Golf Balls

How to choose a golf ball

Compression and swing speed. Compression is how much the ball deforms at impact. If your driver swing speed is under 90 mph, a low compression ball like the Callaway Supersoft or Srixon Soft Feel will feel better and cost you nothing in distance. Over 100 mph, a firmer tour ball holds its shape better and gives you more control.

Cover material. This is what actually decides how much the ball checks up. Urethane covers, used on the Pro V1, TP5 and Chrome Soft, grab the grooves and stop the ball on the green. Ionomer covers, used on most value and soft feel balls, are more durable and spin less.

How many balls you lose. Be honest about this one, because it matters more than the other two. If you lose more than two a round, a premium tour ball will not show up on your card. Play a value ball until you stop losing them, then move up. Nobody has ever regretted that order.

Which golf ball is for you

• Premium tour balls. Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x, TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x, Callaway Chrome Soft and Chrome Tour, Bridgestone Tour B X and XS, Srixon Z-Star. Urethane covers, three to five layers, the most spin around the greens. For golfers who can control their approach shots.
• Tour Level balls. Srixon Q-Star Tour, TaylorMade Tour Response, Callaway ERC Soft, Bridgestone e12. Most of the greenside spin of a premium ball for a good deal less. The best value in the category and where we would point most club golfers.
• Soft feel balls. Callaway Supersoft, Srixon Soft Feel, TaylorMade Speed Soft, Bridgestone e6 Soft, Wilson Duo Soft. Easier to compress at slower swing speeds and softer off the putter face.
• Value and distance balls. Callaway Warbird, TaylorMade Distance+ and RBZ, Srixon Marathon Soft, Tour Edge Hot Launch. Two piece, durable and built for ball speed. If you are still losing balls, buy these.
• Alignment versions. Callaway Triple Track, TaylorMade Stripe and PIX, Titleist Enhanced Alignment. The same ball with extra markings to help you line up putts, for a small premium over the standard version.

Our take on golf balls

The biggest gains in this category sit in the middle of it. The Srixon Q-Star Tour and the TaylorMade Tour Response give you most of what a premium tour ball does, and for the majority of club golfers the difference is not detectable on the course. Move up to the premium tier when you stop losing three a round, not before.

Common questions about golf balls

Does the golf ball really make a difference?

Around the greens, yes. Cover material changes how much a ball checks up on a pitch or a wedge shot. Off the tee the difference between two balls is much smaller than the difference between two drivers.

What compression should I play?

Under 90 mph driver swing speed, a low compression ball like the Supersoft or Soft Feel. Over 100 mph, a firmer tour ball. Between the two, either will work and feel should decide it.

Pro V1 or Pro V1x?

The Pro V1 flies lower and feels softer. The Pro V1x flies higher, spins a little more on iron shots and feels firmer. If you already hit the ball high, the Pro V1 is usually the better fit.

Is a premium tour ball worth it?

If you keep the same ball for a full round and you can control your wedge distances, yes. If you lose two or three a round, you will get more out of a mid-range ball and the difference spent elsewhere.

What are Triple Track, Stripe and PIX?

Alignment markings. Callaway calls it Triple Track, TaylorMade calls it Stripe or PIX and Titleist calls it Enhanced Alignment. Same ball underneath, a small premium over the standard version, and genuinely useful for lining up putts.

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• Clearance golf balls
• Golf gloves
• Golf tees
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• Golf clubs
• Titleist
• Callaway

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