IN the manufacture of the golf ball the crank has naturally had something to say; but the new and wonderful things, the creations of his brain, have not stood the test of time and practical experiments. The balls in use now it would be difficult, if not impossible, to surpass for their general excellence. Not so very many years ago the club maker was also a ball manufacturer, and he did not experience much difficulty in supplying the demand to its full.

But the case is vastly different now. The game has grown to such an extent that the manufacture of the golf ball has become a trade confined to the hands of only a few of the largest firms. They monopolise the whole of the trade; but the result of the close competition has been for the good of the game, until at the present time it is quite safe to say that there are no bad balls upon the market.

A cheap ball may be purchased; but I am by no means an advocate for a species of false economy. The high-class golf ball will always keep its price, because the cost of the raw material from which it is manufactured will tend to increase as the years roll on. And if a fair price is paid for a ball, then satisfaction is assured, for the manufacturer cannot afford to leave anything to chance; he has to test things.

All balls are not similar in pattern, however. There are different methods of markings preferred by the different makers, and in these differences there is far more than meets the casual eye. The flying properties of the ball have to be taken into consideration, and in this respect I certainly think there is a considerable advantage in one particular marking.

In the Championship of 1895 the "Agrippa" pattern of marking was first introduced, and from that time these balls have steadily grown in public favour. I invariably use them myself, and I would recommend them to anyone who would hesitate in making a choice. The "Agrippa" is possessed of the best flying properties. The protuberances give the necessary life to the ball when it is struck ; but it has been noticed that the ball bearing the less pronounced projections is better than the other variety. To explain the reason is rather a difficult matter, but it is possibly to be found in the fact that a smaller surface is presented to the wind, and so the ball cuts through the air with the minimum amount of resistance.

Too much attention cannot be paid to the selection of the ball, and in my own case I invariably play with a re-made one. In this instance I find that the ball possesses more life, that it flies better, and that it is the superior of a new ball in every respect. The re-made ball is one that has been played with, then softened and re-moulded, placed on one side in order that it may become seasoned, and then painted. It is then in a condition to give the best results.

The fact of a ball being re-made affects it favourably ; of that I am certain, and I am not alone in my belief. So, as far as the question of the ball is concerned, my advice to the player is, Purchase the best, and play with one that has been re-made.