GOLFERS! Are you playing the right ball for your game? How to dispel the myths of Hard, soft, high compression, low compression

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.     

1.       How does it feel around the green (i.e. wedges, chip shots, and pitch shots)
2.             Do I like the feel and feedback I get from the golf ball with the putter
3.        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:

1. Choose a ball that you like the feel around the green and off the putter
2. 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
3. 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
4. Play the same ball all the time as much as possible. 
5. 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.