Golf Balls
As a beginner, you may have looked at the different prices for golf balls - from as little as $1.50 each up to a huge amount of dollars - and wondered if the more expensive balls are better, and if they will improve your game.
There are three different types of golf balls to suit different standards of players.
a) straight distance balls.
b) Spin and distance combination balls.
c) Ultimate spin and control balls.
To explain: Balls come in different ratings of compression (how much the ball compresses on the club face at impact) of 80, 90 and 100.
People with a slower than average swing speed - Juniors, Ladies, Senior men - benefit from a lower compression for extra distance: Medium to quick swing speeds players normally prefer 90, and very quick swings use 100 compression.
The balls are generally 2 or 3 piece construction. A 2 piece ball has an enlarged centre (or core) and a cover around the outside.
Distance balls are generally 2 piece.
3 piece balls have a small rubber core, a layer of rubber winding or solid rubber, and the cover.
Ultimate control balls are generally 3 piece balls.
Beginners and high handicap golfers should use a straight distance, 2 piece ball as they have a very durable cover that is quite hard. They are designed to generate very little spin which means slices and hooks are reduced. They will not damage if mishit, and they also cost less so lost balls cause less frustration! The price should range from $15 to about $45 per dozen.
Middle to low handicap golfers looking for distance without sacrificing control should use a spin and distance combination ball. These balls are usually 2 piece construction that will not lose distance but the cover is a little softer than straight distance balls, which adds spin.
This softer cover can damage - scuff - if mishit, or bounced off trees, which affects the balls performance - and the added spin can exaggerate a hook or slice. They are more expensive too, so it's more annoying to watch them sail into the water.
Spin and distance balls are occasionally 3 piece construction. They have a smaller core and winding which makes them softer than the 2 piece balls. This enhances feel when putting and chipping. The cover is quite hard which keeps the balls durable. If mishit these balls acan go out of shape and need to be replaced. They cost betweenm $35 and $65 per dozen.
Low handicap players and professionals usually use an ultimate control and spin ball.
These balls are usually a 3 piece construction and have a very soft cover. Distance wise they go less far than 2 piece balls but if you watch the Professionals on TV you will see how much contro they have with these balls. Better players generaly generate a lot more club head speed with their swings than higher handiapa players, so distance is not their main concern. They also have more consistency to their swing and know within a metre or two how far they are going to hit with every club in the bag.
When you see a pro spin the ball backwards towards the hole he, or she will be using an ultimate control ball.
The down-fall of the ultimate control balls is that they can be very expensive and a mishit can easily cut, tear or mishape the ball so it becomes unusable.
For a beginner to use these balls could be costly, both score and money wise. They cost between $590 and $90 per dozen.
To conclude, beginners and high handicap players seeking distance should use a straight distance ball. Middle to low handicap players should use a control and distance combination ball and low handicap players (5 or less) and professionals use ultimate control and spin bals.
As a general rule the cheap ball at around $1.50 each is quite suitable for beginners. This price range is generally a straight distance ball, and being inexpensive causes less expense and frustration when inevitably lost. Therefore a beginner should always use an inexpensive ball, not only because of the price, but because its construction is more suited to the beginners game.
______________________________________________________________________________________