How the Golf Ball Affects Your Game
The golf ball is one of the key pieces of equipment used in the game of golf. The choice of golf ball can affect the distance, spin, control and feel of your golf shots. Many types and brands of balls appeal to golfers of all levels.
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Significance
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For golfers, the choice of golf ball is one of the most important decisions to make. With dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of types available, the choice can be very confusing. Adding to this, many golfers are misinformed about the benefits and disadvantages of each type. The ball you play affects two key elements of the game--distance and control. The right ball to play depends on the golfer's ability and goals.
History
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The golf ball has evolved along with the game itself. In its earliest days in Scotland, golfers used balls made of wood, goose feathers or gutta (a kind of rubber). These traveled only short distances and did not fly in straight or predictable patterns. By 1900, the golf ball had evolved into its modern form, with a solid rubber core wrapped in rubber thread encased in a hard outer sphere. In the past 40 years, new materials and technology enabled the creation of balls consisting of two, three or even four layers, each with unique performance characteristics.
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Types
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Modern golf balls come in three basic types: two-piece ball (traditional), three-piece Balata ball (professional) and the newest four-piece ball (tour). The two-piece ball is the cheapest, so it is favored by casual players and those just beginning to play. The three-piece ball, with a large solid core surrounded by plastic-like materials and an outer core made of soft Balata, is the choice of better players with consistent swings who don't mind paying more for a ball. The new four-piece balls, consisting of multiple layers of material, are the most expensive, but appeal to both serious amateurs and professional players who want the best possible performance from their golf ball.
Two Piece
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The two-piece ball is harder and produces less spin than other types. Because of these features, it is a good choice for beginners and high handicappers who want to maximize distance while reducing the spin that results in hooks and slices when mishit. It also performs better with the slower swing speeds of most amateurs. An added benefit is the lower cost, since beginners typically lose a lot more balls and must replace them more often than better players.
Three Piece
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The three-piece ball has a softer feel when hit and produces greater spin. These are desirable characteristics for better players with consistent swings who hit the ball a long distance. Professional golfers prefer the three-piece ball because they are looking for better control over the direction and distance of their shots, especially when hitting into the green. One disadvantage of the three-piece ball is less forgiveness on mishits, since its increased spin rate exaggerates the effect of a hook or slice.
Four Piece
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The newest four-piece balls are supposed to be the answer to all golfers' prayers, if you believe the marketing hype surrounding them. They are designed so that the different layers enhance various aspects of golf performance, thus giving players the best of all worlds--longer distance off the tee, more spin on approach shots and greater feel hitting shots around the green. The downside is that this increased performance comes with a hefty price tag and depends upon a high swing speed (over 100 mph) that most amateur players lack.
Expert Insight
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Golf instructors encourage their students to try out several golf balls to see which fits their playing style best. Try a couple of rounds with one ball and then switch to another. Pay attention to how far your ball travels, how well it holds greens and how it rolls on the putting surface. Once you find a ball that gives you the best overall performance, stick with it.
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References
- Photo Credit golf ball image by Franc Podgor�?¡ek from Fotolia.com
