The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-04
POINTS ABOUT GOLF BALLS.
Some American Firms 10 Place Their Goods on
the Market This season.

In theory a golf ball should be made Of pure
Gutta percha, but in fact rubber and other
adultcrants are used that will reduce the cost
of production without impairing the elasticity
and hardness. The balls will stand but a minor
degree Of adulte ration. which, with the diff
Guilty in obtaining a uniform grade of pure gutta
percha gum, keeps the cost of production heavy.
After all, 1t Is the work on the links that tells
whether n golf ball is any good. and until
it receives this test the manufacturers have
no means of telling how their grade will
20 with the players. Without the best gum no
maker can keep his output at a steady standard
OF excellence, but no matter what price Is paid
for the raw gutta pcrcha, there is always n doubt
as 10 the quality to be turned out. This sudden
variation in quality accounts for the rapid
changes in the fashion OF golf balls. Each season
sees II different brand most in vogue.
This season balls made in this country are to
be put on the market by several makers. 1t is
claimed that the homemade balls will fly rs far
and be as tough ms any imported. All golfers
know that an old ball is the best. for the freshly
made ones are dontcd too easily under the strokes
Of the clubs. The makers in this country know
this and they all announce that only thoroughly
seasoncd balls will be sent out. Each firm pre-
serves the secret of its process. but the home
made, balls in material and construction Will
probably be "A close imitation of the best i'm
ported. There is n good deal Of luck about tho
will not split the paint and the very next time
out he may bang the ball into u shapclcss mass
with the niblick before the second hole is
made. But, barring accidents. n golf ball should
remain almost rs good US new for thirty.six
holes at least.
The imported balls range from 1880 to S5. BOA
dozen. 1t Is safe to put 81 rs tho average cost.
The same makes of balls nrc advertised IN the
papers abroad at ten shillings to eleven shillings
by the single dozen, with reductions by the box.
1t is claimed that the balls sent to this country
have TO be mudc OF n specially fine grade of gum
TO withstand tho heat, and that, when the duty
II added, there Is only II small margin of profit
TO the Importers. The cost Of the bnlls is tho
heaviest expense about the game TO the be.
ginners, for, they, cut them badly by topped
strokes, besides losing many from wildly
directed plays. On this account many begin
with madeOvcr balls, which are also used by
good players when nj practice. The rcmadc
balls may bc bought from the grcrnskccpcrs
for ~ or 800 dozen. ana at half these figures
when "A dozen of damaged balls are given in part
payment. The old balls are sOftencd IN hot
water, pressed anew in mOulds and. while hard
Cning, treated To u triple coating of white paint.
II he work is well done they look as good ~ now
balls, and il well seasoned they give excellent
service. Some of the grcenskecpcrs are very cX-
seem to, do the work just right. The rcmulc
balls sell at from six to eight shillings per dozen
In Scotland and England, hut when the old balls
arc furnished The makers advertise TO rcmOuld
them AT four sIillings.