Customer Reviews

Newton on the Tee: A Good Walk Through the Science of Golf

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I invested in this book in hope of improving my mathematical models of golf (and possibly other "ball" games). I don't even play golf and doubt that Newton did either. However, if he were to examine the game he would surely be more concerned about impact and flight dynamic's in relation to the "law of conservation of energy" than what/why professional players do or don't do one thing or another.

While interesting at times, the book seems more like 7 magazine articles geared for casual sports enthusiasts. There is discussion of gravity variance, coefficient of restitution, loft angle, angular velocity (or 'spin' if you prefer Zum's scientific terminology), but no models, formulas or proofs (and typically not even an explanation) of a scientific nature. When golf equipment is tested robotic parts are commonly used for consistency. However, the author spends a great portion of the text discussion physical and psychological factors of the game, as well as historical players.

Suffice to say, do not buy this book if you're shopping for a scientific view of golf. However, it is a short read and does make some interesting analogies.

Zumerchik knows what he is talking about. Clearly he took decades building up this knowledge of the underlying factors that determine performance and healthy practice at golfing. *** "Getting the Ball from Here to There" (Ch. 4) has a section on aerodynamics that clarifies choices for a variety of wind shots. The Bernoulli principle, the Magnus effect, and other more subtle factors are presented with diagrams and in terms that the average technically competent golfer will understand. *** You could see this as a way to get an edge over nontechnical opponents. Same for avoiding serious injuries. *** Eventually you get to "Injuries and Aging." Short chapter. Worth about 5 times the new price of the book. You'll get right up front why sinovial fluid, the prestress action of back muscles prior to impact (preparing for deceleration in follow through), elastic energy, and other factors are important. Includes keys to understand where injuries are risky for becoming serious problems. *** Highly recommended. Overall as good as Harvey Pennick's Little Red Book. Where you might want technical papers and books for more, there's a top level fully technical bibliography.

Golf is a game of tradition and legend. On the equipment side the marketing is filled with overhype, half truths and black magic. This book will give you the facts and research data that has been done over 400 years of this great game. Amaze your golf buddies with your knowledge after reading this book.

My biggest disappointment with this book is that it is represented as "a good walk through the science of golf". The author is very comfortable citing other works but gives no data to support his own conclusions. He statement that the hands should be substantially ahead at impact is not supported at all. Don't mind that he has an opinion but if he states it as fact he should be able to back it up.

There are many other books for me to spend my money on, wish I had done so in this case.

Watch out! The front cover is misleading. There are no such diagrams or formulas inside the book. Just words, words, like a novel. It makes me fall asleep.

"Is the brain mightier than the swing? Proven science makes a great golfer according to Zumerchik who uses physics, gravity and universal principles to torment himself and other hackers about getting a golf ball from here to there."