You’re Under Arrest For Playing The Wrong Compression Golf Ball

I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this but the cops are after you.

Do you have any idea how fast you were driving back there coming off the 13th tee?

No, not the speed of your golf cart—we’re talking about your clubhead speed.

Unfortunately, the golf ball you are playing doesn’t jibe with your swing speed. You are only swinging your driver at 92 mph but the compression of your golf ball is best suited for swing speeds above 105 mph.

We’ll let you off with a warning this time—and a new sleeve of balls better suited for your game—but next time you might not be so lucky.

The St. André team is after you.

St. André teams with Bridgestone for “Compression Cops” series

You’re probably familiar with the folks over at St. André. Last month, we wrote about the Atlanta-based golf comedy group that has taken over social media with hysterical sketches.

Their latest shenanigans are partnering with Bridgestone for a five-part weekly sketch series called “Compression Cops” that will be released each Thursday. The first episode comes out today.

“Compression Cops” is a hilarious take on Reno 911!, the 2000s sitcom that followed the escapades of bumbling cops adorned in aviator sunglasses and comically tight uniforms.

The uniforms are not quite as tight this time around—but the jokes are.

In the series, the St. André team of comedians Aaron Chewning, Hannah Rae Aslesen and Jonathan Pawlowski bust golfers for playing a ball that isn’t right for their game. They then recommend what Bridgestone golf ball should replace the golfer’s current gamer.

Consider it a “speeding ticket” for golf gear.

Bridgestone staffers like Jason Day and Fred Couples are leading actors in the series. Both are featured in Episode One, leading to Couples asking if they are being detained.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Aslesen says in a playful back and forth.

The series brings a humorous take to the age-old question of which golf ball you should be playing.

Below is the first sketch, entitled “Speed Trap”—you can also find it on the St. André Instagram feed today at 1 p.m. Eastern.

So, which golf ball should you be playing?

As evidenced by the “Compression Cops” series, swing speed is a prominent factor in determining which compression golf ball you should play.

It’s important to understand that there is a direct correlation between compression (the degree to which a golf ball deforms when struck by a club) and ball speed. A higher compression rating indicates a harder ball while lower ratings mean softer balls. On a scale of 30-120 (30 being the softest ball and 120 being the firmest), slower swing speed players generally (but not always) should choose softer balls while faster swing speed players typically choose firmer balls.

For instance, a Bridgestone Tour B RX has a compression rating of 65 which is geared to lower swing speeds. The Tour B X ball has a 98 compression rating, which is for high swing speeds.

For all players except the very slowest of swingers, firmer balls will be faster and softer balls will be slower.

It’s also important to understand that soft feel invariably means lower spin rates. If you need more spin in your game, particularly on approach shots, a low-compression ball won’t be particularly well-suited to the task. Golfers looking for more spin should seek firmer options.

Conversely, if you’re looking to the golf ball to help produce straighter shots, low-spin balls will curve less. Keep in mind that you won’t hit every fairway with a low-spin ball. Nor miss every fairway with a high-spin ball.

Finally, generally speaking, faster swing speed players should avoid low-compression balls. But high-speed players who suffer from excessive spin rates may actually see longer shots as a result of the lower spin rates.

And, of course, we recommend going through a ball fitting to get the absolute most of your decision.

Hopefully that info keeps you away from the compression cops … for now.