Golf remains one of the most popular pastimes in the United States, with around 28.6 million golfers playing at least one annual round in 2008. With that level of popularity comes a large and vibrant market for golf equipment, including golf balls. The golf ball has undergone four distinct stages as it has evolved to the two piece rubber-cored ball that many golfers use today. One such ball is the Pinnacle brand.
From Wood to Rubber
The first golf balls were likely made of hardwoods from the Eastern coast of Scotland, where the game originated. A cowhide sphere filled with goose feathers, known as a "Featherie" came into use in the early 1600s, and in 1848, the Reverend Dr. Robert Adams created the Gutta Percha, or "Gutty" ball, by heating the dried sap of the Sapodilla tree and forming it into a ball. In 1898, Coburn Haskell produced the first solid rubber core, featuring a high-tension rubber thread wrapped around the core and a Gutta Percha cover. The dimple pattern was introduced in 1908.
The Two Piece
The first two-piece ball was introduced by Titleist in 1972, with its sister company Pinnacle introducing a more reasonably priced version marketed toward the everyday player. The two-piece construction marked a revolutionary increase in drive distance and made Pinnacle a popular choice for millions of golfers.
The Pinnacle Two Piece
The Pinnacle two-piece balls featured a solid rubber core and a hard resin cover. It was this hard cover that elicited complaints from golfers who complained that it felt like a rock. Pinnacle, which marketed itself as an affordable, long-distance ball, began innovations to offer better feel without sacrificing value. Today, Pinnacle balls feature a thinner cover and a larger core to create a ball that combines distance and softness around the green. The Pinnacle brand trails only its Acushnet Company companion Titleist in golf ball sales.
Current Pinnacle Balls
Current Pinnacle golf balls are the Dimension, a soft core ball designed for long, straight flight; Gold Precision, for a flatter trajectory and soft feel; Gold Distance, designed for a higher launch for maximum distance; Ribbon White, with a soft cover for control around the green; Ribbon Clear, which has a pearlescent pink cover; and the Exception, Pinnacle's best value ball.
The Acushnet Company, maker of both Titleist and Pinnacle products, has a 15-year history of supporting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation by featuring a pink ribbon and the Komen logo on Pinnacle Ribbon balls and packaging. The logo serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection, and Acushnet's contributions have garnered the company a spot on the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Million Dollar Council.
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