How to Buy the Right Golf Ball to Fit Your Game

With all of the golf balls to choose from, how can anyone possibly pick the right golf ball for his or her game? Does it REALLY matter which golf ball I use?

This step by step guide will not only help you understand what the difference is in golf ball construction, but will also help you decide which golf ball will work for your game.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. First, think of buying a golf ball like picking out a car to drive. Just like cars, golf balls have such a wide range of characteristics these days that the golf ball you use can have a positive effect on your game if you choose the type of golf ball that is "built" for you.

2. Now, consider the skill level of your golf game. Is your game like a Ferrari or a Chevrolet? Keep in mind that if you struggle to break 100 you aren't necessarily going to reap all the benefits of today’s technology like you will if you are a low handicapper. But even so, high handicappers can cut a few strokes off their round by using a ball suited to their “performance” objective.

3. Ask yourself, "What is my game like and what is my performance objective?" Are you looking for distance off the driver? Do you want to reduce side spin that results in a slice or a sweeping hook? Do you want the ball to check and spin into the greens? Do you want a soft feel around the green? Is the feel of the golf ball when you putt important to you? Do you want all of the above?

4. Once you figure out your performance objective, then you have to ask yourself, "What price am I willing to pay for this performance?" Just like buying cars, performance and style cost more than just "transportation". If you have a small budget, then you will have to sacrifice some of the performance characteristics that the premium balls can offer. Most inexpensive balls are geared toward distance or feel, but rarely both. On the other hand, premium golf balls can give you all of the above if you're willing to put out some bucks.

5. Once you determine what you want your golf ball to do and how much you are willing to spend for that performance, you must now decide is it worth it? Think of inexperienced drivers just starting out. Does the type of car they drive have a really big influence on their overall driving experience? Certainly many of them would like to drive a fancy car with high performance characteristics; but, in reality, even if they were behind the wheel of a Ferrari, they may not be able to control it or get the most out of all that a Ferrari has to offer. The car may simply be reduced to “transportation” for them. They could get the same objective by driving a base model Chevrolet or Ford. However, Jeff Gordon would have completely different experiences with a Ferrari and a Chevrolet. He would not only understand the intricacies of the Ferrari, but he would also be able to get better “performance” from the Ferrari because of his driving skills.

6. Now it's time to "test drive" your golf ball. Play a few different brands and models to see what suits your game. Titleist, Srixon, Topflite, Callaway, Bridgestone and Taylormade all make several models of golf ball; from inexpensive to premium. Each one has a little different performance characteristics which you can read about on the golf ball box or by browsing the manufacturers' websites or by asking your local PGA Professional. But the best test is to play it on the course for several rounds. Keep test driving until you find the right combination of performance, price and "justification" for buying that certain ball. Happy hunting.

Tips & Warnings

• Here are a few general notes that examine some general characteristics of the types of balls.
• 2-piece balls: Made up of a solid core and a cover (usually cut-resistant Surlyn). Usually fairly inexpensive, mainly built for distance, low spin rate. Straighter off the driver but will not stop around the green. – Base model Chevrolet or Ford
• 3-piece balls: Made up of a solid core, thin mantle and a cover. Most common type of ball construction. Allows the manufacture to “tailor make” the playing characteristics. Good distance off the driver and long irons, more spin off the wedges and around the green. Medium to expensive price. – Sedans up to luxury vehicles.
• 4-piece balls: Made up of multiple combinations of solid cores, mantle layers and covers. The interaction of layers helps create the balls performance characteristics. Targeted for better players who can get the performance out of the ball. You will pay a premium price for this ball. – High-performance cars (Ferrari)
• Wound balls: Extinct – not currently produced by any manufacturer
• Other Factors: Compression – how much the ball “squishes” at impact. Slower swings benefit from lower compression balls. Cover material – hard covers do not spin as much but they also last longer.

Resources

• Titleist Golf Balls
• Srixon Golf Balls
• Callaway Golf Balls
• TopFlite Golf Balls
• Bridgestone Golf Balls
• Taylormade Golf Balls

[mamarika]

on 7/4/2009 Very informative, thorough article!