One question you may have always wondered is, what are golf balls really made of that cause them to go so far? You’ve always held a golf ball and hit it many times, but do you really know all the engineering that has made this perfect ball for golf?
In short, a golf ball is typically made of a rubber core surrounded by a hard cover of either Surlyn or urethane. There are 3 main parts to a golf ball which are the core, the mantle, and the cover.
In this article, we will learn more about the history of the golf ball and then what a modern golf ball is made of. So let’s dive right in!
A History of the Golf Ball
The history of the golf ball is an interesting story that showcases the impressive progression of innovation and material science.
- In the early days of golf in the 14th century, the balls were wooden and made from hardwoods such as beech.
- By the 17th century, these were replaced with more sophisticated balls called “featheries”, made from a leather pouch stuff with wet feathers. These expanded as they dried, improving playability, however, these were expensive to product.
- In the mid-19th century, a ball made from the sap of the Gutta tree was introduced. These “gutties” were much more affordable and durable.
- By the 20th century,rubber-core golf balls were introduced. These revolutionized the golf ball design, enhancing the distance and durability of it. Introducing the dimple patterns on the golf ball laid the foundations to bring about the ball we know as today’s golf ball.
- Today, these balls are characterized by sophisticated engineering of multi-layer constructions that use synthetic materials that we will explain below. These materials enhance the golfers game significantly as they tailor to different type of players, and for different type of shots.
What Is a Golf Ball Made Of?
Now that we know the history of the golf ball, let’s dive into understanding what the actual golf balls comprise, and how golf ball manufacturers construct them.
What is in a Golf Ball’s Core?
At the heart of a golf ball is its core itself. This is primarily made up of synthetic rubber compounds, which are what determine the ball’s overall performance, in terms of distance, velocity, and spin.
Synthetic rubber is used because it provides a high resilience, that helps create that explosive energy transfer needed for long distance shots.
Manufacturers often adjust the composition of the core by adding other material, such as metal salts, plasticizers. These help to make the ball heavier, or more flexible, which in terms controls the ball’s feel, compression and in flight characteristics.
This precise engineering of the golf ball construction helps golfers, of many skill levels, find a ball that matches their experience and style of play, to maximize their golf course performance.
What is in a Golf Ball’s Cover?
The outermost layer of the golf ball, the cover, plays a crucial part in influencing the ball’s durability, spin rate, and overall feel. Generally, they comprise two primary materials:
- Surlyn – a trademark name for ionomer resins developed by DuPont. These are known for their durability and resistance to damage, making them last longer. They provide less spin, which helps golfers get more distances. This type of ball is popular amongst recreational golfers.
- Urethane – a much softer cover material than Syrlyn, which provides more spin, especially in short game situations where you need extra control and the feel of the ball. These type of material is often favorites by professionals since they provide more control over the ball’s spin and trajectory, helping them navigate the course better.
The type of material you decide on for your golf ball, ultimately, is a personal choice that depends on your skill level and playing style. Personally, I prefer to use Surlyn golf balls as they had me create longer distances during the tee off.
What is in a Golf Ball’s Mantle?
The next layer of a golf ball is the mantle, which sits between the core and the cover. This part of the golf ball is key in creating a balance between distance, feel and control.
The layer is often made from firm material, such as ionmer, or a thermoplastic material. This material is usually designed to work together with the core and the cover, to define how the ball reacts during impact with the golf club.
Golf manufacturers play around the mantle to create different layers that influences how the ball reacts upon impact. For example, a 3 piece golf ball has a mantle that can help reduce the spin from a driver for a longer time, but still being able to provide spin with other clubs. This helps you with course management around the golf course.
Adding more layers to golf balls can further refine the ball’s performance, such as improving energy transfer for increasing distance, or increasing the softness for a better feel. This is also a reason multi layer golf balls are usually costlier than single layer balls.
The composition of the mantle layers varies between all the manufacturers depending on whether they are made to affect ball spin, spin rates, or responsiveness. One example of a multilayer ball is Titleist’s five pieces golf balls. These layers help create longer distances but still mitigate spin-rate to help golfers have maximum control.
How Long Do Golf Balls Last?
Golf balls are durable, but ultimately, the lifetime of it depends on some key factors:
- Construction & Material Quality
- Playing Conditions
- Storage & Usage
Typically, a single golf ball can last for several golf rounds, provided it doesn’t suffer significant damage. Competitive players, however, replace balls more often to ensure they are maximizing their performance. If you really want to minimize the risk of being affected by a damage ball, you can replace it every round.
Final Thoughts
As discussed in this article, a golf ball is typically made of a rubber core surrounded by a hard cover of either Surlyn or urethane. There are 3 main parts to a golf ball which are the core, the mantle, and the cover.
With the many types of golf balls available today, the type of ball you decide to buy really depends on your own preference. Are you looking to hit further? Or are you looking to shape each shot to help you navigate the course better?
Answer these questions, and you will know which ball to pick for your next round of golf!
