Skip to main content

Weird but true: Did you know badminton shuttlecocks are calibrated? Here’s how it’s done

If you love to know random facts about things, then find out how badminton shuttlecocks are made

Badminton birdies on the gym floor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For backyard barbecues, high school graduations, summer picnics, or one competitive thing the whole family can get into, badminton is a go-to sport for any age that everyone loves because it doesn’t require a ton of physicality. No matter how good you think you are, there will be a time when you absolutely whiff the shuttlecock and then stare at your racket, wondering how the heck you missed.

Well, there’s actually a bit of science behind that. Here’s why your badminton shuttlecock might seem out to get you.

The professional grade ones

The high-quality shuttlecocks we are talking about here are the nice ones. The ones professionals use. The ones that make your eyeballs widen and your jaw drop a bit when you look at the price tag. These are handmade, quality-controlled birdies.

What makes them special

There is a super involved process to make one shuttlecock. It’s a labor-intensive technique, but the results are worth it. Each birdie has a specific number of duck or goose feathers, depending on the brand and style.

How Badminton Birdies Are Made | Design Insider

They go through a process that is more intense than filling out a dating site profile. The top is cork covered by a thin piece of white leather. Each shuttlecock’s feathers are precisely the same to create that perfect lob when you act out your professional dreams at the family reunion.

The process keeps going

After they go through the whole assembly process, they still have to run a few more tests before packaging the shuttlecock. Each one goes through a calibration machine to make sure it’s are as centered and uniform as possible. It looks like one of those zero-gravity experiences you can do, but mini-sized for the birdies.

The final fun bit is seeing the birdie in action. They feed into a machine-operated racket arm that fires them at an awaiting employee.

A badminton birdie on top of a badminton racket on the court floor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The facts don’t stop there

Have you ever paid attention to the different colors on the badminton shuttlecocks? Have you ever noticed there were other colors? Those actually mean something, so look the next time you buy.

The color code

  • Green for slower speed
  • Blue for medium speed
  • Red for the fastest speed

Depending on your climate

  • Use red in colder conditions
  • Use green in warmer conditions

The store ones aren’t the same

The ones we usually buy for those summer days are made of plastic and other synthetic materials like nylon. But the goose or duck feather ones are the best for accuracy, which is why they’re used in tournaments and at professional levels. The plastic guys are made so that no matter how hard you hit the birdie at your friend’s face, they won’t come apart.

Sometimes, learning how something is made is just as weird as it is interesting. Now you have facts about badminton shuttlecocks to wow your friends at the next party or to give you that extra edge at general knowledge trivia night.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
Professional mini golf exists, and it’s exactly as weird as you want it to be
Mini golf isn't just a high school date night idea, it's also one interesting professional sport to watch
A mini golf course

Just like there always seems to be a new event at the Olympics that you hardly believe they put through, there are constantly new professional sports that we have to see to believe is a thing. You've probably been miniature golfing since grade school, going on cute dates with your parents, and then on to more competitive outings with your high school friends. Now, you could turn that experience into a professional athletic career. Here's the deal on professional mini golf.

A little background
Most people have stepped foot on a putt-putt or mini golf course at least once. Called putt-putt, mini putt, goofy golf, and crazy golf, the game has been around for longer than you think.

Read more
25 badass women in history you should know about
Can you name 25 key women in history? Here's our list of some of the badass women who made a difference
Maud Stevens Wagner | badass women in history

Many women have made history by shaking up the status quo, inventing and discovering new things and fighting for their rights (or the rights of others). If you can name more badass men in history than women, it's time to do a little more research. We decided to look into several history books, and compiled a list of some of the most iron-willed, courageous, and badass women in history.

You'll get to learn how these women struggled due to patriarchy and other societal factors, as well as how they have made a profound difference in their communities— and even the world. From a Georgian queen to a professional gamer, here are 25 women from all walks of life who empower us.
Althea Gibson

Read more
The best vinyl records (and what you need to know about this timeless format)
Vinyl records are timeless and every man should have a solid collections. Here are the best albums to have.

If the last decade is any indication, vinyl records aren't going anywhere. Audiophiles and casual music listeners alike can't get enough of the format, a physical artifact built for the turntable. Sales continue to surge and musicians continue to release music in this high-fidelity manner.

Sow how's your collection? We could go on and on about the more esoteric albums you should have stocked in your crates but here, we're breaking down the essentials. The following well-curated list will serve as the skeleton of your sprawling vinyl record collection. By all means, go above and beyond this list, but be sure to start here, if you haven't already.

Read more