Attention: Golf Ball Pro's

[spinrow]

In the current MW issue(8/9-06) under TIPS & TRICKS the author of "GOLF BALL HANDLES" states his " only tip is to make sure the golf balls are not liquid filled."
Does anyone know how I could tell if a golf ball is liquid filled(prior to drilling), what is the liquid filling, is it hazardous, and what precautions should be taken? Thanks Paul

[ASparky]

Not poisonous. The hazard is that if not carefull you and the workshop will be covered in it. As for precuations, wear a rain coat! More seriously try a small test hole ( I used a batttery portable drill over the sink) without holding the golf ball in a vise or at least not tightly so as to not to compress the liquid inside. It will still squirt out a little so be prepared.

[gizmo2]

Top Flites are solid. Easily obtained. Don't use Titleists, they are wound. Those are two real common brands. Skin on a wound ball is approx. 1/16" thick, so you'll know pretty soon if you're into brown rubber bands. Rubber bands don't drill so good either. Solid balls can be most any color inside, but I don't recall ever seeing brown. It'll drill cleanly. You should be good to go now!

[IOWOLF]

Author here, most modern G-balls are ok,as a matter of fact I have never seen a liquid filled ball.
But someone has I suppose,therefore the warning.

[mjydrafter]

Most of todays balls are solid core. The older "wound" balls are getting pretty rare.

Here are some balls to watch for liquid centers; Titleist Tour Balata, Titleist Professional, or Hogan 428 Balata. These are older, and you probably won't see too many.

[john hobdeclipe]

I don't know what the liquid is in the core of some golf balls, but my 40 year old memory of unwinding a couple is that the stuff smells horrible.

[Millman]

It does smell. Why would you ask for opinions on drilling a golf ball? If the thought scares you that bad;;;don't do it,,,leave it to us professionals to drill the hole for you.. Send me the ball;; I will send a hand-written report for 200.00 USA. Can't believe people are still afraid of their own golfballs and their skills?????

[Lynn Standish]

My Labrador used to love the wound balls. He'd get the cover off, then give the windings a crunch and hold his nose down to the ball and wait for the windings to "pop" and sting his nose. Then he'd do it again.

[IOWOLF]

Dogs are stupid that way,A cat would get snaped and hide for an hour,then do it again.

[PHiers]

I drill golf balls all the time, I use them for file handles. They fit my hand and keep the tang from stabbing me. It also gives me something to do with all the golf balls I wear out.