Choosing a golf ball can be a challenging process. There are so many brands and so many different types of golf balls, and they all come at various price ranges. There is a reason for the madness, however. Everyone swings the golf club differently and at different speeds. Some golfers lose more golf balls than others but choosing the correct golf ball can help lower your scores.
Here will discuss a few things to look out for when selecting the best golf ball for your game.
How are Golf Balls Made?
One of the earliest golf balls ever used was called the Balata ball. They were made from a sap-like substance and could be formed into a sphere and then hardened to create a golf ball. Today, golf balls are made with more technologically advanced materials that form multiple layers.
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Most high-end tour quality golf balls are made up of three or four layers of material in the golf ball. Most golf balls feature a soft cover, one or two other layers of material, and then a solid core. This golf ball construction produces high spin rates which allow players to stop the ball on a dime with wedges and pitches, and also allows the golfer to play draws and fades.
There have been golf balls produced in the past that have had five layers. These golf balls are produced by TaylorMade and Callaway. TaylorMade's TP5 golf ball has been a successful implementation of a five-layer golf ball.
What is the Compression of a Golf Ball and How Does it Impact Your Game?
A good place to start would be one of the leading golf balls and brands in the golf equipment industry, which is the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x.
The Titleist Pro V1 golf ball has been one of the leading golf balls in the industry for decades. The Pro V1 is a medium compression golf ball that is used by several touring professionals including Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
The compression of the golf ball is how tightly the core threads of the golf ball are woven together, which allows the golfer to compress the ball as it makes impact with the clubface. So, a golf ball with low compression will be much softer and require a slower swing speed to compress the ball compared to a high-compression golf ball that requires a faster swing speed.
A medium compression ball, like the Pro V1, tries to find that middle ground of compression to combine distance and feel for the golfer.
Titleist also produces a Pro V1x golf ball. The Pro V1x golf ball is a higher compression golf ball, meaning it is not as soft as the Pro V1. Only golfers with high swing speeds north of 100mph should play the Pro V1X golf ball, as it will allow them to compress the golf ball better.If you had a slower swing speed and played a Pro V1x, you would likely notice the ball spins far less than necessary. That often means the ball doesn't get up the air high enough or stop quick enough.
For beginning golfers who are new to the game, a golf ball with a lower compression will probably be the best option for you. Most of the lower compression golf balls on the market are very affordable and will provide beginners with sufficient distance and spin rate numbers.
A high-compression golf ball requires quite a bit of swing speed and power to compress the ball to get optimal results. When you feel and squeeze a ProV1 compared to a Pro V1x, you can physically feel the difference between the two golf balls. This is because of the differences in how the golf ball is made and designed.
So, how should you go about selecting a golf ball for you? Check out these tips below.
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
If you are newer to the game, I would suggest trying a wide range of golf balls and seeing which one you like best and feel the most comfortable with. This will let you know that the ball you choose performs the best for you.
If you swing the golf club at less than 100 mph with a driver, then you will be best suited to a golf ball with low compression. Many golf brands might have the word soft attached to the low-compression golf balls and they advertise those balls as low compression with a soft feel.
Fit to Your Scoring Clubs
When you are selecting a ball, a common misconception is you want the one that carries the ball the farthest off the tee. While distance is important, finding a golf ball that your irons, wedges and putter perform well with is more important. Those are the clubs you use to set up your scoring opportunities.
Finding a golf ball that provides optimal spin rates with your scoring clubs is going to be a good ball for you. When you approach a green, you need a golf ball that will have enough backspin to hold the green and not bounce over the green.
Be Prepared to Spend Some Money
As you would expect, the best golf balls are usually the most expensive. Be prepared to spend upwards of $50 for a dozen golf balls. All of the tour balls have a urethane cover and they are very durable. If you don't lose many balls while you play, a higher-priced ball is worth the investment.
Finally, if you want to narrow in a golf ball that is best for your game then you can get fitted for a golf ball by a PGA professional or you can do your own experimenting. Plenty of PGA professional instructors offer golf ball testing and the technology we have today like launch monitors can show you your spin rates with each ball you hit.
You might be surprised with some of the results with different balls. As always, when it comes to selecting golf balls, just like clubs, trust your gut and the feel the golf ball provides for your game.
