GOLF BALLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 18

GOLF BALLS

GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT The gutta-percha golf ball was introduced about 18 IS. Prior to that "featheries," a leather ball stuffed with feathers, were the only balls used The gutta ball passed through many stages, nicked, hand-hammered, and about ISKK) it had reached a high state of perfection, the finest bulls being sold at 12s per dozen. In 1901, the rubber-core ball was invented by Dr. Haskell, an American, and some of the new balls were tried in (ho British amateur championship at Hoylake tho following year. They gave little satisfaction as they burst readily and wcro too lively on the putting green. A few weeks later, when tho opon championship was decided, also at Hoylake, better examples of the rubber-core ball were available. Alex Herd played with ono and ho won the title. Tho gutta ball was quickly superseded and in 11103 the use of the rubbercore bull became general. The average score per round of the winners ol the open championship for the years 19021920 was 75.1, compared with 75.5 for the 10 years prior to the introduction of the rubber-core ball. From 1902 the championship courses were gradually increased in length pntil they are approximately 500 yards longer than in the days of the gutta ball. From 1H27-1U37 the average winning score per round was 72.2, showing tho continued implement.