Golf balls
A dimpled, small white spherical shape on vast acres of green land creates plenty of excitement. Both, players and spectators alike, have the passionate look on their faces. They follow its path right from its first smack to its last plunk in a hole. No, the centre of their interest (and the topic of discussion in this article) is not some UFO, but the very ordinary-looking but much revered golf ball.
Historical Trivia of Golf Balls
Golf balls made from wood were initially used on the links.
Golf balls made from cowhide and stuffed with goose feathers appeared in the early 1600s.
Golf balls made from the sap of the gutta tree replaced the earlier ones in 1848/49. They were known as gutta percha balls or gutties. The credit for designing these balls goes to the Rev. Dr. Robert Adams.
Coburn Haskell introduced golf balls with a rubber core in the late 1800s. They were softer to touch and had a good spin.
Golf balls as they are today, with dimples, made an entry on the greens in the early 1900s.
Guardians of the Golf Ball
A manufacturer cannot just sell any kind of golf ball. Every aspect of the golf ball has to pass the strict testing standards set by two major authorities on the subject:
United States Golf Association (USGA), which lays down the rules and standards for not only golf balls, but also all golf equipment. The manufacturer has to submit a sample of his product to the Technical Department of this association, located at, 77 Liberty Corner Road, Far Hills, N.J. 07931 [Contact Person: Manager, Equipment Rulings]. You need to fill in the requisite submission form along with the sample.
You need to contact the USGA for regions under its jurisdiction.
When applicable to European countries, the manufacturer has to contact the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Their contact address: The R&A, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9JD Scotland (Ph: +44 (0) 1334-460000.
The purpose of governing all aspects of a golf ball is to prevent manufacturers from selling products that help a player to improve on his scorecard due to the golf balls nifty design rather than his own skill.
Hence, the USGA and the R&A provide a list of conforming golf balls. The list includes:
(i) The name of the manufacturer; (ii) Country; (iii) Color - although golf balls are white, there are some exceptions, such as white/yellow combination or pink; (iv) Construction of the ball (e.g. two-piece liquid center with single cover); (v) The number of dimples, and (vi) Rating on the golf balls spin.
This list is updated monthly and is effective on the first Wednesday of the month. You can visit their websites for more information: usga.org and randa.org.
As per their rules, a golf ball should have certain specific dimensions.
Structural Aspects of a Golf Ball
Its weight should be within 45.93 grams (1.620 ounces)
Its diameter should not be below 42.67 mm (1.680 inches)
Its shape must greatly resemble a symmetrical sphere
The Dimples on a Golf Ball
A dimple is basically a hollow or pit. On a human face, dimples look adorable and are considered attractive. On a golf ball, the pattern of dimples on its surface serves a functional purpose. For one, they help the golfer to have a certain power over its movements in terms of spin, pace and even how far it will go. Furthermore, the dimples assist the golf ball in elevating it when hit and keeps it in the air till it can no longer defy the laws of gravity and must come down to earth.
Manufacturers have come up with some innovative dimple patterns to give the golf ball more trajectories and less drag. These patterns include, for example, dimples in hexagonal forms, dimples that are deeper, different sized dimples from earlier ones, etc.
The Costs of Golf Balls
The cost of a set of golf balls will naturally depend on the brand, as also whether you are buying them for mere practice and recreation (these are less expensive) or whether you are buying it for a serious game. Also, golf balls are designed for different levels of skill.
A dozen Callaway Big Bertha golf balls with special hex dimples cost $19.99, while the same brand with regular round dimples and two layers (Callaway War bird) to help in control of the golf ball. The cost: $16.95 a dozen.
The Dunlop DDH Titanium golf balls have a titanium core, designed for long shots. These cost $10 a dozen.
The Nike Mojo has been designed specially for beginners. It is supposed to give good spin and send the golf ball to a great distance. The cost: $19.95 a dozen.
The Precept Lady Golf balls are designed for women and children. It features a soft muscle-fiber core. The cost: $19.99 a dozen.
Some manufacturers also sell used golf balls online. These are useful for those who want to practice their game on the links, or even to give as gifts. They are often as good as the new products. You can buy a dozen for less than $40.
Some Useful Accessories for Golf Balls
Since golf balls all look alike, you can locate yours with ease when all the stray balls on the greens are collected. How simply use a palm-sized monogramming device (less than $20 to about $25) to stamp your initials onto every golf ball that belongs to you. You can choose from 3-4 colors and when the ink dries up, just use the refill inkpad.
When practicing your putts in the living room at home or in your office cabin at work, bending to pick up golf balls puts a strain on your back. Eliminate this problem with an innovative accessory: a golf ball retriever that you place over the golf ball and with a single click it captures the golf ball. Cost: less than $16.
Reduce the spin on a golf ball with a pack of 3 golf tees. The over 2 long tees cost less than $6.
The above-mentioned are just a handful of the wonderful accessories available for your set of golf balls. Look around on the World Wide Web for lots more - including its main partner: the golf club!
So you got impressed with the above aspects of the very dynamic golf ball. Well, without its presence, there would be no game of golf and we wouldn?t have seen the fantastic skills of Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie!
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