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Main
Date: 19 Sep 2006 22:42:52
From: Dave Lee
Subject: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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After struggling with the game for years with off again/on again success
(more off than on), I have come to a startling realization. To understand
this let's begin with one simple statement of the Heisenberg uncertainty
principle. A particle having a position and momentum (would seem to cover
things like a golf ball, I would think), cannot EVER have its exact position
and exact momentum known simultaneously. The product of the uncertainty of
position and uncertainty of momentum is directly proportional to Planck's
constant. This isn't a statement of measurement inaccuracies, but a
fundamental statement of how our universe appears to work.
So the rules of golf require that you wait until the ball is at rest
(momentum known EXACTLY as zero). Therefore if the uncertainty of momentum
is zero then the uncertainty of position is infinite - which seems to be my
problem on the golf course.
So it isn't my fault and there is nothing that can be done about it. There -
now I feel much better :-)
dave
ps. In a fit of whimsy when I recently changed to Pro V1 golf balls (and the
issue of other folks who also play Pro V1's hitting my ball in error), I
started to mark my ball with a BIG Greek 'Psi' character (generally accepted
symbol for the Schrödinger wave function in quantum mechanics). Maybe I
should change it to Planck's constant, although they are intimately related.
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 01:35:00
From: Frank Ketchum
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com > wrote in message
news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> The product of the uncertainty of
> position and uncertainty of momentum is directly proportional to Planck's
> constant. This isn't a statement of measurement inaccuracies, but a
> fundamental statement of how our universe appears to work.
>
So if I understand correctly, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle would
suggest that since my golf ball must have finite momentum, I can never be
100% certain of where it is? That would explain a lot. Also, suppose the
ball just leaves the clubhead at the maximum momentum I am capable of
generating, this would suggest that at this point I have the least idea of
where it is and therefore where it is going? That also explains a lot.
Thanks!
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 19:32:41
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"Frank Ketchum" <fketchum@earthlinknospaam.net > wrote in message
news:8V0Qg.9928$v%4.6742@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> > The product of the uncertainty of
> > position and uncertainty of momentum is directly proportional to
Planck's
> > constant. This isn't a statement of measurement inaccuracies, but a
> > fundamental statement of how our universe appears to work.
> >
>
> So if I understand correctly, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle would
> suggest that since my golf ball must have finite momentum, I can never be
> 100% certain of where it is? That would explain a lot. Also, suppose the
> ball just leaves the clubhead at the maximum momentum I am capable of
> generating, this would suggest that at this point I have the least idea of
> where it is and therefore where it is going? That also explains a lot.
> Thanks!
>
>
That hadn't occurred to me before. Not only is it fundamentally impossible
to have any idea of where a ball is when it comes to rest, it is also
fundamentally impossible to have any idea of where a ball is when you are
trying to hit it. No wonder this game is so hard and that bigger clubheads
are popular.
dave
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Date: 19 Sep 2006 22:45:00
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com > wrote in message
news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> After struggling with the game for years with off again/on again success
> (more off than on), I have come to a startling realization. To understand
> this let's begin with one simple statement of the Heisenberg uncertainty
> principle. A particle having a position and momentum (would seem to cover
> things like a golf ball, I would think), cannot EVER have its exact
position
> and exact momentum known simultaneously. The product of the uncertainty of
> position and uncertainty of momentum is directly proportional to Planck's
> constant. This isn't a statement of measurement inaccuracies, but a
> fundamental statement of how our universe appears to work.
>
> So the rules of golf require that you wait until the ball is at rest
> (momentum known EXACTLY as zero). Therefore if the uncertainty of momentum
> is zero then the uncertainty of position is infinite - which seems to be
my
> problem on the golf course.
>
> So it isn't my fault and there is nothing that can be done about it.
There -
> now I feel much better :-)
>
> dave
>
> ps. In a fit of whimsy when I recently changed to Pro V1 golf balls (and
the
> issue of other folks who also play Pro V1's hitting my ball in error), I
> started to mark my ball with a BIG Greek 'Psi' character (generally
accepted
> symbol for the Schrödinger wave function in quantum mechanics). Maybe I
> should change it to Planck's constant, although they are intimately
related.
>
>
I forgot that I was posting to RSG (my error). So just in case ...
I know - a golf ball is not a quantum particle with a quantum state, etc..
dave
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Date: 19 Sep 2006 17:42:55
From: long&left
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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Dave Lee wrote:
> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> After struggling with the game for years with off again/on again succe=
ss
>> (more off than on), I have come to a startling realization. To underst=
and
>> this let's begin with one simple statement of the Heisenberg uncertain=
ty
>> principle. A particle having a position and momentum (would seem to co=
ver
>> things like a golf ball, I would think), cannot EVER have its exact
> position
>> and exact momentum known simultaneously. The product of the uncertaint=
y of
>> position and uncertainty of momentum is directly proportional to Planc=
k's
>> constant. This isn't a statement of measurement inaccuracies, but a
>> fundamental statement of how our universe appears to work.
>>
>> So the rules of golf require that you wait until the ball is at rest
>> (momentum known EXACTLY as zero). Therefore if the uncertainty of mome=
ntum
>> is zero then the uncertainty of position is infinite - which seems to =
be
> my
>> problem on the golf course.
>>
>> So it isn't my fault and there is nothing that can be done about it.
> There -
>> now I feel much better :-)
>>
>> dave
>>
>> ps. In a fit of whimsy when I recently changed to Pro V1 golf balls (a=
nd
> the
>> issue of other folks who also play Pro V1's hitting my ball in error),=
I
>> started to mark my ball with a BIG Greek 'Psi' character (generally
> accepted
>> symbol for the Schr=F6dinger wave function in quantum mechanics). Mayb=
e I
>> should change it to Planck's constant, although they are intimately
> related.
>>
>=20
> I forgot that I was posting to RSG (my error). So just in case ...
>=20
> I know - a golf ball is not a quantum particle with a quantum state, et=
c..
>=20
> dave
>=20
>=20
hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
:-P
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 01:04:17
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com > wrote in message
news:h80Qg.968$gR2.901@newsfe07.lga...
Dave Lee wrote:
> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
snip
hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
:-P
This is RSG so you never know for sure, but it seems possible that I have
been criticized for my posting here. Oh - I am so ashamed :-)
dave
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Date: 19 Sep 2006 18:23:54
From: long&left
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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Dave Lee wrote:
> "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
> news:h80Qg.968$gR2.901@newsfe07.lga...
> Dave Lee wrote:
>> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
>> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> snip
>
> hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
> :-P
>
> This is RSG so you never know for sure, but it seems possible that I have
> been criticized for my posting here. Oh - I am so ashamed :-)
>
> dave
>
>
actually Dave, it is I that is ashamed...I didn't understand a word you
posted :) Well, I think I got out of it, when the ball stops moving, hit
the sh*t out of it. Close?
Dave
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 08:28:30
From: A Brick in the Wall
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com > wrote in message
news:HK0Qg.258$qa1.146@newsfe03.lga...
> Dave Lee wrote:
>> "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
>> news:h80Qg.968$gR2.901@newsfe07.lga...
>> Dave Lee wrote:
>>> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
>>> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> snip
>>
>> hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
>> :-P
>>
>> This is RSG so you never know for sure, but it seems possible that I have
>> been criticized for my posting here. Oh - I am so ashamed :-)
>>
>> dave
>>
>>
>
> actually Dave, it is I that is ashamed...I didn't understand a word you
> posted :) Well, I think I got out of it, when the ball stops moving, hit
> the sh*t out of it. Close?
> Dave
But can you be certain it will there when the club head arrives?
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 19:33:43
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"A Brick in the Wall" <NoSpam@NoThanks.com > wrote in message
news:45110106_3@newsfeed.slurp.net...
>
> "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
> news:HK0Qg.258$qa1.146@newsfe03.lga...
> > Dave Lee wrote:
> >> "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
> >> news:h80Qg.968$gR2.901@newsfe07.lga...
> >> Dave Lee wrote:
> >>> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
> >>> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> >> snip
> >>
> >> hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
> >> :-P
> >>
> >> This is RSG so you never know for sure, but it seems possible that I
have
> >> been criticized for my posting here. Oh - I am so ashamed :-)
> >>
> >> dave
> >>
> >>
> >
> > actually Dave, it is I that is ashamed...I didn't understand a word you
> > posted :) Well, I think I got out of it, when the ball stops moving, hit
> > the sh*t out of it. Close?
> > Dave
>
>
> But can you be certain it will there when the club head arrives?
>
>
Yep - don't know where it will go or even where it is when you try to hit
it. Tough game.
dave
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 10:39:47
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com > wrote in message
news:HK0Qg.258$qa1.146@newsfe03.lga...
> Dave Lee wrote:
> > "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
> > news:h80Qg.968$gR2.901@newsfe07.lga...
> > Dave Lee wrote:
> >> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
> >> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> > snip
> >
> > hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
> > :-P
> >
> > This is RSG so you never know for sure, but it seems possible that I
have
> > been criticized for my posting here. Oh - I am so ashamed :-)
> >
> > dave
> >
> >
>
> actually Dave, it is I that is ashamed...I didn't understand a word you
> posted :) Well, I think I got out of it, when the ball stops moving, hit
> the sh*t out of it. Close?
> Dave
It was basically a weak attempt at humor. Ask the wife of most any
engineer - they aren't good at it :-)
dave
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 17:18:58
From: Peter Strauss
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 10:39:47 GMT, "Dave Lee"
<DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com > wrote:
>
> "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
> news:HK0Qg.258$qa1.146@newsfe03.lga...
> > Dave Lee wrote:
> > > "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
> > > news:h80Qg.968$gR2.901@newsfe07.lga...
> > > Dave Lee wrote:
> > >> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
> > >> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> > > snip
> > >
> > > hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
> > > :-P
> > >
> > > This is RSG so you never know for sure, but it seems possible that I
> have
> > > been criticized for my posting here. Oh - I am so ashamed :-)
> > >
> > > dave
> > >
> > >
> >
> > actually Dave, it is I that is ashamed...I didn't understand a word you
> > posted :) Well, I think I got out of it, when the ball stops moving, hit
> > the sh*t out of it. Close?
> > Dave
>
> It was basically a weak attempt at humor. Ask the wife of most any
> engineer - they aren't good at it :-)
>
Engineer : humor = Pflum : fat
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 07:18:20
From: long&left
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
|
Dave Lee wrote:
> "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
> news:HK0Qg.258$qa1.146@newsfe03.lga...
>> Dave Lee wrote:
>>> "long&left" <nospam@diespammers.com> wrote in message
>>> news:h80Qg.968$gR2.901@newsfe07.lga...
>>> Dave Lee wrote:
>>>> "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:Mn_Pg.14290$xQ1.13576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>> snip
>>>
>>> hey idiot! quit posting your physics drivel over here
>>> :-P
>>>
>>> This is RSG so you never know for sure, but it seems possible that I
> have
>>> been criticized for my posting here. Oh - I am so ashamed :-)
>>>
>>> dave
>>>
>>>
>> actually Dave, it is I that is ashamed...I didn't understand a word you
>> posted :) Well, I think I got out of it, when the ball stops moving, hit
>> the sh*t out of it. Close?
>> Dave
>
> It was basically a weak attempt at humor. Ask the wife of most any
> engineer - they aren't good at it :-)
>
> dave
>
>
hey, some of the funniest guys I know are Engineers...pretty sad huh?
:)
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 05:56:48
From: oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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Dave Lee wrote:
[snip]
> So the rules of golf require that you wait until the ball is at rest
> (momentum known EXACTLY as zero). Therefore if the uncertainty of momentum
> is zero then the uncertainty of position is infinite - which seems to be my
> problem on the golf course.
[snip]
Well, it all makes sense to me. Because I'm sure that there was a
moment of zero velocity when that shot hit the tree, because it
came almost straight back towards me and I wasn't sure where
it was going to land. So I covered my noggin.
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 05:08:07
From: Fairway
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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Dave Lee wrote:
> After struggling with the game for years with off again/on again success
> (more off than on), I have come to a startling realization. To understand
> this let's begin with one simple statement of the Heisenberg uncertainty
> principle. A particle having a position and momentum (would seem to cover
> things like a golf ball, I would think), cannot EVER have its exact posit=
ion
> and exact momentum known simultaneously. The product of the uncertainty of
> position and uncertainty of momentum is directly proportional to Planck's
> constant. This isn't a statement of measurement inaccuracies, but a
> fundamental statement of how our universe appears to work.
Thanks for a wonderful and funny speculation. Actually the (known)
Universe began it=B4s career as a golfball (or the size of it anyway) -
there are dimples on a golfball and there was uncertainty in the tiny
Universe, so your analogy is very satisfying. F
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 19:30:49
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"Fairway" <arminsson@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1158754086.984477.323950@d34g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Dave Lee wrote:
> After struggling with the game for years with off again/on again success
> (more off than on), I have come to a startling realization. To understand
> this let's begin with one simple statement of the Heisenberg uncertainty
> principle. A particle having a position and momentum (would seem to cover
> things like a golf ball, I would think), cannot EVER have its exact
position
> and exact momentum known simultaneously. The product of the uncertainty of
> position and uncertainty of momentum is directly proportional to Planck's
> constant. This isn't a statement of measurement inaccuracies, but a
> fundamental statement of how our universe appears to work.
Thanks for a wonderful and funny speculation. Actually the (known)
Universe began it´s career as a golfball (or the size of it anyway) -
there are dimples on a golfball and there was uncertainty in the tiny
Universe, so your analogy is very satisfying. F
But was it a two-piece surlyn ball or a really good three-piece urethane
ball :-)
dave
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 11:48:02
From: Thomas Prufer
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
|
On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 22:42:52 GMT, "Dave Lee" <DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com >
wrote:
>ps. In a fit of whimsy when I recently changed to Pro V1 golf balls (and the
>issue of other folks who also play Pro V1's hitting my ball in error), I
>started to mark my ball with a BIG Greek 'Psi' character (generally accepted
>symbol for the Schrödinger wave function in quantum mechanics). Maybe I
>should change it to Planck's constant, although they are intimately related.
>
Hey, I found a Titleist 6.626069311*10E-34 Joule-seconds. Izzat yours?
Thomas Prufer
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Date: 20 Sep 2006 10:41:56
From: Dave Lee
Subject: Re: My Golf Problems - Explained by Physics
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"Thomas Prufer" <prufer.public@mnet-online.de.invalid > wrote in message
news:5f32h25vrsd426l1fkqdtrgc9lliq5dgnr@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 22:42:52 GMT, "Dave Lee"
<DaveLeeNC@ix.netcom.RemovE.com >
> wrote:
>
> >ps. In a fit of whimsy when I recently changed to Pro V1 golf balls (and
the
> >issue of other folks who also play Pro V1's hitting my ball in error), I
> >started to mark my ball with a BIG Greek 'Psi' character (generally
accepted
> >symbol for the Schrödinger wave function in quantum mechanics). Maybe I
> >should change it to Planck's constant, although they are intimately
related.
> >
>
> Hey, I found a Titleist 6.626069311*10E-34 Joule-seconds. Izzat yours?
>
>
> Thomas Prufer
Yep - tis mine. I can guess where you found it. In the deep rough, not far
off the tee, on the left side.
dave
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