<P> Originally, golf balls were made of a hardwood, such as beech . Beginning between the 14th and 16th centuries, more expensive golf balls were made of a leather skin stuffed with down feathers; these were called "featheries". Around the mid-1800s, a new material called gutta - percha, made from the latex of the East Asian sapodilla tree, started to be used to create more inexpensive golf balls nicknamed "gutties", which had similar flight characteristics as featheries . These then progressed to "brambles" in the later 1800s, using a raised dimple pattern and resembling bramble fruit, and then to "meshies" beginning in the early 1900s, where ball manufacturers started experimenting with latex rubber cores and wound mesh skins that created recessed patterns over the ball's surface . Recessed circular dimples were patented in 1910, but didn't become popular until the 1940s after the patents expired . </P> <P> The minimum allowed diameter of a golf ball is 42.67 mm and its mass may not exceed 45.93 g . Modern golf balls have a two -, three -, or four - layer design constructed from various synthetic materials . The surface usually has a pattern of 300 - 450 dimples designed to improve the ball's aerodynamics by reducing the ball's drag - inducing wake and allowing spin on the ball to create lift . The method of construction and materials used greatly affect the ball's playing characteristics such as distance, trajectory, spin and feel . Harder materials, such as Surlyn, usually result in the ball's traveling longer distances, while softer covers, such as urethane, tend to generate higher spin, more "feel" and greater stopping potential . Golf balls are separated into three groups depending on their construction: two -, three -, or four - piece covers . Generally four - piece golf balls tend to be the most expensive, though price is no assurance of quality . </P> <P> A player usually carries several clubs during the game (but no more than fourteen, the limit defined by the rules). There are three major types of clubs, known as woods, irons, and putters . Woods are played for long shots from the tee or fairway, and occasionally rough, while irons are for precision shots from fairways as well as from the rough . Wedges are irons used to play shorter shots . A new type of club called a hybrid combines the straight - hitting characteristics of irons with the easy - to - hit characteristics of higher - lofted woods . A hybrid is often used for long shots from difficult rough . Hybrids are also used by players who have a difficult time getting the ball airborne with long irons . Wedges are played from difficult ground such as sand or the rough and for approach shots to the green . Putters are mostly played on the green, but can also be useful when playing from bunkers or for some approach shots . Putters have minimal loft, forcing the ball to stay on the putting surface when struck . The most common clubs to find in a golfer's bag are the driver, 3 - wood, numbered irons from 3 to 9 (with hybrids commonly replacing the 3 and 4 iron), pitching and sand wedges, and a putter . Players commonly also carry a 5 - wood, and / or additional wedges such as a gap or lob wedge . </P> <P> When on the green, the ball may be picked up to be cleaned or if it is in the way of an opponent's putting line; there are certain other circumstances in which a ball may be lifted . In these cases, the ball's position must first be marked using a ball marker; this is typically a round, flat piece of metal or plastic that is differentiable from others in use . Ball markers are often integrated into other accessories, such as divot tools, scorekeeping tools or tee holders, and in the absence of a purpose - made marker, a small coin such as a penny is acceptable . </P>

What is the general name of the implement used to strike the ball in golf