[Hulk01]

Yes, persimmon and balata.

I played most of my competitive golf within 50 feet of sea level,
in 50 degree ocean air, on rain dampened and sometimes rain soaked golf fairways--
with a persimmon driver with a head the size of a cigarette pack--
and balata balls.

Four of our state's top ten players played our 450 yard fifth hole
at least three times.
None of them ever reached the green in two.

The difference between a two iron and a driver
was about twenty yards.

Made my first hole in one at Stanford with a balata ball. Made my second one this year with a ProV1x.

Made my aces with a red Titleist 2 (80 compression, iirc, age 14), my second with a Wilson Staff 3 (age 18), both balata. The first and only time I caddied, age 13, my guy aced the tenth hole, of course with a balata.   And I've seen two more in person--none by a pro.

[Hulk01]

Yes, persimmon and balata.

I played most of my competitive golf within 50 feet of sea level,
in 50 degree ocean air, on rain dampened and sometimes rain soaked golf fairways--
with a persimmon driver with a head the size of a cigarette pack--
and balata balls.

Four of our state's top ten players played our 450 yard fifth hole
at least three times.
None of them ever reached the green in two.

The difference between a two iron and a driver
was about twenty yards.

Made my first hole in one at Stanford with a balata ball. Made my second one this year with a ProV1x.

Made my aces with a red Titleist 2 (80 compression, iirc, age 14), my second with a Wilson Staff 3 (age 18), both balata. The first and only time I caddied, age 13, my guy aced the tenth hole, of course with a balata.   And I've seen two more in person--none by a pro.