Light weight golf balls.

[jobin]

Balls have a maximum weight, 45.93 grams. But no set minimum weight. 

 

I found 2 floating golf balls during the past month and wondered if these balls are useful in play and are they conforming to the Rules?  If not conforming, why not? 

 

IMO, if you want to play such a ball, go right ahead. I presume the only reason such balls are 'non-conforming' is that the ball maker did not want to spend the $$ for testing or USGA conformation. 

 

Obviously if you are putting many balls into the pond, such balls may be good for you.  In time these balls will float over to the edge of the pond and someone will grab it, but perhaps not you.  In high down-wind conditions, may be useful to float thru the air. Who knows?

[Anser3]

You will lose distance with lighter balls.  How much?  I don't know.   I'm not sure why they are non-conforming.

[Tanner25]

SS Max are very light and play short for me.

[larryd3]

only floating golf balls I've ever seen were at a club who's range was short and you hit into a lake.  Balls didn't travel anywhere near the length a typical ball would fly.  

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

Hank Haney had a range and short course here in DFW, they had balls that floated on the range as a huge pond at the start of the range....designed to float, not intended for actual play is my guess.

 

 

[Anser3]

Circa 2003 in Golf Digest, Johnny Miller wrote an article discussing rolling back equipment, etc.  He suggested a "Tour  Ball".  Manufacturers could design a ball using any materials or dimple patterns they wanted.  the ball still had to conform to size and weight  dimensions.  The one caveat: the ball had to float.

[Klubster]

I remember back in the 60's, there was a ball called the Worthington Floater that did just that.  Do not actually remember hitting one, but found a couple.