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I started playing golf when I was about 55 years old. I’m now 69. The bug really hit me. When I get interested in something, I try to find out as much as I can about the subject. I started reading books on golf. When I read about the feathery golf ball and how it was made of feathers and leather, I thought that being ¼ Scotch and having a taste for Chivas Regal, I could make one. I read that they were made of three pieces of leather sewn together to make a round golf ball. It was hard to image a rectangular strip and two round pieces of leather making a round golf ball. But, I decided to give it a try.




Gary Moody


I started playing golf when I was about 55 years old. I’m now 69. The bug really hit me. When I get interested in something, I try to find out as much as I can about the subject. I started reading books on golf. When I read about the feathery golf ball and how it was made of feathers and leather, I thought that being ¼ Scotch and having a taste for Chivas Regal, I could make one. I read that they were made of three pieces of leather sewn together to make a round golf ball. It was hard to image a rectangular strip and two round pieces of leather making a round golf ball. But, I decided to give it a try.


I use cow hide or calfskin for the cover. I have stuffed my featheries with feathers, newspaper, plastic bags and wool. Feathers are best, but they are hard to get. The tools I use, I have made specifically for the task. The most difficult part of making featheries is to find down feathers. The balls are stitched with nylon thread and then painted with a white acrylic latex paint. Some of them are dipped in a stain to give them a vintage look. I have been making the reproduction featheries for 15 years and make an average of 200 per year. I sent several to Dr. Gary Wiren and asked him to critique them. As a result of his feedback, I started working harder on them. It takes about two hours to make a good quality featherie reproduction. To make a nice, round 29 pennyweight ball takes three to five hours. I have heard of only three others who make reproduction featheries. One is another American named Phillip Mason. There are also feather ball makers in Scotland and Guatemala. My reproductions are on display in several locations, including the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida and The PGA Historical Center in Port St. Lucie. They putt fairly well and people report hitting them anywhere from 120-150 yards. I have been lucky enough to attend 12 Masters Tournaments. On practice days, I have had the opportunity to give featherie balls and business cards to many professionals. A lot of the pros have sent me notes and autographed photographs. I have a hat from Sergio Garcia, a glove from John Daly and golf balls from many players. I have been encouraged by many and discouraged by a few for making reproduction featheries. Gary Moody Muscatine, Iowa