An Overview Of The Evolution Of Golf Balls

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Golf Balls were invented as soft balls in the early 17th century. Before that time they used hard wooden balls for the game. The soft balls were called “featherie” balls, containing about a hat full of feathers. They were made of cowhide and goose feathers. The balls were boiled so the leather shrunk and the feathers expanded. The normal golfer could not afford many of these balls initially, as they were very expensive to make and only a few per day could be assembled. Once they were assembled, they were painted in different colors.

In 1948, Dr Robert Adams invented balls that were made from Sapodilla tree sap. The sap was heated, which allowed it to be molded into a round shape. However, it was quickly realized that perfectly round balls did not fly as far as balls that had a somewhat irregular shape to them. After this discovery, the balls were produced with the irregular shape to them on purpose, allowing for farther and better flying. The balls were also much cheaper than those that had been produced before. It was then that almost every golf club in existence began using these “guttie” balls for tee times.

In the last century, golf balls were made with multiple layers, consisting of a liquid center, a rubber thread wound tight over it and having a cover put on it to make our modern ball. The country club hills of today have slowly played a part in refining the design to what it is today. Nowadays, they are made as 2, 3 or 4 layered balls, and materials like surlyn or urethane are used to form the layers. The dimples on these balls make it possible for them to be hit farther than plain balls because of the lift and drag effect on them.

Golf balls used in regulation play have to weigh less than 1.62 ounces and have a diameter of 1.68 inches. All of them have to have a completely spherical shape as required by the US Golf Association. This does not mean that other sizes do not exist, but they are not used in regulation play. There are two types of balls that are available in the golf store these days, the recreational and advanced. The recreational balls are generally two layered balls that are cheaper to manufacture. The advanced balls provide more spin power to the user and are made with more than 3 layers.

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