How to Choose the Right Golf Ball for Your Game

There is a right golf ball for your game

Not all that long ago, there were two basic choices in golf balls--a soft ball that would spin, or a hard ball that would go farther and not cut. Now technology is in place to help golfers optimize their performance based on which golf ball they play. "The misconception is that 'if I play a Tour performing golf ball, I will see Tour-like results'," says Corey Consuegra, Manager of Golf Ball Fitting for Bridgestone Golf. "But that isn't necessarily the case." A few tips can make it easier for you to choose.

Instructions

1. Identify your caliber of play. Many players keep a USGA index which is a good guide as to which series of golf balls will work best. You can also determine your level of play based on your average score.

2. 

   Distance or spin is one choice you need to make

   Identify which is most important to you and your game--maximum distance off of the tee with a soft feel, or spin performance around the green in addition to long distance off of the tee.

3. Decide which areas of your game need the most attention--minimizing slice or hook spin off of the tee, increasing or decreasing ball flight, softer feel off of all clubs or increased greenside spin.

4. 

   What is your club head speed?

   Determine your club head speed. There are several ways to do this. One is to check with a local PGA Professional or golf retail store. Most of those have measuring devices.

5. Once you have the answers to the four questions above, then visit your local retail store or pro shop, tell the adviser these four elements, and he will help you choose the correct ball for your game. Generally speaking, better players--15 handicap and under--use high performance balls such as Titleist Pro VI, TaylorMade TP Red, or Bridgestone Tour B330 Series. Players with higher handicaps will utilize balls like TaylorMade Burner or Bridgestone e Series. But it is best to speak with a professional to find the best ball for your game.

Tips & Warnings

• Many manufacturers including Bridgestone Golf are positioning ball-fitting kiosks at golf retailers nationwide that are designed to help you not only narrow your focus to a certain category, but also help you make the exact determination for which golf ball will best perform for your game.

• These four steps will allow you to narrow your golf ball focus to Premium Tour Performing product or Distance Performance Series product. Generally speaking, the higher handicaps would benefit from the Distance series, while the better performers lean toward the Premium Tour Performing product.

References

• Bridgestone Golf

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• USGA index