Golfer’s like to know everything there is to know about the game of golf. From what tee they should be using or How To Hit Their Irons Of The Tee Box and everything in between.
One thing most golfers don’t understand is what do the numbers on golf balls mean and can understanding what they mean help their game?
Well, the answer to that is yes and without wasting any more time let’s dive straight into the article and find out why these golf ball numbers matter.
Enjoy!
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What Is The Number Under The Brand Name?
This single-digit number will be present on all golf balls and has an essential purpose. It is printed on the golf ball so that golfers can figure out which golf ball is theirs and which is their golf buddies.
It’s called an identification number and can be located right underneath the brand name lined up in the center.
The majority of golf balls will have the numbers 1,2,3 or 4 in this location as these are the standard ones from many golf ball manufacturers.
When you purchase golf balls there will be four sleeves of golf balls, split into 3 golf balls per sleeve and each sleeve will have one of these numbers. The first sleeve will have all 1’s as the identification number, the second will have all 2’s, and the third… well you get the point.
There are some golf balls where this single-digit number will go as high as 9 from the manufacturers. Certain brands like Titleist or Taylormade have been known to use double-digit identification numbers for certain golf balls they produce.
That being said if you order yourself some custom golf balls there is usually an option to select your own number.
An example of when these numbers on golf balls will come in useful is if you’re playing in a 4-ball and you’re all using the exact same golf ball. Without any additional markings on your golf balls, you won’t be able to figure out which one is yours.
However in the perfect scenario, your golf ball has a 1 on it, the next player has a 2, the third has a 3 and the 4th has a 4.
Now by checking this number you won’t be fighting over whose golf ball it is beside the hole on a par 3!
Meaning that you don’t have to worry about someone playing the wrong golf ball on the golf course.
What If You See A Two-Digit Number On Your Golf Ball
Two-digit numbers on most golf balls are either an identification number or they’re the golf ball compression rating of that golf ball.
Simply put this two-digit number would indicate how hard you would have to hit the golf ball to get the most out of it.
A golf ball compression rating of 90+ would be better suited for an avid golfer with a faster swing speed and a golf ball with a rating of 40 would be best suited for a slower swing speed.
However, finding a golf ball with this number is highly unlikely in this day and age. Compression ratings were huge back in the 90s but most golf ball manufacturers stopped printing them on their balls. This means if you ever do come across a ball with this number it’s more than likely a really old golf ball.
Male golfers use to avoid golf balls with low compression ratings and only want to play with balls with a higher rating.
Most of the time it was a choice made out of ego so you could tell your buddy you play with a 95 compression rating rather than a 50.
Golf ball manufacturers noticed this trend and decided to remove the compression rating altogether in a bid to sell more golf balls.
What Is The Three-Digit Number On Your Golf Ball
A triple-digit number on your golf ball can be one of two things, if the numbers on golf balls are around 100 it’s most likely a compression rating but if it’s 300+ that is the dimple count of the golf ball.
The higher the compression rating the harder the golf ball it is.
Why would they print this on the golf ball and do dimples make a difference?
Well, certain brands will print it on the golf ball from a pure marketing standpoint to entice golfers to buy the golf ball. But just because printing this three digit number on the ball is a marketing gimmick it doesn’t mean dimples aren’t important.
In fact, if you took a golf ball that had no dimples at all and a Pro V1 that has 388 dimples and hit them with the same club head speed the Pro V1 would travel 3-4 times further.
Without getting into the science of it all these dimples help the golf ball travel further and more efficiently through the air.
Are There Any Numbers That Can’t Go On A Golf Ball?
The short answer is no. With the way, the internet is today if you wanted the number 1,087,345,621 on your golf ball you will find somewhere online that will do it for you.
Many professional golfers have special numbers printed on their balls to remind them of special moments or just because it’s their lucky number!
Now you know what those numbers are about why not get check out our blog telling you exactly What a Breakfast Ball is next?
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