What Golf Balls Are Made Of

A golf ball is a custom-made product for a variety of golf levels. If you play golf, you know how important the actual ball is to the game. This doesn’t just mean you cannot play golf without one! Dimples add spin and wind resistance. The resin or rubber cover creates distance or control, while the core and compression are designed in each ball for every golfer from tour professional to the novice golfer. The materials go a long way toward how the ball hits, which means your game depends on a high-quality golf ball made from the right stuff for your skill level. But…what are golf balls made from anyway?

A look back at the history of the golf ball

Before we get into how golf balls are made and with what, let’s look at the history of the golf ball and what they were made with in the past. During the 15th century, golf was invented and the first ball was made of wood, either beech wood or elm, in the Netherlands. If you have ever played croquet, you can imagine what this little wooden ball was like. Not long after, the feather balls came into play. Those playing golf during the 17th century in Scotland created a ball that had a core of goose feathers, wrapped in bull’s hide, and painted white. It’s easy to see why these would go a lot further than wood! It wasn’t until the mid-19th century when the gutta-percha ball replaced these feather balls. The gutta-percha ball used the gutta-percha gum, boiled, and shaped into balls. A few years later in 1901, the rubber ball was made and used in Great Britain. For around one hundred years, resin and rubber have been key components of golf balls. This is where we are today.

The core of the golf ball

Golf balls are made differently, depending on who is manufacturing them and who the ball will be eventually played with. The golf ball core is often made of rubber, but some balls actually have a liquid center. How neat! The ball is compressed into three numbers: 80, 90, and 100. Eighty is the lowest compression designed for juniors, women, and seniors. The 90 compressions are considered average and designed for recreational, weekend golfers. The 100 compression ball consists of a harder, tighter core. This is used by advanced golfers.

Golf ball covers

The core is the beginning, but not the only thing that goes into making a golf ball. The cover matters too, and there are several ways to do this. Balata is a rubber-like mix that combines to provide a soft feel and better control. These balls are used in high-end balls for professionals and low-handicap players. Surlyn is another type of cover and has a hard resin cover used for a soft feel and good control. Average to high-level golfers should use a ball with a surlyn cover. Maybe you are just beginning. There’s a ball for you too! A surlyn blend features a hard resin with less feel but added durability. This type of ball provides more distance and less maneuverability and is cheaper than the high-end balls (you’ll probably be losing a lot of them as you practice your golf game!) A golf ball with a surlyn blend is good for beginners.

Find the right ball for your game, and go play a round of golf! If the weather isn’t great or you cannot fit in a round until night time, you can always putt it around at Glow Vibe!

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