What is a golf ball?
The golf ball is the small ball that is struck from the tee all the way to the hole. It may seem simple, but it is a highly technical object: its construction and surface are designed to travel far with long clubs while remaining controllable around the green.
What are the dimensions of a golf ball?
The R&A and USGA Rules of Equipment stipulate:
- a maximum weight of 45.93 g (1,620 ounces). There is no minimum weight;
- a minimum diameter of 42.67 mm (1.680 inches). There is no maximum diameter, but a larger ball would not travel as far.
The ball must also be spherical and meet the requirements for initial velocity and distance, as measured in a laboratory. In competition, only balls listed on the official list of approved balls are permitted when required by the event rules.
How is a golf ball made?
- The kernel: the core of the ball, usually made of synthetic rubber. It is this core that returns most of the energy from the impact and thus determines the ball's speed.
- The intermediate layers (on three-piece or multi-piece golf balls): They control the amount of spin depending on the club used.
- The Envelope: the outer layer, made of ionomer (harder and more durable) or urethane (softer, which grips the club's grooves better and provides more spin on short shots).
Two-piece, three-piece, or multi-piece balls: What's the difference?
| Construction | Features | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Two-room apartment | Core and cover, often made of ionomer: durable, minimal spin, straight flight | Beginners and players looking for distance and durability |
| Three-room apartment | An extra layer: a better balance between distance and spin | Players who want more control around the green |
| Four or more rooms | Multiple layers adjusted on a club-by-club basis, often with a urethane coating | Skilled players, high swing speed |
What is the purpose of the dimples on a golf ball?
The small cavities that cover the surface, called cells (in English dimples), change the way air flows around the ball. They reduce drag, and, combined with the backspin The spin generated by the club creates lift that keeps the ball in the air. A perfectly smooth ball struck in the same way would travel significantly less distance.
What is ball compression?
The compression measures how the ball deforms upon impact. A low-compression ball is softer; a high-compression ball is firmer. There is no standard scale across manufacturers, and the idea that a given swing speed dictates a specific compression rating remains a matter of debate. The safest approach is to compare a few models on the shots that matter most to you, particularly approach shots and putts.
How to Choose a Golf Ball
- Getting Started: A durable, inexpensive two-piece ball is all you need, since you'll lose a lot of them.
- To navigate around the green: A ball with a softer cover helps stop the ball on its approach.
- For consistency: Playing the same model consistently helps you learn how it responds, both on long shots and when putting.
What do the Rules say about the ball during a round?
A player must play a ball that complies with the rules and is responsible for identifying it; that is why the ball is marked with a personal mark. If the local rule known as the “single-ball rule” is in effect, the player must play the same mark and model throughout the round.
Related sections
Guides to Read
Related terms
Frequently Asked Questions: Golf Balls
How much does a golf ball weigh?
A maximum of 45.93 g, according to the Equipment Rules. There is no minimum weight.
What is the diameter of a golf ball?
At least 42.67 mm. A bullet can be larger, but it wouldn't travel as far.
How many layers does a golf ball have?
About two to five, depending on the model. Two-piece balls are durable and designed for distance, while multi-layer balls offer more control around the green.
Why does a golf ball have dimples?
The dimples reduce drag and, together with backspin, create lift that keeps the ball in the air longer. A smooth ball would travel much a shorter distance.