| Many years ago golf was played in Scotland, they | | | | ball without dimples is in the air a huge pocket of |
| obviously did not have all the equipment that we | | | | dead air is created behind the ball which creates |
| enjoy nowadays and certainly did not play the | | | | drag, therefore slowing the ball down. The dimples |
| game in the structured manner that we do. Back | | | | on a golf ball reduces this dead air behind the ball, |
| then they had to utilise both golf balls and clubs | | | | therefore reducing drag and allowing the golf ball |
| which were both manufactured from wood. | | | | to travel. It does this by the dimples creating |
| It as back in the 17th century that the feather | | | | turbulence in the air around the golf ball which in |
| golf ball was designed and introduced, another | | | | turn ensures that a spiral like trail of air is left |
| word for this type of ball was the featherie. The | | | | behind the ball rather than a huge amount of dead |
| feather golf ball was made from goose feathers | | | | air. This spiral of air allows other air particles to |
| which were compressed into a sphere which was | | | | flow around the ball rather than just past it. |
| normally cow hide. The feathers were | | | | The dimples of the golf ball dependant upon the |
| compressed into the cow hide whilst the cow hide | | | | type of center in the ball can allow for an amount |
| was still wet. When all the feathers were in the | | | | of spin to be imparted onto the ball at impact, this |
| hide was left to dry and as it dried it shrank | | | | can either create backspin upon impact with the |
| creating a hard golf ball. | | | | ground or allow the golfer to control the ball |
| These balls, however due to the nature of | | | | better in the air - ie to draw a ball. |
| creation and build time were very very expensive | | | | Dimples have been on golf balls now for many |
| and quite often cost much more than the golf | | | | many years, however it is believed that they |
| club itself. Due to the cost of purchase only the | | | | were created after the introduction of a one |
| more financially privileged golfers could afford to | | | | piece golf ball with a rubber core. This golf ball had |
| purchase such a ball. | | | | a smooth outer on it and golfers found that they |
| After the feather ball came the creation of the | | | | were able to hit a better shot as the ball started |
| guttie golf ball. This type of ball was made from | | | | to wear - ie the outer edge started to become |
| the sap of a gutta tree, the gutta tree is | | | | rough. It was around 1905 when the dimpled golf |
| predominantly found in the tropics, These balls | | | | ball was officially introduced and from this time |
| were created whilst the sap was hot where the | | | | dimples have been used on all golf balls, in 1921 |
| ball was shaped, when it dried it formed a hard | | | | the golf ball was modified so that all balls were a |
| rubbery golf ball. Due to the ease of manufacture | | | | standard size and they were all the same weight. |
| these golf balls were a lot cheaper to both | | | | Nowadays, there is an absolutely staggering |
| manufacture and purchase. | | | | amount of variety when it comes to the selection |
| There was a huge difference between the | | | | of a golf ball. There are golf balls which are |
| featherie and the guttie though. The guttie did not | | | | designed to go a long way, other which are |
| fly as far or as true as the featherie. This was | | | | designed to be very soft so that more control |
| identified as being due to the completely smooth | | | | can be achieved. Even the dimples vary slightly |
| surface of the gutterie which limited the golf ball in | | | | between balls, there are some balls which have |
| the air. | | | | more than others and some balls have slightly |
| Designers of golf balls eventually came up with a | | | | different shaped dimples. No matter which golf ball |
| solution - the creation of the golf ball dimple - and | | | | you decide to play you can be sure that you are |
| these are still utilised on golf balls nowadays. | | | | playing with an item which has evolved through |
| The dimples on a golf ball are created to reduce | | | | evolution and is at present at or very near its |
| resistance to air whilst the ball is in flight. When a | | | | optimum. |