I wouldn’t take this as gospel but the following is what I could gather in my research.
At the turn of the century the making of a gutta percha ball was a relatively simple process which required some relatively simple and inexpensive equipment and product. All a professional needed was the raw gutta percha product (usually supplied in rods), an apparatus for handling hot and cold water applications, golf ball moulds and the painting and drying equipment. This is limited evidence of the professional golfers in Ireland creating golf balls from scratch, the exceptions would be John Aitken, Joseph Braddell and C.S. Cuthbert.
More common were professionals who remade old and damaged golf balls these were sold as “Remade” golf balls which came in two sizes “regular” and “under-sized” which could be half the price of the new golf ball. The damaged golf balls were immersed in boiling water and when they were soft the were squeezed in a bench press or vice. After this they were re-moulded into golf balls and cooled off in cold water. They were then left to dry and were re-painted and sold on as “Remades”.
The Henry J. Magee Greenore Ball in the picture was likely an under-sized Remade Bramble golf ball purely because of its weight which is 39 grams using a mould that was produced specifically for his use. Given that he worked with Aitken at the County Golf Club (Royal Portrush) it wouldn’t be a stretch that he was accustomed to making golf balls himself and it is not dissimilar to the ‘Portrush Lily’ which is one of Aitken’s bramble golf balls from 1895.
Hope this helps.
If you have any information or pictures I can add to your grandfather’s story on the website I would be happy to do so.
I’d love to find out more about this ball. HJ Magee was my great grandfather and the 1st Golf Pro at Greenore Golf Course.
Robert – Thanks for getting in touch. Not sure I can add any more detail but will look into it.
Kind regards
Paul
Robert
I wouldn’t take this as gospel but the following is what I could gather in my research.
At the turn of the century the making of a gutta percha ball was a relatively simple process which required some relatively simple and inexpensive equipment and product. All a professional needed was the raw gutta percha product (usually supplied in rods), an apparatus for handling hot and cold water applications, golf ball moulds and the painting and drying equipment. This is limited evidence of the professional golfers in Ireland creating golf balls from scratch, the exceptions would be John Aitken, Joseph Braddell and C.S. Cuthbert.
More common were professionals who remade old and damaged golf balls these were sold as “Remade” golf balls which came in two sizes “regular” and “under-sized” which could be half the price of the new golf ball. The damaged golf balls were immersed in boiling water and when they were soft the were squeezed in a bench press or vice. After this they were re-moulded into golf balls and cooled off in cold water. They were then left to dry and were re-painted and sold on as “Remades”.
The Henry J. Magee Greenore Ball in the picture was likely an under-sized Remade Bramble golf ball purely because of its weight which is 39 grams using a mould that was produced specifically for his use. Given that he worked with Aitken at the County Golf Club (Royal Portrush) it wouldn’t be a stretch that he was accustomed to making golf balls himself and it is not dissimilar to the ‘Portrush Lily’ which is one of Aitken’s bramble golf balls from 1895.
Hope this helps.
If you have any information or pictures I can add to your grandfather’s story on the website I would be happy to do so.