Dunlop 65 re-launched

Dunlop ball revitalised.

When I started playing golf around 1970, the golf ball was the currency with which you paid your debts after a social singles or fourball match.

As you shook hands on the 18th green, the loser would dip into their bag and fetch out a pristine ball, wrapped in cellophane. The higher the stakes the more prestigious the ball.

Low level matches might hand over a GBD or Commando, medium level a Penfold Ace or Warwick but if you’d played well and the match was played in good spirit, inevitably the Dunlop 65 would be the spoils for the winner.

The ball originally commemorated Sir Henry Cotton’s second round of 65 strokes in the 1934 Open Championship, when he went on to win the Claret Jug at Royal St Georges, Sandwich with a four round total of 283.

Nearly 70 years later and with the Open returning to the south coast links Dunlop has reintroduced the Dunlop 65u to be sold in single ball packs for £2 or in boxes of a dozen (£23.99).

The makers says its unique Moebius dimple pattern, an iso-diametric design, reduces side-spin with tee shots for increased accuracy, consistent ball flight, and better distance. They say it’s aimed at golfers upto 12 handicap
with ‘mid-high swing speeds in need of accuracy and distance off the tee and some spin on approach into the green.’

"Its firm urethane cover (hence the 65U) keeps spin rates down for straighter drives for players who might otherwise find themselves in the rough," says the Dunlop PR spin.

It’s more than 30 per-cent cheaper than the top of the range balls produced by Callaway, Titleist, Hogan and Maxfli but whether will catch on like Cotton’s original only time and exposure will tell.

*Other golf balls to be launched in the Dunlop DDH range in early March include Deep Distance, Buttersoft and Arrow Straight – all at 11.99 for 16 or £17.99 for two dozen, the Titanium Distance Plus and Control Plus at £9.99 for 15 and the Loco low-compression £12.99 for 12.