Golf Ball Size and Dimensions: Is Every Ball the Same Size?

October 18, 2022December 30, 2023 by Egle Goleckyte

What is a golf ball? A golf ball is a sort of ball used in golf. Golf balls have a circumference of 5.28″ and a diameter of 1.68″ (42.67 mm) (134.05 mm). A golf ball weighs 1.62 ounces (45.93 g). The golf ball must be able to perform within certain velocity, distance, and symmetry parameters. Moreover, the United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews regulate golf ball specifications (skip straight to the Golf Ball Size Chart). Although there are now balls in various colors, golf balls are typically white.

golf-ball-size-chart — Golf Ball size chart – standard dimensions

Golf Ball size summary:

Height: 1.68” – 42.67 mm (Diameter)
Weight: 1.62 oz – 45.93 g
Circumference: 5.28” | 134.05 mm
Materials: Rubber core; surlyn cover
Surface: 300-500 dimples

The size of your golf ball can significantly affect your game. But what sizes are available for golf balls and how exactly do you choose one? To help you out, we’ve included some golf size charts that you can use to buy the perfect golf ball for you.

Jump right into the Frequently Asked Questions

Golf Ball Size Chart

Related: Golf Clubs Size Chart

Golf balls are available in various sizes, stiffness, and compression levels. If you don’t know what to look for, selecting the ideal ball for you might be difficult. The golf ball size chart below will show you the various sizes of golf balls to help you out.

Ball Type	Ball Size (inches)	Ball Size (cm)	Compression	Recommended For
Large	1.73”	4.39 cm	Low	Beginner, Seniors
Regular	1.64”	4.17 cm	Mid, High	Intermediate, Professionals
Small	1.58”	4.01 cm	Low	Beginners, Females, Seniors

Golf Ball Size History

For the majority of the sport’s history, the two regulating organizations disputed the minimum size of golf balls:

Governing Bodies	Minimum Golf Ball Diameter (inches)	Minimum Golf Ball Diameter (cm)
R&A (British Ball)	1.62 inches	4.11 cm
USGA (American Ball)	1.68 inches	4.27 cm

American Golf Ball

Coburn Haskell of Cleveland, Ohio, rocked the whole golf ball business with his golf ball innovation when the gutter became the standard in England. While the shape of today’s golf ball evolved, the new model employed rubber thread to construct a core around a rubber ball center.

The ball was encased in a shell made of balata sap, which is endemic to Central and South America. The balata’s shell was soft, produced backspin, and had the dimples required for predictable flight. The velocity of this revolutionary American golf ball created more distance than any other golf ball in history.

The balata golf ball would eventually be replaced by a new synthetic golf ball manufactured with Surlyn. This compound was discovered to be more durable than the balata ball, resulting in a difference in durability that made the new ball desirable to weekend warriors worldwide.

British Golf Ball

Players used hard wooden golf balls to play the course in the early days of golf in England and Scotland. Because of the ball’s hardness, golfers resorted to the featherie in the 18th century. This new golf ball, which had a leather shell and a feather inside, was softer than the previous one but was very costly to produce.

The featherie was also often malformed, with a consistent variance in diameter, and not exactly spherical, making the ball flight very unpredictable.

In the mid-nineteenth century, players from both nations transitioned from the featherie to the guttie. The dried sap of the Malaysian sapodilla tree was utilized to make the new ball. The new ball was simpler to make, could be reconstituted when injured, and cost less than the featherie.

How to Choose the Right Golf Ball Size

Even inexperienced players will recognize that golf balls come in various sizes. Although the size of the tournament ball is more popular, there is no defined restriction as long as it is larger than 1.68 inches and does not weigh more than 45.93 grams.

Balls also differ in terms of compression and stiffness. Choosing the correct ball can be difficult with so many options, especially if you have no prior golfing expertise.

You don’t always need a tournament-quality ball; you almost never need one for casual games.

To select the best ball for yourself, you must first establish your degree of experience. Are you a novice who is just starting out in the sport? Or are you an intermediate golfer with some golfing experience, even if you do not consider yourself an outstanding player? If you are a beginner, don’t be embarrassed to choose an easier ball.

There are several balls on the market, and some of them are specifically made for novices. These balls are quite easy to play. They assist newer players in getting the feel of the sport without becoming dissatisfied with their inability to get it correctly. A ball meant for novices will usually be labeled as such. These balls do not travel as far as conventional balls.

However, its low compression allows players to make more precise shots. These balls are also ideal for golfers with 85mph or below swing speeds. Another problem that most novice players have is an inability to strike the ball. Although a larger golf club might help with this, a larger ball can also help. There are numerous excellent alternatives from well-known golfing manufacturers such as Callaway.

How To Measure Golf Ball Size

Vernier calipers may be used to calculate the circumference of golf balls, however, a small piece of tape can also be wrapped around it to determine its circumference.

How To Find Your Golf Ball Size

As a beginning player, you want a ball that will not put you off playing. Nothing is worse than giving up right from the start. You require a ball that instills confidence in you. Choose a ball with minimal compression regardless of size since it provides more control.

Smaller-than-normal balls, such as 1.58 inches, are ideal for females and anyone with good aim.
A bigger 1.73-inch ball is more comfortable to hit for seniors.
Choose a standard ball with medium to moderate compression, measuring 1.64 to 1.68 inches in size. If you’ve been playing golf for a while and feel yourself to be competent, you shouldn’t be giving yourself an easy time with a beginner’s ball.

Begin with the easier of the two challenges and work your way up.

Learn more about the differences between cheap Vs. expensive golf balls (video)

_{Cheap v Expensive Golf Balls Test!! Golf Monthly by Golf Monthly}

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the correct size for a golf ball?

The USGA and R&A decided on the weight and diameter of the golf ball that is used today in 1990. Golf balls should be at least 1.62 ounces and 1.68 inches in circumference. For nearly 30 years, the size of golf balls has remained constant.

2. Are golf balls a standard size?

Just one standard-size golf ball is permitted in tournament play and authorized for sale in golf stores in today’s golf world. The typical size of a golf ball now is 1.68 inches, however, prior to the 1980s, the minimum size was 1.62 inches.

3. Is a golf ball 3 cm?

No. An official golf ball cannot be less than 1.68 inches in diameter. This is equivalent to (4.268 cm) or (42.68 mm). A golf ball has a circumference of (5.277 inches) / (13.405 cm) / (134.058 mm). A golf ball’s average width and height are (43 mm).

4. Is a golf ball 2 inches?

Yes, in today’s golf industry, the size of a golf ball must meet a worldwide standard of 1.68 inches (42.67 mm) in diameter. According to USGA standards, the golf ball’s weight cannot exceed 1.62 ounces (45.93 grams).

5. Do bigger golf balls make a difference?

The notion of a larger golf ball is based on the theory that hitting the center of the clubface is easier. With the center of gravity (CG) positioned higher, getting the ball in the air is likewise easier.

6. Are bigger golf balls legal?

Oversized golf balls are permissible to use as long as they are greater than 1.680 inches in diameter, according to the USGA and R&A. In other words, huge golf balls can be used in any casual, high-level amateur, or professional golf game as long as they are not less than 1.680 inches in diameter.

7. Do smaller golf balls go further?

A 0.06-inch variation in golf ball diameter does not appear to be significant. However, according to players who used the two different golf balls at the time, the smaller ball produced somewhat greater distance and was more maneuverable in the wind.

8. What is the most forgiving golf ball?

The most forgiving golf balls are Titleist Velocity Golf Balls, which have a soft and responsive feel and provide excellent forgiveness. High-quality cover that lowers drag and lengthens drives, as well as a surprisingly soft ball around the green. The Titleist Velocity provides length while generating minimal side spin for tight shot dispersion and accuracy. The Velocity, powered by an active core, delivers exceptional feel with irons and wedges.

Conclusion

Fortunately, golf ball size is not one of the issues that players must consider. There is no way to buy a non-conforming golf ball from a local golf shop or major warehouse retailer. Even if a new ball is launched that claims to be longer and softer than all existing golf balls on the market, it will have undergone thorough testing to ensure that it is suitable for use under the regulations. So, use our golf ball size chart to determine what size of ball is best for you.

Feel free to leave a comment below!

Picture in this post is by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash