"Compression" is a term applied to golf balls and refers to the amount a ball deforms at impact. Or, to put it more plainly, compression is a measure of how soft or firm a golf ball is: A low-compression golf ball will deform more at impact (meaning it will feel softer); a high-compression ball will deform less at impact (it will feel firmer).
What does compression rating mean on a golf ball?
Golf ball compression will determine what ball is best suited to your swing. The slower your swing the lower the compression rating you will need to get the maximum distance from the ball. Compression allows for the golf ball to absorb the force of the impact and transfer the energy into distance.
What happens if you hit a lower compression golf ball?
If you have a lower-compression ball, then the ball deforms more the faster you swing compared to a higher-compression ball, which doesn't deform as much at impact. If a golf ball has a lower compression, the more surface area of the ball hits the club face at impact compared to a higher-compression ball.
What is an Atti compression tester?
Based upon this difference in response, Atti built the first golf ball compression tester to compare golf balls. Unlike modern testers, which use a numerical compression scale, Atti's original tester used various colors to represent compression ranges.
What compression is good for golf balls?
As a general rule, a low compression ball should be used by golfers that swing the club less than 85 MPH, a mid compression ball is for swing speeds between 85-100 MPH, and a high compression ball is for swing speeds above 100 MPH.
Is higher or lower compression better for golf balls?
As a general rule, low compression golf balls will go the same distance or further for golfers with swing speeds below 100 MPH. Once swing speeds exceed 100 MPH, higher compression balls will generate more distance.
What does compression mean in golf?
Compression occurs when the golf ball squishes against the club face when you make contact in your swing. This is how the club propels the ball forward by compressing it at impact and interacting with the core. Two factors come into play with compression: swing speed and the core of the ball.
Do higher compression golf balls go further?
A ball with a higher compression is wound tighter and is referred to as being harder. Low compression balls (80 or below rating) travel farther than more tightly wound balls due to their softness and the reaction they have to a swung club (more rebound off the club).
What compression is Titleist Tour soft?
While not among the lowest-compression balls in its space, at around 78 compression, it's soft by Titleist urethane standards.
What compression is Titleist Velocity?
2022 VELOCITY PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEW higher compression 1.550” LSX CORE generates faster speed on full swing shots to deliver maximum distance.
Do soft compression 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.
What compression is Callaway supersoft?
around 38As is implied in the name, the Callaway 2021 Supersoft golf balls have a very low compression rating of around 38. This allows golfers with slow swing speeds to compress the ball sufficiently for optimal energy transfer.
Are low compression golf balls better for slow swing speeds?
Golfers with slow swing speeds need golf balls that have a compression rating of 70-80. Golf balls with lower compression levels tend to travel farther, have a much better feel, and aren't as jarring when you hit them with the golf club.
What golf ball should I use with a 85 mph swing speed?
At a swing speed of 85 mph to 90 mph, you will fit into most golf balls. But the overall best ball for average swing speeds like this is the Kirkland Signature for feel and performance. The other option is the Taylormade Tour Response. These balls both factor in all three priorities.
What golf ball should I use with a 80 mph swing speed?
If your average driver swing speed is below 83 mph, it is viewed on the slower spectrum. Therefore, anything below this speed should use a low compression golf ball. As a result, the best golf ball for 80 mph swing speed in 2022 is the TaylorMade Distance +.
What golf ball should I use with a 100 mph swing speed?
Our top 5 best golf ball for 100 mph swing speedRankNameBuy NOWNo.1Bridgestone E6 Speed Golf BallsClick HERENo.2Titleist Velocity Golf BallsClick HERENo.3Srixon Q Star Tour Golf BallsClick HERENo.4Trust BisonV Golf BallsClick HERE1 more row•Apr 14, 2022
What is the difference between a low compression golf ball and a high compression golf ball?
A low compression ball will feel ‘soft’ at impact, while a high compression ball will feel much ‘harder.’. In days gone by, golf ball compression ratings would be offered as a number, such as 70 or 90, but today they are typically listed as either ‘low’, ‘mid’, or ‘high’.
What happens if you choose a ball with high compression?
via GIPHY If you choose a ball that has a high compression and you don’t possess the power to use it effectively, you will likely notice a sudden drop in distance, especially off of your driver.
What affects golf ball choice?
Weather Matters. One element outside of your control that can affect your golf ball choice is the weather. More specifically, it is the temperature that you are going to want to monitor prior to your rounds of golf. When playing in cold weather, you may want to switch to a softer compression ball, as cold weather will make it difficult ...
Why do golfers pick a tour level ball?
In other words, they pick a Tour-level ball just because they wish they could play like the golfers on TV. Obviously, this is the wrong way to pick your compression. Instead, play the ball that is going to suit your swing today, and move up into a higher compression as your swing improves over time.
What is the most important element of golf ball design?
One of the most important elements of golf ball design to understand is compression. Compression is essentially the amount of force required ...
Why is a golf ball important?
The golf ball is a crucial piece of equipment in your quest for lower scores. While every golfer knows that plenty of skill and practice are required to play well, having the right equipment in your bag is necessary as well.
Do golf balls get more expensive?
As a general rule of thumb, the golf balls are going to get more expensive as you move up into higher compressions.
High Compression
Typically, a swing speed above 105 mph would be classified a high compression. I am around 108 mph so I stick to golf balls with a compression of 90 or higher. The impact in a swing with a high speed like this will make it extremely important to use a ball that is dense enough to give some control vs focusing on just distance.
Mid Compression
If your swing speed is between 85 and 105 it would be good to use a ball that has a compression of 80-90. These balls will offer both control and distance for the majority of players. View mid compression balls here.
Low Compression
For slower swing speeds the low compression ball is the best choice. Typically beginners, juniors, ladies and seniors would fit in this category and will find benefits in a ball with compression under 80. View low compression balls here.
What does compression mean on a golf ball?
At a fundamental level, the compression rating on a golf ball is a number that tells you how much a golf ball will deform at impact. You see, when you hit a golf ball, the energy you impart on it with your swing and the club you're using temporarily deforms the ball from a sphere to a more oval-like shape. If you have a lower-compression ball, then ...
Why is the cover of a golf ball important?
The cover of the golf ball can be used to stiffen up the total product of the ball and help with driver performance.
What determines the spin of a golf ball?
The compression is a small factor in that, but spin is determined by the broader characteristics of the ball -- dimple pattern, cover, compression, layers -- and the quality of the golf swing imparted on the ball. As the swing speed increases through the bag, the core becomes more important to golf ball performance.
What does softer core mean in golf?
A softer core can help create less spin while being compressed more, allowing for increased distance. With the scoring clubs, lower swing speeds mean the core of the ball means less toward the performance compared to the other layers of the ball. Tags golf ball compression rating golf ball compression rating calculation what golf ball compression ...
Why do golf balls have core?
These days, golf-ball makers use the core of their three-, four- and five-piece golf balls to have the feel they want. Each subsequent outer layer typically gets firmer and helps build up speed at impact, as they deform less.
Does a golf ball's compression rating tell you how far the ball goes?
Does a golf ball's compression rating tell you how far the golf ball goes? No, not necessarily . With the USGA imposing very clear limits on how far a golf ball can travel per second, golf ball makers are using compression rating to help deliver feel and control, not dictate how far the ball can fly. However, softer golf balls can allow players ...
What is golf ball compression?
Summary: When asking yourself ‘what is golf ball compression?’ In it’s most simplest terms, it is all about the distance and the control that can be generated on a shot.
How does golf ball compression affect golf?
Just some of the areas of your game that it can impact are driving distances, stability as well as feel and control.
What is the average swing speed on a drive on the PGA Tour?
In fact an average swing speed on a drive on the PGA Tour is 113 MPH ( SwingManGolf) A good rule of thumb which can be applied to knowing your compression level, is that golfers with a club head speed of 70mph should use a 70 Compression Ball. A golfer with a club head speed of 80mph should use an 80 Compression Ball and those with speeds ...
Why is a 70 compression golf ball good?
The reason this happens is because the energy will transfer from the golf club as you make your shot onto the golf ball.
What does a 70 compression ball feel like?
On a cold day, your 70 Compression Ball will feel a lot more like 80. Conversely, on a hot summers day, a 90 Compression Ball will feel more in line with what it should.
What is a haskell golf ball?
Back then, inventors such as William Taylor added the familiar dimple pattern to what was called a ’ Haskell Ball ’. The result of this was that the lift of the ball could be improved, while the the drag would be minimized.
How to get the maximum distance out of a golf ball?
In order to get the maximum distance possible out of a golf ball, it must be fully compressed. This is when the ball will be half flattened upon impact due to enough force being applied to maximize the compression.
