Downhole tools having features for reducing balling and methods of forming such tools

A downhole tool, comprising:

• a bit body having a plurality of blades defining at least one fluid course rotationally between a first blade and a second, adjacent blade, the at least one fluid course having a bottom surface between a leading surface of the first blade and a trailing surface of the second blade, the bit body having a surface comprising a topographical pattern defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into the bottom surface of the fluid course and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the bottom surface of the fluid course, the topographical pattern disposed between the first blade carrying a first plurality of cutting elements and the second blade carrying a second plurality of cutting elements;
• and
• an anti-balling material disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface of the fluid course comprising the topographical pattern, the topographical pattern configured to improve retention of the anti-balling material on the bit body during drilling, the anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings thereon when the downhole tool is used to form or service a wellbore.