In order to play golf, you will need some golf balls, and especially when you are starting out you might need a few. If you have several golf balls you might have noticed that the golf balls have different numbers on them. There is always a lot to learn in the world of golf, and you might be wondering what does the number on a golf ball mean?
What do the numbers mean on golf balls…In short, they don’t mean anything significant. Sorry for the let down.
Golf balls are printed with the name of the manufacturer of the golf ball. Titleist, TaylorMade, Srixon and Callaway are well known golf ball manufacturers. Golf balls are also printed with a number, usually either just above or below the manufacturers name.
There are no specific regulations relating to the numbers printed on golf balls. They can be any number, any font, any size and any color. While it helps identify your golf ball, you could even have a golf ball without a number on it.
What do the numbers on a golf ball mean?
The manufacturers name and the number on a golf ball help identify which golf ball the player is using. This is particularly useful where players cannot see where their ball lands, so players in the group can work out who’s golf ball is who’s. Some players also use additional markings, with a marker pen, adding their initials or a shape to the ball to help further with identification.
You should be warned that if you accidentally play someone else’s ball, you will be penalized extra shots, which could be the difference between winning or losing. Therefore, correctly identifying your golf ball is hugely important.
What are the numbers on golf balls that can be used?
Most commonly golf balls are printed with one number, so anywhere between 0 – 9. However, most commonly the numbers are between 1 – 3, or 1 – 4, as golf balls are normally sold in packs of 3 (numbers 1 – 3) or packs of 12, which are split into 4 packs of 3 (numbers 1 – 4).
Golfers are a superstitious bunch, and a lot of golfers try to avoid using a golf ball printed with the number 3 on it. This is because, many golfers dread having 3-putts on one green, which is a frustrating way to waste shots. This is especially frustrating if the golfer has hit a green in regulation, and has a chance at a birdie, but ends out with a bogey, which is 1 over par.
Some golf balls come with two digits printed on them, so anywhere between 00 to 99. Titleist and TaylorMade are two very well known brands who have used two digits on their golf balls.
Back in the 1990’s, golf ball manufacturers used two digits to indicate the compression rate of their golf balls. At the time, the compression rate tended to range between 70 to 80 for golf balls for female players, and at least 100 for golf balls for male players. This practice is hardly used by golf ball manufacturers any more.
As online shopping has increased massively across all spectres of our lives, golf manufacturers have begun providing customised numbers on golf balls online.
Golfers may use numbers which have a special meaning to them, such as their age, their birth year, the year they got married. Or alternatively, they may use their lucky number which is two digits.
Professional golfers are not exempt from this practice. Rory McIlroy who has won 4 majors and is one of the most popular golfers playing today uses the number 22 on his golf balls. This is reportedly to mark his wedding anniversary, on the 22nd April.
Hugely popular Spanish professional golfer, Sergio Garcia, has the number 10 printed on his golf balls. Sergio is a huge fan of Spanish football team Real Madrid and apparently the number 10 is a nod to Real Madrid’s winning 10 trophies.
And English golfer Justin Rose uses the number 99 on his golf balls, as number 9 is his wife’s lucky number. Well what could be more lucky that a number 9, two number 9’s of course!
By reading this article, hopefully you will be able to answer the question what does the number on a golf ball mean? It doesn’t mean anything significant, and the numbers can be different shapes and sizes. However, different numbers help with identifying your golf ball, and some golf players think certain numbers will bring them good luck.
