1.62/1.68 inch balls

[John_Findlay]

I was watching a Jack Nicklaus interview the other day, reminiscing about his Open win at Muirfield.

He mentioned that he reckoned he needed a birdie 4 at the long 17th if he were to win. He hit the green with a 3 iron off the tee and a 5 iron approach (remember Phil's recent 3 wood/3wood) and mentioned that, of course, back then he was using the SMALL ball.

I had completely forgotten that when I took up the game we had a choice of ball size here in the UK. They say the small British ball went as far as 10% further. Does anyone remember? Have any memories of the advantages and disadvantages?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Yep I remember the different ball sizes. The 1.68 looked huge in comparison next to a small ball. There was a definite advantage using the smaller ball into the wind, not really sure about downwind though. I guess it would be logical for the bigger ball to go further downwind?

 

[delc]

I am also old enough to remember the British 1.62" ball. It was better in the wind and generally went a bit further than the U.S. ball. However it didn't sit up quite so well on the grass and was therefore slightly harder to hit well.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

If the balls have increased in size, why didn't the holes?

 

[delc]

If the balls have increased in size, why didn't the holes?

Good point! The U.S. ball is about 4% bigger than the old British ball, so on that basis the hole should be 4.4" in diameter!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Good point! The U.S. ball is about 4% bigger than the old British ball, so on that basis the hole should be 4.4" in diameter!

Why has noone else noticed this?

 

[John_Findlay]

Why has noone else noticed this?

We did at the time...but just moaned about how many fewer putts we made.

 

[CliveW]

Not only do I remember the smaller balls...

... I still have some.

 

[DCB]

Another thing, you bought your golf balls wrapped in paper in those days. It was part of the experience to sand on the first tee and unwrap a new ball before you sent it off down the fairway

Edit, just like those above

I remember getting a box of a dozen Spalding.large balls from an aunt in Canada one year. I was terrified I'd lose them. Any stray shots into the boonies usually required a converted search in the hope of finding the stray ball. We must have been murder to play behind

 

[CMAC]

Loved it when the bigger ball came in- it's so much easier to hit than a pebble sized British ball.

The hole size didnt change as the US (and others) were using the larger ball with standard holes well before us with no issues.

 

[CMAC]

Another thing, you bought your golf balls wrapped in paper in those days. It was part of the experience to sand on the first tee and unwrap a new ball before you sent it off down the fairway

Edit, just like those above

yep, even if you were in a hurry it was key to not unwrap until it was your turn, showing everyone you had a brand new ball (yes it was a big deal then)

 

[John_Findlay]

Not only do I remember the smaller balls...

... I still have some.

I'd be SOOOOO tempted to unwrap one of these and give it a whack to see how far it goes.

 

[6inchcup]

taking the tissue paper off (later foil) and seeing a pristine ball was a treat to a 9 year old,and that smell of a new ball a mixture of paint and resin,i remember using sand as a tee but used wooden tee pegs that were strangely wood colour,you had to hit it on the sweet spot (dont forget we used butter knife thin blades then) or your fingers stung.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

At first the larger ball seemed to make it easier, but that didn't last long!

Agree about the feeling generated by unwrapping a brand new ball. With some opponents that could be a "one up" start in matchplay.

 

[Blue in Munich]

If I remember correctly, there were 1.74" & 1.80" balls at some point, although I'm blowed if I can remember why they were introduced. The 1.62" didn't sit up as well on the fairway & seemed to bury itself at the bottom of any rough, but as others have said, was better in the wind.

 

[delc]

Many years ago my Father and I were members of Boldmere Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield. At the time it was a 9 hole course, and the 1st hole was a longish Par-3 that ran alongside the Sutton Park boating lake. One day the pro asked us to mark a card for a new member. He was obviously well to do, with very expensive clothes and the latest and best make of clubs. On the 1st tee he unwrapped a brand new Dunlop 65 golf ball (which was the best premium ball at the time) and proceeded to slice it into the boating lake. Another two brand new 65's followed. At this point my father suggested that perhaps he ought to use an old ball. He replied that he had never had a ball long enough for it to become old! :rofl:

 

[Maninblack4612]

What I remember most is that you hit one shot thin & the cover was cut to ribbons. Very expensive business using new balls in those days.

 

[delc]

What I remember most is that you hit one shot thin & the cover was cut to ribbons. Very expensive business using new balls in those days.

At least the ball ended up with a nice smile on its face! The premium balls were very easy to cut, but you could buy a ball called the Penfold Commando, which was almost indestructible. It was a one piece ball, something like a modern range ball, and only flew about as far!

 

[Foxholer]

I hit a Dunlop 65 with one of Nick Faldo's old Steel shafted Mizuno Persimmon Drivers a while ago. I was the only one of half a dozen of us that got it to fly higher than head height!

 

[Deleted member 18588]

At least the ball ended up with a nice smile on its face! The premium balls were very easy to cut, but you could buy a ball called the Penfold Commando, which was almost indestructible. It was a one piece ball, something like a modern range ball, and only flew about as far!

I don't think it was.