Balls
Golf's biggest advancements have come via dramatic improvements in ball construction. Compared to 30 years ago, today's golf ball travels farther, rolls longer, doesn't lose its round, flies straighter, and won't split its cover if you look at it wrong. Precisely engineered dimple patterns have allowed manufacturers to alter everything from trajectory to spin rates. As a result of these breakthroughs, players now have the opportunity to choose and play the best ball for their games
Years ago, everyone played with a soft, easy-cutting, natural rubber, balata-covered ball--whether you were a scratch player or a 25 handicap. Today, you're lucky to have numerous choices. However, options don't necessarily make things easier. In fact, finding the right ball for your game can be confusing. Rather than have you spend hours researching your options, we did it for you.
There are two main classes of balls: spin, and distance.
Designed to spin more. Often, they are of three-piece construction. A central core (liquid in the highest spin balls) is surrounded by rubber windings, which is often covered with a thin, soft material called balata. These balls spin more, making them easier to draw or fade, and they hold the green. They also have a softer feel but won't travel as far as distance balls. Less expensive versions of these balls offer a measure of durability. Their cover is typically Surlyn (a durable, synthetic material) or a Surlyn blend, they may be two-piece rather than three-piece, and have a solid core.
Distance balls are made with harder, more-durable covers and solid cores. Most are two piece. The inside of the distance ball is a firm synthetic material. The combined firmness of the cover and core allow the ball to travel longer distances and be very durable. However, these balls don't spin a great amount. Less spin means less control and stopping ability in certain cases. These have a harder feel than balls with wound construction.
Summary of types and construction:
Distance
- A two-piece ball designed to react quickly off the clubface for maximum speed, which results in overall distance.
- Distance balls appeal to people who find every yard counts, but where it may bring 15 more yards off the tee, it will be harder to stop around the green.
Spin
- A Three-piece ball intended to create as much backspin as possible, which generally leads to higher trajectory and better stopping ability on the ground.
- Better amateurs and touring pros prefer balls that offer high spin. These models may not be as long off the tee, but they make up for it in superior control.
Covers
Balata: Very soft feel. Usually combined with wound construction for the ultimate combination of soft feel and better control. Not good for beginners because of poor durability.
Surlyn: A hard, tough-to-cut cover offering less feel but more durability. Gives more distance but less maneuverability. Good for beginners.
Blends and synthetics: These are used on both two-piece and wound balls. They tend to be more expensive but offer a softer feel and good durability.
Tips on choosing balls:
Determine which compression is best for you.
Compression is a measure of how hard the ball may feel--the higher the compression number the harder the feel (and the less it compresses during impact). A common misconception among players is that a 100-compression ball always flies farther. This is not true. Clubhead speed, rather than compression, is most important to distance. For some golfers, a lower-compression ball will fly farther.
Determine if you like two- or three-piece balls.
Today, spin rates are a function of cover softness rather than construction. Still, a two-piece ball generally produces more distance and less spin, while a three-piece ball gives you more feel and additional spin. A three-piece ball often flies higher as well, because spin is what causes a golf ball to lift.
Pick a ball that suits your level of play.
If you mis-hit or top the ball a lot, you're not going to want an easy-cutting balata-covered ball. Conversely, if you're a scratch player, you're not going to want something that feels hard and gives you less spin and control--even if it won't cut.
Choose a ball that fits your budget.
Golf is an expensive sport. Some balls cost more than $3 a piece. Find the right ball for your budget. Often similar balls--of the same construction--vary greatly in price. Be conscious of this. Generally, balata-covered balls cost more, while the Surlyn covered balls cost less.
Consider the material.
While most two-piece balls have a synthetic core that varies only in softness, some companies are now adding exotic materials such as tungsten and titanium. Companies claim that because these exotic materials are dense and the center of gravity is more centrally located, the balls spin more. Some companies use these materials in ball covers, promising added feel and distance. Other companies use multilayer construction. These are higher-priced balls generally made with synthetic covers. They provide a good combination of durability, soft feel, and consistency.