Golf Ball Collecting

Uncover the Joy of Collecting

Why Collect Golf Balls?

This is one of the most popular areas of golf collecting.  These orbs are integral to the game, have so many interesting variations and require little space for display.   

The evolution of the ball changed the popularity of the game.  Initially the expensive feather balls limited the game to the well to do, but that all changed with the development of the much cheaper and more quickly produced solid gutta percha ball after 1848 and then on to the early rubber core balls around 1900 that flew even further and lowered scores.  

So many famous makers, ingenious alterations of construction, and experimentation to create varied surface patterns for controlling flight and distance, make the options for collecting balls and creating your personal unique museum to share with your friends a delight.

Articles on Golf Ball Collecting from Our Publications

Here are a few relevant articles on ball collecting from our archives (in The Golf and The GHS Bulletin).

A Short History of Golf Ball Dimples and Patterns

Seeing Tour Pros drive a dimple-less Pro V1 ball only 120 to 150 yards is no surprise as it’s long been known that surface markings ...
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Why/How to Collect Golf Balls

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GHS Zoom Presentations

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The GHS Ambassador Program

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Doug Marshall, Canadian historical golf leader, 1937-2022

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Member exclusive – video interview with Dr. Bob Jones IV

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Leonard Fischer, March 2021

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Lance Enholm, April 2019

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Joe Meehan, August 2019

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Dr. George “Willie” Gayle, October 2019

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Dick McDonough, author of ‘Great Golf Collections’ 1942-2021

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Gene Boldon – 1927-2020

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Extra Holes for Autumn 2019

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Membership news and notes

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Extra Holes – The Golf, Summer 2019

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GHS Board Meeting Minutes and President Statements

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The Golf, Spring 2019 – Extra Holes

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The Many Categories of Golf Ball Collecting

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Golf Balls by Eras:
Feather Balls
Gutta Percha Balls
Rubber Cores
Famed Makers

Golf Ball Surface Patterns / Oddballs

Early Rubber Cores
& Other Unusual Construction

Logo Balls
Signature Balls
Ping Balls

Ball Boxes
Wrapped Balls

Practice Balls
Ball Molds
Fakes & More

Golf Ball collecting Resources

From Our Blog

Our blog has a constant stream of valuable articles on golf’s rich heritage.

Golden Globes

Early manufacturing ingenuity has some legendary golf balls selling in the tens of thousands. By Dick McDonough GCS Bulletin, December 2017 The golf ball and ...
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Clever fakes put collectors behind the eight ball

Ah, that deceit should steal such gentle shape, And with a virtuous visor hide deep vice! Shakespeare, Richard III Antique golf expert Jeff Ellis is ...
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Having a Ball Collecting Golf Balls

I am not a golfer, unless you count the times I played a few rounds on a Putt-Putt course, but my husband, Gary Proctor, is ...
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A Short History of Golf Ball Dimples and Patterns

Seeing Tour Pros drive a dimple-less Pro V1 ball only 120 to 150 yards is no surprise as it’s long been known that surface markings ...
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Spring Visit to Historic Merion

The date is March 23, 2024, and the occasion is a visit to Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. The day will be hosted by ...
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Tiger collectibles still top sizzling market

Used golf stuff usually gathers dust in odd, shadowy corners of flea markets and antique stores. Some items, however, attain legendary status and fetch big ...
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Golf ball boxes

Most early balls, featheries and gutties, came just as you found them, unwrapped and either individually purchased or perhaps by twos and threes from the ...
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Simplex golf ball marker

This marker once belonged to GHS member John Roth, who passed away several years ago. The vintage metal Simplex marker, c. 1910s, is shown with ...
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Musselburgh golf ball box

A golf ball box from the late 1890s, embossed in high relief for “The Musselburgh” gutty golf ball, endorsed by Harry Vardon. The corners of the ...
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FEATURED GOLF BALL COLLECTIBLE

Johnny Bulla
Autographed Ball

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Golf Ball collecting Resources

Video Resources

Collecting Playlist

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Golf Ball collecting Resources

Recommended Reading Resources

  • 500 Years of Golf Balls, by John F. Hotchkiss, 1997, Antique Trader Books
  • The Essential Guide to Collecting Golf Balls, by Colin Palmer, 2010, Riley Dunn & Wilson Ltd.
  • Antique Golf Collectibles, 3rd Edition, by Chuck Furjanic, 2004, Krause Publications
  • Golf in the Making, by Ian Henderson and David Stirk, 1979, Henderson & Stirk Ltd.
  • The Encyclopedia of Golf Collectibles, by John Ohlman and Morton Ohlman, 1985, Books Americanna
  • Antique Golf Collectibles, Identification and Value Guide, by Pete Georgiady, 2006, Collector Books
  • The Story of the Golf Ball, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2003, Philip Wilson, London (winner of the 2004 Murdock Medal presented by the British Golf Collectors Society)
  • The Collectible Golf Ball Directory, Folio I, ‘Gutta-Percha’ golf balls 1845-1903, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2021
  • The Collectible Golf Ball Directory, Folio II, ‘Rubber-Cored’ golf balls 1901-1919, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2022
  • The Collectible Golf Ball Directory, Folio III, ‘Rubber-Cored’ golf balls, A-K 1920-1945, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2023 [November]

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