And do you collect golf balls? On what basis? How many do you have?
Do you know what a golf ball collector is called?
We will try to answer all these questions.
If you collect golf balls, you are a "golfballer." This is a generic term used to describe people who collect golf balls. However, there are more specific terms for collectors of antique golf balls, such as "golfball archaeologist" or "golfball historian." There is also simply the term " golfball collector " which is a generic term to describe people who collect golf balls.
Do you know what the record for the number of balls collected is?
Which balls to collect?
There are several types of collectors , maybe you are like us a simple collector who is content to buy the logoed balls of the courses you have played or the sponsored competitions you have done?
But there are also golf ball collectors who will focus on antique and rare golf balls , which can have great historical and sentimental value. Antique golf balls are often handcrafted, making them rarer and more valuable. Some of the oldest known balls date back to the 19th century and were often made from materials such as ivory or wood.
One of the most expensive golf balls ever sold at auction is a golf ball from 1888 that sold for over $50,000 at auction. This golf ball was handcrafted from materials such as cork and ivory and was used in early professional golf tournaments.
There have been other golf balls that have sold for considerable sums at auction.
The golf ball used by Bobby Jones in his 1930 Grand Slam triumph sold for over $40,000
The golf ball used by Jack Nicklaus in his 1986 Masters victory sold for over $30,000 .
There are also collectors who focus on modern golf balls, such as golf balls signed by famous players or golf balls used at important events. Signed golf balls can be very valuable, especially if they are signed by famous players such as Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. As for us, we have a few, but unfortunately not as prestigious!
There are also collectors who focus on antique golf ball boxes , which can have great historical and aesthetic value. Antique ball boxes can be made from materials such as wood or metal and may be decorated with engravings and paintings.
What are the balls? the rarest?
Featherie : This golf ball was handmade from duck feathers and leather and was used in 18th and 19th centuries. It is considered one of the rarest golf balls ever produced because it was very difficult to manufacture and was only produced in small quantities.
Gutta-percha : This golf ball was made from natural rubber and was used in 19th century . It is considered one of the rarest golf balls because it was replaced by metal and wooden balls and was only produced in small quantities.
Haskell : This golf ball was invented by Coburn Haskell in 1898, it was made from rubber and duck feathers and was the first ball to be mass-produced.
Spalding's "T" ball : This model of ball produced by Spalding was used in the 1920s , was made from a mixture of rubber and elastomer, It was considered more durable than golf balls of the time.
How to display your collection?
There are several ways to maintain a golf ball collection. Here are some of the most common methods:
Display stands such as those offered by Teevasion are used by some collectors to display their golf balls. Display stands can be made from materials such as wood or metal and can be used to display golf balls in a way that makes them easily accessible for viewing or display.
Storage boxes can be used to store your golf balls. Storage boxes can be made from materials such as plastic or cardboard and can be used to store golf balls by brand, year, or type.
Another solution is encapsulation : There are companies that provide encapsulation services for golf ball collectors. Encapsulation involves placing a golf ball in a clear plastic capsule to protect it from wear and damage. Of course, this is only for high-value balls.
Climate-controlled storage : Reserved for old or rare golf balls. It is recommended to store them in a cool, dry place, away from heat and excessive humidity, this helps preserve their condition and value.
We hope we have inspired you to start your own collection. Next month we will talk about other possible collections and you will see how many there are.
