The golf ball has a long and proud history, the first games of golf were played in the 1500's. Golf was then played using wooden sticks called clubs and round wooden balls.
The history of golf started in Scotland. The technology that we enjoy today was not available then, our golfing forefathers had to make use of the resources that were available to them. Wood was plentiful. A game of golf then was enjoyed with wooden clubs and balls. Club and ball were very heavy, the ball didn't travel much further than 100 yards. The front nine holes on a golf course could last for some time.
The "featherie", a ball made from cowhide and goose feathers, was invented in the 1600's. This first milestone in the history of golf ball was achieved by forming the golf ball through wet leather and feather. Wet cowhide and goose feathers were easy to shape and mold into golf balls, these where then painted and sold. The new golf ball was expensive, it did travel faster and farther after all. The wooden ball was now obsolete.
The stage was then set for the for the next stage in golf ball history. The creation of the Gutta Percha (the gutty ball). Made from the rubber like sap of the Sapodilla tree. Balls were shaped by heating the rubber like sap, it was discovered that these balls traveled further the more uneven they were. Indentations were then pounded into the balls with a hammer. The idea of dimpled golf balls was born. The game of golf was still an expensive sport, until a metal press was designed, that enabled the manufacturing of golf balls making them a great deal less expensive.
A golf ball then consisted of a hard solid core, surrounded by high - tension rubber the ball was completed by the Gutta Percha cover. The Gutta Percha ball worked well and was the standard pattern for many years.
The history of golf ball continued to evolve in design, advanced by the two - piece and three - piece balls. New materials like titanium, balata coverings and silicone many other components helped in making the golf ball an extremely efficient tool in the game. Advancement in golf balls makes it possible for a golfer to use spin on his shots.
The United States Golf Association put weight and size regulations into effect in the 1900's.
The regulations are:
* The weight of a golf ball could not exceed the maximum of 1,629 ounces.
* The diameter of the golf ball could be no less than 1,680 ounces.
* The golf ball must be designed with properties of a spherically symmetrical ball.
* The maximum velocity level of a golf ball was 250 feet per second
So the next time you step onto your favorite course for a round of golf, remember the history of the golf ball.
The technological advancements are a amazing!
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
History
By: Macda3571 | 16-10-2007
why did so many Americans (workers, farmers, progressives) criticize the rise of big business? What were their solutions for creating a fairer economy? were their criticisms and solutions justified? why or why not?
History baby
By: Macda3571 | 16-10-2007
why did many Americans want an empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Did the expansion overseas by the US and its quest for empires and markets expand democracy, freedom, and opportunity? Why or Why not? Was the US's role in world war 1 consistant with the quest for an empire? Did america's participation in world war 1 expand or restrict democracy and freedom at home?
What did reformers who set up the boarding schools ...
By: Macda3571 | 16-10-2007
What did reformers who set up the boarding schools hope to achieve? Did the schools accomplish their goals? Why or Why not? What were the indian students taught? How did the Indians respond to the schools? How did they resist? How did they accomodate to their fate? Why did the US government eventually lessen their commitment to the off-reservation boarding schools?
What is it?
By: macey | 16-10-2007
What are the crops grown in the middle colonies?
Vice-president-murder?
By: denisa | 11-10-2007
who was the vice president of USA that was charged for murder and who was the person he killed?
1.) Describe the events surrounding Abraham ...
By: vangi_m19 | 07-10-2007
1.) Describe the events surrounding Abraham Lincoln's death? 2.)Describe the 3 plans for Reconstruction. ( Lincoln, Johnson, Radical Reconstruction)? 3.) Why was the Radical Republican plan so different than Abraham licoln's? 4.) Why was Andrew Johnson Impeached? 5.) What are the 13th , 14th , and 15th amendments?6.) Describe life for African americans after the civil war. Include Freedmen's Bureau, Black codes, Jim Crow Laws, KKK, and Plessy Us. Ferguson? 7.) Why is Plessy vs. Ferguson Considered one of the most awful decisions by the us supreme court? 8.) How did railroads, oil, and the steel industry impact the united states? Include the people involved and what worries any americans had about big businesses? 9.) Why wer unions ( such as the AFL) formed? Include working conditions. How did labor unions rebel agains bosses? Include details about the Pullman Strike.10.) How did reformers like Ida Trbell, Upton Sinclair, and Jane Addams help change american society? Be spcific about what each of them did.11.) What is the Oregon system and how did it change American politics?1.) What was the name of the play that Abraham and Mary Lincoln were watching when he was attacked?2.) What would life be like without the railroad, oil, and steel businesses? Are we better off with big business or small companies?3.) How would you have felt as a laborer in 1900? Would you have joined a union? Would you have participated in a strike? How do strike change things?4.) Which Reformer would you most like and why? Is it important to reform things from time to time? Why?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Golf Articles
Choosing The Right Golf Clubs
By: Chad Wiley | 08/09/2008
A simple guide to walk you through the process of selecting the perfect golf clubs to improve you game.
Work on Your Golf Swing to be a Better Player
By: Clint Jhonson | 08/09/2008
Golf used to be the emblematic sport for the rich and famous, a sport only a few privileged ones had access to. Today, things have taken a new twist and golf is quickly becoming a sport everyone loves, regardless of where they live and how much they make. The popularity of this great outdoor sport is probably is in most part the result of it being so incredibly versatile.
Golf Swing Instruction Will Improve Your Game
By: Clint Jhonson | 08/09/2008
Golf is one of those sports that grab you from the very first time you play. There are actually very few outdoor activities out there which allow you to engage in some competitive fun with your friends. Furthermore, I’ve never heard anyone say that they’ve become tired or bored of playing golf. Whether golf is your life long passion or a recent fling, getting some good golf instruction will only make the sport more exciting.
The Lifestyle Benefits of Owning a Home In Private Golf Communities
By: Christine Harrell | 07/09/2008
Golf course homes next to public greens and private golf communities are ideal locations to purchase a home.
Training Tips for Tennis Players
By: rajan mr | 07/09/2008
Tennis is a lovely game and most of us love playing it. We all know winning is fun and for sure we all hate to lose. However, winning is not easy and it demands a lot of practice. Modern day tennis demands, speed , skill, strength and stamina and fortunately all of these four can be developed through proper training.
Mini Tennis – Know What it is
By: rajan mr | 07/09/2008
Mini Tennis, as the name suggests, is the game of tennis designed especially for children, aged in between 4 years to 11 years. Mini tennis is the modified version of tennis for younger or inexperienced players, in which all the skills.
Tips and Techniques to Improve Your Long Game
By: Kevin Bailey | 05/09/2008
If your looking to improve your golf game then this article will provide you with tips and techniques to make strides in your long game.
Tips and Techniques to the Short Game
By: Kevin Bailey | 05/09/2008
If you enjoy playing golf and want to improve your golf game, this article will give you inside tips and techniques to make strides in your short game.
Sports and Fitness 
