Jump to content
IGNORED

Where did 1.68" ball size come from?


Note: This thread is 3343 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

1-17/25" seems a very strange number to arrive at for a minimum ball size, as it fits poorly into common metric or english units of measurement. I thought perhaps it came about because of some common thinking relevant at that point in history when the decision was made, but it escapes me as to what the thoughts were or metrics used by those who chose to use 1.68" for the minimum diameter of a golf ball. What gives?

Tom R.

TM R1 on a USTv2, TM 3wHL on USTv2, TM Rescue 11 in 17,TM udi #3, Rocketbladez tour kbs reg, Mack Daddy 50.10,54.14,60.14, Cleveland putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Moderator

Some info here

http://www.golfball-guide.de/history.htm

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Thank you, that corresponds with info I have read along the lines of the larger ball sitting up better. I am sure the shots into the green were improved for those dominating US players. I was interested in reading elsewhere that the 1.62" ball at 1.62 ounces also was utilizing a math relationship called the golden ratio. That sounds very european to me, and could be something they did because it was a natural harmonic asthetically and physically according to some.

Tom R.

TM R1 on a USTv2, TM 3wHL on USTv2, TM Rescue 11 in 17,TM udi #3, Rocketbladez tour kbs reg, Mack Daddy 50.10,54.14,60.14, Cleveland putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I read that info, Mike, thanks.  But the info did not tell us WHY the arbiters of golf,  R&A; and USGA, chose that size of ball only that the 'small ball' was in place first.  Then the USGA wanted to use the 'big ball' and eventually, now, only the big ball remains in use.

From 1920, on to 1988 the size progression was: 1.62", then 1.66" finally 1.68".  I wonder is there some relationship between the ball size and the cup size.  Well, i'll let the engineers work that out.

I read some time ago that the cup size was gotten from an old drainage pipe stuck in the sand at St. Andrew's, which happened to serve well. So that pipe (size) was spread throughout the world.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


It is interesting that you would say that about a pipe, because the inside diameter of some stainless and aluminum pipe I ran across allows for a go-no go sizing for ball size. Being a game, it would not shock me in the least that the right person could have looked around their barn and come up with these numbers, since a century ago there was nowhere near the financial pressure or social involvment with golf that the game enjoys today.

Tom R.

TM R1 on a USTv2, TM 3wHL on USTv2, TM Rescue 11 in 17,TM udi #3, Rocketbladez tour kbs reg, Mack Daddy 50.10,54.14,60.14, Cleveland putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 3343 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • However, have you ever considered using small summer houses for such setups? They offer a great solution for creating dedicated practice areas, especially for an affluent audience looking to enhance their outdoor living space.
    • I've played Bali Hai, Bear's Best and Painted Desert. I enjoyed Bali Hai the most--course was in great shape, friendly staff and got paired in a great group. Bear's Best greens were very fast, didn't hold the ball well (I normally have enough spin to stop the ball after 1-2 hops).  The sand was different on many holes. Some were even dark sand (recreation of holes from Hawaii). Unfortunately I was single and paired with a local "member" who only played the front 9.  We were stuck behind a slow 4-some who wouldn't let me through even when the local left. Painted Desert was decent, just a bit far from the Strip where we were staying.
    • Wordle 1,035 3/6 ⬜🟨🟨🟩⬜ 🟨🟨🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Just lipped out that Eagle putt, easy tab-in Birdie
    • Day 106 - Worked on chipping/pitching. Focus was feeling the club fall to the ground as my body rotated through. 
    • Honestly, unless there's something about that rough there that makes it abnormally penal or a lost ball likely, this might be the play. I don't know how the mystrategy cone works, but per LSW, you don't use every shot for your shot zones. In that scatter plot, you have no balls in the bunker, and 1 in the penalty area. The median outcome seems to be a 50 yard pitch. Even if you aren't great from 50 yards, you're better off there than in a fairway bunker or the penalty area on the right of the fairway. It could also be a strategy you keep in your back pocket if you need to make up ground. Maybe this is a higher average score with driver, but better chance at a birdie. Maybe you are hitting your driver well and feel comfortable with letting one rip.  I get not wanting to wait and not wanting to endanger people on the tee, but in a tournament, I think I value playing for score more than waiting. I don't value that over hurting people, but you can always yell fore 😆 Only thing I would say is I'm not sure whether that cone is the best representation of the strategy (see my comment above about LSW's shot zones). To me, it looks like a 4 iron where you're aiming closer to the bunker might be the play. You have a lot of shots out to the right and only a few to the left. Obviously, I don't know where you are aiming (and this is a limitation of MyStrategy), but it seems like most of your 4 iron shots are right. You have 2 in the bunker but aiming a bit closer to the bunker won't bring more of your shots into the bunker. It does bring a few away from the penalty area on the right.  This could also depend on how severe the penalties are for missing the green. Do you need to be closer to avoid issues around the green?  It's not a bad strategy to hit 6 iron off the tee, be in the fairway, and have 150ish in. I'm probably overthinking this.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...