Choosing The Right Ball For Your Game And Your Golf Swing

Make An Informed Decision When You Buy Golf Balls

The best golf ball for you must match your game. It is a personal choice based on your swing, style and level of ball control. Identifying your game strengths and weaknesses is part of the decision process. Understanding the various types of golf ball designs and construction is another.

Various Types of Golf Ball Design and Constructiion

2-Piece Golf Balls

2-piece golf balls contain a solid rubber core surrounded by a plastic cover (ionomer resin). Differences occur with the size and hardness of the rubber core as well as the softness of the plastic cover. Also known as distance balls these 2-piece golf balls have increased roll due to a lower back spin. This lower spin will help reduce the effect of the dredded hook or slice giving a straighter flight.

3-Piece and 4-piece Golf Balls - Multi-layer Golf Balls

Multi-layer golf balls too contain a solid rubber core and include a thin outer core coating (boundary layer) of thermoplastic material, and a soft rubber cover (plastic or urethene). The 4-piece golf ball comprises an additional core element (dual core). These hybrid balls are great for players with spin control abilities (pro's and low handicappers).

Dimple Count

If golf balls were smooth, as they once were, you would not get the desired distance. Air surrounding the smooth golf ball in flight displaces and does not add to the travelling speed. A dimpled golf ball when in flight however attracts the surrounding air and "traps" it, thus creating added pressure to the existing force generated by the golf club. In general dimples make a golf ball more aerodynamic by reducing the drag acting on the ball in flight. But with all that in mind the number of dimples, their shape and depth are purely for the golf ball engineer to worry about. Leave it to the experts to understand the refinement and let the golfer decide based on other characteristics. This also relates to golf ball compression.

Compression

Compression values were once a factor when choosing your golf balls but in reality the differences were actually negligible. So insignificant was the designation of compression that it is rarely used by the manufacturers with the focus more on the core and cover match-ups.

Spin Rate

The spin rate is the most significant physical and performance characteristic of a golf ball that all players should understand. Basically if you can limit or even control the amount of spin on a golf ball things will work in your favour. This refers to side spin - hook or slice effect. Hit a ball straight and you have back spin which makes the ball climb higher. You can test the spin rate of a golf ball using your driver and your 8-iron. This way you will be testing your swing and the ball as opposed to the club face. Using a lower spin rate golf ball you can help reduce the side spin from that nasty hook or slice resulting in a straighter shot and therefore better distance. In the same light a better golfer, or one who can control side spin, would benefit from higher spinning balls for both distance off the tee and approaching the greens.