Why do golf balls have so many bumps on them. Would a smooth surface not help the ball move better?

Question

When golf balls are flying I have seen some of them suddenly change direction or lightly deflect from the original trajectory. Is this becuase of the bumped surface? if the surface was smooth then the ball will fly smoothly and go in the right direction. I

Answer 1

No, actually, the dimples make the ball travel straighter and farther.

I found this for you:

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/q...

Answer 2

That might seem true, but it isn't.  The 'dimples' on the ball actually give lift to the ball and make the flight much more stable than a smooth ball.  Interesting tidbit: long ago balls were smooth, but players noticed that an older ball that had been nicked around the surface would fly straighter and farther, so some smart manufacturer started making new balls that had small nicks and those nicks soon evolved to the dimples we know today.

Answer 3

The dimples help give lift and reduces drag.  In the old days of golf, a golf ball was flat but the player found that the dented and damaged balls flew further and straighter.

Answer 4

the bumps creat a pocket through the air when hit, thats why a baseball or basketball any ball can't  go as far as a golf ball. it creates less air resistance

Answer 5

No it wouldnt help it.  And they're not bumps, they're dimples!!!

Answer 6

It makes them more aerodynamic and therefore travel further. Originally, they used to be smooth.

Answer 7

My gosh, you are absolutely right!  For hundreds of years golfers have been using balls with dimples, when all along they should have been playing with smooth balls.  It's amazing that no one thought of this until just now.  You, sir, are a genius.  Quit your job right now and start a company that will produce smooth golf balls.  You'll put Titleist out of business!

Still can't believe that we've been doing it wrong all this time until this genius came along.

Answer 8

Golf balls have little dimples to reduce drag.  This sounds strange but the dimples actually cause tiny areas of turbulence and the turbulence causes the laminar flow (the air that is right next to the surface of the ball) to stay attached.  To find more detailed information, you might do a Google search for 'vortex generators' which are commonly used on aircraft wings to accomplish the same thing.  You might also do some research on why the fins of some whales have a scalloped leading edge.

Answer 9

The dimples give the ball more dynamics. You can get more spin that way.