Polara Golf
Encyclopedia
Polara Golf is brand for a line of golf ball
s that correct hooks and slices, based on the physics of their design. Aero-X Golf, Inc is the manufacturer that created the Polara Ultimate Straight and Polara Ultimate Straight XS golf balls featuring “Self-Correcting Technology” that reduces hooks and slices by up to 75%. David L. Felker, PhD, Chairman of the Board, Head of Technology of Aero-X Golf, Inc. and former Callaway Golf Company founding member and Vice President of Research and Development, coinvented the Polara Ultimate Straight golf balls, along with Doug Winfield, formerly of Maxfli
, Titleist
and Wilson Staff
. The new Polara Ultimate Straight golf balls represent a large performance improvement over the original Polara golf ball which was first sold in 1977. The new design, released August 2010, utilizes state-of-the-art aerodynamics and a principle axis of inertia. The ball has shallow truncated dimples around its equator and has deep spherical and small spherical dimples on each of the ball's poles.
Officially sanctioned balls are designed to be as symmetrical
as possible. This symmetry is the result of a dispute that stemmed from the original Polara, that had six rows of normal dimples on its equator but very shallow dimples elsewhere. This asymmetrical design helped the ball self-adjust its spin
-axis during the flight. Over 300,000 balls were sold. The United States Golf Association
refused to sanction it for tournament play and, in 1981, changed the rules to ban aerodynamic asymmetrical balls. Polara's producer sued the USGA and the association paid US$1.375 million in a 1985 out-of-court settlement.
Market research performed by Golf Datatech found that roughly 28% of frequent golfers would be interested in playing a ball with benefits, even if it was nonconforming. According to Polara Golf CEO Gary De Bay, about 40% of golfers who tried the ball at a demo day said they would buy it.
An article in The New York Times
in May 2011 sparked a media blitz, including a segment on CNBC
. The great demand "crashed Polara Golf’s computer servers for hours." Bill Pennington, the article's author, found that open boxes of Polara balls would be emptied by the end of the day.
There was backlash against the "illegal" ball. Ken Hambleton backtracked after interviewing Felker, writing "The problem with the latest version of Polara ... is that it works."
Golf ball
A golf ball is a ball designed to be used in the game of golf.Under the Rules of Golf, a golf ball weighs no more than 1.620 oz , has a diameter not less than 1.680 in , and performs within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits...
s that correct hooks and slices, based on the physics of their design. Aero-X Golf, Inc is the manufacturer that created the Polara Ultimate Straight and Polara Ultimate Straight XS golf balls featuring “Self-Correcting Technology” that reduces hooks and slices by up to 75%. David L. Felker, PhD, Chairman of the Board, Head of Technology of Aero-X Golf, Inc. and former Callaway Golf Company founding member and Vice President of Research and Development, coinvented the Polara Ultimate Straight golf balls, along with Doug Winfield, formerly of Maxfli
Maxfli
Maxfli is a brand of sports equipment, most recognized for its golf balls, currently owned by Dick's Sporting Goods of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's purchased the brand from TaylorMade-adidas Golf on February 11, 2008, however, the Noodle trademark and all golf ball patents remained with...
, Titleist
Titleist
Titleist is a brand name owned by Fila for golf equipment and apparel products produced by its subsidiary called the Acushnet Company, which is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts....
and Wilson Staff
Wilson Staff
Wilson Staff is the golf division of Wilson Sporting Goods. The company designs and manufactures a full range of golf equipment, accessories and apparel using the Wilson Staff, Wilson, Profile, and Hope brands....
. The new Polara Ultimate Straight golf balls represent a large performance improvement over the original Polara golf ball which was first sold in 1977. The new design, released August 2010, utilizes state-of-the-art aerodynamics and a principle axis of inertia. The ball has shallow truncated dimples around its equator and has deep spherical and small spherical dimples on each of the ball's poles.
Officially sanctioned balls are designed to be as symmetrical
Symmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
as possible. This symmetry is the result of a dispute that stemmed from the original Polara, that had six rows of normal dimples on its equator but very shallow dimples elsewhere. This asymmetrical design helped the ball self-adjust its spin
Spin (physics)
In quantum mechanics and particle physics, spin is a fundamental characteristic property of elementary particles, composite particles , and atomic nuclei.It is worth noting that the intrinsic property of subatomic particles called spin and discussed in this article, is related in some small ways,...
-axis during the flight. Over 300,000 balls were sold. The United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
refused to sanction it for tournament play and, in 1981, changed the rules to ban aerodynamic asymmetrical balls. Polara's producer sued the USGA and the association paid US$1.375 million in a 1985 out-of-court settlement.
Market research performed by Golf Datatech found that roughly 28% of frequent golfers would be interested in playing a ball with benefits, even if it was nonconforming. According to Polara Golf CEO Gary De Bay, about 40% of golfers who tried the ball at a demo day said they would buy it.
An article in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
in May 2011 sparked a media blitz, including a segment on CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
. The great demand "crashed Polara Golf’s computer servers for hours." Bill Pennington, the article's author, found that open boxes of Polara balls would be emptied by the end of the day.
There was backlash against the "illegal" ball. Ken Hambleton backtracked after interviewing Felker, writing "The problem with the latest version of Polara ... is that it works."