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Though the swing of the golf club provides the impact, the core of the ball makes it go. Balls with a harder core travel further because they deform less at impact and produce a greater transfer of energy. A typical core is made of polybutadiene, a common type of rubber found in car tires.

The dimples on a golf ball may vary in size, shape, depth and configuration, but they all have the same purpose: To provide longer and higher flight. A golf ball can travel about twice as far as a smooth ball. The dimples allow air to flow over the ball's profile more easily, meaning less drag. Also, hitting a golf ball results in a rapid backspin, which forces airflow downward and creates an opposite upward force that provides lift.

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