Inside a golf ball
Posted on January 31, 2022
Have you ever wondered what your golf ball is made of? That little white ball that flies through the air and gives you great joy or at times next levels of frustration?!
The production of a golf ball is very interesting and quite unique and there is a whole lot of technology that goes into both it’s development and production.
The core or internal substrate of a golf ball is the ‘engine’ of the ball. What it is made of and how it is produced will completely change the use, playability and distance of the ball eg. a Driving Range ball is much denser and heavier than a normal golf ball and it should only be used on the driving range (and will impact your play if used on the greens!)
The process of making a golf ball begins at the core mixing – the inner core/inside substrate of the ball where every ball has it’s own unique formulation of carefully selected rubber materials and components. These formulations are tested and re-tested, with the soft core substrate made from a list of secret ingredients that can change the compression and weight of the ball.
Once combined, this substrate is then extruded, formed and cured along a production line under heat, and is then compression-molded into the shape of the inner core. When it comes out of the mold the cores are then ground into a perfect sphere.
Throughout the production process, a number of unique thermoplastic layers with different properties are then added around the inner core to create the different variety and types of golf balls (you can see these different layers if you cut through the centre of a golf ball).
At each stage of the process, the ball is again ground to produce a perfectly round shape before moving onto the next step in production.
Once all of the different layers have been added around the inner core to create it’s individual and special formula, the ball is then prepared for the final step where the external urethane layer and the dimples are added to the outside of the ball. Every golf ball is weighed and x-rayed, from buffing to painting, to stamping and clear coating – everything is monitored, every step of the way.
The making of a golf ball is quite a complex production process and throughout each manufacturing step, a precision and attention to detail is applied that is second to none to provide consistency to ensure a perfect replica from golf ball to golf ball. The result is a flawlessly formed golf ball each time, manufactured and engineered to help you to get the best out of your game!
Header image photograph credited to David Dusek
