When an object such as a golf ball moves through the air, it leaves behind a turbulent wake region and has a high-pressure front region. For the agitated air in the wake region, the pressure is low there. Air flows near the front and separated from the object at its back due to such conditions. If there are dimples on a golf ball, they create a thin and turbulent air boundary around the ball surface. For this, the air follows the surface of the ball a little farther around the back, thereby reducing the wake. The size of the aftermath has a direct relationship with the drag it faces. With a decreased wake now, the drag faced by the dimpled ball is much less; in fact, half of what is faced by smooth gold balls.
