Imagine striking on your golf ball for a smooth delivery, only to get the opposite. Well, that happens when you use a golf ball with the wrong compression level. That’s right! Golf balls also come in variable speed and compression categories, making their performance different.
But while professional golfers know these matters, non-professionals and newbies can have trouble understanding which compression level is right for them. That is why I have made a golf ball compression chart for your better understanding.
Knowing the speed and compression level of the ball can be a game-changer (no pun intended). So let’s find out the compression and other details of various golf balls to determine which will help you perform better.
What Is Golf Ball Compression? How Does It Work?
If you ever watch the video of the golf club hitting a golf ball, you will notice an interaction between the two. The ball flexes against the club due to the pressure before it springs off with speed. This interaction between the club and the ball’s delivery level is known as golf ball compression.
Generally, golf balls come in three different compression levels, ranging from 30 to 120. A golf ball with a low compression rating tends to be soft and suitable for making short-distance deliveries.
On the other hand, golf balls with a higher compression can cover more distance. But how would you know if the ball you chose is suitable to cover your expected distance? I believe the following compression and speed chart will help you choose the right ball.
Golf Ball Compression Chart By Brand (Alphabetically)
Before I take you through the chart, let me make it clear that there is no fixed industry standard level for golf ball gauge.
As a result, manufacturers determine the gauge by their own standards, making it unlikely that two balls of different brands will have the same compression.
That is why I am mentioning the compression and other details in the following chart by golf ball brands.
Bridgestone Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone Tour B X | 3 | 98 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Bridgestone Tour B RX | 3 | 75 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
| Bridgestone Tour B RXS | 3 | 65 (Low) | Under 105 MPH |
| Bridgestone Tour B XS | 3 | 85 (Medium) | 105+ MPH |
| Tour B XS TW Edition | 3 | 85 (Medium) | 105+ MPH |
| Bridgestone e12 Soft | 3 | 50 (Low) | Under 105 MPH |
| e12 Speed | 3 | 75 (Medium) | 105+ MPH |
| e12 Contact | 3 | 60 (Low) | Under 105 MPH |
| Bridgestone e6 | 2 | 45 (Low) | Under 105 MPH |
| Lady Precept | 2 | 50 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
| Laddie Extreme | 2 | 35 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
Callaway Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome Soft | 3 | 75 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Chrome Soft X | 4 | 95 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Chrome Soft X LS | 4 | 100 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Callaway Supersoft | 2 | 40 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
| Supersoft MAX | 2 | 30 (Low) | Under 85 MPH |
| Supersoft Magna | 2 | 40 (Low) | Under 85 MPH |
| Callaway ERC Soft | 3 | 60 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Callaway Superfast | 2 | 70 (Medium) | Under 95 MPH |
| Callaway Superhot | 3 | 70 (Medium) | Under 90 MPH |
| Callaway Warbird | 2 | 90 (High) | Under 95 MPH |
| Callaway Reva | 2 | 30 (Low) | Under 85 MPH |
| Callaway Truvis | 4 | 90 (Medium) | Under 95 MPH |
| Callaway Strata Eagle | 3 | 75 (Medium) | Under 90 MPH |
Cut Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut DC | 4 | 105 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Cut Matte | 3 | 65 (Low) | Under 100 MPH |
| Cut Gray | 3 | 80 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Cut Blue | 4 | 90 (High) | Under 105 MPH |
| Cut Red | 3 | 60 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
Kirkland Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature | 3 | 90 (Medium) | 105+ MPH |
Mizuno Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mizuno RB Tour | 4 | 90 | Under 105 MPH |
| Mizuno RB 566 | 2 | 70 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Mizuno RB Tour X | 4 | 110 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Mizuno RB 566 V | 3 | 75 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
Snell Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snell Get Sum | 2 | 60 (Low) | Under 85 MPH |
| Snell MTB Black | 3 | 85 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
| Snell MTB-X | 3 | 95 (High) | 105+ MPH |
Srixon Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srixon Soft Feel | 2 | 60 (Low) | Under 105 MPH |
| Srixon Q-Star | 2 | 72 (Medium) | Under 95 MPH |
| Srixon Q-Star Tour | 3 | 72 (Medium) | Under 95 MPH |
| Srixon Z-Star | 3 | 90 (High) | Under 105 MPH |
| Srixon Z-Star XV | 4 | 95 (High) | 100+ MPH |
| Z-Star Diamond | 3 | 100 (High) | 105+ MPH |
TaylorMade Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Construction | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| TaylorMade TP5 | 5 | 87 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
| Taylormade TP5X | 5 | 98 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Taylormade TP5 Pix | 5 | 87 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
| TaylorMade TP5X Pix | 5 | 98 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| TaylorMade Project (a) | 3 | 70 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| TaylorMade Project (s) | 2 | 60 (Low) | Under 80 MPH |
| TaylorMade Distance+ | 2 | 77 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Soft Response | 3 | 50 (High) | Under 95 MPH |
| Tour Response | 3 | 71 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Noodle Long And Soft | 2 | 35 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
| TaylorMade Kalea | 2 | 60 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
Titleist Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Construction | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titleist Pro V1 | 3 | 87 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
| Titleist Pro V1x | 4 | 97 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Titleist AVX | 3 | 80 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
| Titleist Tour Soft | 2 | 65 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Titleist Tour Speed | 3 | 80 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Titleist Velocity | 2 | 65 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Titleist TruFeel | 2 | 60 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Pro V1x Left Dot | 3 | 90 (High) | Under 105 MPH |
| Pro V1x Left Dash | 4 | 102 (High) | 105+ MPH |
Trust Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bison X | 3 | 90 (High) | 110+ MPH |
| Bison XL | 3 | 100 (High) | 115+ MPH |
| Bison Soft/Rosa | 3 | 70 (Low) | Under 100 MPH |
| Bison V/Aurora | 3 | 80 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
Vice Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Construction | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vice Drive | 2 | 50 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Vice Tour | 3 | 90 (High) | Under 100 MPH |
| Vice Pro | 3 | 85 (Mid) | 105+ MPH |
| Vice Pro Soft | 3 | 70 (Mid) | Under 95 MPH |
| Vice Pro Plus | 4 | 95 (High) | 110+ MPH |
| Vice Pro Zero | 3 | 95 (High) | 105+ MPH |
Volvik Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Layer | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvik Vivid | 3 | 80 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Volvik S3 | 3 | 85 (Medium) | Under 105 MPH |
| Volvik S4 | 4 | 95 (High) | 105+ MPH |
| Volvik Crystal | 3 | 75 (Medium) | Under 90 MPH |
| Volvik Solice | 3 | 90 (High) | Under 95 MPH |
| Volvik XT Soft | 3 | 65 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
| Volvik XT AMT | 3 | 90 (High) | Under 105 MPH |
| Volvik Magma | 3 | 90 (High) | Under 90 MPH |
| Volvik Vivid Lite | 3 | 75 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Volvik ViMax Soft | 2 | 75 (Medium) | Under 95 MPH |
| Volvik Power Soft | 2 | 75 (Medium) | Under 95 MPH |
Wilson Golf Ball Chart
| Golf Ball | Construction | Compression | Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Staff Model | 4 | 100 | 105+ MPH |
| Staff Model R | 4 | 100 | 105+ MPH |
| Wilson Duo Soft+ | 2 | 35 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
| Wilson Duo Optix | 2 | 40 (Low) | Under 90 MPH |
| Wilson Triad | 3 | 85 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Wilson Triad R | 3 | 85 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
| Wilson Zip | 2 | 50 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Wilson Fifty Elite | 2 | 50 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Tour Velocity Feel | 2 | 65 (Low) | Under 95 MPH |
| Tour Velocity Distance | 2 | 85 (Medium) | Under 100 MPH |
How To Choose the Right Golf Ball?
The golf ball’s compression is a major factor in your performance and flexibility. But before that, you need to ensure purchasing a suitable golf ball.
But what are the factors you need to consider so that you get the best golf balls? If you want to find out, I suggest you check out the following buying guide.
Ball Types
Not all golf balls are of the same type, and it plays a vital role in the ball’s performance. Based on various factors, golf balls are categorized into three types:
- Distance: Golf balls with thinner cover and a larger core usually cover more distance. Such balls lower the spin numbers to boost maximum carry.
- Soft Feel: Another name for soft feel is low compression. A golf ball with such a quality flexes more when struck with the golf club. It reduces the ball’s spin even more and allows it to have a long and straight flight.
- Tour Performance: These balls are for professional and highly-experienced golfers. They are multi-layered balls that offer coverage for more distance, feel and spin.
Construction
The golf ball’s construction is the key. There are two types of golf balls based on their construction, and here they are.
- Two-Piece Golf Ball: This type of ball has a larger core, and a thin layer covers the core making it a two-piece ball. Two-piece golf balls are more suitable for beginner golfers and those with a slow swing speed.
- Multi-Layer Golf Ball: For mid to low handicappers, there is no better alternative than multi-layer golf balls. These balls are called multi-layered because they can have three to five different layers from core to cover. Multi-layered balls are more functional for covering a shorter distance.
Core
The core is the compressed mold inside the ball. The material used for making the mold is rubber, which takes up the ball’s most internal space.
A golf ball’s core quality determines how hard or soft the ball is, making it essential to know about the type of core the ball has. Moreover, it plays several roles in the ball’s performance, such as restraining the energy release, speed, accuracy, etc.
Cover
The top outer dimpled layer of the ball is its cover. And generally, a golf ball cover is made of two types of materials:
- Surlyn: Surlyn is basically hard plastic resin, and most golf balls come with Surlyn covers. These balls have more resistance to impacts and scratches and last a very long time.
- Urethane: Urethane golf balls are the opposite of the Surlyn balls. These balls are softer and offer more spin. The downside of urethane balls is that they are less durable than hard ones.
Dimples
No, I am not ruling out the not-very-important-looking dimples. The simples on the ball covers are there to add control to the ball’s energy level. Without them, your golf ball would travel only around half the distance it would have with dimples.
The number of dimples a golf ball might have depends on the manufacturer and the size and depth of the ball. Nevertheless, you can bet that most of them have about 350-400 dimples.
Spin
The spin is when the golf ball takes off and moves from side to side. Golf balls offer different spin levels based on the ball’s construction, core, and other factors. But what type of spin would you prefer? Let’s find out more about different golf ball spins.
- Low-Spin Golf Ball: Low-spin golf balls have fewer side spins, making the ball take a straighter flight. These balls do not travel far when up in the air. However, this feature works as an advantage when you need the ball to roll less on the ground.
- Mid-Spin Golf Ball: Mid-spin balls are suitable for all golfers as they balance low and high-spin balls. While these balls cover most distance, their softness can differ depending on the brand.
- High-Spin Golf Ball: High-spin golf balls offer maximum offer in the air as the ball releases more backspin once struck. However, these balls can be responsible for losing distance because of excessive backspin.
Compression
As explained around the beginning, compression is the ball’s deflection measure when struck. A golf ball’s compression determines a major part of its performance. If the ball has a lower compression, it will deform more against the golf club and generate more speed.
On the other hand, balls with a higher compression level are hard and suitable for traveling a short distance. Since these balls do not deform easily like the others, players need to strike harder and faster.
Visibility
If you have a harder time noticing where your ball goes, especially if you are striking for a long distance, you need a ball that offers more visibility. These balls come with bold patterns and various bright colors. Nowadays, many top golf ball brands manufacture high-vis balls.
Personalization
Here is something a little extra and fun. You can personalize your golf ball for games or as a souvenir.
Manufacturers and sellers allow you to add names, initials, signatures, quotes, etc., on the ball. However, not all golf balls might not be suitable for personalization.
Which Compression Is Right for You?
The compression of the ball you pick should be based on your swing speed or performance. And since golf balls come in various compression ratings, I have separated them into a few categories to help you decide more easily.
Type 1: 80 And Under
Which type of golfer are you? Beginner, junior, senior, or someone with average strength? If you are one of the types I just mentioned, you could use golf balls with a low compression rating, ranging up to 80.
Slow swingers can hit their marks more easily with low-compression golf balls. And if you hold the club face downside, you can achieve a better distance.
Type 2: Between 85-90
If you are an average male or a long-hitting golfer, the best golf ball compression score for you should be between 85 to 90. That is because a golf ball with such a compression rating requires a faster strike from the golf club.
Doing so increases the ball’s spring effect and compression, bringing change in your performance. But if you are unsure whether you should choose 85 or 90, I suggest experimenting a little before it strikes you.
Type 3: Up To 100
The higher the ball’s compression level, the harder strike it requires. And most of the time, these balls are suggested for pro golfers.
Golf balls with such a compression rating can travel a greater distance if it gets a fast and hard club strike. If the club head is not fast enough. Moreover, this type of ball is more suitable for strong golfers.
Type 4: Above 100
If you are a professional golf player, generating an expected distance will not be a problem no matter which compression rating or level the ball comes with. Golf balls with more than 100 compression ratings offer more swing speed and cover more yards when the golfer hits them correctly.
High-compression balls are not easy to play with if you are a starter or do not have muscular strength. But you never know if a different ball will give you an unexpected and satisfying result.
2 Signs That You Are Using the Wrong Golf Ball
If your balls do not have enough performing strength to reach the expected target, it can be pretty disappointing. So the best way to avoid such a situation is to know if you have the right golf ball. Here are some signs that will tell you that you have the wrong balls.
1. Ball Going Too High
If your golf ball is going way too high up in the air, it means the ball’s compression is on the lower side. They go higher if there is too much backspin, making them lose distance and control. It also means the balls are soft, resulting in more swing speed.
2. Ball Flying Close To the Ground
If the ball travels closer to the ground, that means the ball is too hard and has less spin speed. This problem is also known as the flat-ball flight.
Another way to identify the problem is if you see the ball is not covering much distance, even if you are striking with the same swing speed. The solution to this problem is using soft-feel golf balls.
If you notice any of these signs, your golf ball does not have accurate compression. So what can you do about it?
I suggest you experiment with different balls but stick to the same brand to know which compression fits your performance. Once you find the compression rating from a particular brand, it will become easier for you to experiment with other brands.
Conclusion
Have you read through the entire golf ball compression chart? If you have, you will notice how different brands offer different compression levels, which is also noticeable in their swing speed. That is why it is essential to know what to look for in a golf ball when purchasing it.
Well, in that case, there is a detailed buying guide in this article to help you out. Remember that when it comes to golf balls, prices cannot always speak for their quality. So feel free to experiment with multiple golf balls to find the right one.
