speeds. For example, the distance test involves having a mechanical golfer hit the ball with a titanium driver and a

swing speed of 120 miles per hour. As the testing center explains: “The USGA system then uses an array of sensors

that accurately measure the flight of a golf ball during a short, indoor trajectory from a ball launcher. From this flight

data, a computer calculates the lift and drag forces that are generated by the speed, spin, and dimple pattern of the

ball. ... The distance limit is 317 yards.”

Over 1800 golf balls made by more than 100 companies meet the USGA standards. The balls do differ in various

ways, such as the pattern of dimples on the ball, the types of plastic on the cover and in the cores, and other factors.

Access for free at openstax.org
10.1 • Monopolistic Competition 241

Since all balls need to conform to the USGA tests, they are much more alike than different. In other words, golf ball

manufacturers are monopolistically competitive.
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