Why Do Golf Balls Have A Dimpled Texture?

Prior to the invention of golf balls as we would recognise them today, golf balls were actually small leather bags which were stuffed full of feathers.  This was known as the 'feathery' but this type of ball was notoriously quick to lose its shape and was never very good at being hit a long distance.
Then more 'hi tech' golf balls were made from the juice of a gutta percha tree.  This golf ball was almost indestructible, but it quickly dropped out of the air, because its surface was too smooth.  So dimples were introduced to help the ball fly more smoothly and reach longer distances.  This began with golfers simply cutting notches in the balls, but very quickly caught on.
Current golf balls are wound with rubber and the dimples can be arranged for various 'strengths' such as flying higher, lower or farther.  The average golf ball tensds to have in the region of 384 dimples.