Now that's an expensive ball!

A golf ball made in 1835 is to be auctioned - and is expected to fetch $50,000 or more!

A unique golf ball that is more than 150-years-old and stuffed with goose feathers is to be sold at auction - and is expected to go for an staggering £25,000 pounds.

The feathery 'midget' dates from 1835 and is believed to be the only one of its type in existence.

It pre-dates the introduction of India rubber gutta-percha balls by 15 years and although it has been used, it has retained its shape remarkably well.

John Mullock, from Mullock auctioneers, who is selling the ball, said: 'The ball came from the Harry B. Wood collection and is labelled 'Feather Midget about 1835'.

'It is thought to be the only one in existence and was probably kept because it is smaller than usual balls.

'The feathery balls were made by putting a top hat's worth of goose feathers into a leather ball, then sewing it up.

'They took some effort to make and as such they were relatively expensive - you wouldn't want to lose many of them.

'They got out of shape quite quickly and towards the end of the 19th century had been replaced by the gutta-percha balls made from India rubber.

'The new balls also meant a change in club design because they were harder than the feathery variety.

I wonder if whoever buys it will have the temerity to put it on a tee and hit the thing?

Reminds me of the old joke . . .

Pat and Mike were admiring Pat's new Cadillac. Pat showed Mike all the buttons, bells and whistles, and Mike was duly impressed.

"What are those, Pat?" he asked, pointing to two plastic objects in the center console tray.

"Oh, those are tees," Pat explained. "You put your balls in them when you drive off."

"Man," Mike exclaimed, "General Motors thinks of everything!"

Peter