Are golf balls always same size?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 07, 2026
What is the standard Golf ball size? In today's golf world, there is only one standard size golf ball that is legal in tournament play and authorized to sell in golf shops. The standard size golf ball today is 1.68 inches, but before the nineteen eighties, the minimum size was 1.62 inches.
Are golf ball all the same size?
Are All Golf Balls The Same Size. Not all golf balls are the same size, but the overwhelming majority will fit into the standard 1.68″ category. The differences between one ball and another would be marginal at best.
Do golf balls have to be a certain size?
According to the USGA Rules of Golf, the diameter of the ball shall not be less than 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). A smaller golf ball will generally fly further than a larger one given the weight is equal. The reason for this is: having a smaller diameter ball means less air resistance.
Are all golf balls the same size and weight?
No, there can be variations in the size of a golf ball, but all golf balls must be at least 1.68 inches (or 42.67 millimeters) in diameter.
What is the correct size for a golf ball?
Under the rules of golf, a golf ball has a mass no more than 1.620 oz (45.9 g), has a diameter not less than 1.680 inches (42.7 mm), and performs within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits.
18 related questions foundDo smaller golf balls go further?
A 0.06-inch difference in golf ball diameter doesn't sound like much. But according to golfers who played the two different golf balls back then, the smaller ball provided a bit more distance and was more workable in the wind.
What makes a golf ball Illegal?
Legal golf balls can't be smaller than 1.68 inches in diameter. The Polara balls have a diameter of 1.68 inches (the same size as normal). If you have a smaller ball, you'll have less drag and that should give you more distance. You'll also notice that illegal balls are slightly heavier.
How many golf balls wide is a hole?
How Many Golf Balls Fit in a Hole? Two golf balls can fit in a golf hole. This is important to know for a few reasons.
What is the first shot in golf called?
The first stroke, usually a pitch, a bunker shot or a chip, gets the ball 'up' onto the green, and the subsequent putt gets the ball 'down' into the hole. A variation is called “up and in”.
Why is a golf hole the size it is?
It is believed that the standard hole size was created at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in Scotland in 1829 when they invented the first known hole-cutter that produced a 4.25 inch hole and was based on the typical Musselburgh drainage pipe at the time. The R&A adopted that standard width in 1891. The USGA followed suit.
How many dimples are on a golf ball?
Most golf balls have between 300 and 500 dimples, which have an average depth of about 0.010 inch. The lift and drag forces on a golf ball are very sensitive to dimple depth: a depth change of 0.001 inch can produce a radical change to the ball's trajectory and the overall distance it can fly.
What golf ball goes the farthest 2021?
Top 12 Longest Golf Balls
- Titleist Pro V1.
- Vice Pro.
- Callaway Supersoft.
- MG Senior.
- Bandit.
- Callaway ERC Soft.
- Volvik Vivid.
- Bridgestone E6.
How far does a 70 year old hit a golf ball?
A 70-year-old man should be hitting a driver anywhere from 180 to 190 yards. This number has grown a bit in the last few years with the introduction of improved driver and shaft technology. At 70 years old, some golfers are having no trouble getting the ball to fly 200 yards or more.
When did the 1.62 golf ball become illegal?
In 1974, The R&A took a significant step toward uniformity when they made the larger 1.68-inch ball mandatory in their Open Championship. However, it was not until Jan. 1, 1990, just 27 years ago, that The R&A officially outlawed the smaller golf ball.
What are the most forgiving golf balls?
Most Forgiving Golf Ball, Ranked
- #1 – TaylorMade Soft Response.
- #2 – Bridgestone e6 Golf Balls.
- #3 – Callaway Super Soft Golf Balls.
- #4 – Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls.
- #5 – Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls.
- FOR WOMEN – Bridgestone 2019 e6 Lady Golf Balls.
- THE OLD #1 – TaylorMade Project (a) Golf Balls.
- Bridgestone e7 Golf Balls.
Do golf balls lose distance with age?
A wound ball which is approximately 10 years old, stored at room temperatures and low humidity, will have lost about 0.5 to 1.0 % of its IV (Initial Velocity) which will affect its distance by a couple of yards.
Are Bandit golf balls illegal?
The longest illegal golf balls on the market are the 2 piece Bandit golf balls. The USGA had to make these illegal because they have a very aerodynamic dimple design that helps the ball travel a long way. They have low spin off the tee and will dramatically increase the length of your drives.
Do new golf balls go further than old ones?
It's highly unlikely that the average, or even high standard, amateur will notice any difference between the feel of a used and a new ball on impact. Nor will there be any appreciable loss of distance, height or spin.
What is the hardest golf ball made?
The hardest golf ball available is the Mizuno RB Tour X, which has a compression rating of 110. This ball produces low-mid driver spin, high wedge spin, and is ideal for better golfers with swing speeds above 105 MPH. Another option for a hard golf ball is the Titleist Pro V1X Left Dash.
How many golf balls are on the moon?
There are two golf balls on the moon. They were taken there by Alan Shepard in 1971, during the Apollo 14 mission. Shepard was the first American into space, and the fifth person to ever walk on the moon… but most impressively, he was the first (and only) person to ever play golf outside of the earth's atmosphere!
Do you want more or less dimples on a golf ball?
The number of golf ball dimples is less important than the shape and depth of the dimples. The number of dimples can affect drag, so it is important to not have too many dimples. Between 330 and 400 dimples is the optimum number. More dimples mean more focussed control over the ball trajectory.
Which ball has 336 dimples?
On American golf balls, there are usually 336 dimples, while there are 330 on a British ball. However these numbers can vary widely. Golf balls have anywhere from 300-500 dimples. Golf ball manufacturers will manipulate the number, shape, size, and even edge angles to optimize ball flight and trajectory.
What happens if your golf clubs are too flat?
If the lie angle is too upright then then the ball will be hit left of target. If the lie angle is too flat then the ball will be hit right of target. It should be said that the ball will travel approximately four yards away from your intended target line for every degree your lie angle is either too upright or flat.