The very first golf balls used on the golf course did not have dimple pattern. Golfers of old would later find out that the cuts and nicks produced by the flat surface golf balls flew straighter and further. Hence, golf ball makers started to intentionally put marks and nicks on them. The more they did this, the farther the ball went. As golf balls improved through the years, the experiment with dimple patterns, depth and number of dimples never ceased. The goal to produce better golf balls meant optimizing the size, number and pattern of the dimples. The less air drag meant further distance. The study on how air flows around a golf ball in flight is a never ending process in research and development. It is quizzical to note but a golf ball with a reduced air drag meant not only distance but improved air flight.
The USGA is the regulating body for golf ball design, size and weight specification. Dimple pattern is a free for all specification at this time. There is no regulation on dimple pattern. Although laboratory testing are being conducted to find out which dimple pattern performs best for various types of golfers.
Titleist continue to lead in this area of research. It is a well known golf ball company. Although, they, too produce top notch equipment, the golf ball division remain their bread and butter.
The link below will show you the various types of dimple patterns on the Titleist golf balls.
The video below explores air surface circulation on the golf ball. This is a vivid example of drag, lift and scroll. A symbiotic flow of air movement on dimple pattern and dimple depth creating lift.
Video Source: YouTube
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