High-performance Golf Balls
A driving force in golf ball technology
As a component in roughly 90 percent of all golf balls, including top global brands, SURLYN™ Ionomers are clearly leading the field. With outstanding long-term durability, flex, impact, crack, scratch and scuff resistance, they’ve been a material of choice for golf ball covers and mantles for more than 60 years.
Our expertise in material science and intimate understanding of golf ball engineering have allowed SURLYN™ Resins to evolve alongside the rapidly growing golf industry – adding other advanced materials, including PARALOID™ Impact Modifiers, NUCREL™ Acid Copolymers and FUSABOND™ Functional Polymers, to help stay far ahead of the pack.
A formidable foursome
Innovation is a team sport
When it comes to developing advanced golf balls, collaboration is the key. We work closely with all our customers, using competitive monitoring, performance testing and continuous customer input to improve every grade of ball.
One example? We recently teamed up with Callaway Golf, combining PARALOID™ Impact Modifiers and SURLYN™ Ionomers to produce a proprietary blend that promotes key player benefits, including long distance, exceptional spin, outstanding feel and short game control.
Perfecting our “long game”
Like all of our offerings, our materials for sports and recreation are designed and manufactured with sustainability in mind. We’re constantly exploring and innovating, seeking out new ways to make even better, more sustainable materials to help protect people, our communities and our planet.
While our efforts to keep plastic waste out of the environment extend far and wide, we’re pleased to report that we’ve also helped repurpose used plastic mesh fencing into recycled golf tees, ball markers and divot tools.
Playing the whole course
Our commitment to golf doesn’t end with golf balls. As an organization that truly cares about inclusivity, we’re thrilled to partner with both the LPGA Tour as sponsor of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (GLBI) and the PGA Tour.
With the annual GLBI event, and as a founding partner of the LPGA’s online platform, the LPGA Women’s Network, we’re helping foster inclusion and diversity, inspiring curiosity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and sharing our focus on sustainability in and through this rapidly growing sport.
Three things to know about the science behind golf balls:
Golf balls are purposefully designed with key materials at a molecular level
The Callaway ERC Soft and Supersoft golf balls feature a new hybrid cover designed with a pioneering blend of Dow PARALOID™ Impact Modifiers, high flex modulus (HFM) ionomers, and highly neutralized (HNP) ionomers. In other words, the multi-material construction of the cover is state-of-the-art and provides noticeable player benefits, such as longer distance, exceptional spin, more control, and a softer feel. In fact, the new 2021 ERC Soft ball has been tested to outperform the 2019 model and other competitor balls by going a longer distance off the driver and 7 iron with a higher trajectory. The dynamic design also helps the ball last longer by responding to impact better, so your game won’t get cut short.
The main ingredients of golf balls strengthen a wide array of other applications beyond sport
Dow PARALOID™ Impact Modifiers are utilized by manufacturers and engineers across different industries to prolong durability and impact resistance of polymer materials. From vinyl windows to car parts to outdoor decking, PARALOID™ additives can withstand even the toughest conditions—including the force of your driver hitting the ball off a tee (and the force of your ball hitting a tree after the occasional shank).
Golf balls are developed to provide a unique experience for different types of players
According to Callaway, the ERC Soft ball is targeted for mid-low handicap players who want to maximize distance without compromising spin and control around the green. This is made possible by a high-energy core and high-speed mantle, as well as Callaway’s Triple Track Technology to improve alignment and accuracy. For players with a mid-high handicap looking for the softest feel possible and a low spin profile, the Supersoft ball is the best option. It utilizes HEX Aerodynamics® for a straight flight that will perform consistently every time.
Finishing strong
We’re excited about the possibilities of developing better, more sustainable golf balls and hope you are too. Together, we can hit the sweet spot for a stronger future.
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