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how to pick the right golf ball for your game

by Guillermo Lueilwitz Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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5 ways to pick the right ball for your game

  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 ...
  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 ...
  3. Don’t be stingy. It’s totally understandable to regularly buy inexpensive golf balls if you tend to lose a lot of them or you just don’t feel that they affect ...
  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 ...
  5. Change ’em up. It’s true that modern golf balls are extraordinarily durable, but the reality is that you risk losing some significant yardage off your driver (up to 5 ...

Full Answer

Which golf ball is best for me?

Jan 29, 2021 · But as is often the case in golf, personal preference will also play a major role in determining the right ball for your game. 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.

What is the best golf ball?

Sep 07, 2018 · 5 ways to pick the right ball for your game. By GOLF Editors. ... A lot of folks understandably think selecting the right golf ball means finding the one that goes the longest off …

Which golf ball should I be playing?

Find the Best Golf Ball for Your Game. It’s a fact. Playing a properly fit golf ball will help you shoot lower scores. This golf ball selection tool starts the fitting process by suggesting a recommended and alternative ball for you to test. The next step is to conduct an on-course evaluation to see which Titleist golf ball is the best for your game.

What type of golf ball fits me?

When choosing the golf ball you wish to play with, consider the factors below; 1. Power Some manufacturers of golf balls have created balls that specifically add length to a player’s drives. Usually, this results in reduced ‘feel’ around the green. 2. Feel

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How do I find the right golf ball for my game?

How do I want my golf ball to feel, firmer or softer? 15+ Handicap: Look for a ball that tends to fly straight and offers forgiveness on mishits. Distance is likely the top priority; spin help is often needed to augment a lack of technique to generate enough stopping power.Jul 9, 2020

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

Pick a golf ball with a construction designed to maximize the effectiveness of your swing speed. Choose a two-piece golf ball for swing speeds under 90 mph, a multi-layered ball for swing speeds under 100 mph and a performance ball for swing speeds over 100 mph.Nov 16, 2018

Which golf ball should I be playing?

Golf balls can be classified as low, mid, or high spin. With a lower spinning golf ball, your ball will travel farther and straighter making it a great option for beginners or high handicap golfers. A higher spinning golf ball has less forgiveness but better overall ball control making it ideal for advanced players.

What golf ball should I use with a 90 mph swing speed?

Here is our top pick Golf Ball if your swing Speed is 90-95 MPHRankNameBuy NOWNo.1Callaway Golf Superhot Bold Matte Golf BallsClick HERENo.2Bridgestone E6 Speed Golf BallsClick HERENo.3TaylorMade TP5 Prior Generation Golf BallsClick HERENo.4Nitro Long Distance Peak Performance Golf BallsClick HERE1 more row•Jan 14, 2021

What swing speed do you need for Pro V1?

98-105 mphThe #1 ball in golf, the Pro V1 is a three-piece golf ball meant for swing speeds of 98-105 mph.

What compression golf ball should I hit?

A 70 compression ball should be used by a golfer whose club head speed with their driver is 70 mph, an 80 compression ball should be used by a golfer with an 80 mph club head speed, 90 with 90 and 100 with 100. In addition, keep in mind that temperature affects golf ball compression.

Which golf ball goes the farthest?

The longest golf ball is the Titleist Velocity. This is a two piece ball that is built completely for distance and low ball spin from the tee. Titleist is known for having some of the best golf ball technology on the market, and the Velocity is no exception.

What's better hard or soft golf ball?

In almost all cases, an average golfer will prefer a softer golf ball over a firmer ball. Softer balls normally have a lower compression rating which means it will take less club speed to properly compress the ball. This will result in straighter shots and a better feeling golf ball.

Which golf ball goes the farthest 2020?

Analyzing the individual ball statistics we can see that the Titleist Pro V1x averaged the farthest distance as well at 266.7 yards. Meanwhile, the Callaway Chrome Soft X averaged the shortest distance at only 259.3 yards.Jun 27, 2019

What is the longest hitting golf ball for seniors?

The Callaway Super Soft is the longest golf ball for seniors. It's a 2-piece, low compression golf ball that offers excellent distance. This golf ball has a soft feel, but it flies far.Feb 19, 2022

What is the average swing speed for a senior golfer?

between 72-86 mphWhat is the average swing speed of a senior golfer? According to a study done by My TPI, the average speed for 50-60 year old golfers is between 72-86 mph. For golfers above 60 years old, it's between 71-79mph.

What is the best golf ball for a swing speed of 85?

The TaylorMade Tour Response is the best golf ball for those with an 85 mph swing speed. The Tour Response is a 70 compression ball designed to help players get more distance and better feel.

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. Every major golf ball manufacturer offers multiple brand lines that will deliver high performance and fit nicely into most any budget.

2. FEEL PREFERENCE

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.

3. MAKE A COMMITMENT

My biggest pet peeve is when a self-proclaimed serious golfer tells me that they don’t care what kind of ball they play because they use whatever they can find. And we’ve all been there and done that. But at some point, if you are truly serious about your game, it’s time to decide on a ball and stick with it for a while.

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 is a slug of uncured polybutadiene rubber?

Materials: A slug of uncured or lightly cured polybutadiene rubber is compression-molded into a sphere. Different grades of rubber are typically used in a core to give it certain speed or spin characteristics. The Mantle — Sandwiched between the core and cover, it helps fine-tune spin and distance.

Who is Jonathan Wall?

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to joining the staff at the end of 2018, he spent 6 years covering equipment for the PGA Tour.

How does energy retention work?

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.

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 is the best way to control a golf ball?

For the best control, choose balls with ionomer covers. This cover is plastic in nature, therefore when you hit the ball with a golf club; the ionomer material absorbs the energy from the club and does not spin. This then gives the ball more control through the air as spin is eliminated. Another important factor to consider ...

What is the best ball for golf?

Urethane covered balls are the best when you want to improve your golf distance. The urethane has some bit of rubber, and this allows it to bounce harder and thus further off of the golf club. However, with such kinds of balls, it is much harder to control them and are therefore recommended for more advanced golfers.

Why is golf important?

As such, it is important for new golfers to understand the ins and outs of choosing the right balls to make the play much more enjoyable. In order to go about choosing ...

What is the best compression rating for golf balls?

Balls with a compression rating of 80 are also the best for golfers who have a tendency to drive their ball 240 yards or less. For better control in your golf game, choose a multi-layer ball. The multiple layering absorbs the impact caused by the golf club and therefore restricts the ball from spinning.

What color grass is best for golf?

Well, the answer can draw some controversies, however, yellow (bright yellow to be precise) is a familiar choice amongst golfers. They are the easiest to track in green grass. Also, it is the most used one after the original white. There surely are other color choices like; pink and green.

Is it easy to pick a golf ball?

Again, choosing the right golf ball is quite easy as long as you know what you need to improve on to make your game better. Golf balls come at different prices. If you can find a set that fits your style and preference without having to dish out loads of money, then good for you.

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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 our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it 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.

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.

How big are golf balls?

First of all golf balls must be no smaller than 1680 inches or 42.67mm in diameter, and not exceed 1.62 ounces or 45.93 grams in weight. (Think about that one over your next 6-foot putt hey. Golf Balls are generally made up of a core, mantle and a cover.

How many pieces are in a golf ball?

You will hear of some balls being three, four or five pieces, and it just means that they have between one to three mantles inserted in them between the core and the cover of the ball. The mantle of the golf ball is optimised depending on the golf ball striking of golfers at different ability levels.

Why do golf balls have dimples?

The dimples create turbulence which reduces drag. This means that the ball will fly a lot further as opposed to a ball without dimples. This was discovered in the early nineteen hundreds when a golfer discovered that a scuffed up ball travelled much farther than a new one.

What is the mantle of a golf ball?

Mantle of the Golf Ball. The mantle is the part or parts between the core and the cover. The mantle will help manufacturers optimise the amount of spin they want to create particularly with the irons and wedges. The mantle is generally made up of a surlyn material. You will hear of some balls being three, four or five pieces, ...

What is the core of a golf ball made of?

The core of a golf ball is generally made up of a synthetic rubber material and will have the largest mass and volume of the golf ball. The core will play a role in ball compression, and studies have shown that certain types of cores can help reduce the spin generated by the driver, which is ideal for golf ball distance.

Avoid guesswork

How many of us just play a premium ball because we know the brand and trust that it must be good for us? Then, how many will play whatever ball they have handy, or whatever is on sale cheap in the pro-shop?

Consider your requirements

Most golf ball manufacturers now produce a range of balls which are designed to suit players not only with differing swing speeds but also differing swing characteristics.

Speak to a professional

Once you’ve considered your wants and requirements from a ball, the best thing to do is to go for a custom ball fitting. Most PGA professionals will be able provide this service and give you the correct guidance on finding the correct ball to suit your game.

Play with confidence

At this stage you can have total confidence in the ball you’re using. You’ve considered your requirements, sought professional advice, trialled different models that are designed for a player like you and have made your choice.

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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, dis…
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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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