How golf ball dimples affect its flight and aerodynamics?

Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball’s surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball’s surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.

Are golf balls aerodynamic?

The aerodynamics of golf balls is considerably more complex than that of many other spherical balls. The surface roughness in the form of dimples intensifies the level of complexity and three-dimensionality of air flow around the golf ball.

What is an aerodynamic shape?

For speeds lower than the speed of sound, the most aerodynamically efficient shape is the teardrop. The teardrop has a rounded nose that tapers as it moves backward, forming a narrow, yet rounded tail, which gradually brings the air around the object back together instead of creating eddy currents.

Do dimples improve aerodynamics?

First, dimples allow air to flow more smoothly around a ball’s surface, which decreases the wake and low-pressure area behind the ball, resulting in less drag. Second, the dimples increase lift by causing the air to move faster at the top of the ball, creating lower pressure there.

Why do planes have dimples on their wings?

Generally speaking the more “blunt” the body is (such as a golf ball) the more likely adding dimples to trip the boundary layer will reduce drag. Airplane wings are less prone to separation since they aren’t as “blunt” and as a result skin-friction drag is more important.

Why are objects designed with aerodynamics in mind?

Most objects that are designed with aerodynamics in mind are slender. This is done specifically to reduce the adverse pressure gradient ( d p / d x) over the surface of the object and reduce the possibility of flow separation. Figures are from Fundamentals of Aerodynamics by John D. Anderson.

Do dimples on the surface of a smooth sphere reduce drag?

About 90\% of the drag of a smooth sphere shape is pressure drag and the rest is friction drag. Putting dimples on surface will increase the friction drag but will reduce the pressure drag by having the turbulent boundary layer attached farther before separation.

What are the benefits of dimpled wing tops?

I think a dimpled wing top surface might be beneficial on an STOL aircraft where lift is a priority over drag–the dimpled surface might decrease the stall speed and allow the wing to produce lift at a higher angle of attack.