Do different golf balls feel different?
There were a couple of testers who said that some balls felt different, but there was no correlation with the grade of golf ball. Anecdotally, the testers’ perceptions of the ball simply changed when they mishit a putt. On a 30 yard pitch shot, we found no consistent difference between new and used golf balls .
Why are golf balls so difficult to make?
With most golf balls approaching the initial velocity limits defined by the USGA, the challenge becomes how to continually develop golf balls that are longer than the competition, are noticeably different from other golf balls, and stay within the USGA conformance regulations.
Why do golf balls fly differently?
Some golf balls fly a longer distance and some allow the player to have more “feel” of the shot, while others make it easier to impart more backspin. It all depends on the importance you place on each.
What does feel mean on a golf ball?
3: Feel Equals Performance A golf ball’s compression only tells how relatively firm or soft it feels. It doesn’t predict distance, flight, or spin, and is just one of many design elements working together to determine a ball’s performance. While feel is important to some players, what counts is how the ball performs on every shot.
Do golf balls actually make a difference?
Golf balls have different layers, different spin rates, different compression ratings, and a few others. Most people just use whatever ball they found in the bushes the round before. That's fine if you're just out to hack the ball around, but if you want to improve, it's probably not the best choice.
Do harder or softer 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 does feel of a golf ball mean?
low compressionFeel is often synonymous with low compression. Low compression allows for more deformation of the ball at impact for players with a lower swing speed, reducing spin and translating to straighter, longer flight on low-lofted clubs. The prolonged contact on short irons and wedges results in a softer feel.
What is the benefit of a softer 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.
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.
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.
Do soft golf balls make a difference?
Lower compression balls tend to be softer and compress more to create more distance. Higher compression balls offer more control and are used by better players who can produce faster swing speeds to compress the ball. For more on softness and compression, please read our Guide To Soft Golf Balls.
Do softer golf balls go straighter?
What are the characteristics of soft balls? 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.
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.
Can a golf ball be too soft?
Soft feel is usually considered to be a good thing in the short game, but just as was the case with spin rate, it is possible to go too far. When the ball feels too soft, you might have trouble with distance control on your putts and chips.
Is it worth buying premium golf balls?
Yes. Premium multilayer balls with urethane covers generally are superior because they perform well throughout the bag. On wedge shots, for example, they spin more because of the soft urethane cover, and off the tee they have the same distance-producing characteristics as firmer Surlyn balls.
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 +.
How fast do beginners swing the golf club?
Most beginners have below-average swing speeds. For male amateur golfers the average driver swing speed is 90 mph and for female players that number is between 65 and 70 mph.
Why forgiving golf balls are ideal for beginners
Beginners are inconsistent and as a result, playing with a forgiving golf ball is very important to guard against the impact of this. A forgiving golf ball will ensure fast ball speeds and optimal spin rates regardless of the quality of the strike. In return, this forgiveness ensures max distance and accuracy on both good and bad strikes.
The best golf balls for beginners
As mentioned, the best golf ball for a beginner is one that matches their swing speed. Most beginners have below-average swing speeds which is why the Callaway Supersoft is a great option for beginners.
Final Thoughts
Don’t underestimate the impact that playing with the right golf ball can have on your golf game. Beginners make the mistake of playing with any golf ball that they can lay their hands on.
Why are golf balls called everyman's balls?
The third type, one made in multiple layers, can be classified as an “everyman's” golfball because it allows a golfer to hit his drive long, while allowing him reasonable feel and spin capability.
What is a soft golf ball?
By Bill Herrfeldt. Softer golf balls are ideal for shots around the green. If you have a high golf handicap, the ball you choose to hit makes little difference. If you like a particular brand of golf ball or prefer one type of ball over another, you should use it regularly. But as your game improves, the ball you use can make a difference in ...
How far can a golf ball travel?
Golf balls generally have an 80, 90 or 100 compression, or degree of hardness. For a long time, compression equated to how far a player could hit the golf ball. But recently, it's been established that an 80 compression ball will travel as far as one that's rated 100.
Do golf balls fly longer?
Some golf balls fly a longer distance and some allow the player to have more “feel” of the shot, while others make it easier to impart more backspin. It all depends on the importance you place on each.
Do golf balls make a difference?
Overview. If you have a high golf handicap, the ball you choose to hit makes little difference. If you like a particular brand of golf ball or prefer one type of ball over another, you should use it regularly. But as your game improves, the ball you use can make a difference in a number of ways. Some golf balls fly a longer distance ...
Do dimples affect golf balls?
Dimples. Contrary to popular belief, dimples do not affect the amount of backspin you can impart on a golf ball. However, dimples do affect how long a golf ball stays in flight and, therefore, how long you can hit the ball.
How long do golf balls last?
Keep balls out of your car or attic, which can get pretty hot during the summer. Store them under normal indoor conditions and they should be good for at least five years, if not longer.
What does compression mean in golf?
A golf ball’s compression only tells how relatively firm or soft it feels. It doesn’t predict distance, flight, or spin, and is just one of many design elements working together to determine a ball’s performance. While feel is important to some players, what counts is how the ball performs on every shot.
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 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 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 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.
How does a golf ball feel?
FEEL. A golf ball's feel is influenced by its construction. Some balls feel soft off the clubface, others feel firm or hard. Balls with a solid rubber core often feel hard and tend to primarily be two-piece balls. These will typically be more durable and generate better distance.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
Is golf expensive?
Golf Is Expensive. Golf is expensive. Damned expensive. Not only do you spend a small fortune buying clubs, you pay $20, $50, $100, or more on green fees every time you play. But the worst part is golf balls. Hit it into the drink and not only does your score explode, but you’re a few dollars poorer.
Is golf a cheap game?
Golf isn’t going to become a cheap game anytime soon, but thanks to high quality direct-to-consumer golf balls (learn more HERE) and the ability to buy used golf balls, you can make it a little less expensive. If you’re flexible about the brand of ball you play, you can save 50% or more on tour quality golf balls.
Can scuffs affect golf?
It is possible that outdoors, especially with wind, the scuffs could affect performance. Even after seeing the used golf balls match the new ones with the wedge and iron, there was skepticism about whether they could perform equally with the driver.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
The dimple pattern on the ball facilitates this control . The dimples reduce the drag on the surface of the ball, causing it to stay in the air longer. If you're an accomplished amateur with a low handicap you'll probably prefer a golf ball that gives you more control.
Who is the author of Golf Book?
The Golf Book; David Summers. Writer Bio. Brian Hill is the author of four popular business and finance books: "The Making of a Bestseller," "Inside Secrets to Venture Capital," "Attracting Capital from Angels" and his latest book, published in 2013, "The Pocket Small Business Owner's Guide to Business Plans.".
How many good shots did each golfer hit with their own driver and sand wedge?
Each golfer used their own driver and sand wedge to hit five good shots with a value-priced ball, a mid-market ball, and a tour ball from the same manufacturer. All data was recorded by Trackman. All testing was done at, and with the help of, Club Champion.
Where is Matt from Plugged In Golf?
He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
Can you test a wedge in the future?
Yes, and that’s something we may test in the future. Additionally, as was mentioned earlier, we would like to do more wedge testing to see if there is a measurable difference in wedge performance between golf balls and where it lies – full swings, pitches, etc.
