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why do golf balls roll toward the water

by Morgan Hilpert Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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One of the oldest rules is that when putting, a ball will always break towards the nearest body of water, while it will break away from mountains. This rule, however, could be a myth. The idea behind this old rule is one of common sense. Bodies of water are lower in elevation, meaning that most objects will roll towards them.

Putts often do break toward the water, but it's not the H²0 they're reacting to. As short-game guru Stan Utley explains, "Putts break because of gravity." If there's a mountain to your right and a lake to your left, the land will typically slope from right to left—and that's the way a putt will tend to break.Jun 13, 2018

Full Answer

What happens to a golf ball in the water?

When the golf ball eventually dries out, it is still not as effective as a golf ball that did not spend any time submerged in the water. The longer the ball stays in the water, the less it will fly. Now, you may be thinking you can live without a few extra yards as long as you save some money.

Does the ball hit the ground first when it rolls into water?

Even though the ball flew over the water and landed on ground first before rolling back into water. It really depends on what type of water hazard your ball rolled into. Lateral water hazards run down the golf course (think tee to green water, like a stream or river).

How do balls get waterlogged?

Let’s get started Modern ball has layers, they can be two, three or four. The first layer is the plastic layer followed by inner layers. For a ball to get waterlogged, water has to seep through the outer hard plastic surface and get into the inner layers.

Why are the grooves on a golf ball so deep?

The only reason for grooves to be deeper and wider is to let more water and dirt into the grooves. But I would think that there would reach a point in the width of the groove that would make the golf ball impossible to control. If the grooves were too deep than so much more dirt would eventually settle over time.

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Does the ocean pull golf balls?

Two years ago, a central California teen began what NPR calls a “Sisyphean task”—hauling hundreds of pounds of golf balls off the ocean floor, only to have them reenter the sea as golfers from five nearby golf courses (including Pebble Beach) hit them right back in.

Are golf balls found in water still good?

Both types of balls lose approximately six yards of total distance after eight days in water. However, two-piece golf balls will lose about 10 yards in total after three months in water, while multi-piece golf balls will lose approximately 12 yards in three months and 15 yards in six months underwater.

Does grass grow towards water?

Grass roots grow in soils that are moist and well aerated or aerobic. This means they have plenty of oxygen. For the most part, root growth does not move from dry soil to wet soil looking for water. If you water your lawn deeply then the roots grow deeper.

Do lake golf balls make a difference?

If you've a mid-level handicapper then you are unlikely to notice the minor differences between a brand new golf ball and a lake ball. The fact that they have been under water for a length of time will more than likely have zero impact on your game!

What is the lifespan of a golf ball?

The average life of a golf ball, when stored properly, is about 10 years. While golf balls do get old, the overall performance will generally be maintained with proper storage and care.

Do PGA players use a new ball every hole?

Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.

Does longer grass mean deeper roots?

There is a direct link between grass height and root depth. As a rule, the higher the grass is cut, the deeper the roots go.

How fast does grass grow back on a golf course?

"Research has shown that a repaired ball mark recovers weeks faster than an unrepaired one," said Cory Adams, the superintendent of Golf Village at The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, which comprises 27 holes. "It takes 48 hours to recover if a ball mark is repaired properly. If not, it takes weeks to recover."

What makes the grass green blood?

To be specific, the top three nutrients that grass needs to grow are potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Nitrogen gives the grass its vibrant green color and makes each grass blade strong and tall.

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."

How do you clean a lot of golf balls at once?

How to Wash Golf Balls In Bulk? Use the dish soap and bucketful of hot water method. Let all the golf balls soak in that soapy mixture for around 30 minutes. Then scrub the dirt and mud off every ball using a soft, gentle brush.

What is the number one golf ball on tour?

Pro V1Titleist likes to remind us that that the Pro V1 is the No 1 ball used by professionals on worldwide golf tours, but that it's a great ball for non-superstars as well. The ball is manufactured to perfectly balance short game control without sacrificing good yardage from the tee.

Why do putts break?

As short-game guru Stan Utley explains, "Putts break because of gravity. ". If there's a mountain to your right and a lake to your left, the land will typically slope from right to left—and that's the way a putt will tend to break.

Does a hole in golf ball count as ground under repair?

The hole, even if it's unmarked, counts as ground under repair. But because your ball was not in or touching the hole— it sounds as if the area around the hole was not marked as ground under repair—you have to play this one as it lies. You would get free relief if the hole affected your normal stance or swing.

Can you mark your ball in golf?

Only you or an authorized person (e.g., a caddie) can mark your ball, according to the rules . There's a one-stroke penalty for moving another player's ball or mark in match play. In stroke play, there is no penalty. Submit your burning questions here: [email protected] or on Twitter @GolfDigest.

Why is the core of a golf ball not as active?

When this happens, the core is not nearly as active as it was because of the water. It loses most of its spring effect that makes it fly. When the golf ball eventually dries out, it is still not as effective as a golf ball that did not spend any time submerged in the water.

How long does it take for a golf ball to get waterlogged?

When this type of golf ball heads into a pond or a lake, it gets waterlogged pretty quickly. In some studies, it only takes a few hours for the water to reach the inner core and start to impact the yardage on the golf ball.

What is the cover of a golf ball made of?

The cover of the golf ball is usually made of Surlyn or a Urethane material. The dimple pattern on the golf ball is created by following the USGA guidelines regarding golf balls suitable for play.

What happens when you put an old golf ball in a pond?

There are some scratches, some slight imperfections, but it is an otherwise suitable golf ball. When this type of golf ball heads into a pond or a lake, it gets waterlogged pretty quickly.

What is a lower handicap golfer?

A lower handicap player usually has higher than average swing speed and the ability to launch and carry the ball as far as they need. Playing golf with a harder two-piece golf ball will not give this player the ability to stop and spin the ball the way they want to.

Can you paint a refurbished golf ball?

The paint on the refurbished balls does not seem to hold up entirely as well as those on a brand new golf ball. If the look of the golf ball on the first tee is crucial to you, a refurbished golf ball could be a great choice. If, however, you are just looking for a deal on a golf ball, just buy used balls.

Can you submerge a golf ball in water?

If you take a brand new, never hit golf ball and submerge it in water, you will get a very different result than a ball that has been played for quite some time. A new golf ball has no cuts or scratches in the cover. It has never been compressed with the force of a golf club.

How are modern golf balls made?

HOW ARE MODERN BALLS MADE. Modern ball has layers, they can be two, three or four. The first layer is the plastic layer followed by inner layers. For a ball to get waterlogged, water has to seep through the outer hard plastic surface and get into the inner layers. Golf balls have a weight limit and before making ball companies decide how much each ...

How far can a golf ball be picked out from the water?

Picking a golf ball out from the water that remained underwater for years can take more than a dozen or two yards of carrying distance. So yes distance traveled is directly proportional to how much time the golf ball remained under water.

Why don't they make outer shell impermeable?

Why Don’t They Make Outer Shell Impermeable. Simply because they want you to buy new balls. It is a business model. Also, there is a scientific reason for it as well. Harder balls affect the compression rating of the balls. Balls are designed to compress more or less at the time of impact.

Can you play golf with a ball that is under water?

Absolutely yes, I would recommend playing with them if they remained under water for less than a few hours. Anything longer than that is serious damage for someone who takes this game passionately. Golf balls do not get waterlogged quickly, it takes months and years for a ball to have a massive decrease in its performance.

Is it important to measure your golf game?

It is important to measure your performance. Yes, it is fun to play the game but it is also important to be better at it the next time you are at the course. Invest in a mid-range golf ball set such as superhot bold that can offer both flight and distance .

Can water molecules move through the mesh of a golf ball?

Yes, the water can get penetrate and disturb the mass distribution of the inner layer.

Can water penetrate the outer layer of a golf ball?

From the naked eye it seems almost impossible for the water to penetrate the outer layer of the golf ball but at the microstructure level, there are gaps at the molecular structure of the outer layer of the golf ball. Water molecules can move in through the mesh of the molecular structure straight into the inner layers of the golf ball.

What happens if a golf ball is wet?

If a wet golf ball compresses against a clean club face with grooves, the water has a place to go. Even if it’s the tiniest amount of water, it still needs a place to go or the ball probably won’t compress properly. You won’t hit your target at the very least.

What would happen if you didn't clean golf ball grooves?

If the grooves were too deep than so much more dirt would eventually settle over time. If you didn’t clean the grooves it would probably be extremely difficult to remove.

Why did the pros change the rules in the rough?

Apparently, they changed the rules because whenever the pros were hitting from the “rough” they were still able to get an insane amount of spin on the ball. The “U” shaped grooves in combination with sharp edges made it possible for the player to have better control of the ball while in the rough.

Why sharpen grooves?

Sharpening your grooves doesn’t make sense to me, the only reason one would sharpen their grooves is if they thought the grooves made ball spin better. But the grooves don’t make the ball spin so I would say no. On the other hand, you could sharpen your grooves if you had a small dent or blemish near the grooves.

What does a new wedge look like?

New wedges have these small grooves around the entire face of the club. It almost resembles a giant thumbprint on the face of your club. I’m assuming these are for better grip on the ball but this shouldn’t be the case for the reasons stated above.

What is a V groove?

Instead, “V” grooves are the only type of groove allowed on any club of 25 degrees or more.

Why do golf clubs have grooves?

Essentially, the reasons why golf clubs have grooves on the face is to allow water and debris from the ball and your lie as a place to go. If you were to hit a ball that was wet from the rain, at the moment of compression the water and debris would transfer from the ball to the club face and through the grooves.

What is a water hazard in golf?

In summary, a water hazard marked with yellow is a standard water hazard. Water marked with red is called a lateral water hazard, and normally runs along the side of a golf hole. The three options you have in both cases are that you can play the ball from where it lies, go back to where you hit your last shot, or take a drop anywhere along ...

What are the rules of golf for water hazards?

Rules of Golf – Water Hazards. When you hit your ball into a water hazard, the first thing to do is to notice whether the hazard is marked with the red stakes for lines, or with yellow stakes or lines.

What is a red line in golf?

Red Stakes/Lines: Lateral Water Hazard. In a red, or lateral hazard, you have 2 additional options available to you. The first, and perhaps the most common, is to take the point where your ball last crossed into the hazard, and drop within two club lengths of this point, no closer to the hole.

Can you play the ball from where you found it?

Assuming you can’t play the ball from where you found it, each option from a water hazard comes with a one stroke penalty. In both red and yellow hazards, you also have the option to go back to the point where you played your last shot, and play from there.

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