Science Magazine Podcast Solving the ‘golfer’s curse’ and using space as a heat sink
Nov 13, 2025
David Grimm, Online News Editor at Science, dives into fascinating topics including a lichen that feasts on dinosaur bones and the physics behind the notorious golfer's "lip-out". He uncovers how a new model simplifies the understanding of this phenomenon. Then, Jeremy Munday, a professor at UC Davis, explores innovative energy generation using a heat engine directed at the night sky, leveraging the cold of space. This approach challenges conventional power methods and could shape nighttime energy solutions in arid regions.
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The Heartbreak Of A Lip-Out
- Chris Pickle recounts how a putt can seem to enter the hole then pop back out, causing shock for the golfer.
- Observers and players often feel demoralized because visual cues convince them the ball was going in.
Unified Physics Behind Lip-Outs
- Physicists unified rim and hole lip-out behavior by redefining axes tied to ball motion and contact geometry.
- The new equation explains both ballistic, rim, and hole lip-outs using the same variables.
Modeling Helps Theory, Not Your Stroke
- Don't expect the physics model to improve your putting technique on the green.
- Use the formulation for simulation or game physics rather than practical golfing tips.