1830's Feathery Golf Ball

        Presented here is a very early, large Feathery golf ball. The large size of this ball indicates that it is most likely from the 1830's. While a review of the ball does not reveal the markings of any particular maker, this ball is certainly the work of one of the few so-qualified early ball makers in Scotland.

        Ballmaking was a highly-skilled procedure practiced by skilled craftsman whose production averaged only three or four balls per day. The leather used was untanned bull's hide which, after being cut and shaped, was sewn together with waxed linen thread. A small hole was then left, through which the feathers would later be inserted. The leather was then turned inside out through this small hole so that the seams would be on the inside. Then it was time to stuff the leather ball with feathers from the breast of a chicken or goose. The stuffing was then performed with a crutch-handled steel rod, known as a brogue.

        Since they were made of leather, featheries were prone to being ruined when they got wet, and quickly needed to be replaced after only limited use on the links. It's no wonder that very few exist well over a century later. It is estimated that approximately 400 featheries exist in the world today.

        Significantly, this early featherie was obtained from the James Watt of North Berwick collection. Watt was the assist pro to Willie Park, Jr., and collected some fascinating golf balls during his time at North Berwick. This ball comes with a signed letter of authenticity from James Watt's granddaughter Rosemary Watt, who explains collected this ball at his golf shop in North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland. This impressive early feathery shows some wear and cuts, but displays beautifully.