Balata balls

[vig]

Having recently returned to the game after a long lay off (too long) i was wondering why the manufacturers stopped making balata balls as they were the ball of my choice (still have a couple in the garage) Was it solely down to the technical advancements of the clubs or some other reason. I remember that they produced a smile on the skin after a few shots.
What is the nearest comparison in modern balls? I have only tried Pro v's Nike one platinum and Srixon ad333
And lastly did Srixon buy out another manufacturer as i can't ever remember them from my youth.

 

[madandra]

Vig, I think there were numerous reasons for moving to solid core balls.

For a start the solid core balls don't loose their shape as easily as Balata which means it lasts longer. Balata balls were squashed at impact from the driver which lead to egg shape balls.

Manufacturers probably find it easier to manufacture a solid core ball as opposed to the liquid filled inner bal of a Balata. So they probably make a Pro V1 for 9p and an old Professional 90 may have cost 50p

Adding a softer cover meant there was no advantage of using Balatas anymore.

Thats what I think anyway.

 

[3636]

If you wont balata balls tesco sell them.

 

[vig]

One of the reasons why I asked was that the new balls looks like 12 o'clock shadow after a few hits with the Cally wedges. I carry a penknife to trim off the bits.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Ah yes the balata ball. I remember it well. You had to be a good striker of the ball as any thing resembling a thin would leave a huge smile on the ball making it useless to play.

I think the introduction of soft feeling more durable solid core balls was the death knell for balata especially once the pros strated to defect to the newer brands.

Srixon to my knowledge have grown themselves without any major acquisitions and are just new kids on the golfing block producing decent geat (especialyy their balls)

 

[vig]

Srixon began supplying balls to the Dunlop Slazenger Group in the 1980's and in 1990 produced their Maxfli Balata HT ball. Srixon were actually the first golf ball manufacturer to pioneer the use of soft balata rubber in the manufacture of golf balls, which was without question the ball of choice of all better golfers.

This is from the srixon website, i thought that i had seen somewhere that they had over 70 years experience.

Interestingly you can put in your current ball, H/cap and 6 iron distance and it "custom fits" a ball from their range

 

[RGuk]

If you want balata balls tesco sell them.

Z-balata......!!


I hope they are not real ones!!! ooohh, nasty, I remember them and the egg shaped lark, and the cuts, and the uncontrollable spin.....

 

[Nico]

Yep,good post!!

Srixon have been one of the largest ball manufacturers for many years.

As at a couple of years ago they held more patents than Titleist,Callaway and TM combined.

Newcomers?

 

[USER1999]

Balatas didn't go anywhere compared to modern balls. I used to play with Titleist balalt 90s, and even when smashed with a driver they went absolutely no where compared to a modern ball. Nice around the greens though.
Give me a prov1 any day.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

One of the reasons why I asked was that the new balls looks like 12 o'clock shadow after a few hits with the Cally wedges. I carry a penknife to trim off the bits.

That's very true - my 60deg X Tour scuffs the ball up no end, even from short chips shots. But they stop dead.

One of my old playing partners swore by Slazenger "wound" golf balls - when was the last time 'lacky bands were used in golf ball manufacture I wonder?

 

[Nico]

Not long ago I think.

Could be wrong but I think Titleist Professionals were wound and they only got phased out for the Pro v1

 

[madandra]

Nico is spot on and I actually found one last week and it is in great nick. If anybody wants it, let me know.