The gutta percha golf ball dates from the 1840's and is credited to Robert Adams Paterson. Made by boiling and then molding the latex-like sap from trees native to the Maylay peninsula, the gutta percha golf ball or "gutty" as it was commonly known, gradually replaced its predecessor, the feathery.
The gutty became popular not because it flew farther or straighter than the feathery, but because it sold for only one-fourth the price. Original gutta percha balls were molded as smooth as a billiard ball, but soon golfers of the day noted that they seemed to fly better after several rounds of play. This improved performance was eventually linked to having nicks or cuts on the balls. By the end of the gutta percha era in golf balls in the early twentieth century, manufacture had evolved to a dimpled surface, much like the golf balls of today. The gutta percha balls tended toward brown in color when left in their natural state, but most were painted white.
|
|
|
The main drawback of the gutty was its tendency to fragment in flight. Rules were adopted calling for the golfer to play from the point where the largest fragment had landed. Fortunately, the reduced price for gutties allowed easier ball replacement and in fact was the means of extending the game of golf more to the newly emerging middle class.
If you have items like these for sale, you may advertise them on this page.
If you know additional helpful facts on this subject, contact us!
Go back to Glossary Main Page.
|
