Whether you shoot over 110, play bogey golf, or have a handicap of less than 10, there's a golf ball designed specifically for your level of play. Every golfer aspires to be better and the type of ball you hit will make a difference in your score.
Knowing Your Swing Speed Matters When Choosing a Golf Ball
Matching the right golf ball to your swing speed is critical. Slow swing speeds require a low compression ball (it has a softer feel); fast swing speeds need a high compression ball, or a harder feel. Compression is the act of deforming the ball at impact. The side of the ball that's hit by the club gets squashed and then as it leaves the club face it rebounds to its normal shape. A high compression golf ball needs the energy of a fast swing speed to compress the ball, generating distance and control. Golfers with slow swing speeds can't hit the high compression ball hard enough to compress it and get the required outcome; they'll not only sacrifice yardage but will feel like they just hit a rock.
The Best Golf Ball for Novice Golfers
If this is the first season you've golfed, or you lose more than four golf balls a round, or your score (if you keep it) is over 110, don't spend a lot of money on golf balls. Buy cheap golf balls: recycled, previously owned, wholesale and bulk golf balls can be found in every golf store or sporting goods department. Spend your money on lessons, not on expensive golf balls that won't make a difference to your score.
When you realize you've played a whole round with the same golf ball (okay, maybe you lost one ball), record a few bogeys and maybe even a rare par on your scorecard, you're probably having some "Aha moments" of what it takes to improve your game. It's now time to invest in a two-piece ball with low spin and high compression; one that provides a high launch for greater and longer ball flight, and less spin to reduce the slices and hooks that send you ball into the woods. The two piece ball is made up of a large, solid rubber core and a plastic or rubber outer shell. When it's hit by a golf club the ball starts to slide up the face of the club before impact is finished, which provides a lot of velocity; it's the large rubber core of these balls that produce speed. Lower compression models of the two-piece balls are ideal for those with slower swing speeds (less than 85 mph). Two piece balls are perhaps the cheapest type of golf balls to buy but their quality is good, and they are actually much better than the three piece balls were ten years ago.
The Best Golf Ball for Bogey or Intermediate Golfers
You're posting scores in the high 80's to mid 90's: bogey golf. But the pars and rare birdies that you record prove that you've got game. Your goal at this point is to become more consistent and lower your score to the low 80's and glimpse the 70's. There are two types of golf balls that you should consider playing depending on your swing speed. If your swing is slow to moderate a two piece, low compression ball will offer low spin to improve accuracy and distance control. However, you may sacrifice more spin on short green-side shots because of the soft feel.
Have a fast swing speed? Consider a two-piece performance golf ball with mid spin. With large rubber cores and thin covers, the core compresses more easily on impact, leading to more distance. The downside is that they, too, may not have the same spin advantages that provide accuracy around the greens. Mid spin golf balls were designed to produce both distance and feel for the majority of players, and work well for intermediate golfers dreaming of breaking 80.
The Best Golf Ball for Scratch or Low Handicap Golfers
You're the kind of golfer that others aspire to be, if they couldn't be on tour with the pros! Your opinion is sought after and valued, and your scorecard reflects your performance abilities to record pars and birdies. The three piece, multi-layer ball (with soft covers that provide feel, a firm mantle that transfers energy into distance and a urethane cover that allows for more spin on your short shots) would work well for you, allowing you to squeeze every ounce of performance out of this of ball. Expensive and designed for high swing speeds, the three piece ball creates spin in the air producing longer carry,straighter shots and precision accuracy around the greens.
Golfers spend almost $800 million annually on golf balls, looking for the magical ball that will fly long and straight off their club and roll perfectly into the hole with one put. The way to find yours is to know your swing speed and test a few different brands to see which ball gives you your desired results. Remember to evaluate a ball from tee to green; it's just as important to have good feel off a putter as it is a driver.
Other articles of interest include, Why Playing the Right Golf Ball Can Improve Your Game provides information on choosing the best golf ball for your game, and Playing the Best Golf Ball for Your Swing Can Lower Your Score has tips on comparing and testing golf balls to find the one that will lower your score.
Kathleen Armentano - A freelance writer and website publisher, Kathleen has spent over 20 years researching and writing for B2B corporate America and graphic ...
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