golf and air resistance

I just posted a problem set with a problem that involves numerical integration of a golf shot with air resistance, and comparison to the no-air case. With air, the golf ball must be hit far, far, far harder! In fact, if one assumes standard ram-pressure air resistance and a 45-degree elevation shot, it is essentially impossible to hit a ball 250 yards (as good golfers have no trouble doing). Of course, when air resistance comes in, it is better to reduce the elevation angle (as good golfers do!), which makes the shot possible again.

The amazing fact is that golf shots are enormously affected by air resistance, and no air-free calculation is in the least bit relevant. For shots of hundreds of yards, the with-air shot requires factors of ten more muzzle velocity, or factors of hundred more initial kinetic energy, if the elevation angle is held constant. These factors reduce a bit if you have the freedom to drop the elevation angle. Sweet!