You can imagine, even if, admit it, you have already asked yourself the question: what do the numbers on our balls mean? Might as well raise the suspense right away: today nothing, except to differentiate them. But before…
Whether purists don’t mind, the little white ball takes on colors. In all senses of the word, because the market is growing and “flashy” offers abound. What does not change is the number inscribed above the mark. But what exactly is it for?
Differentiate the ball
The figure is used to differentiate the ball from our partners who may have the same tastes in the matter (With so many models it’s crazy, right?). No regulation prohibits encryption and its number. So today we see balls blooming with any number, which was not the case before and for a simple reason: superstition.
From the 1920s, the ball began to be encrypted although the offer was still limited to a few brands. This never exceeded the number 4 or even, more rarely, the 5. We should not let the players understand that they could achieve a higher score!
Exceptions for champions and countries
During the middle of the 20th century, several manufacturers adapted their market according to local superstitions! This is particularly the case in Asia and in Japan in particular, where the majority of inhabitants are tetraphobes: they have an aversion to 4. Thus, in a box of twelve, the balls are generally stamped 1, 2, 3 and… 7!
This did not stop the legend Isao Aoki, the first Japanese titled abroad, to play with his favorite number on… 5. Like him, other champions had the opportunity to customize their balls such as the American Sam Snead who played with the 0. This tradition continues among the current pros: Rory McIlroy types with 22 (his wedding anniversary), Jason Day with 87 (his year of birth), Justin Rose with 99 (lucky number), Tiger Woods with the 1 (needless to say why)…
The Dunlop 65 more sought after than the ProV1
Today, even ordinary golfers can customize their balls with any number from 00 to 99. This is also the case for consumer sales, with the notable exception of the 65 which has become … A brand.
Since 1924, the British Open had been won only by the Americans. When in 1934, the English Henry Cotton finally breaks the Indian sign, he becomes a national hero. Especially since he won with style: in the second round, he set the Open record with a magnificent 65. The following year, Dunlop scored a superb commercial shot by releasing a new ball, the Dunlop 65 – more later renamed Maxfli 65 – which would remain a bestseller in Britain for several years.
Other figures
Each manufacturer has his own way of indicating the characteristics of his products. Some would put the number in red to let the customer know they were playing with a low ball. compression, intended more for women. Others mentioned it with a number between 70 and 100.
Most affixed another even larger number, greater than 300: this was to specify the number alveoli used.
That purists (and those who prefer the purity) rejoice: all this encryption tends to disappear. It really only serves to differentiate the ball. Always with a preference for a number less than 5 …
