Launch Angle height at close distance?

[pappaf2]

Hoping someone more math savvy than me knows (or knows how to figure out) the height of a golf ball at close distances (3, 4, 5ft, etc) based on launch angle?

 

I saw a cool training aid called the launch gate / wedge gate recently.

 

https://www.golftrainingaids.com/products/launch-gate-by-ted-sheftic

 

Simple yet neat idea of a horizontal bar that you set a certain height to determine if you are launching your wedge shots in the desired launch window. (Less than 30*)

 

you can vary the height the horizontal bar based on how far you are from it when you hit balls. Bar goes up as you move back. 
 

I’m hoping to set up a horizontal line on my net like this so I can tell if I’m launching it in a specific window based on different clubs that I’m hitting and not just wedges. I’m sure there is a way to figure this out, I guess I should have paid more attention in math class.

Edited March 29, 2023 by pappaf2

[ThinkingPlus]

Should be h = d * tan(LA)

[pappaf2]

So height = distance from line x launch angle?

 

According to the training aids numbers for a wedge launched at 30*

Table 1: Distance from gate heights for a 30-degree launch

Gate Height	Distance from gate to impact point
3-feet	62 inches (~ 5-feet)
4-feet	84 inches (~ 7-feet)
5-feet	104 inches (~ 9-feet)

 

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by pappaf2

[ThinkingPlus]

6 minutes ago, pappaf2 said:

So height = distance from line x launch angle?

 

According to the training aids numbers for a wedge launched at 30*

Table 1: Distance from gate heights for a 30-degree launch

Gate Height	Distance from gate to impact point
3-feet	62 inches (~ 5-feet)
4-feet	84 inches (~ 7-feet)
5-feet	104 inches (~ 9-feet)

 

 

Tan(launch angle)

[pappaf2]

Using that formula I’m struggling to see how that fits their number. 
 

So based on their numbers (using inches) that doesn’t jive. (Math isn’t my strong suit so maybe I’m missing something)

 

36”=62”x30* 

48”=84”x30*
60”=104”x30*

[ThinkingPlus]

9 minutes ago, pappaf2 said:

Using that formula I’m struggling to see how that fits their number. 
 

So based on their numbers (using inches) that doesn’t jive. (Math isn’t my strong suit so maybe I’m missing something)

 

36”=62”x30* 

48”=84”x30*
60”=104”x30*

Tan(30°) = 0.577

[pappaf2]

Gotcha the tangent of the launch angle. The abbreviation escaped me 😂

thanks teach! 

[ThinkingPlus]

The tangent of an angle is the ratio of the height divided by the distance. Tangent is a trigonometric function. Since h/d = tangent(angle) then we can solve for the height.  So height = distance * tan(launch angle).

[ThinkingPlus]

2 minutes ago, pappaf2 said:

Gotcha the tangent of the launch angle. The abbreviation escaped me 😂

thanks teach! 

You got it. Now, go forth and multiply. LOL! Bad math joke.

[pappaf2]

1 hour ago, ThinkingPlus said:

The tangent of an angle is the ratio of the height divided by the distance. Tangent is a trigonometric function. Since h/d = tangent(angle) then we can solve for the height.  So height = distance * tan(launch angle).

Well makes sense, I never made it to trig. 🤪

 

so if we go with tour average launch angles for a 7 iron (16.3) We’d set the horizontal line at approximately 24.5” from 7ft away

 

24.5” = 84” x tan(16.3)

 

 

[GungHoGolf]

Here’s a google spreadsheet I made for our simulator community to double check vertical and horizontal launch angles reported by launch monitors based on where the ball impacts the screen.

 

Just make a copy of it and change the “Ball to screen distance” value to match where your horizontal rod is:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-IT2a77noYhEnYReGM9IJNO9AMGfNH9yx9LjUWGHxMU/edit

 

Screenshot of values when rod is 7 feet in front of ball:

[pappaf2]

That’s cool, thanks for sharing