What Are The Different Types Of Shuttlecocks In Badminton And Their Aerodynamics?

There are three different types of shuttlecocks: feathered, nylon and hybrid. Both feathered and nylon shuttlecocks have different trajectories due to aerodynamics.

Who remembers playing badminton on Sunday mornings or after school? A light breeze could never stop the game, remember? And the type of shuttlecock we used didn’t matter either; any playable shuttlecock was enough to keep the game going. Until the scorching sun burnt our foreheads, of course.

In badminton lingo, a shuttlecock (also called a bird, birdie or shuttle) is a small cork with feathers or plastic attached to it. In the game, it is struck with badminton rackets and volleyed across the net by the players.

Various studies have concluded that the gaps in the skirt of a shuttlecock lead to an increase in drag. It was also concluded that a synthetic shuttlecock bends more than a feathered shuttlecock when moving at high speeds. Because of this effect, there is less aerodynamic drag.

After knowing more about the intricacies of this enjoyable sport, it will be much easier for all of us to understand and play badminton even better!