Golf is a club and ball sport that requires great precision. This game calls for a range of physical skills, with lots of problem solving involved. Endurance, exceptional eye-hand coordination and technique are the most important skills you’ll need to excel at golf. Whether you want to become a professional golfer or have some good old fun, you’ll need to know more about this sport before holding on to your first golf club.
Here are some interesting golf facts that will give you a clearer idea of how this sport evolved over the years.
Regulated golf balls should be no less than 1.68 inches in diameter and should weigh less than 4.62 oz. Image courtesy of Flickr.
Facts about Golf Balls
Golf balls are categorized into three types – multi-layered, high-performance and two-piece balls. Multi-layered balls have a solid or liquid core, with molded rubber as its outer core. Its high spin and softer feel provide players with better stopping power and more control. High-performance golf balls are best for low-handicap golfers because of their high spin and distance. The two-piece balls, which are designed for durability and distance, are great for beginners who tend to hit golf balls into hazards.
Every golfer should also be familiar with golf facts about ball compression, size and weight. A ball with an 80 compression rate creates a spring-like effect, so it travels farther than other balls. It is best for juniors, seniors and women. Balls with 100 compression rates have harder and tighter cores, thus requiring the high-speed swings of advanced golfers. In terms of size and weight, golf balls should be no less than 1.68 inches in diameter and should weigh less than 4.62 oz.
Important Golf Facts and Figures
- Golf was invented in the coast of Scotland during the 15th Century. The game continued to develop until 1744, when the first rules of golf were finally put into writing in Edinburgh.
- In 1471, golf was banned as Scotland prepared for the widespread English invasion. The ban wasn’t lifted until 1502, the time when the Treaty of Glasgow was signed
- In the past, golf balls were stuffed with feathers. Those with tighter packed feathers flew further than lighter ones. These balls were used in Scotland until 1848.
- Coby Orr, the youngest player who was able to hit a hole-in-one, is also included in compilation of interesting golf facts. This happened when he was only five years old.
- A golf ball with 336 dimples can travel four times farther than a smooth-surfaced one.
- According to most sources of golf facts and figures, over 3,000 new golf courses have been built between 1990 and 2003 in the United States alone. This figure implies golf’s unstoppable popularity among the old and young alike.
These interesting golf facts are all you need to improve your game and play like a professional golfer does. Now that you already know more about golf and its origin, you’ll have plenty of fascinating facts to share with your fellow golfers.
