When you mention projectiles, most people don’t think of golf balls do they? Especially when they’re hit with a putter. However, what about when the golfer breaks out a 9 iron to get out of some low ground?

When struck, the golf ball will follow a nice arc heading towards (at least hopefully) the hole where the ball is destined to score a birdie or eagle rather than a bogie or worse.

Whilst I’ve never been a golfer, my interests were more inclined to military applications, the game of golf is very much a great example of where projectiles take us into the realm of calculus and differentiation.

So rather than consider balls on a pool table, my task this week is to look at the paths of golf balls and other projectiles.