What are gutta percha balls?

Initially, golf balls had consisted of leather pouches stuffed with boiled feathers. In 1848, a new golf ball -- the gutta-percha -- began to replace the "feathery," as the original golf ball was known. The gutta-percha consisted of hardened juice from trees located in South America and the Pacific Islands.

What is the gutta-percha ball made of?

Robert Adams Paterson (sometimes spelled Patterson) invented the gutta-percha ball (or guttie, gutty). The guttie was made from dried sap of the Malaysian sapodilla tree. The sap had a rubber-like feel and could be made spherical by heating and shaping it in a mold.

How far would a gutta-percha ball go?

In 1848, the Gutta Percha ball or 'Guttie' ball was invented, and could be hit no further than a Featherie, a maximum distance of 225 yards. The Guttie was made from the rubber-like sap of the Gutta tree, which when heated the rubber could easily be moulded into a sphere.

What were early golf balls filled with?

During the early “featherie era”, the best balls were made by the Dutch and their featheries were extremely popular in Scotland as well. Until the mid-19th century, the featherie was the standard golf ball. It was made of cow or horsehide which was stuffed with feathers; most often goose feather.

Did golf balls always have dimples?

When Did Golf Balls Get Dimples? The invention of golf ball dimples happened accidentally. In the mid-1800s, the most widely-used golf balls were known as gutties, which were first created by Robert Adams Paterson using molded tree sap.

What is the line on a golf ball for?

If a golfer likes to pick a specific point to putt to — a small target six inches right and three feet short, for example — then go ahead and use a line. This allows the golfer to aim perfectly and when they are stroking the putt, they can simply attempt to control distance.

How much is a feathery golf ball worth?

Feathery golf ball - Price Estimate: $4000 - $6000.

Are old golf balls worth money?

Because of the age and the craftsmanship put into these balls they are among the ones that have the highest price tag of collectible golf balls. These balls are referred to as antique, and goes for sums upwards of +$5000! See example from eBay below.

How far would a feathery golf ball go?

The most commonly cited range for feathery driving distance is from 180 yards to 200 yards for the most skilled golfers.

When did they stop making wound golf balls?

Remember, wound golf balls were popular prior to the 2000s and they were constructed with thread windings that wrapped around their cores. Wound balls are known now for their spin and feel, but not so much for their distance.

What is the oldest golf ball?

Lying in a 'dusty' corner of a museum in Stirling is one of the most important artefacts in sporting history. It is an old ball with the identical construction to later feathery golf balls. It has been dated to 1514-1570 making it the oldest of its type in the world.

What did golf balls used to look like?

Wooden golf balls were used up until the seventeenth century, when the feathery ball was invented. The first "real" golf ball was known as a "feathery"golf ball. Basically, the feathery was a leather sack filled with boiled goose feathers, then stitched up and painted.

What is the rarest golf ball?

Divers have begun a search in Donegal for what they believe could be some of the world's rarest golf balls. The gutta percha balls once belonged to golfing legend Old Tom Morris, who won the Open four times in the 1860s.

Are there rare golf balls?

Rare today, golf balls used to come in a variety of fun patterns. A few companies produced triangle mesh balls, including Spalding—which still produces sports items today. Although these balls aren't the rarest of golf collectibles, they remain an unexpected and unique part of any collection.

Does anyone collect golf balls?

Such balls, in good condition, regularly fetch enormous sums at auction. Collecting such balls requires knowledge and expertise to determine worth and authenticity. Discovered by chance as a useful substance for golf balls, gutta percha balls in their early years are highly desired by collectors.

How were feathery balls made?

For over two centuries the Featherie was the standard. The leather was cut in two, three or four lobes then fanned out like petals of a flower, three of the sides would be then be sewn together by hand on the inside edge, then boiled goose feathers would be pushed into the open end and finally sewn together.

What was the first golf ball made of?

Guttie/Gutta Golf Balls

Robert Adams Paterson invented the Gutta-Percha ball, or Guttie. The guttie was made by using dried sap from the Malaysian Sapodilla tree. The sap had a rubber-like quality to it and upon heating could be formed into a sphere.

Who invented the golf ball?

In the mid-1800s, a guy named Robert Adams Paterson made the first molded ball. He discovered that the sap from a sapodilla tree, native to Malaysia, could be heated up, placed into a round mold and would then dry hard.

What do pro golfers use to mark their ball?

Nine times out of 10, golfers use coins to mark their ball but many people use proper ball markers and some people use tees in order to mark their ball. Most players would put the marker behind the ball before they pick it up. The majority of players do not put the marker to the side or in front of the ball.

Should you leave the pin in when putting?

Dave Pelz, a physics graduate long regarded as a putting guru for professional and amateur players, recommended keeping the pin in the hole all the time, based on a loss of energy when the ball hits it.

Should your eyes be over the ball when putting?

When you turn your head to look at the hole, it will appear left of its actual position, which can result in a pull for right-handed players. Instead, you should keep your eyes over a spot just inside the ball, a few inches toward your feet.

What are the small indentations on a golf ball called?

Golf balls can have dimples that are deep, shallow, large or small. Some golf balls have different sizes of dimples on the same ball. Dimples come in all different shapes, including circles, ovals, teardrops and even hexagons like a soccer ball.

Why is Bubba Watson's driver pink?

The driver is part of a year-long campaign sponsored by Ping. Every time Bubba drives the ball over 300 yards, Ping will donate $300 dollars to his charity.

What is the number one golf ball on tour?

Titleist Pro V1

Titleist likes to remind us that that the Pro V1 is the No 1 ball used by professionals on worldwide golf tours, but that it's a great ball for non-superstars as well. The ball is manufactured to perfectly balance short game control without sacrificing good yardage from the tee.