Explosive Balls (at Least in Massachusetts) Are Not EXPLOSIVE SWINGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE GOLF COURSE
With the U.S. Open coming up in June (barring any major COVID-19-related developments), the participants are sure to leave audiences in awe of their explosive drives. While “explosive” in this context doesn’t mean anything is actually exploding, there is a precedent for golf balls that literally explode. In fact, that precedent led to the creation of a pretty interesting state law in Massachusetts: No
be fined $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 or imprisoned for a year for any offense after that. You would think that the existence of this law means that at some point, people were just smacking exploding golf balls around the Bay State before the lawmen kiboshed it. However, the truth is a little more nuanced.
J. in 1912, who, while “dissecting” a golf ball, ruptured the rubber fluid sack at the center. Some of the liquid got in his eye and caused permanent damage to his sight, despite multiple visits to the doctor. Even though golf ball manufacturers stopped using caustic liquids in the centers of their golf balls in the 1920s, the liquid centers of golf balls made in the following decades could still cause harm. If someone dissected a golf ball and ruptured the fluid sack of one of these later balls, the crystalline material within could still cause injuries. Fortunately, solid core golf balls became common during the 1970s, removing liquid core golf balls from the course for good. However, even though they’re gone, their legacy lives on in this strange Massachusetts law.
While it’s unknown what exactly prompted the
legislation, there are a few clues as to what sorts of incidents Massachusetts governments were
one is allowed to sell exploding golf balls.
According to Chapter 148, Section 55 of the General Laws
trying to avoid. The first clue is that prior to the late 1960s and early 1970s,
of Massachusetts, “Anyone who sells or knowingly uses … a golf ball containing any acid, fluid, gas, or other substance tending to cause the ball to explode” can
golf balls were actually manufactured with a caustic liquid at the center. This led to the unforeseen injury of a boy named William
6 THINGS TO REMEMBER IF YOU GET PULLED OVER
Here’s a common question we often hear: “What should I do when I’m pulled over for a traffic stop?”
mood. When the officer asks where you’ve been and where you’re going, it’s part of their investigation, not a friendly chat. Fifth, don’t make any admissions. During most traffic stops, the officer will walk up and ask, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” You might want to say because you were doing this or that. This is an admission and can be used against you. These statements are often recorded by a camera in the police car accompanied by a lapel microphone on the officer or with a body camera. Finally, you don’t want to consent to search. If the officer asks to search your vehicle, the truck, a bag in the vehicle, or anything else, you can politely decline. Other than rolling down the windows, you do not need to let the officer see within the vehicle.
A large part of the answer comes down to common sense. First and foremost, be polite and avoid starting a confrontation with the officer. Be calm and as friendly as you can. The officer is doing their job, and they know people aren’t happy to be pulled over. Talking to them about being recorded or starting an argument is not helpful. Secondly, you do not want to be memorable. You want to fade out of the officer’s memory. The officer will make notes on a ticket or arrest report based on their interaction. You don’t want to give them any extra information or any details to remember you by. Keep things simple and straightforward.
Thirdly, make sure you treat the officer with respect with your body language. Remain visible at all times. Officers are always concerned when they pull someone over. They don’t know how many people may be in the car, where the people are situated, or what’s going on within the car. Keep your hands on the steering wheel visible at all times and roll down the windows. Fourth, keep the interaction with the officer as short as possible. Don’t do or say anything unnecessarily to extend the interaction. The longer the encounter is, the greater the chance that something goes wrong. Don’t engage in conversation or joke to lighten the
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