Your Golf Ball Questions Answered
Over the past couple of weeks, we asked you to send in your golf ball-related questions. Suffice it to say there were more than we could handle in a single serving—which is awesome—but we picked a couple of handfuls. Here you go. If your question wasn’t answered, keep them coming and maybe we’ll do another one of these again.
Let’s get it.
Q (@richriker): Have we reached peak performance with golf balls? Is it now just about manufacturing cost savings and price points?
A: Balls sure as hell aren’t going to get longer but that’s been true for quite some time. As with all things golf, there is always room for gains through material advancement and companies will continue to tweak launch and spin profiles. Aerodynamics is the least understood area of golf ball design so there’s an opportunity, for example, to provide greater wind stability. You’re also going to see improved ionomer cover blends as brands try and get closer to urethane performance at a lower cost.
Q (@LPCouz): Do brand-new balls from let’s say 3-4 years ago lose performance with the years passing or should we expect the same results from back when they were made?
A: It’s better than it used to be. With balata, the liquid cores evaporate so the balls shrink and get lighter. The modern solid-core ball will typically get firmer over time but will eventually level off. Ten compression points over three years isn’t out of the question. Any time you change a layer (for example, the core gets firmer), you invariably change the relationship between layers so spin properties may change a bit as well.
Q (@craiglongmore): If you could only play one golf ball for the rest of your golfing days, what would it be?
A: Do you happen to know how long I’m going to live? I’m more of a one-day-at-a-time kind of guy. I’m happy with the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash, so if I’m going to die young, I’ll stick with that. If we’re going to drag this out for another few decades, I might like something just a little softer so I’ll go with the standard Pro V1.
Q (@Golfbaka80): When is your next ball test coming out?
A: I assume you mean robot test. We’re in the planning phase but targeting late summer.
Q (@PHXLivin): At what handicap does it really matter if you’re playing a top tier (ProV1, etc.) ball?
A: I think it always matters and even high-handicap golfers underestimate what they’re capable of from one shot to the next. That said, I know it’s not prudent to spend $40-plus a dozen when you’re losing a handful of balls every round. If you’re serious about golf and have any intention of improving, I’d still be inclined to recommend inexpensive urethane … Costco, bulk Snell or even used balls in good condition from somewhere like LostGolfBalls.com. The greenside performance is a benefit every golfer should be able to appreciate.
Q (@Eize50): Do the pros play a different version?
A: Yes. And no. There are plenty of stories that suggest not everyone plays by the letter of the rules but, in theory anyway, if the side stamp is the same, the ball is the same. That’s not to say there aren’t secret menu items. Nearly every brand has a few Tour-only offerings to address the niche needs of the professional golfer but the preference is always to have as many Tour pros as possible playing the retail ball.
Q (@jweinski): What is the difference in numbers between matte finish vs. regular finish in the same ball type?
A: Assuming that the regular finish ball is of reasonable quality, the biggest difference is that the matte finish ball sucks and the regular ball doesn’t. Maybe that’s a little strong but unless you need the visibility provided by something like a matte red finish, you’re trading shot-to-shot consistency for some sort of color-driven fashion statement. Here’s the deal. When a bit of moisture is introduced, compared to standard glossy finish balls, launch angles will increase more significantly and spin will drop more appreciably. There are enough variables in golf so it’s silly to introduce another one when it’s easily avoidable. Friends don’t let friends drive matte balls.
Q (@SchlickD): How do I determine the best golf ball for me?
A: There are lots of theories but I like a basic common sense approach. What do you want your ball to do that it isn’t doing now? The majority opinion is to start from the green and work back to the driver. I’m a proponent of using a process of elimination. Discerning differences between balls can be tricky and I find it’s easier to identify when a ball isn’t doing what I want it to. While we all love distance off the tee, the Titleist philosophy is to fit the ball to your irons and wedges and the driver to the ball.
Q (@AKHolms57): How many golf balls can GolfSpyT fit in his mouth at one time?
A: Just one. It may surprise you to learn that, in the literal sense, I have a small mouth. Makes going to the dentist even less fun.
Q (@ryan_p_oneal): Is there any real reason to play a ball that’s low compression, given distance is key to gaining strokes and high compression balls always go farther?
A: No.
OK. The fair answer is a bit more nuanced. Let’s first acknowledge that, for a lot of golfers, feel comes first and that’s reason enough to play a soft ball. From a performance perspective, in some cases, the lower spin can offset distance lost to lower compression, especially with your irons. Soft is slower but as clubhead speed decreases, it isn’t always shorter. If you struggle with excessive spin, particularly excessive sidespin, low compression balls (which are invariably low spin) can also help keep you straight off the tee.
There is also a point at which the compression penalty is so minimal as not to matter. Data from our 2019 tests suggests that around 80 mph, soft is only fractions slower and launch and spin become a more significant part of the distance equation.
Golfers should understand that low compression balls are almost always high launch and invariably low spin. If you struggle to generate enough spin, soft probably isn’t for you. It’s also worth noting that similar performance profiles exist in the high compression space so if you’re looking for high launch and low spin, you can always get it without paying a compression penalty.
Q (@Heyweb2): Does clubhead speed make a difference in the brand of ball I use? Or do other factors matter more?
A: Yes—but not in the way you probably think. Even golfers with slow swing speeds compress the ball at impact so you shouldn’t choose a softer ball because of your swing speed. What golfers need to know is that there is a point at which faster players will over-compress a ball that’s too soft for their swing speed. When that happens, you lose speed. On Tour, you won’t find many balls below 85 compression in play. Average golfers can get away with a bit less but if you’re swinging your driver faster than 100 mph, over-compression is a legitimate concern.
Q (@ChauncyHarrison): How come AVX doesn’t get talked about more? I’ve always struggled with really high ball flights and spin rates, so AVX has been a massive help in lowering my trajectory. Not sure why it doesn’t get much love.
A: There are a couple of reasons. First, Titleist has two other balls that sell circles around AVX. While AVX would be considered a strong performer for nearly anybody else, between Pro V1 and Pro V1x Titleist sells nearly 10 balls for every one AVX. The other factor is that, as much as it’s marketed to compete with other premium soft offerings (with the implications that it’s for seniors and slower swing speed golfers), the reality of its performance characteristics makes it much more of a niche offering. Other balls in its space tend to be high launch and low spin. As you noted, AVX is low launch with low spin. It works for the guy who hits it too high with excessive spin but that’s not what the average member of the “soft” crowd needs.
The upside of the design is that it’s the rare low-ish compression offering that can work for high swing speed players for whom the low/low combination can offset excessive spin and actually create distance.
Q (@RobertBarber64): Can beginners and weekend golfers actually wedge spin high-priced tour balls enough to make it worth the price of buying them?
A: Yes and yes.
As I mentioned, lower-cost options exist within the “Tour” category. As far as performance goes, I think it’s important for golfers to recognize that wedge spin comes from quality of contact, not Tour-level speed. A greenside shot (call it 65 yards and in) is basically the same for every golfer. So, if more spin around the green is the objective, ditch the cheap two-piece crap. Apart from visibility needs, golfers with reasonable control off the driver who are currently playing ionomer-covered balls will likely see an appreciable spin increase after switching to a multi-layer ball with a soft urethane cover.
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Chuck Farrand
1 year agoDuring your recent episode of No Putts Given (NPG #83) it sounded like you use your golf balls for multiple rounds? I have been a “one and done” guy for so long I can’t remember. Since I rarely loose a ball, I always start a round with a new one (Snell MTB-X) and put it in the shag bag after the round. So, my question is, how many rounds do you use a ball for?
MarkM
1 year agoCan’t speak for Tony but as I understand it modern golf ball performance doesn’t degrade, nor do balls go out of round with extended use like those of the olden days. As long as you don’t have significant scuffs, you should be able to play the same ball for multiple rounds.
HAC
1 year agoAfter watching NPG, my top questions have to be what types of underwear and socks are Tony and Chris wearing that are so expensive and provide such top of the line experience. You should have a buyer’s guide on underwear and socks.
Chris
1 year agoSo I didn’t know that matte balls spin less and launch angle increases when they are wet…must have missed that. I live in the Seattle area and am a low ball hitter so this has actually been a benefit to me. I primarily played the matte green e12 speed last year and have been playing the matte e12 contact this year mainly because they are easier for me to see in flight and spot in the rough. I swear the matte balls go further and straighter for me and maybe there is some science to it since the grass is always wet here. The balls may suck but they help me as a 17 handicap!
Scott
1 year agoAny chance you’ll include manufacturer/factory in the comparison data? I’d love to see some comparison of similar structure balls made by the same manufacturer/factory?
Steve Sheppard
1 year agoThanks for the answers. To me it confirms Pro-V1 is best for me. TM TP5 just don’t seem as durable and seem a little shorter.
Jordy Evans
1 year agoLast week I went to the PGA Tour Superstore near Hilton Head which is about 1 1/2 hours away from where I live to test a bunch of clubs that have been tempting me. They were the only place in the area that had certain shafts in the specs I was looking for.
The store was relatively quiet on a Monday at mid day so I was able to try a bunch of stuff using the launch monitor. I brought my own balls to use as I committed to playing the Bridgestone Tour BRX a couple of years ago as part of my “getting to scratch” plan and wanted to see how the clubs worked with my ball.
Despite my best efforts every club hit was the same or worse than what I already have. Feeling guilty about the time I used I searched for something to buy. The only club that I don’t have in my bag is a ball retriever. After fiddling with a bunch of them one was selected and purchased.
Despite playing off a 4 handicap, in the week since, it has already paid for itself by recovering errant balls for myself and my playing partners.
By committing to one ball a couple of years ago my putting and chipping has improved significantly. Practicing with the same ball I play with has made a big difference. I have a much better idea of how the ball will react around the greens and what amount of rollout to expect on chips and putts. I keep all of my practice balls in a shag bag that is filled with used balls bought in bulk.
By taking advantage of the buy 3 dozen get one free offers at the beginning of the season I stocked up with 12 dozen new balls that I will use for the rest of the year saving 25% in the process. Buying at the end of season or buying last year’s version can also save money.
I also take the time to use a Check Go Pro to mark each ball prior to use. It is obvious after using the Check Go Pro that despite the manufacturer’s best intentions, some bad balls do get through quality control.
By the way, the lost ball I find most frequently at my course is Pro V1 and Pro V1x.
mackdaddy9
1 year agoGreat article
Augusto Pereira
1 year agoI am 24 handicap I started with tayormade project a and now playing taylormade soft select same 70 compression and 3 layer
EFConn
1 year agoI am curious to know if you or any others have attempted to measure differences between very hard and very soft golf balls out of the rough? Like many, I spend most of my time in 2 to 3 inch rough meaning partial contact. I wonder if softer compression or harder compression balls make any difference out of the rough. My first thought is soft and high launch is best, but then I think harder and faster ball speed and spin could be much better out of rough on approach shots. Everyone please let me know your thoughts.
Stevegp
1 year agoTony, I really enjoyed the article. It contains a considerable amount of helpful information and confirms some of my impressions. Your efforts and ability to communicate your insights and findings are much appreciated.
roger
1 year agoSent you a questioin on golfballs while ago.. Have you ever tested MG Golf Balls, either the Senior MG ball or the Tour C4 thsat they claim is ad good as the titilist Pro V???
Ron
1 year agoGreat bunch of questions answered, love your sense of humour, Mr Small-mouth…. I have this feeling that you intensely dislike 2-piece, Matte and, from a previous discussion, shoe laces….. Greetings from Ozzieland, you’d fit in well around here. Cheers.
Jim Lee
1 year agoThanks for the information. I think I found my next ball. Titleist AVX! I balloon the driver, and spin it so much that the ball bounce back several years when it lands. I’m gonna try it and see if there’s a difference.
Thanks again for the review.
Whitey
1 year agoI’d like my game to spin back several years!
Chisag
1 year agoI would love to see a test for PRACTICE balls like TP5/TP5x and Prov1/ProV1x. Seems the OEMs insist they are cosmetic rejections only and performance is identical.
Doug Hansen
1 year agoGreat article Tony. It got my attention when you said softer balls typically have covers that spin less. I am 85ish in driver speed and recently switched from Chromesoft Tru-Vis to Bridestone RBX-S, thinking I am getting more ball speed from full shots. It seems I am getting less spin around the green (80 yards in and even chips) with the Bridgie than I got with the CS. Is this just my imagination or am I onto something?
Arnold Mastellone
1 year agoHi
Just wondering if a top line ball like Calloway can be used for more than one round?
Steve (the real one, pithy and insufferable)
1 year agoJust a random voice on the internet here.
Multiple rounds are fine. The general rule of thumb is to take out of play when any scuffs/scrapes approach dime size.
Here’s a couple of tips I use. That alcohol hand sanitizer, useful for getting the tree sap and asphalt smudge off the cover. I also carry a small nail trimmer for both hangnails that only happen on the glove hand and to nip off the wood splinters sticking out of the ball. Some of this may be in jest.
Lou
1 year agoYour great performance ball review came out in April, 2019. Since then, MGS has beaten around the bush cutting, weighing and examining 100’s of balls to establish who, technically, produces a good ball. If you come out with (a big if) another performance review in Fall 2021 it will be 2 1/2 years between reports. You claimed, in 2019, that this was the most important test MGS ever did. You must realize that the ball is the one piece of equipment every golfer uses. I fear your delay is due to cost of this most important test negatively affecting MGS’ staff salaries. If so, why not charge every reader to get your report? Most of us would pay. But don’t just keep putting it off.
TR1PTIK
1 year agoMan you are dumb, extremely ignorant, or both (probably both). It is literally the 4th Q/A in the article: “I assume you mean robot test. We’re in the planning phase but targeting late summer.”
You are an absolute troll and detrimental to the golfing community. Please, by all means, toss your clubs into the nearest body of water and don’t replace them. The sport will be perfectly fine without you.
Ron
1 year ago@TR1PTIK…… Hit it on the nail in one !!! Well said….
Harry P
1 year agoI think both of you are being a bit harsh and I never thought I would see cancel culture due to a golf post.
TR1PTIK
1 year ago@HarryP, you clearly need some context because Lou here has been trolling the comments of pretty much any ball report that isn’t a “performance test” for months. Several have tried to reason with him and explain the importance of initiatives like Ball Lab (which was conceived directly from the results of the 2019 Ball Test). Likewise, plenty of explanation has been given by MGS staff as to why another robot test has not been done – such as investment, the pandemic, and ball release cycles. Furthermore, it’s not “cancel culture” to suggest that someone is a nuisance.
Jimmy
1 year agoI get the utility of timely reviews for equipment like clubs that offer annual refreshes and require significant investment, but golf balls are cheap and change less often and less significantly. I seriously don’t you’re good enough to distinguish one generation of Pro-Vs from the next. Go buy a bunch of different sleeves and figure out what you like. This approach has the added benefit of playing a bunch of golf.
Also, Ball Lab rules!
Eric
1 year agoCompletely wrong — the flight characteristics of the new Pro V1 are utterly different from the last model
Greg
1 year agoThe ball reviews are excellent but can we get something going with putting.
I.e With a set weight on a pendulum how far does different balls roll.
Or Running of a stimpmeter what bias does the dimples have on say a 10 ft putt with a stimp reading of 11ft.
The dimple pattern has a huge effect .Ihave done my own study’s.
Ball manufacturers should also savvy up on this .
Grain has a big influence also .as does the balance of the ball.
All balls are different that is for sure most strokes gained is from is putting. So some more attention to detail is required .
Dimples have points of location when the ball revolves 360 degrees will the ball be still on the same axis?
Tried to let titleist know years ago about this , no reply.
Wayne Swisher
1 year agoI Play the Maxfli Tour Golf Ball. I like the feel of the face of my irons and driver. Its a very long ball.. They can only be bought from Dicks Sporting Goods..
I think they are very underrated golf ball Golfers should try them . I have a 10 handicap.
Matt D
1 year agoAgree! Just don’t get the matte finish. 😉
mark
1 year agoWhen the temp is 40-50 degree range, I use the Wilson Duo, it doesn’t feel like hitting a rock, and I seem to get similar distance compared with the premium higher compression golf balls. Is there any validity to using a softer golf ball in colder temps? My driver speed is mid 90’s mph.
chrisK
1 year agoFWIW, i agree with you partially — those softer balls in cold weather (the Duo’s) seem to me to fly just as far as normal in shorter iron shots (and don’t hurt your hands), but none of them do worth a hoot on longer shots. Of course, the cold air i play in during the offseason tends to be in the 30-45 degree range.
Keith Ruby
1 year agoThere are many balls out there that are not name brand but claim to be the longest, straightest balls in golf. For example Quantix, Trust , Bigg, to name a few and still conform to USGA standards. Have you ever considered testing these small market balls to substantiate their claims.
Thanks
Keith
Jelopster
1 year agoBecause 99% (ok maybe only 98%) of us don’t play competitive golf, why don’t we all just agree that it’s ok to swap balls out every shot? Don’t want to hook your $4 Pro V1 into the woods off the tee? Great! Hit a Noodle! Worried about carrying that creek in front of the green? Fine, drop down a Supersoft. When you’re in pin seeking range, swap in a nice tour ball and enjoy it’s spinny goodness.
Let’s be honest, many of us are already hitting more than one model ball a hole anyway. (Slice one in lake and replace with the one you just found in bush) Golf is a game; don’t let the rules get in the way of enjoying it.
loweboy
1 year agoLOL…I always lose my ball off the tee right after taking it from the sleeve! The more expensive the ball, quicker it becomes lost. I played nearly every day a few years ago during the summer. I learned a lot of things. Pro V, basically anything Titleist, is no good for my game. I kept finding golf balls and would play those instead, and could typically keep the same ball for many rounds. Grab one of my Titleist that I still had, BAM!, lost. Taylormade Penta was even worse. Crazy. The drive would go straight for roughly 100 yards and then take a hard right. I cannot even make a shot do that, but with the penta, it was normal. Still have one of those crooked balls left…lol…
DEAN AUCHTERLONIE
1 year agoIt depens on your game and what you wont out of your game. I have 28 putt a round and chip all the time. So I need a ball that will be good for me on the green. Not hitting bombs at 58 years old. I love my pro v1 thank you
Don O'Brien
1 year agoIt is important to take your gam in consideration when buying balls. I’ll at least say use the same ball. But if your wedges are 8 years old and you might remember to clean them at the end of the season, no sense in paying for a urethane ball. Find a firmness you like and stick with that. At the other end, better shot makers with clean wedges with relatively new groves can worry about spin rates. At the end of the day, play your game and enjoy it.
For that matter, if you want to swap a new ball with one from the shag bag for a carry shot, ok by me. I already move a ball from a fairway divot or away from a tree root or rock for casual play. For the latter neither my club or body need to get damaged playing it as it lies.
loweboy
1 year agoFor most of my life I was a diehard Titleist golf ball user. I tried others, but always went back to Titleist. For my game, I discovered Titleist does more harm than good to my scores. Now, all my Titleist golf balls are in my water ball bag. I have no issues stopping any ball on the green, even with a 3i or 5w. People always wonder how I stop my shots with a 3i or 5w, and to be honest, I have no idea. I just hit the shot trying to make good contact and hope for the best. Sometimes they run out, but usually they stop within a couple feet after checking. I play golf, I don’t consider myself a golfer. I don’t have a consistent game, but can pull off some great shots. I wish I was a golfer, I wouldn’t be doing civil engineering…lol…
Mike
1 year agoIs this an April fool’s post, change the ball every shot? Why are you touching the ball until you get to the green? Why you worry about 14 clubs carry 30. Why pick up inside the leather, make it the whole putter. Golf is plenty fun even staying within the rules. Hey, get better, then you won’t have to worry about hitting that ball in the water. And if you do hit in the water, so what, buy used ones and you won’t be out much money anyway.
MTB
1 year agoSilly Question – Golf balls (at least my Tour BXs) have little raised numbers/letters in some of the dimples. I assume they are there for manufacturing or quality control purposes, but are they simply too small to be a concern about affecting flight?
Thanks for all that you do!
Steve (the real one, pithy and insufferable)
1 year agoI’ve been in Quality Assurance (QA) for 37 years [not golf balls] and I’ll bet your life that those are related to QA tracking. The manufacturer will track the source and lot of the material for cores, mantles, paints, and covers. Probably track which factory or production line finished those balls. The numbers and letters are codes to what areas are being tracked. Similar to date codes and lot numbers on foods/drugs/ammunition and explosives. Something goes wrong – you need to trace the history; find out where and why to correct things.
A major manufacturer like Titleist will x-ray each of their premium balls because of reputation. Tracking costs money. That 15 ball pack for $9.95 will not have the same level of supply chain accountability.
Example:
Supplier: “You know that last batch of core material we sent you?”
Ball company: “Yes?”
S: “It may have gotten mixed up with a batch of plastic explosives!’
BC: “So that’s what happened. We got kudos for distance but we were roasted for durability!’
Steve Smith
1 year agoTook hours for the above post to show up. So I sent in another one slightly different thinking it was embargoed on the Ever Given. Weird.
Steve Smith
1 year agoQC purposes. A company may want to trace the core, mantel, cover, paint lots used in a particular ball in case of problems. They could be used to identify which balls were inspected by x-ray for example. A ball from a $9.95 15 pack will only be sampled for QC on a reduced schedule. A premium ball like Titleist will x-ray 100%. The marks may identify a ball plant, assembly line, or date range for tracing purposes.
Supplier: “That last lot of core material; might have been mixed up with some plastic explosives!”
Manufacturer: “That explains the raves about distance but complaints about durability.”
Terry
1 year agoFor beginners, I would add/suggest that playing the same ball (brand and model, not just “a Callaway” for example) is very beneficial in understanding the average carry distance of each club which should help improve scoring.
Kevin
1 year agoYou mention that for slower swing speeds the compression penalty is reduced, which makes sense. Is there a similar point of diminishing returns for higher swing speeds? Could someone like Bryson — or maybe long-drive competitors who don’t care about feel — benefit from a ball at, say, 120 compression? 150?
Gary Ferguson
1 year agoWhat are the accepted high, mid and low launch and spin windows relative to ball speed and club being used e.g driver, 7 iron wedge etc. Does anyone have an easy to refer to reference chart.?
Cheers love your content.
John J.
1 year agoI’d like to see a review of the new Bridgestone e12 Contact. I played a round with it this last weekend and was shocked at the performance when compared to the Maxfli Tour (my gamer). Unless I was having one of those rounds that only happens once in a while, distance was longer (with the driver for sure, but not positive on the irons) and green side spin was excellent. I know this is a 2-piece ball and it just shouldn’t play that well – maybe distance wise – but the feel was really good off the putter and the performance was excellent. Come on guys, put it through the lab and verify if I was having an exceptional round or this ball is really good. BTW, I would be considered a slow swing speed player.
Dave Tutelman
1 year agoGreat article! Learned a lot, and confirmed some things I thought.
Tim
1 year agoIf you had to play a DTC ball, which one would you play?
Tony Covey
1 year agoSnell MTB-X
Jon
1 year agoI’m currently trying the Snell MTB-X. Just two rounds, but impressed so far.
Randy
1 year agoI tried putting with a matte ball and it felt “heavy” I’m guessing that matte balls roll a little slower because of their cover. Any data on this?
Robert Dicks
1 year agoGreat read, and thanks, Mr. Covey. MyGolf Spy is keeping us from overthinking this aspect of the game, and it’s very helpful. You have a fine way of putting all the mumbo-jumbo into common understanding. The opening, that the modern-day golf ball cannot really get any longer, is something that needs to be pasted. on the head of everyone I play with.
Ell
1 year agoWhy do your testers leave out the Top-Flite Hammer and Gamer balls in the comparison tests?
Kelly Reeves
1 year agoIs there a study on the optimal spin rate for slower swing speeds. It would seem that slower swing speeds might need a higher spin rate to keep a ball airborne.
Mjinwi
1 year agoIf you read the info on the 2019 test you will come across this:
: In the interest of being as thorough as possible, we tested 33 balls with urethane covers. While some models are positioned at the fringe of the category, the goal was to include a majority of 3, 4, and 5-piece balls generally classified as Tour Balls. Out of curiosity, we also tested a yellow version of the Srixon ZStar, as well as two premium ionomer/surlyn covered balls (Callaway ERC Soft and Titleist Tour Soft) positioned to compete with premium urethane balls.
Those top flight balls both have ionomer covered and are not “positioned to compete with premium urethane balls”