Likely you have seen in a golf memorabilia store the rack of old golf balls that depict, much like this image of the lineage of man, the evolution of the modern golf ball from its humble beginnings.

What started out as a small croquet ball became a hand-stuffed leather spheroid before being molded from a rigid latex extract called gutta percha and eventually making it to the more reliable and durable wound rubber band ball that we played for almost 100 years.

(Click to read the detailed timeline of golf ball evolution)

All of this has been obviated by material technology that allows manufacturers the ability to customize the feel and performance of the ball to the perceived preferences of the wide variety of players.

But many of us pine for the good old days of wound balata balls that actually spoke to you when you miss-hit them badly by providing a wry smile demarcing your swing folly.