Why dont they make golf balls completely smoothe?

Question

just wondering

Answer 1

They could, and originally did, but the aerodynamic properties of dimpled balls are much better. The traditional ball for many decades has been uniformly dimpled, but research and development on the optimum form of dimpling is ongoing. For example, the Wilson Sporting Goods Company, Humboldt, Tennessee, has developed a ball within the last 10 years that has 500 dimples arranged in a pattern of 60 spherical triangles. To quote them: "The selection of dimples and their placement optimizes the interaction between opposing aerodynamic forces of lift and drag. Large dimples reduce air drag, enhance lift and maintain spin for distance. Small dimples prevent excessive lift that would destabilize ball flight to a degree. Medium sized dimples blend the characteristics of small and large dimples.". Have a look at this:
http://neurolab.nasa.gov/er/seh/pg76s95.html
and this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_ball

Answer 2

Cuz they wouldn't work. Cuz they would be ugly imagine a baby without dimples. Cuz they would slip out of your hand especially when wet. Cuz they would never stop rolling on any downhill slope, Cuz they would cost more to make.
Golf balls require dimple patterns to increase control, improve trajectory and maintain consistency. The air passing over the balls use the dimples to cause the ball to rise and maintain flight and the resulting back spin assists if stopping the ball on the green.

Answer 3

Every modern golf ball has dimples; their purpose is to increase the distance.

Dimpled balls fly farther than non dimpled balls due to the combination of two effects

Answer 4

Because when it's smooth, it might be mistaken as deodorant ball...

Answer 5

so that it can carry distances and work better with air pressure.. Try throwing a Table-tennis ball???

Answer 6

for a true flight path