How To Choose A Golf Ball [In 6 Easy Steps]
- Compression. Something that many golfers overlook, even when they make an effort to choose a golf ball, is compression rates.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Quality. For the golfer on the budget, this is very important because of wallet aches. ...
- Price. Last but definitely not least is the price. Depending on how many balls you “throw away”, you might be more or less aware of this post in your golf ...
- 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.
- 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.
What makes a good golf ball?
Most well-made golf balls are built in layers featuring a soft rubber core with a thin and durable cover made from either Surlyn, which is great for durability, or urethane for extra spin on chips, pitches and shots hit into the green.
How to find the right golf ball for You?
So the first lesson is, try to find a ball with a compressing rate that matches your swing speed. 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.
Are golf balls hard or soft?
All golf balls are relatively hard; however, many golf balls have different softness levels. Generally, softer balls offer more control and more spin, while harder balls tend to go further, particularly on the drive but are less accurate. For that reason, softballs may be preferable when chipping or putting.
Should you look at the backside of a golf ball?
Of course, the opposite is true, too. If you’re thinning or whiffing shots, try pulling your center of gravity back away from the target by looking at the backside of the golf ball. Hitting a slice?
How do you pick out golf balls?
One of the important factors to consider when choosing a golf ball is picking the right compression rating of the ball to match the swing speed of the player. Generally, the slower the swing speed of the golfer, the lower the compression number of the golf ball.
What is a good golf ball for an average golfer?
The Callaway Super Softs take home our #1 spot for average golfers. Callaway is a great company that makes fantastic golf balls. The are a fabulous choice for average-level golfers. Folks who want plenty of distance off the tee, accuracy on all shots, and a soft feel on impact will love the Supersoft.
What hardness of golf ball should I use?
The golf ball compression rating describes how hard or soft the ball is. In general, brands rate golf ball compression between 30 and 120. The softest is 30, while 120 is the hardest. To be more understood: the lower the compression, the softer the ball, and the higher the compression rating, the harder the ball.
Should beginner golfers use soft or hard balls?
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.
Does the brand of golf ball really matter?
The quality of golf ball you use definitely matters and impacts on your game. Higher quality, more expensive golf balls generally have a urethane cover, leading to greater 'feel' and spin control. Premium balls will usually perform longer and hold greens more consistently, helping you shoot lower scores.
Do different golf balls really make a difference?
They can, but when we tested both types of balls at average-golfer swing speeds, the difference was almost negligible: six yards, usually less. The real advantage of urethane-cover balls is the extra spin, feel and control they offer on shots near the green.
Do softer golf balls go further?
Although softer golf balls go further from the tee for lower swing speed players, the gap across the whole range of ball types is only around 5 yards, so it is more important to fit the ball to your irons and then fit your driver to your preferred ball to maximise distance.
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.
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...•
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.
Is Titleist Pro V1 a soft ball?
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.
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.
What to consider when buying a golf ball?
4 Factors to Consider When Buying a Golf Ball. The golf ball is the only piece of golf equipment you use on every single shot. This fact makes buying the right golf ball tremendously important. It only makes sense that you should have something that fits you, just like your clubs. We’re going to break down four major components to a golf ball ...
What are the different types of golf balls?
Golf balls can be broken into three main categories: distance, spin control, and Tour performance (also called premium). Some golfers are looking to hit the ball as far as they can to make the game easier, that is where distance comes in.
Why is it important to feel when hitting a golf ball?
Since picking the right golf ball is so much about personal preference, feel is incredibly important. This is where compression comes into play. When you hit your ball with a club, it deforms with that impact. That temporary change of shape is what springs the ball forward when you hit it .
What are tour performance golf balls?
Tour performance golf balls are the ones used by the best golfers in the world. They feature multiple layers designed to interact with each other for optimal distance, spin, and feel. Each layer is activated based on how fast you swing, which depends on which club you’re using.
What is a two piece golf ball?
Two-piece golf balls are usually preferred by beginners, high-handicap golfers, and golfers with slower swing speeds. They have a large core and thin cover making up the two layers. This construction maximizes the amount of energy the club transfers to the ball, powering your shots forward for greater distance.
Why do distance golf balls have a larger core?
Distance golf balls typically have a larger core and thinner cover to help boost yardage, especially from the tee box. Think of the core like the engine of the golf ball. The core is what makes the ball go. By combining a larger core with a thinner cover, your swing activates the core and the ball reacts faster off the club face, ...
Why do golf balls require more compression?
Golf balls used by more skilled golfers with faster swing speeds are usually higher compression to activate the inner layers of the ball. Compression ratings have undergone some changes over the years.
Overview
There are a large variety of golf balls on the market, many of which are designed to accomplish specific tasks. Some golf balls are designed to help players achieve greater distances off the tee.
Distance, control or spin
Golf balls that promise golfers better distance on their drives react quickly when struck by a golf club. These balls tend to be hard and can help some golfers achieve an extra 10 to 20 yards. On the other hand, balls designed for distance can be hard to control on the green or when the situation calls for a finesse shot.
Consider the construction
Golf balls are made of one piece, two pieces, three pieces or four pieces. One-piece balls are used most often by beginning golfers, and sometimes on driving ranges. While these balls have a soft feel when they are hit, are inexpensive and durable, they are not often used for playing because they lack the distance of other golf balls.
The outside of the ball
Golf balls may look similar, but even the outside covers of golf balls are different and are a factor in how they perform. Consider that soft covers may provide more feel, but are not as resistant to scrapes and abrasions as harder covers.
Think about the price
Purchasing a pack of golf balls can be a pricey affair, especially for beginning golfers who tend to lose a lot of balls in the woods, water and elsewhere.
Commonly Used Golf Terms
To make selecting a new golf ball easier, we’ll start by breaking down a few common golf terms you’ll run across in store or online.
Golf Ball Suggestions
There are many factors that go into which golf ball you should play during your next round. Below are a few suggestions to get you started, but ultimately you’ll want to spend a few rounds on the course to determine which golf ball works best for you.
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.
Compression
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, distance balls were firm and spin balls were soft. This is not the case in the present day. Ball ma…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…