Most golfers find themselves asking why their golf balls have dimples. While it’s important to play the right driver, irons, and other golf clubs, the choice of your golf ball is just as important.
Your golf ball’s performance impacts your overall game. So, make sure you feed yourself with enough information about the dimple patterns in golf history.
Golf Ball Dimples
The history of golf balls with dimples goes back to the year 1848 when Dr. Robert Adams Patterson invented the gutta-percha ball (also known as the gutty or guttie). Guttie was made from molded tree sap and was much cheaper to produce and reform than the original golf balls.
Soon enough, many golfers started noticing that the game got better when they played with these balls instead of the former perfectly smooth golf balls.
So, the manufacturers intentionally added dimples using a knife or hammer to form texture in the balls. By the early 1900s, these balls became the norm and many patents were filed.
Golf Ball Dimple Design
“When dimples are added to a golf ball, it creates a tiny layer of air around the golf ball that significantly cuts down drag. This forces the air to flow over a larger proportion of the ball, which results in a much smoother ball flight,” according to Golf.com.
Also, since flat objects don’t move through the air consistently, it makes the game more difficult.
Another reason is- dimples have a major impact on the distance required by a golfer.
A Scientific American article said and I quote, “A smooth golf ball hit by a professional golfer would travel only about half as far as a golf ball with dimple does. Most golf balls have between 300 and 500 dimples, which have an average depth of about 0.010 inch.”
Dimples help with lift which creates the backspin needed for a consistent ball fight. The American article also pointed out, “A smooth ball with backspin creates lift by warping the airflow such that the ball acts like an airplane’s wing. The spinning action makes the air pressure on the bottom of the ball higher than the air pressure on the top; this imbalance creates an upward force on the ball.”
According to a report, dimples provide as much as 50% of the total lift factor! Without dimples, you are very likely to hit a ton of low-flying and inconsistent knuckleballs.
If you want to get the most out of your game, you must get a golf ball with dimples. Or try it out for yourself. Go find a worn-down range ball and try to play with it on the course.
Spoiler alert! You will see how much the smooth surface negatively affects your performance after a few wings. To know more about this in-depth, make sure you read our article on how long a golf ball lasts.
Most dimples are circular, while some have outlines including the Callaway HX golf ball, which used hexagon dimples to alter the performance.
How Many Dimples Are on a Golf Ball
It varies from one golf ball to another. Most Titleist and Callaway golf balls have between 328-376 dimples. Mizuno tends to have more (one model having over 500 dimples).
You can always check the specifics on your favorite balls’ manufacturer’s website.
Although more dimples do not imply a better performance, a company with 1700 dimples on a golf ball discontinued the model.
Also, did you know there are different dimple designs, too? That’s true. While most dimples are circular, there have been some outlines including the Callaway HX golf ball. They used hexagon dimples to alter the performance.
USGA Limits
While there is no limit on total dimples, there is strict testing and approval done from the USGA and R&A side.
However, according to the rules of golf, a ball can’t weigh more than 1.620 ounces and the diameter should not be less than 1.680 inches. The ball needs to perform within a specific distance, symmetry, and velocity limits.
FAQ
1. Why are there dimples on a golf ball?
Dimples on a golf ball provide benefits like distance, launch, and spin.
2. What is the depth of dimples on a golf ball?
The average dimple depth is about .010 inches.
Note that a change of even .0001 can have a huge impact on the distance and trajectory.
3. What are the dents on a golf ball called?
The dents are called dimples, instead.
4. How many dimples does a Pro V1 have?
The Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1X are two of the most popular balls in golf. The Pro V1X has fewer dimples- 388, while the Pro V1 has 388.
If you want a higher ball flight, go for the Pro V1X, whereas if you want a more penetrating flight opt for the original design.
My Suggestion
Never have I consciously thought about golf ball dimples, but at the same time, I never undermine the importance of finding the right golf ball for the swing. Playing with a ball that’s too firm or soft will only make your game harder.
You must test out different golf balls and see what works best for your unique swing. Don’t just play with a ball because your favorite golfers or your team is.
What you can do is use an online golf ball fitting tool. Or when you are doing a custom fitting, inquire about testing out balls. This will not only make a big difference in your ball flight but also the distance and accuracy rate.
Also, it might help you save money if you’ve been playing with an expensive ball when you don’t need to.
Final Thoughts
Golf ball manufacturers make dimpled golf balls for many reasons. A few of them are, dimples improve aerodynamic performance, improve golf ball’s lift, and help with more lift.
Make sure you use the right golf ball for your game as without a branded golf ball with dimples, your performance might suffer big time.
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