When you first picked up the golf ball, you may have noticed the number on it, but paid no attention to it, thinking it just is part of the ball brand. But in reality, the number on the ball is an actual identification label for the golf ball.
The numbers you see on a golf ball, is used as an identification that be for either, distinguishing the players if they are using the same ball, highlight the compression rating of the ball, or it can refer to the number of dimples on the ball itself.
You may still wonder why golf balls have different numbers printed on them, or why they are sometimes single, double or tripe digit numbers. In this guide, we will explore this further to help you become a smarter golfer.
Why Golf Balls Have Numbers On Them
The first question we may ask is just why golf balls need to have numbers on them. Well, just like other items in everyday life, having numbers on them helps with identification or labeling of something it belongs to.
With golf balls, it’s the same. Having the numbers helps golfers identify specific properties of the golf ball, or who it belongs to!
What Do Numbers On the Golf Ball Mean
Often you may see a ball that has either single digits, double digits, or triple digits. These are simply identification numbers used for different reasons, as we will explain below.
Single Digit Numbers
The most common number you will see on golf balls these days is a single digit. Having a single-digit number of a ball is simply to make sure you know which player the ball belongs to.
Say you are playing a golf game with a friend and you both use Titleist Pro V1X23 balls, how would you identify which one is yours? Simple, by making sure you both use the set in a box that has its own unique number.
That way when the ball lands close to each other, you can just check the number on them to identity who it belongs to.
Double Digit Numbers
If the ball has double or two-digit numbers on it, it’s likely to refer to the golf ball compression rating. Typically, the number ranges between 70 and 100, and measures the ball’s hardness. This affects how it feels upon impact, with lower numbers indicating a softer ball.
However, it’s rare to see these numbers in modern golf balls as manufacturers prefer to just highlight in the name what type of ball it is rather than including the full numbers.
Triple Digit Numbers
Golf balls may also have a three-digit number stamped on them, which usually range between 300 to 500. These just refer to the total number of dimples on the golf ball, and these help the golf ball fly straight and stay in the air longer.
Like the double digit numbers, golf ball manufacturers often opt to not show these on the ball anymore, and just stick with the single number for golf players to identify who it belongs to.
What Do the Colored Numbers on Golf Balls Mean
Now that you know what the numbers mean, you may also wonder about what the colors mean. Simply put, they are again just used for identification, and mainly for aesthetics.
Like numbers, they just show which player the ball belongs to. Sometimes, it’s used for a golf ball manufacturer to indicate the model within a golf ball range.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, the numbers on a golf ball, is used as an identification that be for either, distinguishing the players if they are using the same ball, highlight the compression rating of the ball, or it can refer to the number of dimples on the ball itself.
So now, the next time you go out and play with your friends, which golf ball number will you be bringing to identify it as your own?
