1830's-1840's Feathery Golf Ball

According to ballmaker references in trade directories and census rolls, featheries were produced as far back as the 16th century. 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.

Presented here is a fine example of an 1830's or 1840's feathery golf ball. This ball was has impeccable provenance. It was from the collection of Allistair Buchan-Hepburn of St Andrews and was previously sold in a Bonham's Golf Auction in January of 2003. It is reputed to be the work of master ballmaker Gourlay of Musselburgh.