2024 Golf Ball Guide
Common questions I hear when it comes to golf balls:
What golf ball should I be using?
Does the golf ball make a difference?
Are more expensive golf balls really that much better?
Why are golf balls so expensive?
Golf ball selection is a nuanced topic that often leaves players with questions about the ideal choice. This guide aims to answer these questions and offer recommendations based on various swing speeds.
1. What Golf Ball Should I Be Using?
Determining the ideal golf ball involves considering factors such as swing speed, preferred feel, and the level of consistency desired. Below, we break down recommendations based on different swing speeds:
Slow swing speed (under 60mph) (average drive 160-180 yards):
Titleist Tru-feel (soft)
Taylormade Soft Response (medium)
Callaway Supersoft (firm)
Medium swing speed (61-80mph) (average drive 180-210 yards):
Srixon Soft Feel (soft)
Callaway ERC (medium)
Titleist Tour Soft (firm)
Medium/High swing speed (81-95) (average drive 210-250 yards):
Titleist Velocity (soft)
Taylormade Tour Response (medium)
Srixon Q-Star (firm)
High swing speed (96-106 mph) (average drive 250 - 290 yards):
Callaway Chrome Soft (soft)
Titleist Tour Speed (medium)
Titleist AVX (medium)
Taylormade TP5 (medium)
Titleist ProV1 (medium)
Srixon Z-star (firm)
Tour swing speed (107+ mph) (average drive 290+ yards):
Taylormade TP5X (firm)
Callaway Chrome Soft X (firm)
Titleist ProV1X (firm)
2. Does the Golf Ball Make a Difference?
The impact of the golf ball on your game is accentuated by the force applied during your swing. While players with slower swing speeds might not perceive significant differences, for faster swing speeds, the type of golf ball becomes critical. Flight trajectory, spin, and overall performance are influenced by the ball's design.
3. Are More Expensive Golf Balls Really That Much Better?
Investing in more expensive golf balls can be worthwhile, especially if you apply significant force during your swing.
The benefits that premium balls offer are:
superior quality control - every golf ball that leaves the factory is going to perform exactly the same
higher-grade materials - these materials ensure that every golf ball performs as expected throughout it’s entire life -cycle
multi-piece construction - this allows for extremely precise construction which makes each model of golf ball better suited for a particular golfer.
4. Why Are Golf Balls So Expensive?
The cost of golf balls is attributed to factors like quality control, premium materials, advanced construction, and popularity. Premium balls undergo stringent quality checks, utilize top-notch materials, and often employ advanced multi-piece designs. The demand for popular golf balls contributes to their higher prices, assuring golfers of a well-tested and trusted product.
Conclusion: Choosing the right golf ball is a personalized journey that depends on your swing speed, preferred feel, and desired level of performance consistency. Experimenting with different golf balls is key to finding the one that enhances your overall golfing experience. Talk with one of our professionals if you want help selecting the right ball this season or setup a ball-fitting this spring and ensure you’re playing the best ball for your game.
What golf ball do I use?
I use the Srixon Z-star because I find it has a little more spin than the ProV1 which helps me around the greens, it has a medium trajectory which helps me keep the ball a bit lower (I don’t struggle hitting the ball higher if needed), and a slightly firmer feel which I just prefer.
More Info:
Lots of information out there on golf balls and comparisons. If you want in-depth information with data rather than just trusting your local golf professional, check out the links below:
https://www.golfsidekick.com/balls/golf-ball-compression-chart/
https://outofboundsgolf.com/golf-ball-information-chart/
https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/golf-ball-compression-guide/