Golf is a sport that's been popular for nearly 300 years, since first played on the fields of Scotland. The game itself hasn't changed much, but the equipment has certainly changed with the times. You can imagine how different golf balls were back in the 1700s. The golf ball has undergone many revolutionary changes, bringing it to the hard, dimpled form that we use today.

When golf was first developed, the balls were made of wood. These simple golf balls had relatively short life spans and would crack after just a few hits. Over time, golfers devised another type of ball that was bound in leather and filled with feathers. The revolutionary golf ball was hugely popular.

It wasn't long before another threshold was crossed in the evolution of the golf ball. The new balls, known as "gutta-percha", took the sport by storm. Nicknamed "gutties", these balls were made with a type of natural latex called gutta-percha. Further adaptations led to a form of guttie that was similar to the style of golf ball we use today: a synthetic rubber core encased in a white plastic cover.

In the early 1990s, changes in the structure of the golf ball were beginning to take shape. Golfers were given the choice of three different types, including the control golf ball, distance golf ball and the spin golf ball. The latter typically offers the best quality, while the distance ball is usually most affordably priced.

So far as the technological advances are concerned, golf balls have been modified in every area of development; from the roundness of the ball, to materials used in the manufacturing process. Some types of golf balls have gone through so many scientific modifications that you'd almost need a degree in chemistry to fully understand all of the elements that form the simple golf ball.

Today, most amateur golfers use a solid core ball with a cover made of a type of plastic called surlyn. These golf balls are more affordable and achieve greater distance, but they can be difficult to control. More experienced players choose golf balls with covers made of balata, a material that provides more spin and a better feel. These golf balls demand a higher price.

Taking us into the modern age, some manufacturers have delved into the development of golf balls made with titanium, while others are using tungsten and magnesium. A mixture of metal components is used in the creation of some golf balls. Gamma rays have even been used during certain manufacturing processes. In others, a "bald spot" is created to give the ball a truer roll. These futuristic developments have all been made to allow golfers a better game.

Technology has also altered compression in an effort to launch the average golf ball to brave new heights. The compression of a golf ball is a measurement that defines the degree of deformation that a golf ball presents after it has been hit several times. Many golfers believe that using a ball with higher compression will add distance to their tee and fairway shots, but this is not the case. There is usually a significant decrease in accuracy after a round of play, which may be attributed to the deformation of the ball after several strokes. Only the accuracy of the hits is affected, and not the actual distance that the ball achieves.

Golf balls are tough as nails and built to last. There is no set "shelf life" to a golf ball, so they can be successfully played after years in storage. However, it's important to know that some conditions will shorten the life of a golf ball. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat, for example, certainly takes away from the life expectancy of your golf balls.

Up until a few years ago, golfers were able to choose from just two basic types of golf balls. There wasn't a huge selection, so the demand was simple and the prices were very affordable. Now, however, technology has taken hold. The choice is vast, and prices have increased accordingly.

Whether you're just starting out in golf or have been enjoying the sport for many years, you know that there is a lot to learn. From golf etiquette and rules of play, to golf equipment and even golf balls, there's always something new to learn about this age-old sport.

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Columnist Emery Noile is an essayist for a variety of web sites, on sports store and sports shop issues.