Do you know the history of the ball in golf?
And while most golfers are aware of the influence of golf clubs on their performance, only a few understand how the selection of the ball affects the game, or about the history of golf balls in genera l. And even fewer golfers know that the ball has been responsible for quite a few revolutions in golf.
How old are golf balls made?
This technological revolution in golf ball manufacture spanned nearly 400 years. If you were out for a round of golf in Scotland in 1550, you would have hit a wooden ball with a wooden-headed club. These early balls are thought to have been made from beech, box root or other hardwoods.
How has the golf ball changed over the years?
The golf ball has undergone many enhancements over the years from the original wooden ball to the modern rubber core. Today, golfers can choose from a variety of golf balls to fit their individual needs and preferences. Some balls go farther off the tee, while others promise better control with iron shots.
What makes a golf ball a golf ball?
These and other characteristics make up the framework that today’s golf ball manufacturer’s work within as they vie technologically with each other. The expression "a golf ball is a golf ball is a golf ball", simply does not apply. What appears to be just a small round object is in fact the product of many current leading-edge technologies.
Is there an expiration date on golf balls?
There have been no definitive scientific studies on exactly how long they will be fine for however golf ball researchers at Titleist state that as long as you keep your golf balls away from excessive heat or cold they can safely be stored for five years and most likely up to a decade.
Can you pick up your golf ball to identify it?
The player may lift the ball to identify it (including by rotating it), but: The spot of the ball must first be marked. Continued), and the ball must not be cleaned more than needed to identify it (except on the putting green.
Are old golf balls worth anything?
Because of the age and the craftsmanship put into these balls they are among the ones that have the highest price tag of collectible golf balls. These balls are referred to as antique, and goes for sums upwards of +$5000! See example from eBay below.
How old is a golf ball?
The common golf ball has undergone many upgrades and enhancements throughout its long life. With the first recognizable form of the game of golf being played in Scotland in the early 1400's, the golf ball has had nearly 600 years to evolve.
What is the 10 shot rule in golf?
In addition to the top 50 players and ties making the cut at the Masters, the 10-Shot Rule was in effect. The 10-Shot Rule meant any player within 10 shots of the lead after 36 holes also made the cut, whether they're inside the top 50 and ties or not.
Do you have to mark your golf ball to identify it?
Marking Your Golf Ball Rules of golf do not compel you to add any markings on your golf ball. However, it is highly recommended in Rule 6-3a that states: “The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on his ball.”
What is the rarest golf ball?
The Gutta Percha ball is one of the rarest golf balls in the world. They date back to the mid 1800s and are worth thousands of dollars.
What is the rarest golf ball ever?
gutta percha ballsDivers have begun a search in Donegal for what they believe could be some of the world's rarest golf balls. The gutta percha balls once belonged to golfing legend Old Tom Morris, who won the Open four times in the 1860s.
What are the most valuable used golf balls?
Here is a quick breakdown of the most expensive golf balls in the world:#1 Titleist Pro V1 – $48 per dozen. When you think of golf, you think of Titleist. ... #2 Nike One Tour – $50 per dozen. Nike is pretty much king of all sports, including golf. ... #3 Dixon Fire – $75 per dozen.
Are 20 year old golf balls still good?
So keep your balls in a cool, dry place and they will last for awhile. The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."
Do golf balls lose distance with use?
Its results confirmed that in the absence of visible damage, repeated use had no effect on a ball's performance. However, it also found that even small scuffs led to a measurable loss in distance, reducing driver distance as much as 6 yards.
What is the oldest golf ball?
We know that the first record of a sold golf ball dates from 1452,18 while the first feather ball known as the featherie was introduced only in the early 17th century. In 1618, a golf ball maker James Melvill from St.
When was golf invented?
By many accounts it is presumed that the earliest games of golf were played with a wooden ball in the 14th century. It’s been refuted that wooden balls were never used in links golf in Scotland, but instead they were used in early games that were similar to golf.
Where did the hairy golf ball come from?
Hairy Golf Balls. From 1486 through 1618, the Scottish received and used the hairy golf ball imported from the Netherlands. The hairy golf ball was a hand-sewn round leather ball filled with cows’ hair or straw. In 1554 the hairy golf ball was being produced in Scotland by the “cordiners and gouff ball makers of North Leith.”.
What sap is used to make Haskel golf balls?
Thus bringing the modern look of the golf ball that we’ve become accustom to. The balata sap initially used to make Haskel golf balls had a tendency to get indents on it as it was relatively soft.
Why is a featherie golf ball harder to fly?
Since the featherie golf ball was filled with feathers it was able to be stuffed more full than the hairy, making it harder thus able to fly farther. To make a featherie, the feathers and leather would be shaped while wet. Upon drying the leather shrank and feathers expanded creating the desired hardness for the ball.
How many stages of evolution are there in golf?
The modern golf ball has undergone a few transformations to get to where it is today. The origins of the golf ball can be traced to five distinct stages of evolution. From a wooden ball in the 14th century to the modern rubber core balls, discover the history behind the golf ball.
Who invented the Gutta Percha ball?
In 1848 Dr. Robert Adams Paterson invented the Gutta-Percha ball, or Guttie. The guttie was made by using dried sap from the Malaysian Sapodilla tree. The sap had a rubber-like quality to it and upon heating could be formed into a sphere.
Who was the first golfer?
Golf’s first professional, Allan Robertson, was considered the premier ball and club maker of his time, in the early 1800s. In 1835, at age 14, Tom Morris (later known as Old Tom Morris & the Grandfather of Golf) began working under Robertson at St. Andrews.
What is the evolution of the golf ball?
The evolution of the golf ball highlights the major changes in the game of golf and depicts important golf landmarks during the long evolution of the game. The development of the golf club, the golf course, and the rules of the game were affected by the evolution of the golf ball itself. The balance (and debate) between technology ...
When did golf balls start having dimples?
The mesh, reverse mesh and Bramble designs gave way to the dimple pattern first used in 1908 . Learn more about Golf Ball Dimples and the Dimple Effect.
What was the most popular design of the Gutta Percha era golf ball?
Golf truly became the sport for the masses. "The Bramble" design, with its minute bulges resembling a Brambleberry, became the most popular design of the Gutta Percha era golf ball.
What is a feathery golf ball?
Basically, the feathery was a leather sack filled with boiled goose feathers, then stitched up and painted.
How were feathery golf balls made?
The feathery golf balls were manufactured while the leather and feathers were still wet, and as the leather shrunk while drying, the feathers expanded to create a hardened, compact ball. The Feathery was then painted and sold, often for more than the price of a golf club.
When did rubber core golf balls replace gutty golf balls?
The more modern rubber core golf ball replaced the gutty in 1899. However, the rubber core golf ball of the day did not meet with immediate success. Golfers complained that while the rubber cored golf balls were longer off of the tee they were far too lively on and around the greens.
When was the Brambleberry golf ball invented?
The advent of the rubber core golf ball changed the face of the game of golf as we knew it. This new design was invented in 1898 by Coburn Haskell in association with the BF Goodrich Company.
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does anybody know a website, where I can find out from which year a golfball is. I know a website where you can identify every Pro V1, but i have not found anything similar for other brands as Bridgestone, Taylormade or Callaway.
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Same applies to every other OEM, the ProV1 is just so popular that there tends to be more comparison resources. For the other OEMs, your best bet is googling the model name and a year to compare side stamps or reaching out to that OEMs customer service.
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does anybody know a website, where I can find out from which year a golfball is. I know a website where you can identify every Pro V1, but i have not found anything similar for other brands as Bridgestone, Taylormade or Callaway.
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Thanks so far, I put the link, hope this is allowed.... otherwise one of the mods should please delete it...
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Thanks so far, I put the link, hope this is allowed.... otherwise one of the mods should please delete it...
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Why is golf so popular?
Golf is one of the most popular sports worlds over. It is a character-building sport, which inspires a deep desire for improvement from its most committed players. Developing world class skill requires years of training and practice. It also motivates players to look for advantages from their equipment. From its early beginnings in Scotland, all the way to the PGA Tour, golf (and golf equipment) has gone through countless changes evolving into the powerhouse sport we all know today.
What was the Guttie ball made of?
In the mid-1800s, the ‘guttie’ was introduced. Made from the rubber of the gutta tree, this ball was much more affordable to make and it was easier to repair if damaged. The creation of this ball caused a direct expansion in the game of golf. The Victorians were able to mass produce molds of this ball and experiment with the texture on the surface of it. This was done in order to make it travel further distances like its predecessor, the ‘featherie.’
When was the golf ball invented?
The Haskell Innovation. Coburn Haskell created the next important golf ball innovation in 1898 when he introduced a ball made from a solid rubber core with rubber thread wrapped around it, and encased in sphere made of gutta percha. These balls were immediately popular because they added 20 yards to most players’ shots off the tee.
When was the dimpled pattern used in golf?
The dimpled pattern we see on golf the covers of balls today, which improves ball flight, was first used in 1905.
What is a Gutta Percha ball?
The Gutta Percha ball or “guttie” was introduced in 1848. This ball was made from the rubbery sap of a tropical tree, which could be formed into a sphere when heated. The guttie cost much less to make than the featherie.
Why are soft covers used in golf?
Soft-cover golf balls are thought to make it easier to put spin on the ball with wedge shots. This technological revolution in golf ball manufacture spanned nearly 400 years.
What is a feather ball made of?
The featherie ball, introduced in 1618, was made of pieces of horse or cowhide tightly stuffed with goose feathers and then sewn together. Both the leather and feathers were wet during manufacturing. The leather shrank as it dried and the feathers expanded--forming a hard compacted ball.