Golf balls have dimples to reduce drag and increase lift during their flight through the air. The dimples create a turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface, which delays the separation of airflow and reduces the size of the wake behind the ball. This smaller wake lowers drag, allowing the ball to travel farther. Additionally, the dimples enhance lift by creating a pressure difference between the top and bottom of the ball due to the Magnus effect, which helps the ball fly higher. Without dimples, a golf ball would experience more drag and less lift, leading to shorter and less accurate flights.