Dimple
Dimples are the small indentations on the surface of the golf ball that give it lift and a stable flight.
The indentations are not a design element but the most important invention on the golf ball of all. Depending on the model, a ball carries about 300 to 500 dimples. They ensure that the air clings to the ball in a turbulent layer. This reduces drag and creates lift as soon as the ball is travelling with backspin. A completely smooth ball would fly only about half as far with the same swing and tumble unstably through the air. Only the indentations make modern ball flight possible — high, long and straight.
For you on the course this means: different ball models use different dimple patterns, and that influences the flight curve. Depending on the arrangement and depth of the indentations, a ball flies flatter or higher. An example: if you want a penetrating, flat flight in the wind, you reach for a ball built for a lower trajectory. When putting, the pattern hardly matters — only the clean surface counts here. If a ball is badly scratched after contact with a bunker or a path, the damage acts like destroyed dimples — then it belongs out of the game.
A popular myth goes: more dimples automatically mean a better ball. That is not true. What matters is the interplay of the number, shape, depth and arrangement of the indentations, which manufacturers tune separately for each model. The notion that an older ball with faded dimples flies "softer" is wishful thinking — worn indentations cost distance and stability. Anyone who knows this changes the ball in good time instead of playing it until the last round.
FAQ
When should I retire a golf ball because of damaged dimples?
As soon as you see deep scratches or chipped spots in the cover. Such damage typically occurs after contact with paths, trees or bunker edges and acts like destroyed indentations: the ball flies shorter and less stably. Slight discolouration or marker lines, on the other hand, are purely cosmetic and cost no metres.
Does a ball with more dimples automatically fly farther?
No, the sheer number says little. What matters is the interplay of number, shape, depth and arrangement of the indentations, which the manufacturer tunes per model. A ball with 350 well-tuned dimples can fly farther and more stably than one with 450 arbitrarily placed ones. More important than the number is whether the model suits your swing speed.
Do I even notice the difference between dimple patterns as an amateur?
On the full shot yes, when putting practically not. Different patterns change the flight curve — some balls climb higher, others fly flatter and more stable in the wind. On the green only the clean surface counts; the dimple pattern has no noticeable influence there. A solid all-round ball is enough to start with; fine-tuning only pays off with a consistent swing.