golf Course Agronomy

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/14/2014

Clip Length :

00:04:54

Description :

USGA engineer Steve Quintavalla explains why a golf ball is designed with tiny dimples, or impressions, on its surface. "Science of Golf" is produced in partnership with the United States Golf Association and Chevron.

Science of Golf: Why Golf Balls Have Dimples

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/04/2014

Clip Length :

00:04:41

Description :

Paula Creamer’s powerful swing has made her one of the top golfers on the LPGA tour. Creamer's swing is analyzed with a high speed Phantom camera in order to illustrate the physics concepts of potential and kinetic energy. "Science of ...

Science of Golf: Potential & Kinetic Energy

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/02/2014

Clip Length :

00:04:32

Description :

Professional golfer Belen Mozo's top-notch swing relies on two key physics concepts to hit the ball in a straight line, torque and moment of inertia. "Science of Golf" is produced in partnership with the United States Golf Association ...

Science of Golf: Torque & Moment of Inertia

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/29/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:54

Description :

Suzann Pettersen, a professional golfer on the LPGA tour, uses putting to help demonstrate the physics concepts of work, energy, and power. "Science of Golf" is produced in partnership with the United States Golf Association and Chevr ...

Science of Golf: Work, Energy & Power

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/29/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:15

Description :

Maintaining a golf course requires the use of one of nature's most precious resources: water. The USGA Green Section is leading an effort to help golf courses conserve, recycle and use water more efficiently. "Science of Golf" is prod ...

Science of Golf: Water Conservation

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/29/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:05

Description :

Hitting a powerful drive takes more than just strength and coordination, it also requires the physics concepts of torque, centripetal force and something known as the double pendulum effect. "Science of Golf" is produced in partnershi ...

Science of Golf: Physics of the Golf Swing

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/29/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:42

Description :

Unlike most sports, in the game of golf the player with the lowest score wins, and negative numbers can indicate a well-played game. Scoring statistics also help project the cut score used in championship tournaments. "Science of Golf ...

Science of Golf: Math of Golf Scoring

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/22/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:47

Description :

In order to measure the speed of a putting green, golf course superintendents use a device called the Stimpmeter. Adopted by the USGA in 1978, the Stimpmeter calculates green speed by relying on the principals of kinematics: position, ...

Science of Golf: Kinematics

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

05/22/2013

Clip Length :

00:04:02

Description :

Golfers work hard to put just the right amount of backspin on their shots, something that helps the ball stop before it rolls off the green. The brief collision between the club face and the ball produces friction, which unleashes spi ...

Science of Golf: Friction & Spin

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/26/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:11

Description :

The Rules of Golf limit the volume of the head of a golf club to 460 cubic centimeters. To ensure that modern day clubs conform to this rule, the United States Golf Association relies on a 2,000 year old science principle discovered b ...

Science of Golf: Volume, Displacement & Buoyancy

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/26/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:30

Description :

While golf balls have retained the same relative size and shape over the years, their design and the materials they are made from have gone through radical changes to improve spin, reduce drag, and help the ball travel farther. "Scien ...

Science of Golf: Evolution of the Golf Ball

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/26/2013

Clip Length :

00:05:53

Description :

The USGA instituted the golf Handicap Index System in 1911 so golfers with different skill levels can compete with each other on an equitable basis. Golfers can have their Handicap Index calculated at a USGA-licensed golf club using ...

Science of Golf: Calculating a Golf Handicap Index

Source :

NBC Learn

Air Date :

04/26/2013

Clip Length :

00:06:03

Description :

Over the decades, the sport of golf has seen many technological innovations, most notably in the design and engineering of the golf club. Many of these advances have strived to more efficiently utilize the mass of the club head, somet ...

Science of Golf: Evolution of the Golf Club

05/22/2014

00:04:37

Science of Golf: How the USGA Determines the Pace of Play

A major obstacle on the golf course is not just a sandpit or rough, but long

05/22/2014

00:05:48

Science of Golf: Course Setup

In order to setup a golf course for the U.S. Open Championships, the U.S. Golf

05/08/2014

00:04:18

Science of Golf: Newton’s Third Law of Motion & Momentum