Golf Consult Process
I have consulted on over 70 cases involving errant golf balls. All of the cases can be categorized into 3 distinct groups:
1. Pre-Incident
A change is proposed to an existing golf course or driving range in which the parties involved want to avoid any errant golf ball issues after the change is made. I work with the golf property and the adjoining property owner to ensure the likelihood of errant golf ball issues is minimized.
2. Post-Incident
An errant golf ball problem has already been identified and a solution is desired by either one or both parties involved. Sometimes this involves lawyers if one party is not happy with the progress.
3. Post Accident
An errant golf ball (or balls) has caused damage to person or property. Lawyers are involved and likely litigation. In many cases, the potential of the incident had been identified by at least one of the parties.
If there is an errant golf ball issue, how does one determine the theoretical severity of the problem along with the recommended solutions?
A. Site Analysis is performed, most of which can be done remotely using Google Earth data. Distances and angles are measured along with any elevation changes (topography). Prevailing wind and temperature data is researched.
B. Golf Ball Trajectory Software Software is utilized to simulate errant golf ball trajectories. This software predicts trajectories in very close agreement to the trajectories measured by the Trackman and Flightscope Radar Golf Monitors. The simulations can determine the lateral distances (left and right) as well as golf ball height at any distance with inputs of golf club speed, loft, backspin, etc. The trajectories can be inputted into Google Earth at the site to provide 3D images of the potential scenarios.
C. Real golf ball data by a full range of golfers is used to produce scatter plots shots off the tee and/or for any club and distance. A large portion of the shots is found to end within a "cone of scatter" of a certain angle. Better golfers tend to hit their shots within a narrower cone. Using this data, one can calculate the percentage of golfers that will likely hit outside the cone and thus become a dangerous, errant golf ball that might land onto an adjacent property. The Golf Ball Trajectory Software can then determine the golf balls' heights and thus the required heights of netting to contain such shots. One can calculate a containment percentage based on the height of the netting. Different heights would contain different percentages of shots.
Here's an example
25 yd height contains 90% of shots
30 yd height contains 95% of shots
35 yd height contains 98% of shots
See sample images below showing the scatter of Tees Shots and the scatter of iron shots to a green.
We can also integrate the trajectories with Google Earth to provide 3D visuals. The images below show a straight 260 yd carry and a severe 40 yd slice.
With some Google Earth locations, a full 3D landscape is available.
Here's an example of two tee shots on the 18th Hole at Pebble Beach. The white trajectory is a straight one while the red one is a signficiant slice, both by long hitters.
