Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Diego D — Sun, 09 Aug 2020 14:10:03 GMT

Thank you for the info Mike. A visit to Titleist Ball Plant 3 is in my bucket list.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Aloha Bruce — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 05:20:45 GMT

Thanks for the info Mike as I didn't know that.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Mike D., Titleist Staff — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 18:54:02 GMT

Thanks again for all of the comments here. I did catch up with our R&D team on the question about any impacts to aerodynamics from marking your golf ball or using a logo ball and here is what they had to say:

It is often asked do Sharpie-like markings on a ball affect aerodynamics? Do customized logos affect the aerodynamics of a golf ball? When it comes to dye-based markers (like Sharpies), the dyes are absorbed into the coatings of the golf ball, not impacting the thickness of the coatings or resulting in aerodynamic differences.

When it comes to custom logo printing, most customized logos are limited in size – typically to a logo smaller than 7/8”. While there are two different methods for printing logo images (inkjet and pad-printing), the majority of golf balls use the pad-print process and the print thickness of such logos is very thin (most less than 0.0004”).

Experimentation has shown that balls with images of this size and scale show no significant difference in aerodynamic performance.

I hope this helps clarify!

- Mike

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Alex N — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 23:42:23 GMT

This is so cool. I enjoy seeing and learning about things like this. It’s details such as this that makes you truly appreciate certain brands that take pride in producing the best products they can.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

No'l — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:25:22 GMT

Yes, sir... and that is why I have stayed away from "refurbished" second hand balls. Those are "painted over" to hide marks.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Mike D., Titleist Staff — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 14:41:38 GMT

[quote user="JMUGtown"]Very curious how this paint imperfections applies to the decisions about what becomes a Titleist "Practice Ball"? Should users of "Practice Balls" expect some irregularities given those balls are tagged with practice because of paint issues?

[/quote]

Thanks for the question, JMUGtown! Here's the scoop...

Pro V1 Practice golf balls differ only due to a cosmetic blemish and do not have any construction or performance deficiencies. Cosmetic blemishes range from an ink smudge to the placement of the Titleist script or sidestamp not meeting our rigorous standards (we have super tight tolerances for this) to other minor cosmetic issues.

A ball with a paint irregularity like we describe in the above wouldn't pass our stringent QA standards.

Thanks again for the question and we hope this helps clarify!

- Mike

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Lance P — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 14:04:06 GMT

I have never worried about the paint of my golf balls before. Now I have a new excuse for a poor shot that flies off line! Thanks Mike.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Jerry M — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 13:24:07 GMT

Interesting question JMUGtown. I use Titleist "Practice Balls" for chipping around the green. My guess it doesn't effect that aspect much but I could see how it could effect a ball definitely in flight for a certain distance....but then I'm not an expert. Just my opinion. Good Story though

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Anthony C — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 13:11:56 GMT

Makes me wonder if things like "Golf Dotz" applied to the ball would make it less consistent aerodynamically ? After all, I'm so consistent myself that I can't afford these little issues elsewhere (yeah right ! :-) )

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

pgardner — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 03:31:47 GMT

What does this mean for my Pebble Beach logo ball and all the identifying markings most golfers use?

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Xochi2 — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 02:55:24 GMT

"How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight" - Hmm, so you're saying that having this icon on my Pro V1 is not a "stroke of genius?!?"
www.titleist.com/.../hvkq2ko6uqxwx4rvdfad

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

JMUGtown — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 20:46:06 GMT

Very curious how this paint imperfections applies to the decisions about what becomes a Titleist "Practice Ball"? Should users of "Practice Balls" expect some irregularities given those balls are tagged with practice because of paint issues?

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

LNiehaus — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 19:48:03 GMT

Great analogy with the flight of an airplane. Aircraft manufacturers and airlines are very aware of how paint affects the performance of an aircraft so only natural it would be the same dynamics in effect for flying a ball to target.
Happy Landings !!!

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

JHomick — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 19:41:50 GMT

So if I put two dots on my ball for identification that will affect the ball flight??

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Joshua B — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 18:59:00 GMT

I remember the painting part of the BP3 tour and how fragile that area is to make sure consistency...even down to dust particles.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

El bandito — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 18:50:10 GMT

Very interesting
Great read ️‍♂️ ️

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Andrew A — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 18:11:25 GMT

Makes total sense to me. Thanks for the confirmation to my OCD when it comes to a pristine golf ball.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Dale V — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:35:03 GMT

Thanks Mike. Really enjoyed the Ball Plant 3 tour last year. I would suggest anyone getting up that way when things open back up, try to schedule a tour. Very impressive balance of high volume with detailed control.

RE: Did You Know: How Paint Affects Golf Ball Flight

Bomber3 — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:34:30 GMT

Makes perfect sense, this is why I'm always cleaning even the smallest amount of turf, mud, grass, etc... off the ball I have in play.