How much?

Apparently the market for premium golf balls is growing. Even though the number of rounds of golf being played has remained static over the past few years. More regular golfers are switching to these expensive 'techno' golf balls.

Such balls, with their thinner covers and seamless manufacturing techniques carry a hefty price tag. Say, forty quid a dozen or over three pounds per ball. Yeaks! If you happen to slice your first drive into the mire. But where does all that dosh go?

The retailers don't seem to be making much of a margin on them, only £6 to £8 per dozen box. The remaining £32 - £34 is divided up between the research and development costs, packaging and distribution, all those glossy advertisements and player endorsements. That just leaves profit for the particular brand and the cost of manufacturing.

How much do these premium golf balls cost to manufacturer? Well, about £3 per dozen box, or just 25 pence a ball. Doesn't sound too bad now, if you smash one into the trees. A real pity you have to pay for all of that other expensive marketing stuff.
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Lilly

Golf Girl; Lilly
Illustration by Anne Muhonen

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Competition! How low can we go?

Golf Refugees, creators of the original black golf ball, are launching a competition to find the lowest score achieved by a golfer using a black golf ball.

We don't like rules, so we're tryin to keep them to a minimum. This worldwide competition is open to anyone who plays eighteen holes of consecutive golf using a black golf ball, between the 1 st March 2009 and 30 th September 2009. Winner to be announced on 5 th October 2009.

If you contact us with your details and a pre-paid postage envelope, we'll send you a free black golf ball.

After your round, all you have to do to, is send us a copy of your signed score card, and we'll post all of the results on our web site.

You can contact Golf Refugees via our web site; http://www.golf-refugees.com/

The winner will receive the 'Best black ball golfer' trophy and a selection of prizes including golf balls, clothing etc. Good luck!

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R&A

To become a member of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews,
the governing body of golf.

You'll require a low handicap.
A thorough understanding of the rules of golf.
And a penis.
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Rossco's 75

You may of guessed that the original black golf ball has never won a golf tournament. We recently shouted about this in one of our adverts 'No tournament wins, So what'. Naturally, we put this down to the fact that we aren't paying a top golf pro sheds loads of money to win us a tournament. Doing some maths, if Tiger wins 30 tournaments a year, and is paid 100 million dollars by Nike over five years, then that's roughly 666,666 US dollars per win. The devil's in the detail.

However, it seems to persuade enough members of the general public to part with their cash for a winning ball. Despite the fact, that they probably swing the club 30 mph less than pro golfers, and would score better playing with a different ball.

But today, Golf Refugees are celebrating. One of our regulars, Rossco contacted us, to record a round of 75, at his local Forfar golf club in Scotland using a black golf ball. We believe this to be the lowest ever score for a round of golf using a black ball. This got us thinking, how low can we go?

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Bartering

The snow's gone and the birds are twittering, Spring is just around the corner. Must be time to blow the cobwebs off the old clubs and take a few practise swings in the garden. I know the pro's take a good divot with a short iron, but hacking a slice of turf from the lawn is never a confidence builder for me. Probably a good idea to book a couple of lessons at my local golf club.

They say that cash is king, especially in these economic times, but I prefer something else. Armed with some merchandise, I'm looking for that twinkle of opportunity in the young pro's poker face eyes for an exchange of services. I hope he's feelin he's got a bargain. A couple of brand spanking new Golf Refugees carbon neutral organic cotton polo shirts and a dozen box of original black balls for three lessons. Who needs pie and mash?
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Members only

There's a plush private golf club near us, with a plethora of members only signs where ever you look. You can't wear this and you can't wear that. The usual collared shirts and long socks with tailored shorts when playing and blazers with creased slacks in the Clubhouse. Car park full of Aston Martins, BMW's and the odd Roller. First years entrance fee a cool 10K, if you can get through the interrogation. I'm not sure if they've ruled out torture, like the UN. It's a tightly run ship especially if you're from the wrong end of town, or more importantly poor. Plenty of rules to keep them out.

Membership enhanced by some minor celebrities and plenty of representation from the legal fraternity. Naturally, the club turns a blind eye to some illegal gambling and due diligence of where your money comes from. Who cares if it's from running brothels or arms dealing.

Ok ramble over. My point. It may seem childish, but I really enjoy playing at these posh clubs. I can feel numerous sets of beady little eyes staring at me, which can bring a slight shiver to my shoulders. But it's a challenge, a bit of a victory to play at such elitist golf clubs wearing fake golf shoes, reversed indigo denim pants and planting a black golf ball on the first tee. That's not strictly accurate. I usually wait until the first green to get my original black ball out.
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