The Magnus effect plays a large role in most all sports that involve spheres flying at high speeds:
BASEBALL
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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MJpEycBj9ZA/SAoJyjnjDhI/AAAAAAAAALo/d_kYJ9As_mg/s320/lee2.jpg
Every pitcher in the major
leagues is an expert in the Magnus effect event though they may not
know it. Throwing curve balls, knuckle balls and sliders all
result from the Magnus effect.
Should a pitcher want to curve the ball away from the batter he or she would pitch the ball very fast with a sideways spin rotating towards the batter. The resulting Magnus force pushes the ball away from its linear trajectory and away from the batter's bat.
Golf
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The best golfers in the world wouldn't be able to hit a shot over 250 yards without the Magnus effect. The wedged shape of a driver imparts a spin on the golf ball as it is struck. The driver forces the ball into a spin (often called backspin) at an impressive rate of over 4,000 RPM! The dimpled shape of a golf ball also aids in long range drives by creating less turbulence around the ball while flying through the air. These two factors, backspin and the dimpled shape of the ball contribute greatly to the range a golfer can drive the ball.
Tennis
http://www.liberatemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/tennis300x4001.jpg
Tennis players like Baseball players and golfers use the Magnus effect to best their opponent. The tennis ball with its high coefficient of friction about its surface and relatively small mass can be curved wildly if hit right. In fact, Isaac Newton refined Heinrich Magnus' theory after watching a Tennis match in 1672. By hitting the tennis ball at an angle with the racket will impart a spin on the ball forcing it to change direction during flight.
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Should a pitcher want to curve the ball away from the batter he or she would pitch the ball very fast with a sideways spin rotating towards the batter. The resulting Magnus force pushes the ball away from its linear trajectory and away from the batter's bat.
Golf
http://www.americanhopmuseum.org/museumevents_clip_image001.jpg
The best golfers in the world wouldn't be able to hit a shot over 250 yards without the Magnus effect. The wedged shape of a driver imparts a spin on the golf ball as it is struck. The driver forces the ball into a spin (often called backspin) at an impressive rate of over 4,000 RPM! The dimpled shape of a golf ball also aids in long range drives by creating less turbulence around the ball while flying through the air. These two factors, backspin and the dimpled shape of the ball contribute greatly to the range a golfer can drive the ball.
Tennis
http://www.liberatemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/tennis300x4001.jpg
Tennis players like Baseball players and golfers use the Magnus effect to best their opponent. The tennis ball with its high coefficient of friction about its surface and relatively small mass can be curved wildly if hit right. In fact, Isaac Newton refined Heinrich Magnus' theory after watching a Tennis match in 1672. By hitting the tennis ball at an angle with the racket will impart a spin on the ball forcing it to change direction during flight.
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