Hole #4 Billy and Drew explore how Golf is a Ball Game and unique from other games, in that the evolution of the ball was a critical element to the evolution of the game itself.  Learn about the original wooden golf balls pre 15th century and the origin of the featherie- the first "modern golf ball" in 1603.  Then discover how the Hindu God Vishnu is connected to the Guttie - first natural rubber golf ball made of gutta-percha.  The episode ends with the introduction of the India-Rubber Ball the  Haskell or "Bouncing Billy" then we break for Part 2 following the golf ball space race of the early 20th century. 

The snippet featuring Malcolm Gladwell comes from "A Good Walk Spoiled" Episode 1 of Season 2 of Revisionist History Podcast produced and owned by Pushkin Industries.