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how do i choose which golf ball to use

by Joany Collins Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Find a golf ball type based on your skill level and personal preferences. Ball types available on the market focus on control, spin and distance.
  2. Pick a golf ball construction type. Modern golf balls are sold as multilayer, two- or three-piece designs.
  3. Select the compression rating for your golf ball. For golfers with a high swing speed that can carry their drives more than 240 yards in the air, compression ...
  4. Assess your overall golf game and weaknesses before making the final choice of golf ball. ...

A soft golf ball is ideal for golfers who have slower swing speeds because these offer more distance and a better flight even on mis-hits. If you have a high swing speed or are an advanced golfer, you'll most likely want to look for a hard golf ball for better control.

Full Answer

Which golf ball is best for me?

Sure, unless you get golf balls for free like the pros, the price of all your equipment matters, and modern golf balls with their aerodynamic cover patterns, energetic cores and intricate designs are definitely equipment. However, there can be massive performance differences for you between balls that have nearly the same price.

What is the best golf ball?

Best Golf Balls for Men

  • Shot-saving. The unique design of these sends your shots soaring. ...
  • Stop-and-drop. Golfers around the world love the greenside control of this top-tier brand. ...
  • Rocket man. Zippy off the tee, these numbers give great trajectory as well. ...
  • Green grabber. ...
  • Complete package. ...

Which golf ball should I be playing?

How to Choose The Right Golf Ball For My Game

  • Style. On the practical side, golf balls come in a few different styles. ...
  • Distance. Most of the time, an expert player will be able to get enough distance out of a performance ball to make it worth playing exclusively with their ball of ...
  • Spin. Different golf balls come with different degrees of spin. ...
  • Swing Speed. ...

How to compare golf balls for the average golfer?

Things to Look for in Golf Balls

  1. Spin Golf balls need to have a low spin to travel a good length of distance. ...
  2. Density In addition to the spin of the golf ball, the ball’s density and the force applied to it determine the distance it will travel. ...
  3. Layers

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How do I know which golf balls to use?

Understanding How to Pick a Golf BallFind a golf ball type based on your skill level and personal preferences. ... Pick a golf ball construction type. ... Select the compression rating for your golf ball. ... Assess your overall golf game and weaknesses before making the final choice of golf ball.

How do I choose the right golf ball for my swing speed?

A good rule of thumb is 100 compression for swing speeds over 100 miles per hour, 90 compression for swing speeds over 90 mph and 80 compression for swing speeds under 90 mph. Pick a golf ball with a construction designed to maximize the effectiveness of your swing speed.

What is the best golf ball for an average player?

Here are the 7 best golf balls for average golfers:Srixon Soft Feel.Callaway Supersoft.Taylormade Noodle.Wilson Staff Fifty Elite.Bridgestone e12 Contact.Titleist TruFeel.Taylormade Soft Response.

Does it make a difference what golf ball you use?

Golf balls have different layers, different spin rates, different compression ratings, and a few others. Most people just use whatever ball they found in the bushes the round before. That's fine if you're just out to hack the ball around, but if you want to improve, it's probably not the best choice.

What happens if my golf ball is too soft?

Having control of shots around the green is very important but for some golfers, having a ball which feels too soft is going to become a hindrance and this can lead to loss of control on both chip shots and putts.

Do soft golf balls go further?

Do Softer Golf Balls Go Further? As a general rule, soft low compression golf balls will travel further when you hit your driver and irons. With your wedges, soft and firm golf balls should travel the same distance.

Can an average golfer use Pro V1?

On average, most golf coaches recommend that a beginner golfer avoid Pro V1 balls. The higher price and compression rating make the Pro V1 suited to better players. Most beginners will get better performance with lower compression and lower spinning balls.

Does the brand of golf ball really matter?

The quality of golf ball you use definitely matters and impacts on your game. Higher quality, more expensive golf balls generally have a urethane cover, leading to greater 'feel' and spin control. Premium balls will usually perform longer and hold greens more consistently, helping you shoot lower scores.

What golf ball should a 15 handicap use?

What golf ball should a 15 handicap use? A 15 handicap golfer will benefit from using a Bridgestone Tour B RX. With the Tour B RX, the 15 handicap player can get impressive distance from the tee, accuracy on the iron shot approaches to the green, and enough spin to stop the ball around the green.

Should you always use the same golf ball?

“Consistency. By playing the same ball every time you tee it up, you will start to eliminate performance differences from various ball models which will build confidence and consistency which will aid you in shooting lower scores.”

Do cheap golf balls make a difference?

Certainly, players will see no difference between a cheap ball and an expensive ball. If you can't see or feel the difference, there is no reason to spend the extra money. Generally speaking, the better a golfer is, the more it makes sense to use a higher quality golf ball.

What type of ball should a high handicapper use?

Two piece golf balls It's a simple ball and usually aimed at the higher handicapper or beginner. The price is low and the materials are not designed for Tour level performance. The characteristics of a two piece ball are usually a harder feeling and a lot more roll on the fairways due to their low spin characteristics.

What is the unique feature of a golf ball that tells you if a ball has a hard or?

Compression is the unique feature of a golf ball that tells you if a ball has a hard or soft feeling.

Why is a golf ball flat?

A flat golf ball would be more affected by the air compared to a ball having dimples. The dimples decrease the area on a golf ball for air to create drag. When the ball is hit in the air, the air molecules bounce off the dimples, and so the ball can travel far and straighter.

Why are premium balls better than urethane balls?

Premium balls are superior and have significant performance benefits. Because of their Urethane covers, they produce more distance and spin. Less expensive Surlyn Covers can provide durability, but when you are looking to take your game to the next level, you should prefer premium balls.

What is the outer layer of golf balls made of?

The four-piece golf balls give more distance and feel on shots. The outer layer is thin and almost always made of urethane. The inner layer made of rubber helps to produce that explosive distance. When you hit with drivers, you will get to know how it feels. Dimple counts are also more in these balls.

Why is golf played in the summer?

Golf is best when it is played in the summer or in warmer conditions. This is because winter affects both your visibility and the performance of the balls. For every 10 degrees decrement of temperature, Golf balls lose quite some distance. And the speed is also affected.

Is it better to stick with a golf ball?

It’s best to stick with a golf ball that you have tried and tested. There are hundreds of balls from different brands out in the market. It’s easy to get attracted by the functionality of these balls. Some might offer more spin and some more distance. You should experiment and find a golf ball that matches your budget.

Can beginners use a golf ball?

For beginner golfers looking to practice more, we see no problem is using them. But, you should be careful to know when to shift from them.

1. Stick with what works

We’re not saying you shouldn’t experiment with different golf ball models from time to time—it’s fun to try new gear and see how it affects your game—but if you’re really interested in shooting your best scores, it’s best to find a model that fits your budget and swing and stick with it.

2. Fit to irons, wedges and putter

A lot of folks understandably think selecting the right golf ball means finding the one that goes the longest off the tee, but in reality you’d be a lot better offer fitting to your scoring clubs. “How well is this working in my short game? How does it feel off the putter? How about my 7-iron?” Those are the questions you need to ask.

4. Compress to impress

While there can be advantages for a very fast swinger (see “Tour player”) to use a slightly higher-compression design in terms of energy transfer and ball speed, most modern golf balls will produce relatively similar driving distances for the vast majority of players.

What factors to consider when choosing a golf ball?

Here are three factors to consider before making your choice: 1. BUDGET VS. SKILL LEVEL. Let’s be honest … the higher your handicap the more likely it is that you are losing your fair share of golf balls on the course. Therefore, it would be wise to find the best ball that suits your budget.

Why is personal preference important in golf?

But as is often the case in golf, personal preference will also play a major role in determining the right ball for your game.

Why do high handicappers need premium balls?

High handicappers can also benefit from premium balls because of their ability to spin and go longer distances, as well as their soft feel around and on the greens. Sticking to a budget, however, is a great idea for everyone when it comes to choosing a ball. 2. FEEL PREFERENCE.

What happens when you change the ball you play?

When you change the type of ball you play on a frequent basis, you are constantly having to readjust to a new feel, which is not good for achieving consistent results.

How does spin work on a golf ball?

How it works: Based on the thickness of the firm mantle layer, spin can be adjusted up or down. It also helps keep ball speed (energy retention) up after impact without having to go to a harder cover and sacrifice spin. It’s a turbobooster for the ball.

What are the areas of golf driver fitting?

(A solid driver fitting can help maximize any ball that proves beneficial to finesse shots.) Focus on the following areas for on-course review: 1. Chip and pitch shots—feel, spin, release 2. Approach shots—trajectory, spin, release.

What is premium value ball?

Premium Value: Offers some of the same technology as a premium ball (urethane cover and mantle layer) but at a lower price.

How many favorites are there in a golf game?

Narrow the field to one to two favorites and head to the course.

Why is a ball sealer needed?

Why it’s needed: It seals the ball so moisture can’t enter the core through the porous cover. Depending on the number of mantles being used, performance characteristics can also be adjusted for different parts of the bag.

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Warnings

Choosing the wrong ball could possibly affect your game so be careful in your decision.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.

How far should you drive a staff model golf ball?

You typically drive the ball 275 yards or farther and are frequently looking to shape your iron shots. You want more control in your short game and you know putting spin on your wedge shots is a must. If this sounds like you, we highly recommend the Staff Model or Staff Model R golf balls.

How many yards does a golfer drive the ball?

Your average score is in the mid-70s to 80s and you generally drive the ball around 275 yards. You’ve begun to master your wedge game and have found spin to be an important factor when shooting for the green.

What is a game improvement player?

The "Game-improvement Player" is someone who may be just starting out or just likes to golf with friends on the weekend. Golf is something fun for you, but you’re still looking to improve your game and show your buddies that you can own the course. If you’re this kind of player, your main focus is learning how to hit the ball RIGHT.

What are the elements of a golf ball?

There are three key elements that make up a golf ball: dimples, core, and cover . Each of these have different effects on your ball.

How to determine your ball speed at impact?

Divide your average driving distance minus roll factor by 1.75, which will determine your ball speed at impact .

What is the difference between urethane and surlyn golf balls?

Covers come in two main types: Surlyn and urethane. Surlyn covers are the most durable and have lower spin. Urethane covers greater control and softer feel- these covers are usually preferred by skilled players and are found on higher-end balls.

What drives compression in golf?

The ball’s core drives compression, which is a result of the ball’s overall density. The more experienced the golfer, the faster their swing speed- this is typically where a higher compression ball is needed.

How to find driving distance?

Find your average driving distance by adding your drive totals together (typically 20 or more drives is recommended) and dividing by the total number of drives

How to pick a ball?

The first thing to do is to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. When selecting a ball, you want to accentuate your strong points and nullify your weaknesses. You do this by paying attention to the practical application of the construction method and material.

How big is a golf ball?

According to the official rules of golf, the ball is 42.67 mm or 1.68 inches in diameter. The golf ball’s circumference is usually 43 mm. Generally, golf balls do not stray from these measurements. The size is one of the most policed aspects of the ball.

What is the best golf ball for a slower swing?

If you have a slower swing speed, it is probably best to use a golf ball with a low compression level. It is easier to hit low compression balls a far distance at a lower speed. If you are an experienced golfer, you might prefer a high compression ball.

How many dimples are there on a golf ball?

The number of dimples on a golf ball varies. Most of the time, the number falls between 300 and 500 . It’s hard to imagine fitting 500 dimples on a 43 mm ball; however, manufacturers devote untold resources to the science behind this process.

What is a two piece golf ball?

Two-piece golf balls feature a single core and a thin outer layer. Photo credit: golfpsych.com. The outer layer on a two-piece ball is harder to compensate for the lack of an internal layer. For this reason, they travel further than three-piece balls. Also, they tend to have a good compression level.

What is the best compression level for golf balls?

As a rule of thumb, lower compression levels get greater distance than higher. For an average player, a compression level of 70-90 is ideal.

What is the center of a golf ball?

The center of the golf ball is called the core . The core is usually large and made of synthetic rubber. Often, the rubber is wrapped by another thin synthetic layer. These materials produce optimal distance and spin. Some materials are selected to increase control.

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Feel

  • The feeling of striking a golf ball purely is sensational. The feeling of a mishit is not! Virtually every golfer likes a good feel to the ball. But far from every ball is comfortable to play with. Feel is something that isn’t really measurable, so this trait speaks to your senses. A few years back, dist…
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Distance

  • Since golf balls are so very different in their construction it is a good idea to determine whether you go for distance or spin. Especially if you’re a bit on a budget. If your wallet permits, going for the more expensive balls let’s you get something from both worlds. Typically the cheaper 2- or 3-piece balls are marketed as distance balls. They are firm and produce less sidespin on the long…
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Spin

  • High spinning balls are also in demand like distance balls. This is because of the increased spin rates which leads to more stopping power on the green. And for the experienced player it means shapeability. Spin balls are usually soft 3- or 4-piece balls with some tech in them. A new trend in golf balls is the implementation of a so-called mantle layer. It sits just inside the cover, and can …
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Quality

  • For the golfer on the budget, this is very important because of wallet aches. And the for the golfer not on a budget, this topic is largely relevant because they pay for quality and don’t want to battle poor durability and such. The cover durability is largely affected by the material of which it is made and how the manufacturer processed it. Urethane is generally softer, depending on how m…
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Price

  • Last but definitely not least is the price. Golf balls aren’t cheap, especially not if they end up in that water hazard on 4th, 12th and 18th each round Depending on how many balls you “throw away”, you might be more or less aware of this post in your golf budget. Golf balls range from $10 per dozen for cheap 2-piece ones, to $45 per dozen for premium ones. Another possibility to save s…
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Summing It All Up

  • Choosing a golf ball can be a complicated process. We hope that this article has helped answer some of your questions. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. And if you’re still a bit uncertain what to think about the process of choosing a golf ball, take a look at the video below, which has some sensible insights. As described in the video, not all players will benefit from a to…
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Are The Best Golf Balls?
    As you might have noticed from this article, it’s now an easy task to choose a golf ball. To help you find the best one, we’ve reviewed the best golf balls in this article. The balls reviewed are the ones we see as the best on the market today, and there is something for every taste, whether yo…
  • What Kind of Golf Ball Should a Beginner Use?
    Beginners are not necessarily going to get a lot out of optimizing golf ball choice. In the beginner stage it’s all about stabilizing your game and finding consistency. When you’re at a decent level of consistency, consider going for a golf ball that will help you in the areas you struggle. If you stru…
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