Difference of flow pattern around golf balls of the different dimple patterns

Abstract

For more than 100 years, manufactures have studied on dimple configurations including dimple arrangement, depth, size, shape, surface occupancy ratio and so forth, but in addition to these traditional approaches, a new scientific approach is expected to improve aerodynamic property further. Nike has been exploring micro roughness concept for several years to improve aerodynamic property. Nike has applied a new dimple technology called “Flightsuit” for their new 2016 golf ball, Nike RZN Tour. The “Flightsuit” consists of 13,558 micro dimples on 344 traditional dimple surface. The difference of flow patterns was investigated by PIV in order to confirm the effectiveness of micro dimples. The results showed the lift inclination pattern in the ball of “Flightsuit.”