"Something's wrong with this ball..."

[JohnnyDee]

After reading Maninblack's thread about muscle evaporation it got me thinking.

We've probably all been in a group were one of us announces that "they think there's something wrong with their ball because of X, Y or Z" We normally pull their leg suggesting that it's maybe not the ball but perhaps the 8 pints they'd had the night before.

I used to be quite skeptical about this aspect of the game subscribing to "a golf ball's a golf ball's a golf ball at the end of the day" school of thought. However I do now believe that a ball can be a dud, even one of our preferred type that to all intents and purposes looks in good nick can misbehave.

But here's my question, other than obvious wear on a ball what makes one go rogue? What are the faults that they can develop? Hairline cracks? Core going 'wonky'?

Anyone?

 

[SAPCOR1]

Interesting.....

If there is a tiny crack or hole in the ball, can water get in? I bought same lake balks a couple of years ago and I was certain some of them were duds but put it down to me

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Interesting.....

If there is a tiny crack or hole in the ball, can water get in? I bought same lake balks a couple of years ago and I was certain some of them were duds but put it down to me

I've had the same experience with some Pro V1's. They just felt 'squishy' for want of a better word, couldn't quite put my finger on it but they were quickly thrown into the practice bag.

 

[Markw]

Interesting.....

If there is a tiny crack or hole in the ball, can water get in? I bought same lake balks a couple of years ago and I was certain some of them were duds but put it down to me

I don't think its just lake balls, I have had it happen to me a few times, to be fair you are going to get the occasional dud ball from any brand whether new or lake balls. The only thing that would affect a lake ball if it was not split is degradation of the cover which would take a long time to happen. It is more likely a crack or split in the core as the ones I have experienced the ball flight was very low and lots of top spin.

 

[3565]

Had the same thought on Saturday in a pairs knockout match. On back nine but our first 9, on our par 5 13th down wind I cut the corner but hit it well with a little cut to it but was surprised where it landed, it was shorter then I thought. A drive on 15 seemed not to fly far and on 18 the same although it was more of a cut then 13th. Walking to the first I said to my pp, think their is something wrong with my ball (which was brand new) so changed my ball to an older one that had a couple of rounds under it. On the first hit driver then my pp just bombed it past me 25yds and were normally equal distance, I turned to him and said its not the ball it's me!!!

Sometimes for whatever reason it might be your swing and I think it was me and not the ball. Mystery.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have a problem with some of my golf balls. They never go straight. I actually think that with the quality control that is in place these days it's very hard for the ball to be defective and if it is then it's a one off. Mind you I've always thought lake balls are a lottery and immersion in water for an unquantified period of time has to have an effect on performance and no two will perform the same

 

[richart]

I have played with a lot of duff balls. Some have hugh built in slices, other duck hooks, and some don't even seem to have the properties to get airbourne.:mmm: