Choosing a golf ball: guide and comparison
How to choose the right golf ball?
How do I choose the right golf ball for me? Many golfers find themselves at a loss when faced with a multitude of choices.
To choose the right golf balls, it's important to take into account your level of play and the type of terrain you play on.
First of all, there are different types of golf ball, each with its own characteristics.
The different types of golf balls are: beginner balls, mid-range balls and high-end balls.
Why and how to choose the right golf ball for you?
Why is choosing a golf ball so important for a golfer?
- Looking for a ball to take your game to the next level?
- More backspin on the approaches?
- More sensations on the greens?
- More distance off the tee?
We're sure you know what your priorities are, and we'll help you find the golf ball that matches them.
Different colors, different materials, different numbers of layers. There are so many options, and in fact, most of them will suit you if you're looking for the best golf ball for the average handicapper. It just depends on what you're looking for.
Table of contents - How to choose a golf ball
How to choose the best golf balls?
What is the purpose of the dimples on a bullet?
Today, all golf balls have between 300 and 450 cells.
- Why so many cells?
- Aesthetic effect or the science of golf?
While the dimples give the ball a distinctive look, their primary role is technical. Indeed, without dimples, a golf ball would lose its penetration in the air and would not maintain a stable trajectory.
Thanks to the dimples, golf balls retain their speed in flight, and golfers can give them (at least try to!) the backspin and spin they desire.
What's the best golf ball?
In a game full of misconceptions and contradictions, one of the most common is that for the average player, all balls are the same.
The idea is that if your swing is erratic and you tend to lose a few balls every time you play, the specific type of ball you use doesn't really matter, so you should play with the cheapest ball you can find.
Of course, unless you're getting golf balls for free like the pros, the price of all your equipment matters, and modern golf balls with their aerodynamic cover patterns, energetic cores and intricate designs are certainly equipment.
However, there can be huge differences in performance between balls that cost virtually the same. One may be a low spin distance ball, while the other is softer to the touch and produces more spin on the green.
How do you choose the best performing golf ball?
In general, however, the best-performing golf balls, those that offer more distance off the tee and more control on the green, also tend to be among the most expensive.
Costing 50 euros or more per dozen, they tend to be constructed in three, four or five sections to reduce spin with woods and long irons, and with soft urethane covers to improve feel and increase spin with short irons and wedges.wedges.
There are a number of excellent, high-performance balls priced just below the top-end offerings in the €30 to €40 range. Balls priced between €20 and €30 a dozen tend to be of two-piece construction and have Surlyn or Ionomer coatings for improved durability.
Most balls are distance-oriented and perform well off the tee, but they don't tend to create the same effect on the green as higher quality balls.
How to choose a golf ball by determining the ideal golf ball?
The best way to determine your ideal golf ball is to buy a few boxes of three balls and try them out.
Start by hitting a series of short approach shots and pitches, paying attention to how quickly the balls stop and how they react as they leave your wedges.
Then get out your golf clubs and try them on longer approach shots, iron shots and, finally, hit each ball with your driver.
When you've finished, consider your priorities, the performance of each ball and its price.
The best golf ball can turn your game into a thrilling adventure in which every shot seems to go perfectly.
For the new season, all the major golf ball brands have released new versions of their top-of-the-range models and a host of newcomers and new-generation models.
Which golf ball for beginners?
When you're new to golf, you tend to want to invest in quality equipment straight away. However, it's best to choose golf balls that are suited to your level.
Higher quality golf balls are harder to control and require a perfect swing to be used to their full potential.
What's the difference between golf balls?
If you have a high golf handicap, the ball you choose to hit makes little difference. If you like a particular brand of golf ball or prefer one type of ball to another, you should use it regularly.
But as your game improves, the ball you use can make a difference in many ways.
Some golf balls fly further, others give the player a better 'feel' for the shot, while others make it easier to hit a backspin. It all depends on the importance that golfers attach to each.
If you have a high golf handicap, the ball you choose to hit makes little difference.
If you like a particular brand of golf ball or prefer one type of ball to another, you should use it regularly. But as your game improves, the ball you use can make a difference in many ways.
Some golf balls fly further, others give the player a better 'feel' for the shot, while others make it easier to backspin. It all depends on how important each is to you.
What materials are used to make a golf ball?
Buying the most expensive or most popular golf ball doesn't mean it's the right ball for you.
Golfers need to consider their skill level, swing speed and ball flight before making their choice. Understand golf ball design to make an informed choice.
Golf ball manufacturers use different levels of firmness and different materials in both the core and the cover of the ball to appeal to a wide audience.
Modern golf ball covers are generally made from surlyn, urethane or elastomer.
What are multi-layer golf balls?
The solid two-part ball of yesteryear was a small stone that gave you distance but no feel.
Modern multi-layer bales using urethane and polymer coatings are engineering marvels.
Today, you can get a relatively cheap two-piece ball that plays better than the old coiled balls used by professionals, a three-piece ball that offers both feel and distance or a four-piece ball that can be adapted to work the way you want.
And some manufacturers looking for even more control, such as TaylorMade and Mizuno, are making five-part balls.
Quelle est l'influence du poids et du diamètre sur la performance d’une balle de golf ?
You only have to look at the regulatory limits set by the USGA and R&A to see how today's golf balls are capable of behaving.
As we have seen, any golf ball that exceeds a muzzle velocity of 255 ft/s or a total distance of 320 yards will not be approved for play. It is important to note that these limits are based on current regulations on ball weight and size.
Scientific analysis shows that increasing the weight of a golf ball by just 6 grams, from 45.93 grams to 52 grams, can result in an additional distance of 10 metres.
The same study concludes that a heavier ball, for example 60 grams (2.12 ounces), can result in a greater distance gain (Caveat: these results are based on a swing speed of 120 mph).
What are the cells in golf balls used for?
Before choosing a golf ball, it's important to realise that a perfectly smooth golf ball will travel about half the distance than a bullet with cells and would reach half the height in flight.
We have seen how the dimples on the ball's cover improve both lift and height. In fact, the dimples in a golf ball are probably responsible for virtually every aspect of the ball's movement, whether in the air or on the ground.
Golf ball manufacturers rely on sophisticated computer programmes and numerical simulations to develop not only the shape and depth of the dimples, but also to determine how many dimples to place on a golf ball and how to arrange them to achieve a particular result.
For example, some golf balls are designed to offer greater distance, while others boast a straight ball flight and still others claim to generate the most spin.
What is the best colour for a golf ball?
The colour of golf ball you choose can influence your game. The most popular colours are white, yellow and red.
- Professional golfers generally use white golf balls because they are easier to follow in flight.
- Amateurs generally use coloured golf balls because they are easier to spot on the course.
However, each of these colours has its advantages and disadvantages.
What is compression for a golf ball?
Golf ball compression is the degree of compression of the ball at the moment of contact. Low-compression balls require a lower club speed to compress the ball optimally, while high-compression balls require a higher club speed.
There are many reasons why you should choose the right compression ratio for your ball. It won't make or break your game, but it can help you get the best distance, spin rates and control.
The compression of golf balls was an important subject at the time, as it made a huge difference to your game.
Even though it's not as important as it used to be, you still need to take it into account, so we'll look at which compression ball you should use.
What type of golf ball should I use?
As a general rule,
- A low-compression ball should be used by golfers who swing at less than 138 km/h,
- A medium-compression ball is designed for swing speeds of between 140 and 155 km/h,
- A high-compression ball is designed for swing speeds in excess of 160 km/h.
Don't get me wrong, you can use the wrong ball compression and still get some pretty decent scores.
Golf ball prices
Quel est le prix moyen d'une balle de golf ?
Golf ball price options, with choices of specifications are varied, you have three golf ball price categories to choose from (Value, Premium and Tour).
All the major manufacturers (around a dozen) offer at least one Value model, and most offer several options in the Premium category.
You only have to visit your favourite golf shop to see the incredible number of brands and models of golf balls available on the market today.
They come in a wide range of prices, from 10 or 15 euros a dozen to 80 euros a dozen and more. To make sure you buy a box of balls that suits your game, it's important that you go to the shop with a clear plan in mind.
Should I buy more expensive bullets or cheaper ones?
If you're a golfer who can tell the difference between a new premium golf ball and a cheap one, it makes sense to spend money on the premium options.
The more expensive golf balls are there to help players who want spin and have the ability to control the golf ball. Cheap golf balls are for those who need to move around the course and keep costs down.
If you're losing more than a few golf balls per round, it doesn't make much sense to buy top-of-the-range golf balls. More expensive golf balls are no fun to lose, and they will have an impact on your overall golf budget.
However, for good players who keep the ball straight and can feel the difference between a great golf shot and a mediocre one, the golf ball will make the difference. Try to find a golf ball that suits your game, then consider buying a few dozen at a time.
Most online golf equipment sellers or golf shops offer a small discount if you buy golf balls in bulk. In addition, you should also consider the fact that golf balls are good for more than one course.
If you don't lose your golf balls, you can put them back in play for several rounds of golf.
Comparison of the best brands of golf balls
- Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
- TaylorMade Tour Response Pro golf balls
- Mizuno RB 566 and 566V Pro golf balls
- Callaway 2022 Chrome Soft Golf Balls
- Srixon Z-Star 7 golf balls
- Vice Pro Soft Pro golf balls
- Wilson Staff Model Pro golf balls
Having a few decent golf balls is probably not a handicap when choosing a golf ball, especially if their flight characteristics match your style of play - as long as you stay within the rules.
Every year, golf ball manufacturers spend a great deal of time and money researching and developing golf balls.
Because golf for us is synonymous with meeting and sharing, at The Belvédère Annecy Golf Club, you won't just find a beautiful training facility,you'll also find a soul, an atmosphere...
In other words, an ever-smiling welcome that will make you want to extend your sporting experience with a moment of relaxation.
At The Belvédère Golf Course, just outside d'Annecy, you can enjoy a meal with a breathtaking view of the Aravis massif.
You will also find at your disposal some very nice infrastructures such as :
- A 230-metre multi-storey driving range
- A putting green
- A Proshop to buy equipment and accessories
- An approach area
- The Annecy Golf Academy with two instructors
- Adapted golf clinics In summer and weekend
- Adapted golf courses for children during school holidays
- A 9-hole golf course to put your training into practice
