05:18
Faizan
The modern golf ball is no accident. Along with the sport of golf, the golf ball has evolved over hundreds of years to the reach its current day incarnation. One of the ball's most defining characteristics, its many tiny indentations, is the result of observation and trial and error. The primary aim of the ball's many indentations, or dimples, is to allow it to travel greater distances than a perfectly smooth ball.
What a Drag
The indentations on a golf ball reduce the force of drag when the ball is flying through the air. Though it may seem like a smooth ball would have less resistance than a dimpled ball, this is not the case when the ball is moving quickly. According to Frankly Golf, a website run by former U.S. Golf Association technical director Frank Thomas, the dimples create a layer of turbulence around the surface of the ball that help it to move with more speed. The dimpled ball also spins, which gives it more lift -- similar to an an airplane. This helps keep the ball in the air for a longer period of time.
Setting the Standards
Though the USGA puts restrictions on the weight and size of golf balls, there are no restrictions when it comes to dimples. Too many indentations is pointless, as the size of the dimples must shrink in order to fit them on the ball. Too many tiny dimples will create a surface that is almost smooth. According to Frankly Golf, less than 300 dimples is generally considered too few and more than 500 is considered too many. Golf balls usually have an average of 350 to 450 indentations.
Past Lives
Golf was originally played with a leather-covered ball filled with goose or chicken feathers. Known as featheries, these balls were challenging and time-consuming to make, though they prevailed for about 400 years before being replaced by the smooth latex gutta balls in the mid-1800s. Golfers soon noted that gutta balls with nicks and indentations flew better than smooth gutta balls. Golfers then began using sharp hammers to make indentations in the balls. Manufacturers followed suit with iron molds and casts. In 1898, Cleveland golfer Coburn Haskell developed a rubber-centered, rubber thread wrapped ball.
Patterns and Precision
Many different patterns of dimples were used around the turn of the century, with colorful names such as the bramble, mesh and reverse mesh. The superior dimple pattern, used today, was first used in 1908, according to The Design Shop.
In 1932, the USGA set the standards for ball weight and size. Balls could not weigh more than 1.62 ounces, and the diameter had to be at least 1.680 inches.
What a Drag
The indentations on a golf ball reduce the force of drag when the ball is flying through the air. Though it may seem like a smooth ball would have less resistance than a dimpled ball, this is not the case when the ball is moving quickly. According to Frankly Golf, a website run by former U.S. Golf Association technical director Frank Thomas, the dimples create a layer of turbulence around the surface of the ball that help it to move with more speed. The dimpled ball also spins, which gives it more lift -- similar to an an airplane. This helps keep the ball in the air for a longer period of time.
Setting the Standards
Though the USGA puts restrictions on the weight and size of golf balls, there are no restrictions when it comes to dimples. Too many indentations is pointless, as the size of the dimples must shrink in order to fit them on the ball. Too many tiny dimples will create a surface that is almost smooth. According to Frankly Golf, less than 300 dimples is generally considered too few and more than 500 is considered too many. Golf balls usually have an average of 350 to 450 indentations.
Past Lives
Golf was originally played with a leather-covered ball filled with goose or chicken feathers. Known as featheries, these balls were challenging and time-consuming to make, though they prevailed for about 400 years before being replaced by the smooth latex gutta balls in the mid-1800s. Golfers soon noted that gutta balls with nicks and indentations flew better than smooth gutta balls. Golfers then began using sharp hammers to make indentations in the balls. Manufacturers followed suit with iron molds and casts. In 1898, Cleveland golfer Coburn Haskell developed a rubber-centered, rubber thread wrapped ball.
Patterns and Precision
Many different patterns of dimples were used around the turn of the century, with colorful names such as the bramble, mesh and reverse mesh. The superior dimple pattern, used today, was first used in 1908, according to The Design Shop.
In 1932, the USGA set the standards for ball weight and size. Balls could not weigh more than 1.62 ounces, and the diameter had to be at least 1.680 inches.
Posted in: golf
