Integrate Antique Golf Balls As Part Of Your Collection
In the event that you collect antique golf clubs, think about adding some antique golf balls to enhance your collection.
Just like when shopping for vintage golf clubs, there are some guiding principles for assessing your investment.
History of the golf ball
The sport of golf began in the late Fourteenth century and achieved immense popularity in Scotland. Famous people, kings and ranking nobles used to play this game in their relaxation time. The golf balls and other golf products that had been manufactured in those times were completely different from the modern version. With the help of the remaining antique bags, clubs and balls we’re able to collect a considerable amount of info relating to the design and style of the equipment which was used in times gone bye.
True value of antique golf balls
The enthusiastic collection of antique golf balls, clubs, bags together with other accessories began on a large scale close to Thirty or forty years ago. In those days, these items were only acquired by actual antique collectors, however today, the whole scenario has changed and the items are collected by both the casual golf enthusiast and pro players(that are fascinated with owning a piece of the history of the sport). You may find antique pieces at garage sales and flea markets but they are becoming more and more rare, and therefore progressively more hard to find.
Some antique golf balls which are absolutely authentic
The Feather Ball
The feather ball phase was the longest period of stability in the history of the golf ball. The feathery ball period went on from as early as the Fourteenth Century to as late as the 16th Century and had been produced through to the early 1850’s. In its beginnings the leather golf balls were likely to have been stuffed with wool or hair. Most of these balls quickly lost their durability and eventually it was discovered that using feathers provided a more lively and longer lasting ball.
The Gutty Ball
Modern times can be said to have launched during this time, after the featherie golf ball was replaced by the gutta-percha golf ball. As the industrial revolution gathered steam in great britain and businesses began to turn out an increasing number of products with rubber…it was inevitable that somebody would make an effort to replace the feathery with a much more durable material.
The Bramble
Adoringly known as the bramble period, because the balls looked like the fruit found on brambles in the country side, with a raised dimple pattern on the golf ball. To start with bramble balls were entirely made of gutty-percha and then covered with a bramble pattern cover. The bramble instantly overtook the gutty as the favorite choice of the then pro golfers. This was the introduction of the dimpled ball as we know it these days.
The Mesh
During the latter part of the 1st decade in the 20th century, golf ball vendors were cropping up everywhere, and every company was testing rubber core mesh balls. It was at the start of this era that modern-day golf balls as you may know them came into being. Early dimple balls produced during the early 1900’s were proving to deliver players superior spin and feel.
The Dimple
The Dimple Period truly began back during the early 1900’s with the advent of inverted Dimple balls. These early dimple balls were manufactured at the same time frame as the bramble period and characterize the closest link to present day golf balls. The Dimple Style was found to assist with the control over ball trajectories with aerodynamic spin, it enabled players to put backspin on a shot, essentially stopping the ball dead on the green.
You really can see that antique golf balls offer another intriguing choice to the antique golf collector, so think about adding a few to your collection.
Andrew Shea has been involved in Antique Golf, both on a personal level, and in a professional capacity for many years. If you have a question or are interested in vintage golf clubs generally, you are always welcome at his site.
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