A rare golfball designed by a Scot to stop it from rolling down hills, is expected to fetch up to £8,000 at auction this month. The Park Royal gutta-percha ball was invented by Willie Park, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, in 1896.

It was formed with flattened hexagonal sides, 1¾in in diameter. The flat, or indented, sides were supposed to "prevent the ball running too easily on keen greens or downhill" – but the design never took off.

The 113-year-old ball, believed to be one of only six left, will be auctioned on 25th July at Bonhams in Chester.

Source: Evening News, Tuesday, 14th July, 2009