A lot of golfers (in fact most club golfers) aren’t ever really sure which golf ball to use. The power of the media and advertising plays a huge role in the selection of our golf balls.

I am continually amazed at the answers I get when I ask people which golf ball they use, and then why they use them. I sincerely believe that the vast majority of us play with golf balls for one of three reasons:

1. Because of advertising and seeing what the top players use.
2. Because you have had a good round previously with this type of ball or
3. Because you got them cheaply or for free.

Of these three reasons I find the first to be the worst reason to use a particular ball.

Don’t get me wrong; the pros usually use a ball for a specific reason, but when you get to their level of skill you would understand the dynamics of both the golf swing and a golf ball. Something I don’t think the average golfer understands or cares to understand. We just want to play golf!

I play with a 5 handicap golfer who is a millionaire, and he only plays with balls that he can buy on special or that he has won. What’s more, he uses one ball for five or six rounds of golf. And there are others in my group of friends who play only with Titleist ProV1’s although they are high handicap golfers and have no idea that the ball is in no way helping their game. They use them simply because they have been told that this is the best ball on the market and the pros use them.

So what golf ball should you be using? Well honestly, I think for most of us, my rich 5 handicap friend has got it right, but technically here is a short answer for you.

Golf balls have essentially got three spin rates: low, medium and high.

A high rate will give a greater amount of revolutions but will not roll any great distance. With this type of ball it is easier to work the ball and hit different types of ball flights. This is a great golf ball for around the greens and for greater ball control. Hence you will see more and more professionals using this ball. Bear in mind though that the pros will change balls according to whatever contract they are bound by at the time.

A medium spin rate will not provide as much control on the green, will spin less and roll a bit further. It is not as easy to work the ball.

A golf ball with a low spin rate will roll a lot further than the others but will provide less control around the greens. The advantage of this type of ball for the high handicap golfer is that it will reduce the effect of a slice or a hook because of the limited amount of spin. This is probably the type of ball that most golfers (remember that the average golfer’s handicap is over 18) should be using.

Advertising definitely works, and whilst the soft-covered balls are fantastic balls for the few (less than 2%) of golfers who will benefit from them, the vast majority of golfers are not necessarily doing themselves or their games a favor by using these balls.

At the end of the day, I suppose the choice of which golf ball to use should come down to trial and error. Try as many as you can in the same round of golf and see which type/brand you prefer. It’s a bit like wine tasting. Some wines described as ‘great’ might not appeal to you as much as others that are classified as cheaper or blend wines. It’s all a matter of personal taste.

So you decide which golf ball to use, and while you’re at it, I’m off to the shop to pick up some cheapies on special!

Lawrence Bredenkamp is a qualified EGTF golf coach and takes great pleasure in helping people improve their game. Head over to his site, Play The Lie, for more information on how to improve your golf swing and lower your scores. While there, sign up for his free 6-week tutorial designed to reduce your golf handicap by 15%.

One thing most golfers never think about is the golf ball they’re playing with. The modern golf ball is the most regulated piece of golf equipment we have today. Even with the new driver technology, exotic shaft material, and the high rebound clubfaces of most modern irons, the golf ball is still the most advanced of them all.

There has been a proposal put forth to golf’s governing bodies to standardize the modern ball for professional play to even the playing field. Of course I don’t believe this will ever happen given the billions of dollars spent on brand-specific golf balls and the personal preferences of the players.

I can remember not long ago we only had two or three golf balls to choose from. We had the “red” numbered 90 compression ball and the “black” numbered 100 compression ball. It was known then that the 90-compression ball was for ladies and slow swingers, and the 100-compression ball was for pros and hard hitters.

With today’s technology, the compression of the most popular golf ball in the world for pros and top amateurs runs in the mid 70s. This is quite a difference. Every major golf ball manufacturer today has an offering in the low compression ball market and the segment is growing fast. These are anywhere from 50 to 60-compression and and a few are down as low as 40.

These golf balls are designed to fly farther with slower swing speeds because the golfer can compress the ball easier and use the energy not only from the club head, but also all the energy packed into the ball. This new technology golf ball can be found in all pro shops from virtually every ball manufacturer.

Try one out; when you fire your engine and piston, you will see and feel a difference!

Robert Bernard is a Class “A” member of the Canadian Professional Golfers Association. Touted by “Golf Canada Magazine” (June 2005) as one of Canada’s Most Respected Golf Professionals, Rob has more than 10 years experience as a dedicated Teaching Professional. Get more free tips at Rob’s site, Center of Gravity Golf.

One of the quickest ways to improve your game is to select the right golf ball to match your style of play. Something as simple as changing your ball can go a long way in improving your handicap. “But how do I select the correct ball?” you ask. Let’s take a minute and review a thing or two about golf ball compression.

Compression is determined by how tightly the golf ball is wound. The softer the ball, the greater the distance, the greater the loss of control. There are three industry standard settings of compression. They vary in hardness, distance, and control.

• 80 Compression golf balls
  • The softest golf ball available
  • Travels further than other balls
  • Slower swing speeds do not hamper ball travel as much
  • Softness increases distance, but offers less ball control
  • Suited for the newer golfer, or the golfer with a slower swing
• 90 Compression golf balls
  • Mid-range golf ball
  • Better control than 80 compression
  • Less distance
  • Suited for intermediate golfers
• 100 Compression golf balls
  • Hardest golf balls available
  • Best control of any golf ball
  • Require a strong, fast swing for a productive distance shot
  • Best for the experienced golfer

A point to keep in mind is that you should consider outside air temperature when deciding which ball to use. Use a lower compression ball when the air is colder; a high compression ball will feel rather heavy due to its density.

Compression ratings are there to help you. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different ratings. Find the compression that maximizes your game and watch your handicap drop!

Lee Reedy publishes 1stGPS where you can find more golf pro tips, tricks, product reviews and a free report on strategies for lowering your golf score.

Visit Golfballs.com for the widest selection of golf balls of all compressions available online.

By Jack Moorehouse

Choosing the right ball is critical to cutting your golf handicap. A ball impacts your game almost as much as your clubs, so it’s important to choose a ball that’s right for you. Below is a six-step process for selecting the right golf ball, a process I often review in my golf lessons and golf tips. It’s a relatively new selection approach. But first, let’s review the standard historical approach to choosing a golf ball.

Standard Selection Approach

With this approach you chose a golf ball going from the tee forward. In other words, you hit balls from the tee and observed their performance characteristics. You based your decisions primarily on control and distance, depending on their preference.

This approach was appropriate when ball-manufacturing technology was simpler. Here were your options.

1. If you wanted the ultimate in control, you chose a three-piece with a balata cover. It offered high-spin rates, soft feel, and good maneuverability, but it lacked durability. I used to recommend this ball in my golf lessons and golf tips for players with low golf handicaps adept at shot making.

2. If you wanted the ultimate in distance, you chose a two-piece ball with a Surlyn cover. This ball would travel far and last a long time. Unfortunately, its lack of spin greatly reduced control, especially around the greens. I used to recommend this ball for players with high golf handicaps who needed distance more than control.

3. If you wanted something in between, you choose a three-piece ball with a Surlyn cover. With this ball, you sacrificed a little control for more distance and durability. This ball worked relatively well.

This process worked well for a long time. But it’s less appropriate for evaluating today’s golf balls, which incorporate the latest advancements in technology.

Breakthroughs in Technology

Ball manufacturing technology saw several breakthroughs in the 1990s and beyond, complicating selection. Multilayer balls, like the Top-Flite Strata, which provide less spin for more distance and a softer cover for better control around the greens, hit the market in 1996, followed by Titleist’s Pro V1 — a solid-core, distance ball — in 2000. Nike’s One and Titleist’s Next also debuted in the last 10 years.

While these balls all represented technological breakthroughs, they challenged the standard approach to ball selection. Basically, you still chose a ball from the tee going forward based on distance and control.

A New Selection Approach

Today, there’s another approach to choosing a ball. This approach is based on going from the green backwards. It’s proving more appropriate for today’s game. Below is a six-step methodology for choosing a ball based on this new approach.

Step 1: Define Your Needs

First, you need to (1) assess your game, (2) define your needs, and (3) decide what you want and don’t want from a ball. Defining your needs is crucial to choosing the right ball. Remember not everyone with the same ball-striking ability, golf handicap, and/or swing speed will play the same ball. Ask yourself such questions as, “Do I need more distance?” and “Do I need more control with my irons?”

Step 2: Choose Test Balls

Select several balls you want to test. Base your decision on your defined needs. Try selecting balls from each category — multilayered, two-piece, and super soft, low compression — to see how they test. Remember not every manufacturer’s models of the same type ball will react exactly alike.

Step 3: Test from the Fringe

Take the test balls to the fringe of the green. Hit some chip shots and pitch shots, and observe the results. See which balls hit the green and “check” and which hit the green and release. Then, hit some putts and sand-shots. Observe performances. In general, the multilayer balls will feel softer, fly a bit low, and stop or check more on the green than their two-piece counterparts. Super-soft balls will roll the farthest with the least amount of spin after hitting the ground.

Step 4: Test from 100 Yards

Take the balls and move out into the fairway to the 100-yard marker. Test each ball from that point and observe each ball’s checking and releasing characteristics after it hits the green.

Step 5: Test Balls from 150 yards

Now, take your balls out to the 150-yard marker and hit from there. Observe the results. Use the same criteria to evaluate each ball.

Step 6: Test Balls from the Tee

Go to the tee box and hit the balls with your driver. Look for drives that reach their apex or highest point quickly and then level out and carry far down range. What you don’t want to see are drives that start low and then shoot up like a jet plane taking off. Such shots indicate that the driver has added too much spin to the ball, resulting in shorter drives that hook or slice more.

Now, obviously you can’t necessarily go out onto the course to do all this testing. Your local range or practice area will work just fine. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re ready to choose. Base your decision on the most meaningful combination of performance qualities — meaningful to you, that is. For example, golfers who base their iron play on shots that hit and bite close to where they land will probably prefer a multilayer ball, even if it means sacrificing a little trajectory and distance.

Remember a golf ball impacts your game almost as much as your clubs. If the ball you choose doesn’t feel right after selecting it, try another. Give each ball a fair trial.

Choosing a ball that’s right for you, as I say in my golf lessons and golf tips, takes some work, but it’s well worth the effort. Having the right ball is crucial to improving your game and lowering your golf handicap. It also helps build self-confidence. Choose wisely.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the bestselling book How to Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps immediately.

By Mike Pedersen

Every golfer has his own opinion of what the best golf balls are. The best golf balls are not necessarily the highest priced, nor those that come top in the “expert” reviews. To many, the best golf balls are those with which they scored their lowest score ever, or hit a hole in one. Many who had a hole in one with a particular golf ball will not play with any other.

Different Balls Do Different Things

Some golf balls are made for distance and others for spin. So if you find a golf ball that you can hit a great distance off the tee, you may find that you cannot stop it on the green, or fade it round that dogleg. Others are made specifically for spin and control, so while you may compromise a bit on distance, your short game is much better.

The Best Balls May Depend on How Good You Are

Golf balls are made in varying degrees of hardness, and with different types of covers which can impart more or less spin. The harder the ball, the farther it will generally travel, but the less easy it will be to spin it due to its lack of compression against the club head at the point of impact. Beginners will usually find that the best golf balls for them are those that travel farthest, while the pros may prefer a ball with a higher degree of compression which gives more spin, and hence will be easier to control better while in flight and after landing.

So the best golf balls for some are not necessarily the best golf balls for others. It may not be wise to pick a golf ball because you can drive it 250 yards, or because you can stop it on a dime. You should choose a ball that allows you to play your best overall game. This may not be the best golf ball for your buddy, but it will be for you.

Golf Balls Should Fit the Player

Golf balls are like clubs: they should fit the player, and your ball should match your style of play. If you are a really long hitter, but fall down when it comes to the short game around the greens, then perhaps you should change to balls that allow you easier control over spin. These will then be the best golf balls for you. On the other hand if you are great around the greens but can’t get the distance, you may require a slightly harder cover and rely on your club work to get the spin and control rather than from the ball itself.

Cheap Does Not Necessarily Mean Bad

Some swear that the Titleist Pro V1x or the Bridgestone Tour B330 are the best golf balls, but just as many swear by the cheap ball they bought in their local discount store that gives them both length and short game control.

The best golf balls? No such thing.

Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites.

By Mike Pedersen 

If you look around for cheap golf balls you are normally offered single layer balls which are useful for nothing except practice for beginners, or used golf balls which may or may not be reconditioned.

Reconditioned Means Recovered

Cheap reconditioned golf balls are used balls which have been recovered. Some may be described as “reconditioned” even if they have just been cleaned, though reputable companies described cleaned used balls as “cleaned.” True recovered balls have had the tip cover removed and replaced. Most quality balls have at least two covers and as many as four. The top cover is dimpled and made from a tough thermoplastic resin. This can be stripped and replaced to produce recovered golf balls.

Cheap Golf Balls Make Cheap Practice Balls

Other cheap balls can be a bit discolored with some scratches and yet others are good only for shag bags. Some cheap golf balls are sold specifically for driving ranges, and if you use your cheap balls for this you should ignore your length. Even direction can be affected by cheap previously used golf balls. In fact, cheap golf balls should be regarded as practice for swing mechanics rather than direction and distance, unless their “cheapness” is due to their being discount golf balls.

Discount balls are available for a number of reasons, such as a need to sell off stock of old lines to replace them with new products. In such cases cheap golf balls can be a good deal so you have to be aware of the reason for the price reduction. The major best deals are likely to be cheap golf balls being sold off to make room for new stock.

A common reason for golf balls being offered at cheap prices is due to their low quality. Many single layer balls are sold at low cost to beginners who believe that they are getting a good deal. This is probably true for beginners, though such balls would not give more experienced golfers the length or degree of spin and control that they need.

eBay is a Good Source of Cheap Balls

However, the one place that good quality new golf balls can be purchased is eBay. As this is written, there are a dozen brand new boxed Dunlop Revelation golf balls, suitable for most golfers, on sale on eBay for less than $8. There are many such bargains which can be obtained from online auction sites, but be careful that you are buying genuine products and not copies from the far east.

So, the term “cheap golf balls” can be used for a number of products: either second hand used golf balls, reconditioned balls, low quality new product which would be suitable for no golfer except those new to the game and higher quality branded product being sold on Internet auction sites.

Cheap golf balls are available, but be careful where you buy them and why you want them!

Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites.