How to Balance One Golf Ball on Top of Another

Why balance a golf ball on top of another? Why not? Need a little stress management today? Leave them stacked where someone else will notice -- on the counter, on your desk, on the boss' s desk. You can even try to stack 3 or 4, or set up several stacks. Got some kids around? See if they can do it too!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Several golf balls
• 2 fairly steady hands
• A little patience
• A stable base

1. Make sure you have a stable base on which to set your bottom golf ball. If it is unstable you'll have trouble stacking any, much less multiple balls. A table is ok, but you can easily vibrate or bump it. Actually, some thick, short grass or sand make a good base. If you have one of those old rubber pads for opening jars it's a good base to add to your table.
2. Brace with your pinky fingers... Carefully and slowly begin to place the top ball in position using both hands. Brace your hands on the ground or table with your pinky fingers and heels of your hands.
3. Hold your breath... Carefully let go, keeping your fingers very near the top ball. Pay close attention as you place it, as it may begin to roll off. Stop it with your fingers, and try to very slightly turn the ball to try to line up the dimples.
4. If you're careful you can see and feel whether the dimples line up. If they don't, just turn the ball slightly more to line them up.
5. Give yourself about 2 minutes per ball to try getting them to balance on their own. After that you may need to shake out your hands. If you can't get them to balance, try using 2 different brands of ball -- they usually have somewhat different dimples.
6. Ok, 2 balls balanced? Now you can try it with the kids, and then...Try a 3rd. It takes more nerves and you might lose the bottom one, so you might have to start over. Got 3? Going to go for 4? Rumor has it that the record is 11, but I can't confirm that...
7. Try it with the bottom ball on a tee! Now try a trick shot on the driving range... Put a ball on a tee and balance another one on top. If you hit the bottom one, the top one will pop straight up! Don't use your favorite driver, as you could put a 'moon' (dimple pattern) on the top.
8. Or, try to hit the top ball off the bottom ball. Great for working on your hand-eye coordination. If you hit the bottom one, the top one will pop straight up! Don't use your favorite driver, as you could put a 'moon' (dimple pattern) on the top. If you're fast, you can catch the top ball, but watch out, as it's coming down!

Tips & Warnings

• Balance a number of balls on your co-worker's desk, or anywhere people will notice.
• Get your kids involved and they'll sit still for at least a few minutes!
• Remember, patience, patience, patience...!