Ever wondered if the $4 golf ball or the $.25 cent golf ball makes a difference in your game? It’s hard not to be drawn to the cheap golf balls or used golf balls that you see in the store, but we urge you to be careful in which one you end up choosing. Let’s look at if golf balls actually matter and which golfers they matter the most for.
Also Read: Best Golf Balls For Average Golfers
Do Golf Balls Actually Matter?
Golf balls matter and will have a tremendous impact on your game. If you are not playing with the right golf ball, expect to see issues with ball flight, total distance, spin, and control. The better the player, the more the golf ball will impact scoring, but high handicappers also need to focus on playing with a golf ball that suits their game’s specific needs and preferences.
How Golf Balls Are Different
Golf balls have several different characteristics that set them apart from others. These include the number of pieces, compression, materials, dimple pattern, and color. Each of the factors will impact overall playability.
Number of Pieces
A golf ball with 3 or more pieces tends to be a premium option as it will offer performance from the tee and the green. Expect golf balls with more pieces to be more expensive. Most players consider the four and five-piece golf balls to be premium. The golfers that can feel the difference should use them.
Compression
Compression is how difficult it is to compress a golf ball. Higher swing speed players need a higher compression golf ball; lower swing speed players need lower compression. Compression and swing speed are typically tied together, so it helps to know your swing speed when shopping for new golf balls.
Materials
Golf balls are made up of many different types of materials, including cover materials of urethane or surlyn. The materials impact the feel and precision of the golf ball.
Dimple Pattern
Dimple pattern has an impact on the spin as well as the ball flight. Better players like to maximize spin around the greens and minimize spin off the tee.
Color
Color can be a personal preference, but it will impact the playability of your golf shots. Choose a color that helps you focus but also helps you locate your golf ball should you lose it.
Do Golf Balls Matter For Beginners?
Beginner golfers are very often drawn to the cheapest golf ball on the shelf. This is understandable considering how expensive golf balls can be and the fact that losing them can cause issues to your budget. However, we have found that the beginners that find a golf ball that is still somewhat helpful to their game have much greater success on the golf course.
The problem with cheap golf balls is that they don’t have a very good feel or spin around the greens. The short game is the area where beginners need to learn to develop the most skill. If you play with a golf ball that has low greenside spin rates or is hard, the results are not going to be as good.
Many beginners think they are having issues in their game caused by their skill level, and sometimes it is just the equipment they are using. Beginners should find a low compression golf ball with good distance performance and a soft greenside feel. Typically speaking, a 3 piece golf ball is a good solution for a beginner and can be found around the $30 price range.
Do Golf Balls Matter For High Handicappers?
High handicappers typically have a specific area of their game where they struggle. For many players, this will be the ability to hit a golf ball straight off the tee, and for others, it could mean issues with chipping and even feel on the putting green.
The key for high handicappers is to find a golf ball with a great mix of performance but focuses on the weak spot in the game. Thre are golf balls that fly straighter and help players who are looking to play from the center of the fairway as opposed to the rough or even the woods.
High handicappers should always consider the way the ball feels on a putting green as well. Some players prefer a softer feeling golf ball when speed and distance control are still being developed.
Do Golf Balls Matter For Mid Handicappers?
So many of the products available on the market are for mid-handicappers. This is the largest population of golfers and the group that purchases the most equipment. Mid-handicappers need to start playing with a better golf ball if they care about their scoring capabilities. You must choose a golf ball with a mix of performance from the tee and around the greens.
The Titleist Pro V1 tends to be one of the most popular golf balls for mid-handicappers as it has tremendous distance but will also stop on the green where you want it to. Most mid handicappers have already learned how to hit the ball with relative consistency, but they need to look for the performance that shaves a few strokes off the game.
Some mid handicappers have quite a bit of club head speed, and it’s important to consider this when looking at the durability of a golf ball as well.
Do Golf Balls Matter For Seniors?
Senior golfers struggle with ball speed. Tisi s the time in our lives when things start to slow down, and it becomes difficult to get the same yardages that we were once able to get. Luckily, different types of golf equipment can help bridge the gap between our old golf game and the new one.
Some golf balls for seniors in clubs balls that are lower in compression and have a slightly larger look to them. Callaway even makes a Supersoft Magma that is a little larger than a traditional golf ball but still legal. This helps players who are struggling to see the golf ball and need this extra help to make better contacts.
Senior golfers are sometimes looking for a deal on golf balls, but that shouldn’t be hard to find when looking for a lower compression distance golf ball. The soft cover is a smart choice for seniors as it will improve feel and control around the green, and most seniors do not need to worry about cracking the cover of the golf ball.
Also Read: Best Golf Balls For Seniors
FAQ’S
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now feel a bit more knowledgeable about golf balls and the difference they make in your golf game. It is essential to take the time to find the right golf ball for your game; the difference in performance is noticeable. When I started playing with the right golf ball, I noticed extra distance, increased stopability on the greens, and better spin in the short game. All of these factors impact my performance and my scoring on the golf course.
