Why aren’t the furthest hit golf balls or baseballs launched at 45 degree angles?

Jackknifed_Juggernaut
Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:48:17 +0000
Factual Questions

In golf, the launch angle range of a driver is typically 8 - 12 degrees. When you watch the trajectory of the longest hit golf balls, their launch angles appear to be less than 20 degrees. Similarly, while the arcs of the longest hit baseballs are higher than golf balls, their launch angles are also less than 45 degrees.

In physics, we learn that without air friction, a 45 degree launch angle would make an object fly the farthest. So is the answer air friction? If so, why does it differ for golf balls versus baseballs? Are there other factors as well?

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