Ball was born in Hoylake, Merseyside. After winning the British Amateur in 1888, Ball became the first English-born player to win The Open Championship in 1890, and in the same year won his second Amateur, the first to win both titles in the same year. Ball subsequently won the 1892, 1894, 1899, 1907, 1910, and 1912 Amateurs, a record eight titles in all in addition to two runner-up finishes. Ball was also runner-up in the 1892 Open.