Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
I’ve tested dozens of golf balls on the course, and I can tell you that the right golf ball is all about finding a match for your game. Sometimes, the perfect golf ball is one that you would not expect, but it provides more distance and better spin rates than any other ball on the market. I’ve played Pro V1 for years, and I like the golf ball and how it performs on the golf course. However, I’ve learned it’s not always the best fit for my game. I’ll show you the four simple steps I use for how to choose a golf ball. Try these before your next round and start to see the impact the golf ball has on your golf game.
Step 1: Set Your Price Range
You can try every “best golf ball” test or finder on the internet and have them all point you to a urethane cover golf ball with a $55 price point. What’s the point if you are never going to pay this much for a golf ball?
Narrow your price range down right from the start. Premium golf balls are $45 or more, so you’ll find some in that $45 to $35 range.
Golf balls under $30 are considered more of a value type ball.
If you are hoping I’ll tell you that the $12.99 golf ball is just as good as the premium balls, I won’t. However, I am suggesting that you be realistic about how much money you will actually plan to spend on golf balls.
Step 2: Determine Your First Priority
What is the major issue in your golf game?
To find the right ball you have to know if you are a player who needs more distance, or if approach shots or greenside shots are the biggest issue. Golf ball technology has come a long way. Some golf balls are capable of several different benefits but they all have one main perk. They all have a specialty.
You can essentially narrow this down to whether you want a long or short game golf ball. Which one is going to impact your game the most?
If you hit the ball 300 yards off the tee and skull it across every green – you need a greenside ball.
If you hit the ball 200 yards off the tee and can get up and down from a bunker behind a tree – you need a distance ball.
Step 3: Educate Yourself a Bit On Compression Ratings
Compression is a measure of the deflection a golf ball undergoes when it is struck.
You don’t need to know the exact compression of a golf ball, and there is no magic formula here, but you will want to understand this much:
A higher compression golf ball will give faster swing speeds, more distance, and better spin ratings. These can feel more like a hard golf ball, but for the fastest swinging players, that’s not a problem.
Slower swing speed golfers tend to look for a soft golf ball, with a lower compression rate. The softer feel and easier ability to compress the ball makes it a better fit for their game.
Know if you are a faster swing speed or slower swing speed player and tie that into compression ratings. There’s a reason that tour professionals are using higher-compression golf balls. The extra resistance these golf balls provide matches the playing style of the pros and makes it easier for them to get distance and accuracy.
Step 4: Consider The Materials
Some professionals think that construction is more important than the materials. I think the materials used in the different types of golf balls make all the difference. The most critical factor is the cover material because that is what we feel.
Golf balls come in two-piece, three-piece, four-piece, or five-piece construction. I’ve played with three-piece golf ball models that I thought were much better than five-piece models. So don’t assume the more pieces, the better.
Take a look at the cover material used. Most will be Urethane or Surlyn.
The urethane cover golf balls are the golf balls offered at premium prices. The urethane is a bit more responsive around the green. It’s softer and the advanced players like it on the harder higher compression golf balls because it allows for lower scoring around the greens.
Ionomer or Surlyn covers are typically the option for the less expensive type of golf ball. These are often for moderate swing speeds who are on a budget and looking for a soft feel but a bit more durability.
I’ve always thought that the Urethane vs. Surlyn concept was a bit like the leather vs. synthetic gloves debate. Both are fine, but one has more durability and less feel.
How To Choose Your Golf Ball
Now, you have the information you need on how to approach this process.
I suggest figuring out your price range and narrowing down to golf balls within it. You can do this on any golf-specific website; simply filter your search by price.
From here, start looking at compression ratings. Some companies won’t give you their exact compression but they will say it’s a low compression golf ball or high compression golf ball.
Once you have that figured out, see if you have a choice between urethane and Surlyn. It would be great if I could tell you that urethane is always the best, but I can’t. I certainly prefer it because of the feel and the reactiveness, but it cuts much easier than Surlyn and sometimes provides a feel that is not preferred.
Example Golf Ball Selection
Here’s a look at how this process worked for a 20 handicap golfer with a slow swing speed and a budget in the $35 to $45 range.
The golf balls were narrowed down, but there were still dozens of options.
Then we looked at more of a distance golf ball because with the slow swing speed it’s hard to get as much distance as this player wanted. Mid to low compression with a focus on distance made the most sense.
Finally, the golfer wanted a more premium feel, so we tried to find something with a Urethane cover.
Although there were several options, the Titleist Tour Speed was the best overall choice.
When testing out different balls, go ahead and purchase a sleeve of new golf balls, put them into play for a few weeks, and see how your game improves. If you can get enough greenside spin a good distance from the tee, and it checks the boxes for your other personal preferences, it’s the best golf ball to choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many frequently asked questions about choosing the correct golf ball. Here, I’ll give you some rapid-fire answers to some of the ones I have been asked the most.
What’s more important is the feel of a golf ball or the technology?
The feel is more important because you’ll never enjoy playing with a golf ball that you can’t adjust to from a feel perspective. Greenside feel is most important hit chips and putts with a golf ball before deciding if it is the right one for your game.
Should I be brand loyal when buying golf balls?
Do not be brand loyal when choosing golf balls. Different brands have different features and technology to offer. The best golfers are not afraid to change equipment (golf ball included) if it means they will shoot lower scores.
Is low spin or high spin better?
THe low-spin golf ball goes further off the tee. However, around the greens, it won’t spin as much on your wedge shots. Many of the premium balls have a low spin design (for extra distance), but they have a thin outer cover and premium cover material to generate more greenside spin.
Final Thoughts
A new golf ball will have a direct impact on your golf game. Many golfers underestimate how a golf ball can change what you do on the course. Try to follow these steps, invest a little time and money into choosing the correct golf ball, and forget about some of your current beliefs about which golf ball is best for you. Which ball did you end up with?
