The Golf Ball Weighs… Find out the answer now !!

We all know that every game and sport is bound by some rules that the players have to abide by. But have you ever wondered whether the restrictions apply to the sports equipment also! Well, yes, it does. Every item that one uses in a particular sport has a range within which the weight of that specific item should vary. If that is true, then there should also be the answer to the question,” how much does a golf ball weigh?”And, guess what! There is !!

There is a specified range within which the golf ball’s weight should vary. But if we ever have to answer the question, “how much does the golf ball weigh?” then it would be 45.93 grams, not more, not less. The United States Golf Association or the USGA is the body that decides how much the golf ball should weigh depending on various parameters.

How is it decided how much should the golf ball weigh?

Of course, the 45.93 grams is not any random number that the members in the USGA council liked and decided that this is how much the should golf ball weigh! So what were the parameters that are taken into consideration before deciding on the golf ball’s weight?

The size

The Golfball weighs 45.93 grams. Yes, we got that! But what it has to do with the size of the ball. Let us make you understand this with an easy example. Suppose A and B are two balls both weighing the same. Now, ball A has a bigger diameter than B due to the ball’s core. Maybe ball A contains some material like a sponge in its core which allows it to be much more significant than its weight.

As for ball B, the core may be made of some material that cannot be much bigger and gives a very compact design. In this situation, if both the balls are thrown simultaneously in the same direction, which one do you think is going to fly further? Yes, you are right. The minor ball B with a more compact design will fly further. But what is the logic behind this?

It can be explained as when a ball has a smaller radius. It directly means it has got a smaller surface area. And a smaller surface area ensures that the air resistance is less, which further reduces the air friction. Thus, the smaller ball can fly further as compared to ball A.

Thus, the golf ball has a diameter of 1.680 inches, which makes the ball a very compact item in the given weight. So we hope now it’s pretty clear why the size matters when we are talking about why the golf ball weighs 45.93 grams.

Why should the golf ball weigh 45.93 grams and not more or less than that?

Yes, we know we have already talked about this topic by considering the size parameter in the above section. But there should be some benefits that the members of the USGA board have thought of before finalizing what should the golf ball weigh!

Golf is a game where the ball remains stationary before its hit, unlike cricket or baseball, where the speed of the ball may vary from the initial after being hit by the batsman. So, in that case, the situation is also a bit different for the ball’s flight in the case of golf compared to the other sports.

The biggest concern in the golf ball’s flight in air friction. Although the dimensions are such, as the golf ball weighs 45.93 grams and is 1.68 inches, it makes sure that the ball can travel the maximum possible distance overcoming the friction.

Although the USGA decides how much the golf ball weighs, you might feel that the weight is a bit too much for such a small dimension. Yes, you thought it was right! It has been deliberately made a bit heavier, considering the diameter of the ball. The extra weight added to the ball gives it the potential to overcome the air friction easily. It is truly an “extra weight” that requires more energy or force to hit the ball, but it is like a boon in disguise since it also travels an “extra distance.”

Why the dimples?

Even though the dimples have no connection with how much should the golf ball weigh directly, it might have an indirect connection. Let us explain how. You have seen dimples on golf balls, but have you seen them on a cricket ball or baseball? The answer is no. This is because a dimple-free surface provides “back-spin” to the ball, which is beneficial in the case of cricket or baseball.

However, the dimples on the golf balls help create a situation where two types of airflow are created. The upper layer of the air “clings” to the golf ball and creates a drag that allows the ball to travel farther. The second layer helps the ball to make a spin which causes the golf ball to raise upwards, creating a better trajectory.

USGA guidelines vs the R&A guidelines

USGA guidelines	R&A guidelines
According to the USGA requirements, the diameter of the golf ball is 1.68 inches.	According to the R&A guidelines, the golf ball weighs the same as the USGA ones, but the diameter varies as it requires the ball to be 1.62 inches.
The shots are longer, and the trajectory is shorter than the balls made following the R & R & R&A guidelines.	The shots are more extended and straighter.
Putts are a bit difficult to make compared to the balls under R & R&A guidelines.	Putts are easier to make with balls of a smaller dimension.

FAQs on The Golf Ball Weig