If you are new to golf, you’ve likely noticed that numbers on your equipment play a considerable role in how you use things. Woods are numbered 1-3 and drive the ball at different distances. Irons have numbers indicating pitch, dictating which club is best for various shots. This may leave you wondering why golf balls are numbered and what the numbers on golf balls mean.
Golf ball numbers have indicated various information about the ball at different times. Manufacturers respond to changes in the market among golfers to provide the best products possible. The numbers on golf balls can mean compression rate, the number of dimples on the surface, or quickly identify your ball from another golfer’s.
Identifiers
When you see a single-digit number under the brand name on a ball like the Titleist Pro V1, the number only serves to distinguish your ball from another golfer using the same brand. When you purchase a new pack, all the balls in one sleeve have the same number.
Why would you need to identify your ball? Most golfers are adept at spotting where their ball landed after each shot. But sometimes your ball can land close to another player who prefers to use the same brand. You can check before you start your match and choose separate indicator numbers. Many brands use digits 1-4.
This range easily facilitates a four-person captain and crew or players competing individually. Some companies use digits 0-9 to accommodate any number of players.
Compression Rate
Compression rate used to be a big deal among golfers. A ball that compresses well off the club face doesn’t slide up as much and has a flatter take-off angle than a harder ball. Also, as it reshapes in flight, it reaches a higher rotation rate giving it more lift and a higher trajectory.
A ball with a two-digit compression rate in the 70-80 range would be considered a ladies ball. Men preferred higher compression rates like 90-110.
Male golfers would leave the lower compression balls on the shelf because the player must hit the ball at the right rate to make the compression and reshape work correctly. A ball that is too soft is no better than one that is too hard.
Red and Black Numbers
A red identifier number was used to indicate lower compression rates, and black numbers indicated higher. Currently, some manufacturers will stamp a red number on balls with a softer “feel” and black numbers on balls with a harder feel.
Although compression rate is not a leading point in golf ball sales anymore, a two-digit number on a ball likely indicates compression rate.
Solid vs. Wound Golf Balls
You may wonder what happened that compression rate is less of a popular selling point lately. One reason is ball construction. Golf equipment manufacturers are in tune with their market and work to bring the types of products golfers want.
Golf ball construction has evolved over the centuries. Two basic construction types are solid golf balls and wound golf balls.
Wound Golf Balls
Wound balls contain either a synthetic rubber core or a liquid core. Rubber thread is wound around the core, and the whole thing is wrapped in a balata or surly cover.
Solid Golf Balls
As the name would imply, a solid ball does not have rubber thread wrapped inside, but the material is a solid piece. However, that does not mean that only one material exists inside the dimpled cover.
One-piece designs have a high-restitution synthetic rubber. They compress well on impact with the club face but lose momentum quickly. This type of ball is durable and inexpensive, so manufacturers continue to produce them. That bucket of balls at the driving range is probably full of one-piece, solid construction golf balls.
Dual-construction balls have two layers of high-restitution material under the dimpled cover.
Multi-layer designs can have three or four layers within. The specific construction varies by brand. Each manufacturer wants to deliver a ball with the best contact with the club, flight trajectory, flight distance, and spin.
Unfortunately, none of the numbers on golf balls indicate their construction type or material.
Dimple Patterns
The number of dimples is another reason why golf balls are numbered. A number in the 300-400 range indicates how many dimples are on the surface of the ball.
Why are there dimples on a golf ball? Golf ball designers concern themselves with two factors: lift and drag. When the ball is in flight, lift carries an object along, and drag slows it down. The designer’s goal is to balance these two factors for maximum distance and control.
A ball with high spin needs deeper dimples to increase drag.
The opposite is true for a low spin ball. The dimples need to be shallow so the ball can stay up longer.
Titleist has had 352, 332, and 392 dimples on the Pro V1. TaylorMade makes balls with 322 and 360 dimples. The number varies based on how wide the dimples are and the angle of the edge.
If you see a three-digit number in the 300-400 range on your ball, that is the number of dimples.
Wrapping Up
So, what are the numbers on golf balls? The numbers have three basic functions. Single-digit numbers from 1-4 or 0-9 are for identifying your ball in case another player happens to use the same brand and model. A red number can mean a softer ball and a black number a harder ball.
Double-digit numbers indicate compression rate. Knowing the compression rate of the golf ball can affect which ball you choose. The way the ball deforms and reshapes in the air impacts its flight. Lower compression balls in the 70-80 range are typically considered ladies’ balls. A ball with high compression rates in the 90-110 range indicates a men’s ball.
Three-digit numbers tell you how many dimples are on the surface. Currently, manufacturers consider the dimple pattern to be an important selling point.