Trajectory of a golf ball on a sloping green

Abstract

Calculations are presented on the trajectory of a golf ball that rolls across the inclined surface of a golf green. The ball follows a curved path and comes to a stop at a point displaced at an angle to the initial launch direction. It is shown that the displaced angle is independent of the launch speed but depends on the launch angle and the ratio of the incline angle to the coefficient of rolling friction. The stopping distance is proportional to the launch speed squared. A simple experiment is described to check the calculations.