<P> Most golf balls on sale today have about 250--450 dimples, though there have been balls with more than 1000 dimples . The record holder was a ball with 1,070 dimples--414 larger ones (in four different sizes) and 656 pinhead - sized ones . </P> <P> Officially sanctioned balls are designed to be as symmetrical as possible . This symmetry is the result of a dispute that stemmed from the Polara, a ball sold in the late 1970s 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 . The USGA 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 . Polara Golf now manufactures balls with "Self - Correcting Technology" for non-tournament play . </P> <P> Golf balls are usually white, but are available in other high visibility colors, which helps with finding the ball when lost or when playing in low - light or frosty conditions . </P> <P> As well as bearing the maker's name or logo, balls are usually printed with numbers or other symbols to help players identify their ball . </P>

Who invented the first golf ball in 1400