Which golf ball is best for your game?

HAL LENOBEL
Contributing Columnist
golf@lbknews.com

The evolution of the golf ball from one made with feathers and a leather cover to the complex construction used today has served to confuse many recreational golfers. I’ll try to unravel some of the questions in the minds of players as to what kind of ball they should play.

What is the difference in the compression of a golf ball? There really isn’t a significant difference in a ball of 80, 90, 100 or 110 compression. We have often been told that women players are best off using 80 or 90, while average male players should never use 100. The distance produced by a 90 or 100 compression ball is slight, however an 80 or 90 compression ball does feel softer when it is struck.

There is a difference between a wound ball and a solid two-piece ball. A wound ball has a small core around which is a wound rubber thread. A solid two-piece ball has a larger, solid synthetic interior with a thin surlyn or balata cover. Surlyn will not cut, while balata will. A solid ball is less likely to spin, but goes further. It is probably better for the average bogey player to use a solid ball rather than a two-piece ball, and a surlyn cover rather than a balata cover. In putting, a solid ball rolls further, but feels harder. To further confuse you, manufacturers are now producing softer-covered solid balls.

The question relative to the advisability of using X-out balls comes up so frequently. There is very little if any difference in the performance of an X-out ball as opposed to a so-called pro ball. Most X-outs are balls that have been mispainted, mismarked or are over-runs; none of which affects the pliability or structure of the ball.

Another commonly asked question is how many rounds can a ball be used before its value is diminished. A two-piece ball will hardly ever become less playable with usage. It is almost as good as new until you lose it. What may happen in time is that a ball could lose some compression, which would result in a slight loss of distance. True, a tour professional does change balls regularly during a round, but he or she doesn’t pay for the balls they use. In addition, almost all tour pros use balata balls, which do damage rather easily.

Finally, what should determine the type of ball you should use? The answer to that is in direct proportion to your handicap. A high handicap player will be much better off using a 90 compression ball with a surlyn cover. That would almost eliminate cutting the ball with a miss-hit or seriously scuffing it.

The mid-handicap player can use a 90 or 100 compression ball, again with a surlyn cover. Little damage would be caused to the ball by ball hitting a cart path or catching it with the blade of a wedge.

Finally the single-digit player might want to resort to a balata cover for more spin and feel, while not being too concerned with blading a shot.

The choice is entirely yours; try them all and then render your own opinion. The only request I make is, whatever ball you use, play by the Rules.