fbpx
  • Amazon Associates Disclosure
  • About Us
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
GOLF ACCESSORIES REVIEWS
  • Carts
    • Golf Cart Batteries
    • Golf Cart Brands
    • Golf Push Cart
      • For Juniors
      • Remote Controlled
  • Golf Accessories
    • Ball Retrievers
    • Chipping Mats
    • Coolers
    • Cold Weather Golf Gear
    • Gifts for Golfers Who Have Everything
    • Golf Gloves
      • Rain Gloves
    • Golf GPS
      • Garmin Approach G80
    • Grips
    • Hats
    • Hitting Nets
    • Home Golf Simulators
    • Launch Monitor
    • Indoor Putting Green
    • Rangefinders
    • Sunglasses
    • Swing Analyzers
    • Tees
    • Towels
    • Training Aids
    • Umbrellas
  • Golf Balls
    • Bridgestone
    • Callaway
    • Nike
    • Soft Balls
    • TaylorMade
    • How Golf Balls Are Made
  • Buyer Guides
    • Fairway Woods
      • Callaway Rogue
    • Golf Bags
      • Cart Bags
      • Sunday Golf Bag
      • Travel Bags
      • Womens Golf Bags
    • Golf Clubs For Beginners
      • Wilson Ultra Set
    • Golf Clubs For The Money
    • Hybrid Golf Clubs
    • Junior Golf Clubs
    • Left Handed Clubs
    • Rain or Shine
    • Rescue Clubs
    • Drivers for Seniors
    • Golf Clubs for Seniors
    • Teenage Golf Set
    • Shoes
      • Spikeless
      • Waterproof
      • Women’s
  • Drivers
    • For Amateurs
    • For Beginners
    • Callaway Epic Flash
    • Callaway XR16
    • Cobra Fly Z
    • GX7 Driver Review
    • Most Forgiving
    • For Seniors
    • TaylorMade Drivers
      • M4
      • RBZ
      • R15 Driver
      • Shafts For M1 Drivers
    • Titleist Drivers
    • Under $100
  • Irons
    • For Beginners
    • Callaway Irons
      • X20 Irons
    • Chippers
      • Square Strike Wedge
    • Driving Irons
    • Forged Irons
    • Game Improvement Irons
    • Golf Wedges
      • C3i Wedge
      • Callaway Mack Daddy 2
      • Club for Chipping Around the Green
      • Lob Wedges
      • Sand Wedges
      • Square Strike Wedge
    • Graphite Shafts For Irons
    • Mizuno JPX 900
    • Ping Irons
      • Ping Rapture Irons
    • Taylormade Irons
      • TaylorMade RocketBladez HL
      • TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons Review
    • Iron Sets Under $300
    • Wedges For High Handicappers
    • Wilson Staff C300 Irons
  • Ladies Golf
    • Lady Golf Clubs
      • For Petite Ladies
    • Putters For Women
    • Women’s Golf Bags
    • Women’s Golf Shoes
    • Callaway Solaire Gems Review
  • Putters
    • Center Shafted Putters
    • Mallet Putters
    • Odyssey Putters
    • For High Handicappers
    • For Women
    • Scotty Cameron Putters
    • Under $100
  • Blog
    • Chipping Drills
    • Exercises For Golf
    • Golf Handicaps Explained
    • Golf Tips
    • How to Fix a Slice
    • How to Increase Club Head Speed
    • How to Increase Your Driver Distance
    • Putting Drills
    • Rotary Swing Program
  • Carts
    • Golf Cart Batteries
    • Golf Cart Brands
    • Golf Push Cart
      • For Juniors
      • Remote Controlled
  • Golf Accessories
    • Ball Retrievers
    • Chipping Mats
    • Coolers
    • Cold Weather Golf Gear
    • Gifts for Golfers Who Have Everything
    • Golf Gloves
      • Rain Gloves
    • Golf GPS
      • Garmin Approach G80
    • Grips
    • Hats
    • Hitting Nets
    • Home Golf Simulators
    • Launch Monitor
    • Indoor Putting Green
    • Rangefinders
    • Sunglasses
    • Swing Analyzers
    • Tees
    • Towels
    • Training Aids
    • Umbrellas
  • Golf Balls
    • Bridgestone
    • Callaway
    • Nike
    • Soft Balls
    • TaylorMade
    • How Golf Balls Are Made
  • Buyer Guides
    • Fairway Woods
      • Callaway Rogue
    • Golf Bags
      • Cart Bags
      • Sunday Golf Bag
      • Travel Bags
      • Womens Golf Bags
    • Golf Clubs For Beginners
      • Wilson Ultra Set
    • Golf Clubs For The Money
    • Hybrid Golf Clubs
    • Junior Golf Clubs
    • Left Handed Clubs
    • Rain or Shine
    • Rescue Clubs
    • Drivers for Seniors
    • Golf Clubs for Seniors
    • Teenage Golf Set
    • Shoes
      • Spikeless
      • Waterproof
      • Women’s
  • Drivers
    • For Amateurs
    • For Beginners
    • Callaway Epic Flash
    • Callaway XR16
    • Cobra Fly Z
    • GX7 Driver Review
    • Most Forgiving
    • For Seniors
    • TaylorMade Drivers
      • M4
      • RBZ
      • R15 Driver
      • Shafts For M1 Drivers
    • Titleist Drivers
    • Under $100
  • Irons
    • For Beginners
    • Callaway Irons
      • X20 Irons
    • Chippers
      • Square Strike Wedge
    • Driving Irons
    • Forged Irons
    • Game Improvement Irons
    • Golf Wedges
      • C3i Wedge
      • Callaway Mack Daddy 2
      • Club for Chipping Around the Green
      • Lob Wedges
      • Sand Wedges
      • Square Strike Wedge
    • Graphite Shafts For Irons
    • Mizuno JPX 900
    • Ping Irons
      • Ping Rapture Irons
    • Taylormade Irons
      • TaylorMade RocketBladez HL
      • TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons Review
    • Iron Sets Under $300
    • Wedges For High Handicappers
    • Wilson Staff C300 Irons
  • Ladies Golf
    • Lady Golf Clubs
      • For Petite Ladies
    • Putters For Women
    • Women’s Golf Bags
    • Women’s Golf Shoes
    • Callaway Solaire Gems Review
  • Putters
    • Center Shafted Putters
    • Mallet Putters
    • Odyssey Putters
    • For High Handicappers
    • For Women
    • Scotty Cameron Putters
    • Under $100
  • Blog
    • Chipping Drills
    • Exercises For Golf
    • Golf Handicaps Explained
    • Golf Tips
    • How to Fix a Slice
    • How to Increase Club Head Speed
    • How to Increase Your Driver Distance
    • Putting Drills
    • Rotary Swing Program
No Result
View All Result
GOLF ACCESSORIES REVIEWS
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
GAR is a community-supported website. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. Learn more.
Home Blog

How Golf Balls Are Made

by Bill
November 12, 2020
stack of golf balls
18
SHARES
22k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

When golf began some 6 centuries ago, the ball that was initially used was literally carved out of a solid piece of hardwood.  It was a painstaking process so, understandably, relatively few were made each year. Fast forward to the 21st century.

The golf ball industry is now enormous.  As of 2018, ball sales alone accounted for fully one-third of the entire $2.6 billion golf equipment field (1). That’s over $850 million per year. It is now estimated that approximately 840 million golf balls are manufactured every year.

To put that in perspective, since we generally buy balls by the dozen, that equates to 70 million dozen golf balls!  From that wooden, semi-round object of yesteryear to the high-tech, 4-piece, urethane-covered ball that we use today, as the saying goes, “We’ve come a long way, baby.”

Modern Golf Ball Manufacturing process

making golf ballsThe process used to manufacture golf balls today is a marvel of 21st-century methodologies, materials, and aerodynamics.  The actual step-by-step process is far too detailed to adequately describe here, but can be summarized by looking at which type of ball is being produced. Playing with the correct ball for your skills will be hugely beneficial to your gameplay (2).

ADVERTISEMENT

2-Piece balls

A 2-piece ball consists of a solid rubber core surrounded by a durable thermoplastic cover. The rubber starts out as a hard block, which is then heated and pressed to form a sphere.

This core is then placed in an injection mold, after which hot plastic (surlyn or urethane) is injected and forms a hard, dimpled coating around the core.

The ball is then painted, stamped with a logo, and given a glossy coat. 2-piece balls are generally made for distance and longer durability.

Multi-layered (3- or 4-piece) balls

3-piece golf balls consist of a solid core with a molded rubber outer core and the final cover, while the 4-piece ball has the same solid core and rubber outer core, but it includes a second coating over the molded rubber core before the final cover is applied. This construction creates a softer feel for the golfer, along with higher spin rates, which together provide more control.

Check out this video by Titleist – industry leaders in golf balls.

History of Golf Ball Manufacturing

Let’s take a look and trace the history of golf ball manufacturing, from medieval Scotland to the present day.

As with the evolution of all products over time, the development of the golf ball has been characterized by a steady progression of technological advancement. That progression wasn’t always frequent — some golf ball iterations lasted hundreds of years — but whenever alternative materials and improved processes were discovered, new and improved versions of the golf ball were brought to market.

In fact, the history of golf ball manufacturing can be looked at, not only from the perspective of the dates during which each version was prevalent but also from the point of view of the materials that were used with each successive ball introduction.

golf ball

Version 1

Timeframe: 1400’s – 1618

Material:  Wood

Discounting the round shaped stones that early Scottish sheepherders hit into rabbit holes with their wooden staffs, the first real ball specifically manufactured for golf was actually made from wood.  Skilled carpenters of the day, using hand tools, painstakingly carved balls out of hardwood, typically beech, and shaped them into round spheres to be used by golfers.

There were obviously some significant drawbacks to these golf balls, however. Being made from wood, they eventually succumbed to moisture and from repeated blows from a club, and in time would simply break in half.

Another downside was that the wooden surface of the ball was smooth.  It would be another 200 years before it was discovered how slight indentations in the surface of the ball could enhance its flight characteristics. Consequently, wooden golf balls performed inconsistently in the air and only traveled relatively short distances.

Version 2

Timeframe:  1618 – 1848

ADVERTISEMENT

Materials:  Leather and Feathers

The first major golf ball innovation happened in 1618, with the introduction of the golf ball known as the “Feathery.”  The Feathery was essentially a leather golf ball stuffed with either goose or chicken feathers.feathery ball

It consisted of three separate pieces of leather that were stitched together, stuffed with wet feathers and then painted. When the feathers dried, they expanded and gave the ball a rounded shape.

The Feathery was clearly far superior to its predecessor and lasted for over 200 years, but it too had some significant deficiencies. Due to the time-consuming process needed to make one, they were very expensive. Unfortunately, this limited golf in that era exclusively to the rich.

Adjusted for time, a Feathery cost about the equivalent of $10.00 per ball in today’s economy.  And because of the effort involved in making a single Feathery, a skilled ball maker could only make about four of them per day.

It was a far better solution than the wooden ball, but the fact that it also wasn’t perfectly round, gave it an irregular flight as well.  Durability was also limited…if it got wet, it often simply came apart.

Version 3

Timeframe:  1848 – 1898

Material:  Tree Sap

Possibly the most consequential golf ball introduction of all time occurred in 1848.  Dr. Robert Adams Patterson invented a golf ball out of Gutta Percha using the dried sap of the Sapodilla tree, native to Malaysia, which he found to have a rubber-like quality.

This ball would become known as the “Gutty.”  By heating this “rubber” and pouring it into round molds, they were able to produce golf balls in large quantities, which allowed the game to spread to the masses.gutty ball

The Gutty ball is considered to be one of the primary factors that contributed to the expansion of the game and its popularity.  An interesting discovery was made during the Gutty’s reign. Almost by accident, they found that the smooth exterior of a new Gutty would cause it to veer off path in the air unlike older ones that had been scuffed up from play.

So they then began “hammering” the Gutty during production to intentionally fabricate “imperfections” in the surface to replicate the more stable flight performance of the nicked-up golf balls.

Soon, golf ball manufacturers began chiseling and etching different textures into the Gutty surface, attempting to fine tune the pattern that would be most conducive to consistent and stable flight.

This was the precursor to the dimple patterns that we are familiar with today, and was eventually incorporated into the mold that they used to make the Gutty.

Version 4

Time Frame:  1899 – Mid-1900’s

Material:  Rubber

Sometime in 1898, as the story goes, Coburn Haskell and Bertram Work were preparing to play a round of golf together (3). rubber ball

While waiting for Work (an employee of the Goodrich rubber company) to arrive, Haskell passed the time by winding a long rubber band into the shape of a ball. He bounced it on the ground and discovered that it bounced much higher than he had anticipated.

He then showed this to Haskell who conceived the idea of putting a hardcover around the rubber to keep it from unraveling. Eventually, these rubber strands were wrapped around a rubber core, covered with the hardened sap from a Balata tree, and soon, the “Haskell” golf ball was invented.

Version 5

Timeframe: Current

Material:  Plastic

The Haskell ball, with several modifications along the way, lasted for several decades. After that, the next wave of golf balls really didn’t involve drastically different design changes.Golf ball placed in a hole

What ushered in the modern era in the evolution of the golf ball was an advancement in the materials used. Today’s golf balls are vastly superior to their ancestor versions due to the use of space-age plastics, silicone, and improved rubber.

Golf balls can now be “customized” for anyone, by employing materials like surlyn and urethane to suit various levels of golfers. They also feature multiple layers, a differentiation again designed to allow golfers of various skill levels to get the most out of their chosen golf ball.

The golf ball section of your local golf store will display 2-piece balls, 3-piece balls, and 4-piece balls (one company even has a 5-piece ball).

Each one of these is tailored to golfers based upon their skill level and their swing speed, and whether they are looking for added control, added spin, or added distance.

Bottom Line

The game of golf has had a fascinating history since its humble origins 600 years ago. No less fascinating is the evolution that the golf ball has undergone during that time. But what does the future hold for the golf ball? Only time will tell. It will be interesting to watch as the perpetual advance of high technology attempts to influence the continued forward progress of the golf ball. For those that are sick of losing golf balls be sure to check out our detailed reviews on golf ball retrievers.


References

  1. Ben Alberstadt, Getting a Grip on Golf’s $2.6 Billion Equipment Industry,
    https://www.thengfq.com/2018/01/getting-a-grip-on-golfs-2-6-billion-equipment-industry/
  2. Tyler Pringle, Playing the Correct Golf Ball, https://www.americangolf.com/blog/golf-tips/playing-the-correct-golf-ball/
  3. B Harris, Coburn Haskell
    https://edu.glogster.com/glog/coburn-haskell/1nhwsjvrrwr
ShareTweetPin2
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Best Callaway Golf Balls

Next Post

Best Golf Hitting Net

Bill

Bill

Bill is an expert in all things golf. With over 40 years of experience, he is an excellent golfer (playing to a handicap of 8) highly skilled in golf equipment, swing mechanics and instruction methodologies. Bill is a regular contributor imparting his knowledge and expertise to the readers at Golf Accessories Reviews.

Related Posts

golfer teeing off
Blog

How to Increase Club Head Speed

by Austin
January 13, 2021
0

Over the last decade, performance data has grown to show areas of a golfer’s game that can lend the most improvement in distance and consistency. These metrics are so important that every...

Read more
Golf course in Oslo
Blog

How do Golf Handicaps Work?

by Austin
January 13, 2021
0

If you are new to golf, you might wonder why so many golfers are concerned about their golf handicaps. On the other hand, many experienced golfers know about the golf handicap system...

Read more
golf balls on the grass
Golf Accessories

Best Golf Balls Available in 2021

by Bill

In addition to custom fitting for clubs, there is a relatively new emphasis that is starting to gain traction in golf. This new process aims to help golfers choose the right golf...

Read more
ball on a tee
Blog

Golf Tips That Actually Help your Game!

by Austin
December 22, 2020
0

Are you looking to take control of your golf game and shave strokes off your round? Then you are in the right place! Because in today’s blog we will be taking a...

Read more
Next Post
golfer practising his golf outdoors in a hitting net

Best Golf Hitting Net

Our Recommended Golf Store.

ADVERTISEMENT

GOLF ACCESSORIES REVIEWS

  • Whether it’s the morning dew or an afternoon shower, there is a good chance that you will run into wet conditions at some point on the course. Wet conditions already make the round a little unpleasant and if you don’t have a pair of quality waterproof golf shoes, you’re going to be really unhappy since your feet will be soaked. We’ve reviewed the best brands and options for you 👆🏼
  • Depending on your swing, certain golf balls will perform better for you than others.
  • A great set of golf irons may be the single most important purchase a golfer can make. Irons that fit a golfers swing style result in a more consistent distance and better playability. Read through our detailed reviews of the best irons available!
  • Choosing the best clubs can be difficult, throw being a complete beginner into the mix and you may be left scratching your head. Our expert reviewers have compiled the best options to get you started the right way ⛳️ 🏌️‍♂️
  • Whether you’re travelling for an event or vacation, you’ll want the very best travel bag to protect your clubs.
  • Whether it’s a big tournament or you just want to finish out the last couple of holes of a great round, playing in the rain may not be avoidable. So if you can’t avoid the rain, make sure you are prepared to play in it.
  • With the best push cart you’ll be flying around the golf course, with all your favorite accessories too.
  • An article full of great drills provided by our golf coach, Bill 👌🏼

© 2017-2020 Golf Accessories Reviews - Best Golf Accessories & Advice

  • Amazon Associates Disclosure
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Carts
    • Golf Cart Batteries
    • Golf Cart Brands
    • Golf Push Cart
      • For Juniors
      • Remote Controlled
  • Golf Accessories
    • Ball Retrievers
    • Chipping Mats
    • Coolers
    • Cold Weather Golf Gear
    • Gifts for Golfers Who Have Everything
    • Golf Gloves
      • Rain Gloves
    • Golf GPS
      • Garmin Approach G80
    • Grips
    • Hats
    • Hitting Nets
    • Home Golf Simulators
    • Launch Monitor
    • Indoor Putting Green
    • Rangefinders
    • Sunglasses
    • Swing Analyzers
    • Tees
    • Towels
    • Training Aids
    • Umbrellas
  • Golf Balls
    • Bridgestone
    • Callaway
    • Nike
    • Soft Balls
    • TaylorMade
    • How Golf Balls Are Made
  • Buyer Guides
    • Fairway Woods
      • Callaway Rogue
    • Golf Bags
      • Cart Bags
      • Sunday Golf Bag
      • Travel Bags
      • Womens Golf Bags
    • Golf Clubs For Beginners
      • Wilson Ultra Set
    • Golf Clubs For The Money
    • Hybrid Golf Clubs
    • Junior Golf Clubs
    • Left Handed Clubs
    • Rain or Shine
    • Rescue Clubs
    • Drivers for Seniors
    • Golf Clubs for Seniors
    • Teenage Golf Set
    • Shoes
      • Spikeless
      • Waterproof
      • Women’s
  • Drivers
    • For Amateurs
    • For Beginners
    • Callaway Epic Flash
    • Callaway XR16
    • Cobra Fly Z
    • GX7 Driver Review
    • Most Forgiving
    • For Seniors
    • TaylorMade Drivers
      • M4
      • RBZ
      • R15 Driver
      • Shafts For M1 Drivers
    • Titleist Drivers
    • Under $100
  • Irons
    • For Beginners
    • Callaway Irons
      • X20 Irons
    • Chippers
      • Square Strike Wedge
    • Driving Irons
    • Forged Irons
    • Game Improvement Irons
    • Golf Wedges
      • C3i Wedge
      • Callaway Mack Daddy 2
      • Club for Chipping Around the Green
      • Lob Wedges
      • Sand Wedges
      • Square Strike Wedge
    • Graphite Shafts For Irons
    • Mizuno JPX 900
    • Ping Irons
      • Ping Rapture Irons
    • Taylormade Irons
      • TaylorMade RocketBladez HL
      • TaylorMade SpeedBlade Irons Review
    • Iron Sets Under $300
    • Wedges For High Handicappers
    • Wilson Staff C300 Irons
  • Ladies Golf
    • Lady Golf Clubs
      • For Petite Ladies
    • Putters For Women
    • Women’s Golf Bags
    • Women’s Golf Shoes
    • Callaway Solaire Gems Review
  • Putters
    • Center Shafted Putters
    • Mallet Putters
    • Odyssey Putters
    • For High Handicappers
    • For Women
    • Scotty Cameron Putters
    • Under $100
  • Blog
    • Chipping Drills
    • Exercises For Golf
    • Golf Handicaps Explained
    • Golf Tips
    • How to Fix a Slice
    • How to Increase Club Head Speed
    • How to Increase Your Driver Distance
    • Putting Drills
    • Rotary Swing Program

© 2017-2020 Golf Accessories Reviews - Best Golf Accessories & Advice