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softer golf balls have what downside

by Jack Lowe Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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It is generally agreed that soft golf balls spin less than firmer golf balls so from the tee they should be longer as well as straighter, having less back and sideward spin. However, spinning less will mean that there is less control into and around the greens so the balls are harder to control and will feel softer off a putter face.

Some soft compression golf balls also offer more feel and that means more control when playing short shots around the green. However, there are some cons when using low compression golf balls. These include too much spin, being too soft around the greens and a 'squishy' feel when contacting the face of the club.Nov 12, 2021

Full Answer

Why are soft golf balls so soft?

Depending on your affinity for soft golf balls, you can credit or blame preference-driven golfers whose penchant for whacking marshmallows inadvertently created the fresh hell that is the nebulous world of soft balls. (Middle-finger emoji.) Just to bring everyone up to speed here; soft feel is primarily the result of low compression.

What is the softest golf ball?

The Srixon Z Star…it goes far and feels soft. If you believe everything you read, then damned near every golf ball is soft. In reality, the soft balls I’ve mentioned by name span a more than 50-point compression range from 40 (the softest we’ve tested) to a bit over 90. That’s less than half the deformation.

Are low compression golf balls bad for You?

While it is not really a negative side of low compression golf balls, it all depends on your ideal feel and what you think is right. Golfers with high swing speeds could hit these balls and have an awful feeling because they compress the ball so much. Which Golfers Should Use Low Compression Golf Balls?

What makes a 3-piece golf ball soft?

The design components for a soft 3-piece ball are: Golf ball center: The center of the golf ball is primarily to provide low compression/soft feel and maintain a low driver spin rate for straight flight. To achieve this, a smaller center with a very low compression (significantly softer than the 2-piece core) is required.

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Are softer golf balls better?

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.

Is a softer golf ball more forgiving?

The dimple pattern produces the high spin needed to stop golf balls on the putting surface on short iron shots. Soft feel golf balls offer an enhanced response that offers better forgiveness over distance golf balls.

Do softer golf balls spin more?

As said, the softer ball feels superior when you hit it. Also, it spins almost five times more than the hardball, which is an incredible amount of spin. Still, if you want to see the difference on your own, then head to the driving range with a few hardballs and softballs.

Do softer golf balls fly straighter?

It is generally agreed that soft golf balls spin less than firmer golf balls so from the tee they should be longer as well as straighter, having less back and sideward spin.

What is the advantage of a soft golf ball?

A low compression ball helps to reduce the amount of ball speed lost on mis-hits and provides performance through the bag to help golfers get the most out of every shot they encounter on the course. Softer golf balls also allow the golfers to hit the ball higher which is beneficial to most golfers.

Are soft golf balls better for beginners?

Several studies have shown that the distance difference between hard golf balls and soft golf balls is often only five yards or less. The reason most beginners should choose a soft golf ball is because of the high amount of forgiveness they offer. Forgiveness and control should be prioritized over sheer distance.

What happens if you play too soft of a golf ball?

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 pro golfers use hard or soft balls?

Soft GolfWe take a look. Why Do Pro Golfers Use Soft Golf Balls? In this day and age there is always talk about distance in the professional game. Given most courses are getting longer and longer, hitting the ball a long way has grown in importance with shorter players finding it harder and harder to keep up.

Is Pro V1 hard or soft?

The Titleist Pro V1 is a three-piece solid-core golf ball provides total performance from tee to green with penetrating flight and very soft feel. The Pro V1x is a four-piece solid core golf ball provides total performance from tee to green with high trajectory and soft feel.

Is Pro V1 a soft ball?

A Soft Cover One key area in the success of the Titleist Pro V1 was its soft feel. Titleist says that the current generation of Pro V1's has the softest cover they have ever used.

What is the easiest golf ball to hit straight?

The straightest golf balls on the market are the Titleist Velocity golf balls. This is a two piece design that is well manufactured and allows for faster ball speeds and very straight flight technology. The next time you need a dozen golf balls, give the Titleist Velocity a try.

What kind of golf ball should a high handicapper use?

Our Top Picks For Golf Balls For High HandicappersCallaway Supersoft Golf Ball.TaylorMade Distance+ Golf Ball.Wilson Duo Soft+ Golf Ball.Vice Pro Soft Golf Ball.Srixon Z-Star Golf Ball.Callaway Supersoft MAX Golf Ball.OnCore ELIXR Golf Ball.Bridgestone e12 CONTACT Golf Ball.

Why does a softer ball deform?

This is because softer ball deforms to a greater extent from the greater force at impact resulting in energy being lost and this reduces the ball speed. Opinion appears to be divided whether the lack of spin of the softer ball makes up for this drop in speed when looking at total distance.

What does compression mean in golf?

In general golf balls are categorised by their compression, meaning how much they deform under a load and the lower the number the softer the golf ball is, although there is no fixed number which defines a ball as soft. However when talking about compression it is important to bear in a mind some important factors.

Why is the relative scale used in golf?

This relative scale is still used but because the loads applied to the ball are not the same in all cases the numbers generated are best seen as relative numbers. Secondly, the compression numbers quoted are the total for the golf ball and do not account for the compressions of the balls individual components.

Do golf balls have soft feel?

Yes. A look around our golf ball reviews will show that there are more soft golf balls in the market today, or at least the marketing focus is on the softer feel attribute of many golf balls, as this is something in blind testing that have identified appeals to many players.

What is soft feel?

Feel and Compression. Just to bring everyone up to speed here; soft feel is primarily the result of low compression. Compression is a measure of how much a ball deforms under load. The harder the ball, the less it deforms. Most of you won’t care about that but somebody was going to ask.

Do golf balls feel soft?

The first is that lower-compression balls feel softer. That should be obvious. If you want soft feel, you want a low-compression golf ball. The other one is perhaps a little weird. It turns out there’s a strong correlation between legitimately soft feel and price.

Can you credit a soft ball?

Depending on your affinity for soft golf balls, you can credit or blame preference-driven golfers whose penchant for whacking marshmallows inadvertently created the fresh hell that is the nebulous world of soft balls. (Middle-finger emoji.)

Is the XS softer than the V1?

The XS is fewer than five com pression points softer than the Pro V1 and not much softer than a Srixon Z Star. It still qualifies as the softest tour ball but the average golfer isn’t likely to discern any appreciable feel difference between the three and you’re sure as hell not going to mistake any of them for a DUO.

Why use low compression golf balls?

Probably the biggest reason why golfers seek out low compression golf balls is because of the advertised added distance that you get. Especially for players with slow swing speeds, a low compression golf ball might give you the extra pop to reach greens in fewer shots.

Can you stand soft golf balls?

While some golfers love the feel of these balls, there are of course golfers that can’t stand the soft feeling. Especially with their long game, some golfers might think that the ball is just too soft.

Can you spin a golf ball?

Ability to Spin. For some circumstances, spinning the ball is exactly what you want. The high spin rate that low compression golf balls give players is awesome if you are skilled and can make a ball stop on a dime or spin your iron shots back on the green just like you see on television. Certain golfers might dislike the amount ...

Is too much spin bad for golf?

Too Much Spin. While spin is great in some cases, it is also bad in others. If you have a habit of slicing or hooking, a high spin rate is exactly what you do not want. You would actually want a golf ball that spins less so your hook or slice is not as dramatic.

Do amateur golfers pay attention to the features and aspects of golf clubs?

You use your golf ball on every stroke, so why not pay more attention to what you are playing ?

Can a low compression golf ball hurt you?

Especially for golfers that do not like to carry their shots and have the ball check by the pin. For golfers that like to bump and run and not spin, a low compression golf ball might be not for you.

Soft vs Hard Golf Balls Comparison

The terms “soft” and “hard” indicate how the golf ball feels when it hits the ground.

How To Find the Right Golf Ball?

Beginners may ask why they should invest in greater softballs when all they want to do is learn how to play. Nevertheless, even for novices, the case for utilizing high-quality equipment appears to be true.

When to Use Each Type of Golf Ball?

Different situations require a certain type of golf ball. Here are some recommendations:

Conclusion

Soft and hard balls share some factors in common. However, thanks to flexibility, a soft choice is more common among golfers.

What is the softest golf ball?

What are the softest golf balls? The Callaway Supersoft golf ball is the the softest golf ball around. The compression rating of 38 provides a soft feel that many golfers enjoy, especially with the irons and chipping around the green. You can play some great golf and shoot low rounds with a soft ball.

Why is loft important in golf?

Also, with the lower swing speeds, the golf ball is designed to fly higher and will help you hold more greens. As your swing speed slows down over the years, it is important to have enough loft on shots that you might be hitting from 150 yards and out.

How many yards can you swing with a swing stick?

This overspeed based system where you train every other day for about 10-15 minutes with different swing sticks can help you increase your swing speed by 5-8% which can be 20-30 yards. Who wouldn’t want an extra 20-30 yards. Plus it helps improve your mechanics.

Do golfers need launch monitors?

In today’s golf world, there are now affordable golf launch monitors that every golfer can have as a part of their golf setup to ensure they are using the best equipment and keeping their swings on track. With anything in golf, we recommend testing it out for yourself.

Can you have a soft ball?

You can have a ball that is really soft or a ball that is really hard. You can have a high spinning ball or a low spinning ball. Or you can play premium price and play the same golf balls that the pros play and have a combination the perfect flying golf ball with the right amount of spin and the compression that has it more in the middle ...

Does hitting a long iron help the ball land softer?

The reality is that you might be hitting long irons or hybrids into greens and this extra ball flight height will help the ball land softer. The golf ball might also be great for the junior golfer who is seeking the soft feel and still has a slower golf speed. The little bit of extra distance and height on the ball will help the golfer score lower.

What is a soft golf ball?

In general, the golf ball with three or more pieces of construction supposed to be a soft golf ball. This kind of golf ball will provide more spin control features, allowing you to control the ball's trajectory. There is no doubt about the fact that the softball is the present and future for the golf ball category.

What are the characteristics of a hard golf ball?

Characteristics of a hard golf ball. This kind of golf ball tends to have a solid inside core and a tough outer cover. The core of a hardball will mostly be a high energetic resin or acrylate. As the cover material, there might have Surlyn or a similar kind of material. The solid core and the rigid cover of the ball tend to produce a great distance.

What is the difference between softball and hardball?

Hardball and softball tend to serve in two different ways. For consistent spin control and accuracy, a softball will be of great help, whereas, to get the long and steady distance, it is the hardball that controls the upper hand. Almost all the golf balls found today tend to follow a soft construction with hard compression or layer, ...

How many pieces of construction should a softball have?

Though a softball with three pieces of construction will not ensure distance that much, a soft golf ball with four or five pieces of construction should be sufficient to provide both distance and accuracy. This kind of golf ball will provide a noticeable spin-separation advantage.

How many layers are needed for softball?

While choosing the softball, it is necessary to ensure a ball with at least three or more layers so that you can get both distance and accuracy at the same time. A softball with a four-piece construction is always better than that of a ball with three-piece construction.

Is a softball more accurate than a hardball?

All the golfing manufacturers are trying to put both the features of a softball and a hardball in a single item, making the ball more durable, accurate. As a result, nowadays, it is quite possible to get distance, spin control, trajectory control, along with feel and consistency in a single golf ball.

Does compression affect the softness of a golf ball?

The compression of the ball has nothing to do with the softness or hardness of the ball. Some balls will provide a soft feeling while hitting off the tee, while many others will be soft on the green surface. It depends on how you consider the softness or hardness.

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.

Does compression matter in golf?

Tip 3- Compression doesn’t matter. Compression matters for tour players who have a fast swing speed of more than 110 mph. If you are starting out, you might not have developed such speed yet. Higher compression balls have more energy transfer during shots.

Is a mid spin golf ball good?

The spin is also minimized for accurate hitting. If you are starting out your journey in golf, a mid spin golf ball should be good enough for you.

What golf balls were used in the 2000s?

Hard-cover balls were designed almost solely for distance and provided very little spin on shots around the green. The overwhelming favorites were balata golf balls , which remained popular with tour professionals and low-handicappers until around 2000 because of their spin and control properties around the green.

What does adding layers to a golf ball do?

Researchers found that adding layers to the ball combined the properties of hard-cover and soft-cover balls, de pending on the velocity of the golfer's swing.

Is there a difference between hard and soft golf balls?

Golf balls, for example, are much more durable while maintaining the spin and distance properties that golfers covet. Today there is very little difference between hard and soft golf balls.

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