Golf tips of the day: arm straight, head down and balls dimpled? That’s what one ASU professor suggests.

ASU researchers, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Maryland and Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., are researching the physics of golf balls in hopes of designing a ball that would increase a golfer’s distance.

Kyle Squires, chair and professor of the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, and doctoral student Clinton Smith presented their golf ball research at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics in San Antonio last week.

Squires, who joked that before he had children he was a pretty good golfer, said the team of researchers is in the process of conducting trials to understand the roll of the 300-plus dimples on a golf ball to determine the most efficient way to arrange them in terms of reducing drag.

“The dimples on a golf ball keeps airflow longer and delays the drag on the ball,” Squires said. “If you have a smooth golf ball, it is going to go half as far as a dimpled ball.”

Squires said there is some criticism as to the relevance of the research, but understanding the physics of a golf ball has implications that go far beyond the tee box.

“The ability to manipulate airflow to lower drag is relevant in many areas,” he said. “Airplanes and gas turbine engines, for example, work on similar physical principles.”

The United States Golf Association has size and weight standards that must be met in order for a ball to be USGA sanctioned, but Squires said the research is designed to understand the role of dimpling and that it is laying the foundation to create balls.

“Manufacturers have an interest in designing a ball that goes further and as engineers, we have an interest because it is challenging,” he said.

Aviation aside, the golf industry is economically relevant.

Golf Datatech LLC audits the golf industry and said 21 million boxes of balls were sold in 2007 through golf course pro shops and specialty retailers it monitors, and another 6 million boxes were sold through chain stores.

Mike Breedlove, a golf pro at Karsten Golf Course, said different golfers want different things when it comes to golf balls.

“The inexperienced golfer is looking for inexpensive balls that they can buy in large quantity,” Breedlove said. “The experienced golfer is looking for a ball that is softer and allows for the most amount of spin, and everybody wants distance.”

Breedlove said he thinks that the Titleist Pro V1 is the best ball on the market right now and is the most popular amongst experienced golfers.

“The Titleist Pro V1 is my favorite because I like how soft it is,” he said. “A good golfer can tell by the feel of the way a ball comes off the club whether or not it’s a good ball.”

Reach the reporter at jaking5@asu.edu.