Last Updated on May 7, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Softer golf balls are considered better for players with lower swing speed. Faster swing speeds do well with the hard golf balls. Although this is considered generally accepted information, is it actually correct? With the help of launch monitor data, enough testing has been done to help us understand the soft vs. hard golf ball dilemma and determine who should really be playing with each.
If you have some preconceived ideas about harder golf balls or softer golf balls, take a look at these tips and make sure you are using the best golf balls for your game.
As a golf professional, I’m kind of particular about the golf balls I play with as I find it makes a significant difference in my game.
Measure Your Swing Speed
Start this process by understanding your swing speed. There are really three categories for speed: slow, average, and fast. Golfers who swing over 90mph are considered fast, and golfers who swing less than 70mph are considered slower swing speeds. The general consensus was always that a harder ball was best for a faster swing speed player because they would have an easier time compressing it.
However, when MyGolfSpy did their 2023 Golf Ball Testing, they found something quite different.
What they found was that the harder golf balls went further regardless of the golfer’s swing speed. Yes, even the slower swing speed golfers struggled to get the softer ball to fly further. However, this information really applies to the driver distance. Regarding iron distance, the firmer ball was not a good distance ball for average swing speeds or slower swing speeds.
The Bottom Line:
If you want distance from the tee – the harder ball is a better choice.
If you want distance all around – choose a golf ball that matches your swing speed.
Check The Course Conditions
When we talk about soft balls vs hard balls, we are really talking about compression. High compression golf balls are harder. Even if they have a urethane cover and feel more gentle, the high compression golf balls won’t be as soft.
If the course conditions are hot and firm, a hard golf ball will help you get better total distance. A harder golf ball like the Titleist Pro V will help you maximize total distance with lower spin rates but also have enough feel around the greens to get the ball to stop.
If you are playing in the winter when it is cold, or the course is long because of poor weather conditions (rain) than a softer golf ball could provide a bit more forgiveness. It’s easier for the average golfer to compress. In addition you can usually get the softer ball to fly a little higher even if your swing speed isn’t all that fast.
The Bottom Line:
When conditions are tough, use the lower compression rating softer golf ball. You will get greater distance and still have enough speed to stop the ball. Even low handicap golfers who typically play a higher compressing rating golf ball switch to lower compression balls in poor conditions.
Conduct A Feel Test
It’s great to read about all these impressive tests that golf manufactures are doing. In fact so many of them are just advertising every golf ball as softer feel at this point. Trust me on this one, they are not all soft feel. In fact some feel surprisingly hard and come off the face of wedge shots and putters much too harsh.
I suggest you conduct your own feel test to determine what type of golf ball fits you best.
Pick out three or four different golf balls. You don’t have to buy an entire box of each, pick up a sleeve, borrow one from a friend, find one on the course, etc.
Once you have these different golf balls, try heading to the putting green. Take five putts with each ball, all from 10 feet. Then move to 20 feet and finally finish from 3 feet.
Was there anything that stood out as being the right golf ball feel for your game? Now, move to chipping. Stand just off the green and see how the different cover materials feel and which could be the type of ball that suits your playing style. You do not need to conduct a feel test from the tee box. You’ll have only a few interactions between the driver and the golf ball; the skilled players really only care what happens when they are within 50 yards of the green. If you like the feel from 50 yards and in, go for it.
The Bottom Line:
The advertised feel of a golf ball means nothing; better players head to the short game area to see which works best for their game.
Consider The Spin
Here’s where things get a little confusing. Spin and compression can be related, but other factors come into play. A hard golf ball (high compression rating) usually spins less than a low compression golf ball. However, the cover material and the overall construction of the golf ball can have a big impact on the spin ratings you get.
A golf ball like the Pro V1 is a harder compression golf ball with a softer urethane cover. The ball was manufactured to have low spin off the tee but still a slightly softer feel and responsiveness around the greens.
The softer golf balls with lower compression ratings can get a lot of spin on approach shots and tee shots. Some of that spin creates inaccuracy off the tee. In addition, the cover material on these golf balls is typically not as premium, so you may actually get less spin around the greens.
My Experience
I almost always play with a golf ball like the Pro V1. My swing speed is close to 100mph with the driver, and soft golf balls tend to make me lose distance. However, I recently played with the Titleist TruFeel to test what it could do. I did lose a little distance off the tee, which was to be expected, but on approach shots to the green, it was so easy to stop. You’ll have to play around with spin rates and the soft vs. hard golf ball concept to find the right option.
The Bottom Line
If you can control a higher spinning ball off the tee and also get plenty of distance, stick with the higher compression. As long as you have some speed and a steep greenside attack angle, you’ll get plenty of greenside spin.
If you want more spin, you need a low compression soft, feel golf ball.
Where Is Your Game The Weakest
There is no perfect golf ball. Why do you think we have to play with the same one from tee to green for the entire 18 holes? The game would be considerably easier if we could switch golf balls for each type of shot we want to hit.
Since we can’t, you’ll want to choose a golf ball designed to help your game’s weakest area. Here’s what you should think about.
If you struggle to get spin – go with the softer ball.
When your trouble is distance, the firm ball is designed to go further on long shots off the tee.
If you need an all around more accurate distance ball with lower spin from the tee and higher spin around the green, something firm with a soft feel or soft cover should do the trick.
Since you can only choose one golf ball, find the best type of golf ball to complement the weakness in your game. If you hit every drive 300+ yard, stop worrying about playing with a distance ball. Look for something that will help you around the greens.
The Bottom Line
The golf ball you play with will impact your game. Consider your overall performance on the course and pick a ball that complements your game.
Key Takeaways and Findings
Hopefully, you cleared up some of the questions you had about the soft vs. hard golf ball concept and which ball is the right one for your game. Stop with this concept of high handicappers needing soft golf balls and low handicappers needing hard golf balls. It’s really not a skill level thing. Look at distance, spin rates, and feel, then consider the cover, compression, and more. Most importantly, test the golf balls you play with on the putting green; you must find something you can work with.
Use a launch monitor to determine your swing speed to decide between soft or hard golf balls. (Harder is typically better for faster swing speed players.)
Choose your golf ball based on course conditions: hard for hot and firm, soft for cold and wet.
Perform a feel test on the putting green to find the best ball for your short game.
Select a golf ball that matches your spin needs: less spin with hard balls, more with soft.
Pick a golf ball that strengthens your weakest area, such as distance or control around the greens.
