Do golf balls deform?

“The ball starts out at zero speed.” Vandiver says, “When it's hit, it goes from being at rest to moving more than 100 mph in a very short period. The impact of the club on the ball is substantial. Any object that's not perfectly rigid, when struck with that kind of force, will deform.

Do golf balls lose their shape?

The cores of today's balls are made of polymers that are much more consistent and durable than the rubber bands and liquid centers used in balls of the old days. They can stand up to repeated high-speed strikes without changing shape or losing their resilience.

How much does golf ball deform when hit?

Typically, golf balls you'll find compress 0.10-0.12 inches. Golf ball compression ratings are quoted for the whole golf ball.

Do golf balls get worse with age?

Ralph Peterson, research and development director for Wilson golf balls, said, "For a two-piece ball, we've really seen no changes after five to seven years." Solid golf balls are designed for golfers with higher handicaps.

Why do golf balls have dents in them?

Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball's surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.

The Moment of Impact. An Inside Look at Titleist Golf Ball R

Why is my golf ball not smooth?

"The dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball's surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.

What is the lifespan of a golf ball?

The average life of a golf ball, when stored properly, is about 10 years. While golf balls do get old, the overall performance will generally be maintained with proper storage and care.

When should you throw away a golf ball?

Now, see if your ball is going to float. Drop it in, and walk away for a minute or two. If the cover is intact, then there should be absolutely no leakage to the internal area of your golf ball. If it starts to sink or you see any air bubbles coming up at all, it's a sign that the cover has a microfracture.

Do golf balls lose distance after use?

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.

Does a golf ball flatten when hit?

At impact as the golf ball reacts to the energy that the club head imparts to it, not only does the side of the golf ball that was hit flatten as you would expect but all that energy transfers through the whole golf ball deforming it sufficiently that just before it flies away it is actually longer than normal and not ...

Do golf balls squish?

It may not feel like it at times, but golf balls are designed to compress during the moment of impact with the golf club, and then expand as it flies off the face. The faster the swing, basically, and the more the golf ball will compress. More golf ball compression means more velocity, which means more distance.

Does water damage golf balls?

It depends on how long a golf ball has immersed underwater. Even waterlogged golf balls can last a long time, but their playing effectiveness will decrease. When a more significant fracture appears on the ball's cover, and the water invades the inner part on a bigger scale, the water can ruin the golf ball.

Do new golf balls go further than old ones?

Lab tests, including our own, show little or no loss in yardage compared to new balls, and most golfers report no appreciable difference in play. But most of this research is based on tests of mint-quality used golf balls pulled from water hazards with no understanding of how much time each ball spent underwater.

How often should you change golf balls?

The most simple answer to the question of how often should you change your golf ball is that there are no set rules. Some Tour players change their ball after a certain number of holes, but the truth is, this is more based on superstition than the diminishing quality of the ball itself.

How does age effect golf balls?

A: I called my sales representative from Callaway Golf and he indicated that golf balls have changed a great deal over the years. He stated golf balls are now designed with multi-layer surfaces and solid cores, therefore will not go bad or impact performance.

Do pro golfers use a new ball on each hole?

Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.

Are expensive golf balls better?

The average golfer won't get enough benefit to justify paying the higher price and would be better off using that money to work on their swing. The only benefit to an expensive golf ball would be the increased spin around the green and the nice soft feel at impact.

Does the brand of golf ball really matter?

The quality of golf ball you use definitely matters and impacts on your game. Higher quality, more expensive golf balls generally have a urethane cover, leading to greater 'feel' and spin control. Premium balls will usually perform longer and hold greens more consistently, helping you shoot lower scores.

Do golf balls go bad in heat?

Golf balls stored at room temperature have a shelf life of around a decade or longer if they are brand new. However, if they are stored in extremely cold conditions or hot conditions, the balls will deteriorate more quickly.

Should you use the same golf balls?

By playing the same ball every time you tee it up, you will start to eliminate performance differences from various ball models which will build confidence and consistency which will aid you in shooting lower scores.”

How do you know if a golf ball is good?

Drop Them. One of the simplest ways to check your golf ball's performance is by giving it a good, old-fashioned bounce using any hard surface like a tile floor or countertop. Your goal is to make the ball bounce as high as you can reasonably bounce it without damaging anything in your home.

What is the farthest a golf ball has ever been hit?

The world record recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest drive in a competition is 515 yards (471 m) by 64-year-old Mike Austin in 1974 at the US Senior National Open Qualifier with a 43.5" steel shafted persimmon wood driver.

How hard do pros hit golf balls?

To be expected, professional tour players have ball speed statistics that exceed amateur golfers. According to TrackMan, the average ball speed for a PGA Tour player is 168 mph. Statistical leaders in 2022 include: Cameron Champ (188.29)