Full Answer
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.
What makes a golf ball soft or hard?
A soft feel in the short game will almost certainly come from the cover of the golf ball, whereas balls that feel soft from a driver are very likely to have a soft core compression and a firmer cover, showing that feel is very much an individual and not something that can be easily categorised. What are the characteristics of soft balls?
What are the best golf balls for spin?
The outer core reduces spin on your driver and long irons, and it pinches the 322-dimple seamless urethane cover between the clubface for enhancing spin around the greens. Stopping power on the green is comparable to some premium tour golf balls. 8. Bridgestone Golf E12 Soft The Bridgestone e12 Soft is a 3-piece golf ball with a Surlyn cover.
Why choose a low spin golf ball?
The resultant golf ball provides exceptionally long distance performance. The combination of the soft core and stiff ionomer cover also results in a low spin rate which results in reduced sidespin and straighter ball flight. There are players who prefer a higher spin rate and still prefer the feel of a low compression ball.
What golf ball has the softest cover?
What Is The Softest Golf Ball On The Market? The softest ball on the market is the Wilson DUO Soft+, which is designed for high launch angles and limited spin. The DUO Soft+ features the softest compression rating (35) and might be the perfect ball for beginners or players with slow swing speeds.
Do softer golf balls have more spin?
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.
What makes a golf ball draw or fade?
Jack said to hit a fade—his preferred shot—aim the clubface where you want the ball to come down, and align your body to the left (for right-handers). To hit a draw, do the opposite: Aim the face where you want the ball to finish and align your body to the right.
What is a soft golf ball good for?
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.
Is a 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 lower compression golf balls spin less?
As with any golf ball on the market, low compression golf balls have both pros and cons for players. The pros of using low compression golf balls are the longer distance which is achievable and the increased rate of spin.
Do pros play draw or fade?
There is a growing trend on the PGA Tour and other professional golf tours where some of the game's best players favor a fade from the tee box. Amateur golfers often struggle with golf shots that slice away from their target.
Where should I hit my golf ball for a fade?
2:316:57THE EASY WAY TO HIT A FADE | GOLF EXPLAINED - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow in order to fade the golf ball. We need a club path that moves from out to in or simply again weMoreNow in order to fade the golf ball. We need a club path that moves from out to in or simply again we're swinging to the left at. Impact. This t here is going to represent our club face alignment.
Do more pros hit a fade or draw?
However, from a practical perspective, most club golfers will hit a draw further than a fade, because when they hit a draw they reduce the loft, leading to lower spin rates. Most of the time, shots with lower spin travel further.”
What is the longest softest golf ball?
Titleist Velocity Golf Balls (Best Overall) First on the list is the Titleist Velocity Golf ball – our longest golf ball. If you don't know by now, Titleist is a heavyweight brand for producing the best golf ball technology. There's a lot to love about the Titleist Velocity two-piece golf ball.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Nike One Platinum
The Nike One Platinum is widely regarded as one of the best distance golf balls on the market. It has a soft cover to absorb the hardest swings, a low spin that helps keep it straight and 408 dimples to help get as much distance as possible. This is the ball that Tiger Woods plays. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for all golfers.
Callaway Tour iX
The Callaway Tour iX has a four-piece design to get the most out of your golf swing. It has a tungsten outer core that reduces spin and gets this ball maximum distance. It has a soft core that absorbs the force of the swing and then sends the ball skyward. The hex pattern of the dimples also produces additional distance. (2009 price: $40 per dozen)
Titleist Pro V1
The Titleist Pro V1 is the most popular ball on the pro tour. The ball has a low spin rate, and the dimple pattern gives it that extra few yards of roll. This ball has a soft cover and is quite explosive off the tee. It has 392 dimples designed to keep it flying straight and far.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times.
What is a 3 piece golf ball?
3-Piece Golf Ball. The 3-piece golf ball is suitable for golfers that have a good grasp on their game, and they are often used by some professional golfers. The ball is constructed from a rubber internal core with a second rubber layer around the core.
What is the compression rating of Wilson golf balls?
The 2-piece ball with a compression rating of 50 produces low spin and is ideal for beginners to intermediate golfers. It is the ideal choice for golfers that want an affordable golf ball coupled with excellent ...
What is the compression rating of Taylormade project?
Cons: Urethane cover can scuff easier. The TaylorMade Project (a) is a 3-piece golf ball with a compression rating of 60 and it produces low spin. In the Project (a) TaylorMade released a tour-style ball for average golfers with handicaps between 8 to 18.
How much do golf balls cost?
Golf balls can be expensive and typically come in packs of twelve with the price ranging anywhere between $5-50 per dozen. To continue the enjoyment and affordability of golf choose the golf ball that will not make you turn your back on the game due to affordability issues.
Do mid handicap golfers need premium golf balls?
The average mid-handicap golfer does not require a premium ball with exaggerated sidespin as the ball will tend to go far offline on many of the not-so-good shots.
Can you play with a golf ball on every second hole?
Many golfers play with a variety of the cheapest golf balls that they can lay their hands on. This is an inexpensive way to learn while you are losing a ball on every second hole, but it does not aid you to obtain reliability and consistency.
Can a fade become a slice?
That is a win-win situation for you! Premium balls used by advanced players and professionals accentuate the spin and any slight mishit could leave you in the rough. A fade can become a slice and a draw can become a hook as a result of the amount of spin.
Titleist AVX golf ball
The Titleist AVX is an alternative premium ball to the ever-popular Pro V1 models. Its core, cover and unique catenary aerodynamic dimple design (the dimples do look very different) generates a piercing, low trajectory and a consistent flight on all shots along with a very soft feel.
Callaway Chrome Soft X LS golf ball
Callaway extended its ball range in 2021 with this LS – low spin - version of the Chrome Soft X model. The Chrome Soft X LS is a four-piece ball in which the SoftFast Core, Dual Mantle System and refined urethane cover generate more ball speed and overall distance.
Srixon Q-Star Tour golf ball
The beauty of the Srixon Q-Star is that it promises near tour-calibre performance with a very soft feel at a much friendlier price! That soft feel comes primarily via its low 72-compression FastLayer Core. This gradually transitions from a soft inner core to a firmer outer edge, delivering high levels of both distance and feel.
TaylorMade 2021 TP5x golf ball
The new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern on the latest TaylorMade TP5x brings improved aerodynamics. New ‘dual-radius’ dimples help to optimise airflow around the ball to reduce drag and promote greater distance. But its new, slightly softer urethane cover also provides better wedge-groove grip too for added greenside spin with a lower launch.
Honma TW-X golf ball
The high-velocity core in the Honma TW-X ball generates high ball speeds with good short-game control, with the mid-layer acting to keep driver spin low. The 326 dimples have been designed and positioned to promote a low penetrating ball flight so this ball is a good performer in the wind.
Vice Drive golf ball
The Vice Drive’s soft Energy Speed Core is a real distance generator for those with low to medium swing speeds, promising lower spin off the driver than the previous model. It has a durable Surlyn cover, which is highly cut-resistant on mishits and has fewer dimples than most other balls.
Mizuno RB566V golf ball
This soft-compression three-piece ball is designed to improve ball speeds off the face. Once airborne, the ball’s unique micro-dimples work with the larger, standard-sized dimples to help delay the rate of descent once the ball has passed its flight apex for more distance overall.
How does a golf ball with dimples work?
Backspin imparted on the ball by the club generates lift but the dimples optimize the lift force. Some manufacturers claim dimple design can also help reduce sidespin to keep shots straighter.
What is a solid core golf ball?
A solid core is then enclosed in the ball's cover. The firmer feel of a two-piece golf ball can provide more distance, but often at the expense of control and feel. Three piece: A solid rubber core is surrounded by a layer of enhanced liquid rubber, all encased in a softer, synthetic plastic cover. This allows better golfers to impart more spin ...
How many dimples are in a golf ball?
Most golf balls have 250-500 dimples, with an average depth of about 0.010 inch. A depth change of 0.0001 inch can produce a radical difference in the ball's trajectory and the overall distance it can fly. "If the core is the engine of a golf ball, the dimples are the wings," says Nick Nardacci, Titleist 's senior manager ...
What is the measure of how much a ball compresses or squashes against the clubface when struck?
Compression is a measure of how much the ball compresses or squashes against the clubface when struck. The amount of deformation affects the energy transfer from the club to the ball. The more a ball is compress ed, the further it will travel as it rebounds off the club.
Why is it important to hit a golf ball more often?
Hitting it in play more often will give you a better chance to score .". What every brand agrees on, however, is golfers of all abilities will benefit from getting correctly fitted to a golf ball.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
Golf balls have dimples to reduce drag and create lift. The dimples create a thin turbulent layer of air that clings to the ball's surface and travels further around the back of the ball, decreasing the wake and therefore the drag.
What is a one piece golf ball?
Two piece: A popular combination of durability and distance. A solid core is then enclosed in the ball's ...
What percentage of golfers prefer a softer ball?
70+ % of golfers prefer a softer feeling ball compared to a harder feeling ball. This percentage is constant regardless of the handicap of the golfer. There are multiple contributing factors that contribute to the feel of a golf ball, but the largest factor contributing to ball feel is ball compression.
What type of polyurethane is used for golf balls?
There are two types if polyurethane that can be used as covers for golf balls: cast polyurethane and thermoplastic polyurethane .Either type of urethane can be used, but cast urethane is preferred as it provides better abrasion/scuff resistance and better cut resistance than thermoplastic polyurethane.
What is the inner layer of a golf ball?
Golf ball mantle layer: The inner layer of the 3-piece ball is designed to contribute both to the velocity of the golf ball and the spin of the golf ball. The material used for this inner layer needs to provide as much velocity as possible while also contributing to the low compression of the overall ball.
What is the limiting factor of a golf ball cover?
The limiting factor is that if the cover material is too stiff, the impact of the club will result in excess flex of the cover and result in brittle failure of the cover.
What percentage of the ball volume should be in a golf ball core?
The core is the primary contributing factor to producing a low compression ball and the volume of the core should ideally be at least 80-82% of the total ball volume. Maximizing the level of reactive materials in the golf ball core is necessary to maximize the velocity of the core.
Is high greenside spin bad?
For most high handicap golfers, high greenside spin is not discernible, and the benefits of straighter ball flight is a more beneficial performance attribute. Dimple pattern differentiation: Golfers generally ...
Is a low compression ball good for spin?
There are players who prefer a higher spin rate and still prefer the feel of a low compression ball. It is possible, through use of a 3-piece construction, to develop a ball that has low compression/soft feel and achieves a higher level of spin for the players who desire this added performance.