Golf Balls: Gutties to G-Forces
Golf Balls: Gutties to G-Forces
by Emery Noile
Ever since the first game of golf was played on a field in Scotland some 300 years ago, the sport has steadily risen in popularity. Golf itself hasn’t changed much over the years, but the equipment has certainly come a long way. We can only imagine how different it was, way back in the 1700s. Even the simple golf ball has undergone many revolutionary changes until it became the dimpled, white form that we use today.
The earliest golf balls were made of wood. Of course, the life span of these simple balls was relatively short, as they’d crack and split after just a few hits. With time, golfers devised a new type of ball, filled with feathers and bound in leather. It was a revolutionary idea that quickly grew in popularity.
Soon after the feather and leather ball was introduced, another new threshold was crossed in the revolution of golf balls. These new balls, called gutta-percha, took the golf world by storm. Commonly known as “gutties”, these balls were made of gutta-percha, a type of natural latex, and they really did revolutionize the sport. This style was again adapted to the form that we are all familiar with today: a core of synthetic rubber with a highly engineered white plastic cover.
In the early 1990s, changes in the structure of the golf ball were beginning to take shape. Golfers were given the choice of three different types, including the control golf ball, distance golf ball and the spin golf ball. The latter typically offers the best quality, while the distance ball is usually most affordably priced.
Technological advances have brought about modifications in every area of development. Change has taken place in everything from materials used in the manufacturing process, to the roundness of the ball itself. Some golf ball types have gone through so many scientific modifications that you’d almost need a degree in chemistry to be able to comprehend all of the elements that form the simple golf ball.
Most amateur golfers now use a solid core ball that’s covered in a type of plastic called surlyn. These golf balls provide an affordable way to achieve greater distance, but they can be difficult to control. More experienced players may use golf balls covered in balata, a material that provides more spin and a better feel. These golf balls will fetch a higher price.
Recently, some manufacturers have delved into the development of golf balls made with titanium. Others use tungsten and magnesium. Some golf balls are made with a mixture of metal components. Some golf balls have been exposed to gamma rays during the manufacturing process, and others have “bald spots” to achieve a truer roll. All of these developments are made, of course, in the name of improved play.
In an effort to launch the simple golf ball to great new heights, technology has also found ways to alter compression. A golf ball’s “compression” is a measurement that defines the degree of deformation that the ball presents after several hits. Many golfers mistakenly believe that using a ball with higher compression will add distance to their tee and fairway shots. Usually, there is a significant decrease in accuracy after a round of play. This may be attributed to the deformation of the ball after several strokes. The accuracy of the hits is affected, but the actual distance that the ball achieves is not.
Golf balls are tough little objects that are built to last. There is no set “shelf life” to a golf ball, and they may be used even after spending several years in storage. There are conditions, however, that will shorten the life of a golf ball. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat, for example, will certainly take away from the expected life of your golf balls.
Up until a few years ago, golfers were able to choose from just two basic types of golf balls. There wasn’t a huge selection, so the demand was simple and the prices were very affordable. Now, however, technology has taken hold. The choice is vast, and prices have increased accordingly.
Golf has changed little over the last 300 years, but the world of golf equipment continues to evolve. From golf etiquette to golf balls, there’s always something new to learn about this age-old sport.
Author Emery Noile enjoys writing articles for several popular Internet sites, on recreation outdoors and sports shop themes.
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