The Rise and Fall of the Polara Asymmetric Golf Ball: No Hook, No Slice, No Dice

Technology in Society

Volumn 18, Issue 1, 1996, Pages 93-110

  Gelberg, Nadine J ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0041537961     PISSN: 0160791X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/0160-791X(95)00025-M     Document Type: Article

References (35)

1. S. Van Tijn, In Search of the Perfect Golf Ball" (Financial Post Magazine, 1977), p. 10.
2. J. S. Martin, The Curious History of the Golf Ball (New York: Horizon Press, 1968), p. 31.
3. Ibid., p. 36.
4. A. Chase, "A Slice of Golf," Science, Vol. 81 (July/August), p. 90.
5. N. R. Kleinfield, "In Pursuit of the Perfect Golf Ball," New York Times (February 16, 1986): Section 3, p. 1.
6. This information and much of what follows is based upon evidence presented in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California before the Honorable Robert H. Schnacke, Senior Judge. Polara Enterprises Inc., Plaintiff vs United States Golf Association and Golf Ball Manufacturers Association. No. C-78-1320-RHS. Detailed references to the transcript, and an appendix on golf ball aerodynamics are available from the author.
7. More importantly, the manufacturers who invested time and money in the research of graphite, production techniques, and marketing would probably be victorious in court if the USGA decided after approving graphite shafts to later ban them.
8. Ibid. The 1995 Rules of Golf still maintain the 6% tolerance.
9. USGA, 1995 Rules of Golf (New Jersey: USGA), pp. 110-111.
10. J. M. Davies, "The Aerodynamics of Golf Balls," Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 20, No. 9 (September 1949), pp. 821-828.
11. K. Denlinger, "Polara Keeps the Golf Ball on Line, But Guilt Feelings Put it Off Course," Washington Post (July 25, 1977), p. D1.
12. Telephone Interview with Fred Holmstrom (January 31, 1995).
13. Patent No. 3,819,190.
14. T. H. Maugh II, "Sports: Introducing the Happy Non-Hooker" Science, Vol. 187 (March 1975), p. 941.
15. E. M. Swift, "Chose Your Weapon; Golf Technology has Taken a Quantum Leap," Sports Illustrated (July 9, 1990), p. 40.
16. In the United States District Court for the Northern District of California before the Honorable Robert H. Schnacke, Senior Judge. Polara Enterprises, Inc., Plaintiff vs. United States Golf Association and Golf Ball Manufacturers Association. No. c-78-1320-RHS. Transcript Notes (September 13, 1984): Book 3, p. 157.
17. Exhibit 133: article written by a reporter Derek Reveron (no date stated, but after 1981) Khourie direct of Nepela (September 13, 1984), book 3, p. 155.
18. Ibid., p. 111.
19. F. Thomas, Technical Director USGA letter to Daniel Nepela (March 23, 1967). Cited in T.N. (September 12, 1984), book 2, p. 37. Khourie's direct of Nepela.
20. T. N. (September 27, 1984), book 11, pp. 21-23. Bass direct of Freedman (statistician reviewing USGA observations of ball tests).
21. 1995 Rules of Golf (New Jersey: USGA), p. 110.
22. F. Thomas, at USGA interview (March 7, 1995).
23. Advertisement in Golf World, Vol. 31, No. 11 (July 29, 1977), p. 14.
24. "Inventor of Improved Golf Ball Wins Tremble Damages Against USGA, Rivals," Antitrust and Trade Regulation Report, Vol. 47, No. 1190 (November 15, 1984), p. 883.
25. T. N. (September 19, 1984), book 6, pp. 57-58. Bass direct of James Butz.
26. Wilson ProStaff Advertisement, Golf World (August 6, 1976), back cover.
27. 27.Tru-Stix advertisement, Golf World, Vol. 31, No. 13 (August 12, 1977), p. 16.
28. Top-Flight Magna Advertisement, Sports Illustrated, Vol. 82, No. 15 (April 17, 1995), p. 33.
29. Polara Advertisements, Golf World, Vol. 31, No. 11 (July 29, 1977), p. 2 and No. 26 (November 11, 1977), pp. 14-15.
30. Polara Advertisements, Golf World, Vol. 31, No. 11 (July 29, 1977), p. 2 and No. 26 (November 11, 1977), pp. 14-15.
31. D. Ranii, "They Built a Better Golf Ball, But it Wasn't Allowed to Fly," National Law Journal (November 12, 1984), p. 8.
32. R. McG. Thomas Jr and Thomas Rogers, "Duffer's Dream Finally Over," New York Times (January 8, 1986), p. A20.
33. Interview with Frank Thomas, Technical Director for the USGA (March 7, 1995).
34. K. Denlinger, "Polara Keeps the Golf Ball on Line, But Guilt Feelings Put it Off Course," Washington Post (July 25, 1977), p. D1.
35. Interview with L. Abrams, Attorney for USGA (January 25, 1995).