
5 ways to pick the right ball for your game
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- Don’t be stingy. ...
How to choose the right golf ball for your game?
The ultimate 3-step plan to choosing the right golf ball for your game. 1 STEP 1: LEARN YOUR PIECES. The Core — The epicenter of the ball that makes things go. Its importance cannot be overstated. Why it’s needed: It’s the ... 2 STEP 2: STUDY AND TEST. 3 STEP 3: MAKE YOUR SELECTION.
How do you test your golf game?
Narrow the field to one to two favorites and head to the course. This is essential in order to see aerodynamics and spin impacts, and to assess your game’s strengths and weaknesses with the balls. Bring at least two sleeves of each ball to the course—side-by-side testing is crucial for real-time feedback on performance differences.
What do different golf balls feel like?
Different golf balls have different feels based on their respective designs. And it’s worth pointing out that balls in the same budget range but from different manufacturers can offer very different feels as well. Some feel soft coming off a driver while others are firmer, and the same is true for shots played from around the greens.
What are the best golf balls for beginners?
Low-compression golf balls are the best bet here, as every yard matters in your game. Beginners, juniors, ladies, and seniors will benefit most from low compression. Look for a rating 80 or lower. Mid compression golf balls are suggested for you, as low compression balls could create control issues.

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.
Do hard or soft golf balls go further?
soft golf ball? The harder the ball, the further it tends to go with less spin. Harder golf balls tend to be much cheaper than softer golf balls. If you lose balls regularly then harder golf balls could be ideal for you.
What is the most forgiving golf ball?
Most Forgiving Golf Balls ReviewedBest Overall: Titleist Velocity.Best for Low Handicappers: TaylorMade TP5x.Most Forgiving Soft Feel Ball for High Handicappers: Callaway SuperSoft.Best Extra Spin: Titleist Pro V1.Best Soft Feel Ball for Mid Handicappers: Titleist TruFeel.More items...•
Do golf balls make a difference for beginners?
As a general rule, the golf ball you play matters more as you start getting better. As a beginner, the ball you play won't make a huge impact on your game, but as you start shooting in the 80s, you'll want to upgrade your ball. Don't get me wrong, playing the wrong golf ball won't magically fix your game overnight.
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.
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 most important thing to have in golf?
The most important thing is to have a good quality ball. After that, the differences depend upon your playing style and your strengths and weaknesses. Different balls can enable different levels of spin, control, and height. Photo credit: mygolfspy.com.
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.
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.
Why is it important to have a soft golf ball?
This fact is largely due to the technique. If you like to make chip shots, curves, or long putts , a soft ball is probably a good choice.
How many layers are there in a ball?
Balls can range from one to five layers. These layers are made of different materials to increase the ball’s performance. The core is important to know about because the density, size, and hardness of the core impact the ball’s behavior greatly.
What is the best compression rating for golf balls?
The higher the level of compression, the denser the golf ball. Balls with low compression ratings of 70 or 80 are meant to give greater distance to beginning and junior golfers. Advanced golfers will choose balls with a compression rating of 90 or above. They offer less distance but superior control.
What is the difference between a two piece and a three piece golf ball?
Both types offer different benefits to golfers of varying abilities. The two-piece golf ball has a thin cover and a solid core in order to produce long distances and low spin.
Why is compression important in golf?
Compression levels also play an important part in golf ball selection. Golfers who understand golf ball technology and construction will benefit by improving their control and/or distance on the course. And, perhaps most importantly, they will simply find the sport more enjoyable. Sources: https://pluggedingolf.com/golf-ball-buyers-guide/.
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 takes up the most space under the cover of a golf club?
It should come as no surprise that the core takes up the most space underneath the cover. How it works: Energy retention is the name of the game. Once the club makes impact with the ball, it rockets off the face with 100 percent of its energy. However, when the ball is airborne, some of the initial energy is lost.
How much energy does a ball retain?
However, when the ball is airborne, some of the initial energy is lost. A well-designed core will help the ball retain as much energy as possible—hopefully 80 percent —to ensure it flies through the air with the right amount of speed, spin and launch. Balls.
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.
Why is the cover of a pellet ball important?
More importantly, it’s the layer that helps impart spin on the ball while also housing the all-important dimple pattern that disrupts the flow of air to keep your pellet airborne.
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.
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.
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.
STEP 1: Visit the Golf Ball Selector Tool
When you visit Titleist’s online golf ball selector tool, you'll be prompted to respond to several questions about your current game, your goals and your preferences. The objective is to find the best golf ball for you to use.
STEP 2: Compare Golf Balls On The Course
Once the selector tool has recommended two golf balls to test, the next step is to play golf! Take your recommended golf ball and alternate golf ball models to the golf course for an on-course evaluation. This is the fun part. Now, you’ll get to compare golf ball performance side-by-side to determine the best golf ball for your game.
STEP 3: Play Your Best Golf Ball Model
Trust the outcome of your on-course golf ball evaluation. Use the same model golf ball on every shot of every round you play. This will eliminate a degree of variation that you would experience if you play a hodge-podge of different golf balls.
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 is compression in golf?
Simply put, compression is a measurement of how much a ball compresses against the club face at impact. The ball launches as that compression is released, which directly affects your shot distance.
Why are distance balls engineered?
Sometimes they are even engineered to give a higher launch trajectory, to further improve distance. Make sure you fully understand the characteristics of a distance ball, before you choose. Because a lot of the time you will sacrifice spin and control on the shorter shots.
What does lower compression mean in golf?
Lower compression rates means a softer golf ball, and higher compression rates means a firmer golf ball. The low compression ball will more easily compress and is therefore suited for golfers with slower swing speeds. I think you get the concept.
What does compression rate mean in golf?
Simply put the compression of a golf ball describes its ability to compress during impact with the golf club. Lower compression rates means a softer golf ball, and higher compression rates means a firmer golf ball.
Do golf balls have compression?
So now they tend to provide a compression category more than a number. Or even describe which players the ball is created for.
Is hitting a golf ball sensational?
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.
