[beering]

TFA makes it clear that this is a very different phenomenon than golf ball dimples, and even goes as far as to say they are opposing.

[coldtea]

However the TFA doesn't make clear that this: "It's long been accepted that the smoother the surface, the lower the aerodynamic drag. That turns out not always to be the case" was already known to NOT always be the case (e.g. in golf balls).