Science & Technology
Physicists Have Discovered The Science Behind The Dreaded 'Lip Out'--And What Golfers Can Do To Avoid Them
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Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 10:50 GMT by BroBible- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The Anatomy of a Golf Swing
At the core of the explanation is the relationship between the club’s impact face, the ball’s orientation, and the forces applied at the instant of contact. When a golfer swings an iron or wedge, the clubface can be tilted either slightly upward or downward relative to the ground. A face that is tilted upward—sometimes called a “lip‑out” or “face‑up” position—generates a different distribution of forces compared to a face that is flat or slightly downward.
Physicist Dr. Lisa Cheng, quoted in the article, explains that a lip‑out face effectively pushes the ball in a more vertical direction at the moment of impact. Because the clubhead is moving largely in a horizontal plane, the upward tilt creates a torque that imparts a high amount of backspin on the ball. The backspin is the key to the lift force that keeps the ball aloft and also determines the ball’s flight path and landing roll.
The article notes that the degree of lip‑out is typically measured by the angle between the clubface and the ground. A common figure cited is around 5–7 degrees for a standard 7‑iron, though many players and manufacturers vary this angle based on personal preference and the desired ball flight. The precise value is a balance: too much lip‑out can lead to a high launch angle but insufficient distance, while too little can result in a lower trajectory that may not hold the intended shape.
Spin, Lift, and Drag: The Physics in Play
The article spends a significant portion explaining how spin translates into lift and how the interplay of aerodynamic forces shapes the ball’s path. Two fundamental forces are at work:
Lift – Generated by the Magnus effect, lift acts perpendicular to the ball’s motion. Backspin increases the lift coefficient, allowing the ball to rise higher and travel further. The lift coefficient is not constant; it changes with spin rate, velocity, and atmospheric conditions.
Drag – Opposes the ball’s forward motion. While drag always reduces range, it is minimized by the dimple pattern on the ball’s surface, which reduces the size of the boundary layer and delays separation. This design feature is crucial because a spinning ball’s drag is slightly different from a non‑spinning ball. The article explains that a high spin rate increases the drag coefficient, but the dimples mitigate this effect.
The interplay between lift and drag explains why a golf ball with a high backspin travels a longer, more arcing trajectory. The article uses equations derived from fluid dynamics, such as ( L = \frac{1}{2} \rho V^2 A C_L ) and ( D = \frac{1}{2} \rho V^2 A C_D ), where ( L ) is lift, ( D ) is drag, ( \rho ) is air density, ( V ) is velocity, ( A ) is the reference area, and ( C_L ) and ( C_D ) are the lift and drag coefficients, respectively. The author uses these to show how a 10,000 rpm spin can change the effective lift to drag ratio by more than 50%.
The Role of Clubhead Speed and Impact Point
While the lip‑out angle determines the spin, the clubhead speed and the point of contact on the ball also play a crucial role. The article quotes research from the National Institute of Sports Physics showing that at impact velocities typical of a 7‑iron (around 140–150 mph), the ball’s initial spin can range from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm depending on the angle and the club’s face angle.
A higher clubhead speed naturally increases both velocity and spin, but only to a point. The article references a study by the Golf Engineering Laboratory that measured ball trajectories in a wind tunnel. It found that beyond 170 mph, the benefit of increased spin diminishes because the drag penalty outweighs the lift advantage. This nuance is important for professionals who need to optimize their swing speed for distance without sacrificing accuracy.
Practical Implications for Golfers
The piece rounds out by translating the physics into actionable insights for the average golfer. Key takeaways include:
- Adjust the clubface angle slightly upward (lip‑out) to generate more backspin, which can help you keep the ball in the air longer and reduce the distance the ball rolls after landing. This is particularly useful on courses with tight fairways or when playing approach shots that require a high, soft landing.
- Balance spin with clubhead speed; too much spin at high speed can cause the ball to lose distance due to excessive drag. This explains why many players use “flippers” or “stiff” shafts for longer irons: they allow the golfer to maintain a high swing speed while controlling spin.
- Experiment with ball selection. The article links to a study on ball design that demonstrates how a ball with a slightly higher dimple count or a firmer core can increase spin stability and reduce spin decay. The author suggests trying different balls to find one that complements a player’s natural swing mechanics.
The article also discusses the role of environmental factors, such as wind and altitude, which alter the effective air density and thus the lift and drag forces. A windy day can amplify lift but also increase drag, meaning a player may need to adjust the lip‑out angle to maintain the desired trajectory.
Links to Further Reading
The article contains several hyperlinks to complementary research and explanatory videos. A link leads to a physics lecture titled “The Magnus Effect in Golf” that provides a visual demonstration of how backspin generates lift. Another link points to a technical report from the Golf Equipment Association that details the evolution of dimple patterns and their aerodynamic impact. Finally, the author includes a link to a tutorial on measuring clubface angle using a high‑speed camera system, allowing serious amateurs to quantify their own lip‑out settings.
In sum, the piece provides a comprehensive, physics‑backed overview of the seemingly simple “lip‑out” technique. By blending empirical data, theoretical models, and practical advice, it equips both recreational players and professionals with a deeper understanding of how the clubface angle at impact translates into the ball’s spin, flight path, and ultimate performance on the green.
Read the Full BroBible Article at:
[ https://brobible.com/sports/article/physicists-scientific-explanation-lip-out-golf/ ]
