Scientists investigate the frustrating phenomenon of golf balls bouncing out of the hole.
Every golfer knows the frustration: a putt rolls perfectly toward the hole, only to bounce back out. Now, a scientific study sheds light on why this happens. Researchers from the UK and Hungary have analyzed the physics behind this common golfing annoyance, offering insight that could help players better understand — if not eliminate — the problem.
The physics behind the bounce
The study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, was conducted by Stephen Hogan of the University of Bristol and Máté Antali of Széchenyi István University in Győr. The researchers identified two main factors responsible for the ball bouncing out: tilt and spin. Specifically, the spin of the ball as it rolls toward the hole can cause it to behave unpredictably at the rim.
In one scenario, the ball approaches the hole at an angle, and its center of mass never truly aligns with the hole’s center. The tilt isn’t steep enough to overcome the ball’s rolling motion, so it veers off and rolls away — a classic lip-out.
Spin: the hidden culprit
In the second scenario, the ball appears to drop into the hole but then spins back out. This occurs when the ball’s spin direction doesn’t match its rolling direction. If the ball hasn’t yet touched the bottom of the cup, the spin can effectively lift it back out. Once the ball hits the bottom, however, the spin is disrupted and the ball stays in.
More mysteries to solve
Golfers may also be familiar with another version of the lip-out, where the ball circles the rim and either falls in or returns to the green. This specific behavior hasn’t yet been studied in detail, but the researchers acknowledge it as another area for future investigation.
While the findings may not make missed putts any less painful, they do offer a scientific explanation for one of golf’s most maddening moments. Understanding the physics behind the bounce might not improve your score, but it could help ease the sting of a near miss.