GOLFERS!
Are you playing the right ball for your
game? How to dispel the myths of Hard, soft, high compression, low compression
Want to hit more fairways, greens, and
shoot lower scores?
Lets think outside of the cube for just a moment. How many
of you are playing with the golf ball you found in the woods or the sleeve of
balls from the last scramble you played in? Chances are if you are answering
yes to those, then you are probably playing the wrong ball. Or perhaps you are
on the other end of the spectrum. Maybe you are the guy that wants to play what
the pro’s play and go after the ultra-premium golf ball. I’m talking about the
Pro-v1’s, B-330’s, HX-iZ, and all the other $39.99 plus golf balls. Chances are
you are playing the wrong golf ball as well.
Technology Talk:
Most all golf balls are made up of a cover and a core. Today
thanks to technology some have a cover, a mantle, a few more layers, and then a
core. Some golf balls have as many as 5 layers so that performance can be
optimized for highly accomplished
players (tour pros and scratch golfers). If you don’t fall into that
category, that’s ok, not many people do, and that is why we are having this
discussion. No sense in making the game harder than it already is.
Compression, IT’S A MYTH: (From Titleist Fitting
Manual)
There is a common
misconception that a player must match the compression of the golf ball to his
or her swing speed in order to properly “compress” the ball. Every golfer
compresses the golf ball on every full swing shots. In fact, the differences in
the amount of compression across driver swing speeds are virtually
indistinguishable as depicted in these photos taken from a high-speed camera at
impact.
Another
myth is that lower swing speed players will hit a lower compression golf ball
longer. No single element of golf ball design determines the golf ball’s
performance or its distance. The Titleist Golf Ball R&D team has a wide
range of tools to design our golf balls to achieve specific performance
characteristics. Its compression is simply a result of this process.
Compression is a test of the relative softness of a golf ball and relates to
how firm or soft a golf ball feels to a golfer. While there is no performance
benefit to choosing a specific compression, many golfers (regardless of swing
speed) do have feel preferences. Golfers who prefer softer feel may prefer
lower compression golf balls.
Making a Selection:
Now we are going to take the complex and make it simple. How
do you choose the right ball for you with the hundreds of options that are
available to you? There are 3 important factors to consider when selecting the
right ball for your game.
1.
- How does it feel around the green (i.e. wedges,
chip shots, and pitch shots)
- Do I like the feel and feedback I get from the
golf ball with the putter
- Does my ball from tee to green tend to slice or
hook?
Some of you might feel that the Titleist pro V1, Callaway
HX, or Bridgestone B-330’s have the best feel around the green and that is what
you choose to play with. However there are many substitutes thanks technology
and multi-material construction. Would you sacrifice the ball zipping back on
the green to hit more fairways?
Here is the challenge, so you might have 15-20 different
golf balls that you have found over the past few rounds. This is actually a
great thing. Now you have multiple options to choose from and really compare
the difference side by side. Take them to the practice range and get familiar
with what you like to feel around the greens and feel with you putter. Narrow
it down to 3 choices that you like the best. Now your next round of golf, play
a different ball for 6 holes each and compare results. Some balls spin more
than others, some go higher, some go lower, some feel firm, some feel soft.
Choose the one you seem to be the most consistent with and stick with it. After
all golf is about consistency, so why would you constantly change the ball you
are playing with round after round.
Spin, How important is it?
Understanding how spin affects your game will help you
choose the best golf ball. On shots with the driver, low spin will provide longer
and straighter drives. On shots with your long irons, lower spin produces
straighter flight but reduces stopping power. In the short game, more spin
provides more stopping power into the green.
There are significant performance differences between golf
ball models, particularly on the short game scoring shots. To shoot lower
scores, golfers will benefit from a golf ball that provides excellent scoring
spin, the spin and control needed to hit more greens closer to the pin with
irons and wedges.
There is a break-even point however. If you don’t hit it in
the center of the club every time and your shots lack consistency, PLAY LOWER
SPIN. If you tend to impart excessive side-spin on the ball, a hook or slice,
then play a ball that does not spin as much. Trust me your scores will go down
with you hit more fairways and more greens. Just food for thought.
Recap:
- Choose a ball that you like the feel around the green and off the putter
- Choose a ball that suits your game, if you do not hit it straight most often do not play a ball that is made to produce more spin
- Price is not the most important factor when selecting a golf ball, just because it costs more does not mean that it's better for your game and going to help you improve
- Play the same ball all the time as much as possible.
- Play a ball that is right for you and lower your scores.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to
comment on this post and I will be more than happy to assist you further and help you improve your golf game.
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