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Why make period golf balls?
We started making old style replica balls for the passionate hickory golfer and Play Hickory Tournaments after we discovered that hitting many of today's golf balls with a hickory club could damage it. We learned that lesson the hard way by breaking a few very nice old clubs. Curious about the difference between the old balls and modern ones, we did extensive research and located a few playable balls from the era and found that not only did they work with the hickory clubs, they felt great. The old balls were softer and allowed for a greater variety of shots requiring spin and feel.
We also discovered that the old clubs had very small sweet spots, which is probably why the golfers of the day preferred the feel of softer balls. This is the surprising benefit of these old style balls; the softness makes for great contact and feel and for silky smooth putting.
We wanted to experience the game as they did back in those days, so we started making the old balls, using the latest materials, for hickory players and tournaments.
Then, of course, we had to try them with our contemporary equipment and really liked the softer feel and the interesting look. We played them with our friends who used modern balls and did very well (Hey, we beat them). Fun Zone test
How do you make the new old style balls?
We started by picking specific historical periods and concentrated on the balls that were most popular. Wanting some of the advantages of technology, we opted not to produce featheries or the old gutta purcha. Stuffing a leather ball with feathers proved to be very expensive in the old days, imagine what it would cost today. So we obviously didn't want to start there.
We selected 3 ball styles, each from a different period in the history of hickory golf.
· The White Flyer: Outward dimple or bramble pattern, popular in the 1900s
· The Ace: Diamond mesh pattern popular in the 1920s
· The Bullet: Dimple pattern, precursor of the modern ball, popular in the 1930s
We reclaimed the old golf ball molds from avid golf collectors. We used today's soft core and cover technology and formed the interesting designs using the old mold cavities. This blend of old and new technology has given us the closest reproduction of the old designs with all the advantages of the modern ball - they are very playable, suitable for either hickory or modern clubs, with the soft feeling popular in those days.
What can these old style balls do for your game?
First of all, if you are a hickory player or playing in a hickory tournament at your club, these are the only balls designed for hickory play on the market today. Secondly, if you want to try them for everyday play, you'll find that the softness does translate into better feel. Feel has been described simply as "good contact" and even a connection to the shot. Players of these balls often describe it as "butter". In addition, the old cover designs allow you to shape your shots and work the ball, an art that is missing in today's game.
Why play hickory golf?
Our interest in hickory golf and tournaments has rewarded us with a new perspective on the game that is rooted in history and tradition and on the challenge of playing the old equipment. The smooth swing used to properly hit a hickory club has the potential benefit of improving your game overall.
Maybe like you, we had reached a place in our game where the newest technology and high tech materials could only offer so much. These innovations are great for golf and players everywhere. But we wanted to experience golf on a more basic level by taking on the challenge of playing with greats of the old game on their terms, with their equipment, with their style. We wanted to hear the swish and thwack of a well struck hickory shot, and feel connected to those times. We offer the golf balls and spirit of this era to golfers today. And for anyone to have just "a wee bit more fun".
What else is McIntyre White doing?
McIntyre White was founded to bring the spirit and style of the Golden Era of golf to today's player. In addition to the golf balls of the era, the spirit finds its expression in our period influenced line of clothing and accessories. Authentic golf for the dedicated enthusiast and for a wee bit more fun.
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