Bounce of a golf ball on the green.

This article focuses on the physics of a golf ball bouncing on a horizontal grass surface, particularly the effects of backspin, angle of incidence, and surface properties on the ball’s rebound behavior and stopping distance. It presents a theoretical model incorporating sliding and gripping interactions between the ball and the green, supported by extensive experimental data from Haake’s 1989 PhD thesis and additional low-speed measurements. Key findings include that the stopping distance generally decreases with increased backspin and steeper incidence angles, but excessive backspin or steep angles can cause the ball to rebound and roll backward, extending the stopping distance. The study also compares fast and slow greens, noting that differences in friction and surface deformation affect bounce and roll, though more data are needed to fully correlate green firmness with ball behavior.