
What compression tells you about a golf ball: What the compression rating tells golfers is how soft or firm the golf ball will feel at impact. The lower the compression rating, the softer the ball will feel; the higher the compression, the firmer it will feel. This difference in feel is something nearly all golfers can notice.
What is the best golf ball compression?
- Very long distance
- Lowest compression available
- Extremely low spin and higher ball flights
What is the compression rating of a golf ball?
When you compress a golf ball, it activates the technology in the ball’s core, and you see better ball flight and more carry. Golf balls typically have a compression rating from around 40 to 110. The compression rating of a golf ball will let players know how much swing speed they will need to hit the ball well.
What is the lowest compression ball?
The Callaway Supersoft ball has a 38 compression, making it one of the lowest in the industry. This soft compression core maximizes energy transfer to increase ball speed. A 2-piece ball offering distance and feel. Designed for lower swing speeds, it is an ideal ball for the senior player wanting to get the best out of his game.
What golf ball should I use?
What type of golf ball should YOU be using?
- Swing speed and compression are key. (Image credit: TaylorMade.com) Compression is a measure of how much the ball compresses against the club face on impact.
- Golf ball quality. The quality of a golf ball is determined by how many pieces are used in its construction. ...
- Premium golf balls. ...
- Buying the best golf ball: in summary…. ...

What compression golf ball should I hit?
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.
What does a higher compression golf ball do?
Compression is simply a measure of how hard the golf ball is. The lower compression – or softer the ball is – the more it squashes on the clubface and then springs forward. A high compression ball is firmer. And in days of old, you needed a faster swing speed to compress a harder ball enough to make it fly.
What does 90 compression mean in a golf ball?
A 90 or higher compression is a hard ball used for low handicap golfers. The golfer must hit the ball harder to get distance, but the high compression ball offers better control.
What difference does compression make in a golf ball?
The lower the compression rating, the softer the golf ball. When a golf ball is struck, it compresses a certain amount. After the golf ball compresses, it will have a spring-like effect off of the clubface. Faster swing speed, stronger players can compress the ball much more than a slower swinging player.
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 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.
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.
What is the compression of Callaway chrome soft?
752020 Callaway Chrome Soft – Compression On our gauge, the average compression of the 2020 Callaway Chrome Soft is 75. Across the ball market as a whole, the Chrome Soft can be considered a mid-compression ball.
What compression is Taylormade Tour response?
A core made from soft flexible materials with increased elastic components delivers better and softer feel with an ultra-low 40 compression.
What compression is a Pro V1 golf ball?
around 90The three-piece Pro V1 still has a compression around 90 and its 352-dimple cover pattern helps to produce lower-spinning, lower-flying shots off the tee and with long irons. It will feel softer than the dual-core Pro V1x, which has a compression of about 100 and a 328-dimple cover pattern.
Are low compression golf balls better?
A low compression golf ball is softer and easier to compress compared to a high compression ball, which makes it a good choice for ladies, high handicaps, and seniors. This results in more distance for these types of golfers.
What golf ball should I use for my swing speed?
Anything between 55 and 70 will be the best golf ball for your swing speed. 85-95 mph swing speed is fast enough to put a decent move on the ball so medium compression golf balls are some of the best golf balls for 85 mph swing speeds.
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 in golf?
By Timothy Bodamer. Golf ball compression may determine the distance of the ball. Golf ball compression figures into a golfer's game. Compression rates determine what balls are used by different levels of golfers. Compression creates density in the golf ball, which may affect distance and loft.
What is a 90 compression golf ball?
A 90 or higher compression is a hard ball used for low handicap golfers. The golfer must hit the ball harder to get distance, but the high compression ball offers better control.
How does a golf ball work?
The golf ball is compressed and flattened by the force of the impact. The lower compression of the ball results in the ball ;travelling farther as the club's energy creates energy, transferring it to the ball. The ball's compression handles the high speed and impact of the club, and allows flexibility so that the ball can recoil and not break apart.
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.
What does compression mean in golf?
Updated November 02, 2019. "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);
What is the difference between a low compression golf ball and a high compression golf ball?
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). Golf balls are tested for compression and a mathematical formula is applied to generate a numerical value.
How much compression does a golf ball have?
A golf ball's compression is expressed through a number that, for most balls on the market, ranges from the 30s (soft) to around 100 (firm). Golf ball compression does not need to be matched to a golfer's swing and provides no insight about a ball's performance other than its impact feel.
Is a golf ball considered high compression?
A compression of 90 and higher is considered high-compression; a compression in the 70s or lower is considered low-compression. However, the trend in the golf ball industry, beginning in the early 2000s and continuing today, is toward lower-compression (softer feeling) balls.
Does compression affect spin?
Technically, compression might have an impact on distance and spin, but ultimately those qualities are determined by the overall characteristics of a golf ball, not just the single factor of compression. And any impact that a ball's compression rating does have on spin and distance, relative to any other compression rating, ...
Is compression a test of softness?
In its advice to golf ball fitters, Titleist says this: "Compression is solely a test of the relative softness of a golf ball, and a golfer that has a 'feel' preference for a softer ball may prefer a lower compression ball.". Also, and contrary to a formerly universally held belief in golf, there is no correlation between a golfer's swing speed ...
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 Compression?
The first thing to do before choosing the proper compression is to understand exactly what compression means. This word gets thrown around a lot, but most golfers don’t understand its purpose.
How To Choose Compression?
To choose the correct compression, you must evaluate your game honestly first. Knowing how you swing the club and your strengths and weaknesses will determine the best compression for you.
Which Companies Focus On Compression?
Just like golf clubs, some companies place more importance on compression than others. Everyone researches differently and sees the game from a different view. This is the beauty (and the frustrating) part of the game.
So Which Compression Is Best For You?
Just like choosing clubs, the best way to find the right ball for you will be to test a few of them out. Use a high compression ball for a whole round, then use a low compression ball for the next. Taking a ball on the course is an accurate measure to see if it suits you or not.
Other Factors To Consider When Choosing a Ball
Compression is not the only thing to consider when choosing a ball. There is a lot of science that goes into making a ball so that you can find one that compliments your playing style over your entire game.
Conclusion
Some companies choose not to acknowledge compression, but we think it should at least be considered, especially if you are a more skilled player looking to get your ball flight as optimized as possible.
