[gene messer]

Iam always looking for simple ways to help the beginner get started . And I think this little tutorial might of be of interest to some ..

Now I know we are woodcarvers .. but anything that helps a beginner learn the basic cut's .. help's them use it in carving wood ..

So I thought why not show how to carve a very simple face on a golf ball ..
The inside of the ball is soft and the beginner can try the basic cut's .. The simple tools to use are only a knife and a small v tool ..

So here goes ..

1. Believe it or not .. it doesnt matter what kind of golf ball you use .. mine was found on a golf course ..

2. I will try and make this as simple as possible because it is a fun project to do and create's pretty nice result's ..

The pictures are as in sequence ..

1. The tools I use to cut the golf ball outer shell ... A dremel rotary tool with a cut off wheel and a screw driver to pry up the outer shell of the golf ball once cut ..
(P.S. There are several ways in how persons remove the outer shell of the golf ball .. this is only my way ..I hope that anyone can suggest their way in doing this on the reply's later so we can get quite a few ways )

2. The Golf Ball

3. Draw a line around the center of the golf ball all the way around as shown with a making pen

4. Holding the ball .. ready to cut ..
( now I own a very heavy duty industrail glove that is reinforced from cutting that I use to hold the ball with and I cut around the ball with the dremel ....
BUT ! Unless you have something like this to make sure you are safe from being cut .. DO NOT hold the ball and cut it .. Beginners ... PUT THE GOLF BALL IN A VISE AND HOLD IT THERE WHILE YOU CUT AROUND THE BALL ..
This a a must in safety .... Also if you use a dremel tool .. use safety glasses in case of slivers of plastic coming loose while cutting ..

5. The Golf Ball Cut ..

[gene messer]

6. Pry the outer shell of the golf ball off the ball .. This is done with a screwdriver by slowing and safely working the head of the flat head screwdriver under all sides of the shell where you cut around the ball and then lifting the shell off .. ALSO WEAR GLOVES WHEN DOING THIS TO PREVENT ANY INJURY !

7. Draw the lines for the hair as shown

8. Separate the hair from the face ..

9. Draw a line center on the face and mark for the nose ..

10. Make a cut under the nose to begin separating the nose ..

[gene messer]

11. Draw the lines to define the nose ..

12. Make the cuts the start shaping the nose ..

13. After shaping the nose ... Draw the lines for the mustache as shown

14. Make deep cuts to separate the mustache from the face

15. Begin cutting around the face slowly shaping it .. You do this by slowly cutting around the outside of the face ..

[gene messer]

16. Continue shaping the ouside of the face ..

17. Make v -cuts for the eye's and shape the eye

18. Using your v tool .. create the hair on the beard and top .. Your piece is finished for just cleaning up the carving ..

19. The finished piece painted with acrylics

20. The finished piece ..

[gene messer]

21. The finished piece

I tried to make this project as simple as possible and you can do it in a very short period of time .. it makes a great gift for a golfer or just anyone .

glue the ball on a golf tee and then put it on a small base .. it is a wonderful gift for a golfer friend ..

Hope you enjoyed the project ..

Be safe .

Gene

[Mark N. Akers]

Gene:
Great job on the tutuorial,keep up the great job.

[Mottles]

Gene, this is terrific, good work on your 'Golf Ball' Tutorial...we live in a golfing community of which we are not golfer's. Often we pick-up golf balls which have gone astray--trails, streets, washes etc. As our golfing neighbor has moved to North Carolina our golf ball collection is thriving. Soooo your tutorial has given me a good way of using some of these collected golf balls.
Thanks Again, excellent tutorial and super little golf ball guy!
Kathy

[Coffeeman]

Gene,

Excellent idea and nice job on putting this all together, will try a couple today, have our golf clubs dinner this friday, will make some up for the first place team. Bill

[Coffeeman]

Tip: When removing the golf ball cover, leave the cover that has the balls name on it, golfers like to see the type of ball, example: Titleist, Nike, etc.

Gene: Again great job..Bill

[Dan Wegiel]

Great tutorial. I'm fairly new to this site, but I sure wish I would have found it a few years ago. You'd make a great teacher Gene, and so would several other's on this site. Very helpful and informative members. Thanks