Identification

• Usually, you'll find 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball. That's the average count, but you may find some golf balls on the market today that have more or less--anywhere from 300 to 500 pips, to give you an idea of the broad range. This variation from ball to ball has more to do with the manufacturer than any additional benefit that might accrue from a ball straying from the customary 336. So don't worry if you've bought a sleeve that doesn't tally with the norm; they'll perform just as well.
  
  

Function

• The reason a golf ball has dimples all along its surface is partially down to the covering itself. It can be difficult to uniformly cover an object like a golf ball without any gaps. The dimples quite easily resolve this catch. But it isn't simply convenience that led to the symmetrical pips. These small, identical indentations are actually an essential part of a golf ball's flight, applying a little physics to this leisurely game.
  
  

Effects

• When all is said and done, a moving object will inevitably create a wake in its path. To add a visual reference to this fundamental of physics, watch a surf board move through a series of waves. It creates a sort of stream of turbulence as it breaks through the surf. This is ultimately what happens with a golf ball; it's just that these wakes can't be seen by the human eye. This wake will generate a sort of drag to the ball, which unavoidably slows its flight. The dimples reduce both the wake and the drag by producing something called "separation delay" and counter-currents (so to speak) on the surface of the ball, allowing it to move a bit more smoothly through the air. It doesn't really stand to reason--since logically, a smooth ball should seem to create less drag--but the dimples actually make the ball far more aerodynamic.
  
  

Features

• These pips don't merely ensure a smoother flight; they also help build lift. As the ball spins, the dimples deform the air around the object and develop a greater amount of air pressure under the ball--somewhat similar to how they create the currents to lighten the drag. The difference in air pressure under and above this ball forces it aloft, aiding in its flight.
  
  

Expert Insight

• A standard golf ball is usually 1.62 inches in diameter, with pips of an approximate depth of 0.010 inches. But this aerodynamic nature alone isn't enough to keep the ball moving smoothly through the air. The ball actually needs to be clean--hence the washers at every tee. Who knew being tidy could help your golf game?