Nowadays, there are hundreds of different golf balls on the market today. Each of these golf balls features a different design, which includes things like aerodynamics and core construction.
However, once you know how to choose the right golf ball for your swing speed, you should be able to improve your game.
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as recommending a golf ball used by one a professional player. While someone like Tiger Woods might use a specific golf ball that is widely available, you can be sure that it has been tailored to his needs.
Buying a golf ball off the shelf is much harder and you should ask; what golf ball should I use for my swing speed?
This article aims to dive deeper into the golf ball variations and enable you to see which golf ball offers the functionality you could need as a player.
We aim to ensure that you find a comfortable ball and that the compression rating complements your swing speed. We will also look at some of the best golf balls for slow swing speeds.
Understanding the Construction of a Golf Ball
Before we dive into the various steps you will need to consider when buying a golf ball, we should look at the construction and makeup of the top golf balls.
You will need to have a basic understanding of things like the core and the compression. Not all golf balls are the same and these daunting terms make a big difference:
Golf Ball Core
One of the most important aspects of the golf ball is the core. While it might not seem like it affects the game, the core is the epicenter and the golf ball would not be going in anywhere without it.
The core is mainly included for energy retention and once the club connects with the ball, the energy is transferred from the club to the core. Initially, the golf ball will have 100% of the energy needed.
As the golf ball loses energy while in flight, the core is the component you will rely on to retain as much energy as possible and push the ball forward.
The core is often made from uncured or cured rubber, which varies in quality. Some of the top golf balls will have a better construction. However, these balls are also more expensive, but they hold energy much better.
Mantle
Another important component is the mantle is needed to seal the ball and ensure that moisture does not enter the core. The mantel is located between the cover and the core and varies in thickness and firmness.
The mantle can lead to a harder or softer ball design and it might bounce more or less.
The mantle is also one of the main components that will affect the overall spin of the golf ball and improve the energy stored in the ball’s core to improve flight. Ionomer and other blends are often used.
Golf Ball Cover
The cover is arguably one of the most important aspects of the golf ball and it affects things like the aerodynamics and the spin. The exterior cover can also affect the overall durability.
The cover can vary in firmness and the dimple pattern plays an important role in the overall aerodynamics of the golf ball to help it improve distance.
You will notice that urethane or surlyn are the most common materials for the cover of the golf ball. Urethane is the most reactive for spin and feel, while surlyn often sacrifices spin and feel for more distance.
How to Choose the Right Golf Ball for Your Swing Speed (Step By Step)
There are a few fundamental steps that you might need to take if you want the perfect golf ball. Many of these steps might seem wayward for some players but bear with us.
The idea is to ensure you find one with the right core, compression, and aerodynamics to assist your game and ensure that you get optimal range.
1. Get to Know the Golf Balls
The first step would be to educate yourself on the top balls and make sure you have the tools to measure your swing speed more accurately. You will also need to consider which type of ball would work best for your needs.
By doing some research or using the above-mentioned section as your guide, you will be fully clued up with the technology used in golf balls.
2. Understand Your Budget
Once you understand what your swing speed is and how the core and cover of balls work, you will need to look at your budget. Certain balls feature better characteristics and this will make them more expensive.
You can group the prices of balls into the following section for a better understanding:
- Tour Level Golf Balls: Tour-level golf balls are the best of the best in the world of golf and these balls will offer you the best distance from the tee. Additionally, they offer incredible spin and will assist you in the short game. They should also make putting easier. The Titleist Pro V1 are some of the best on the market today and they are used by many tour players.
- Premium Golf Balls: Premium balls are still some of the best, but they are not as expensive or balanced as those used by tour professionals. The premium ball should be efficient in good technology and work for the mid handicappers with an average swing. The TaylorMade Tour Response is one of the best options to consider.
- Spin Golf Balls: While spin might seem like it is designated for pro golfers. This golf is often much softer and encourages moderate golfers to improve their spin and tactical shots. They have a softer feel off the tee and offer greenside spin for better placement. The Callaway Chrome Soft or Callaway Supersoft offers the best value for these players.
- Distance Golf Balls: As a newbie, you are considered a high-handicapper, and spin does not matter as much. You might want to consider an entry-level golf ball with a firmer exterior design to improve distance. The TaylorMade Distance+ is considered by many the longest golf ball for slow swing speeds.
While these are only suggestions, there are plenty more balls that should offer you all the functionality and value you could need for your game and skill level.
3. Learn How Compression Affects Swing Speed
The next step would be to educate yourself on how the compression of the ball is affected by swing speeds.
Faster or slower swing speeds can have an effect on compression and the compression of the golf ball will either reduce or improve your range depending on your swing speed. Here is a general idea of compression:
- 80 Compression Rating: Seniors with a slower swing speed and juniors just starting might find that a lower compression like 80 will be effective for swing speeds on the lower end of the spectrum.
- 90 Compression Rating: if you have some experience and you can break 90 MPH with your swing speed, you might want to consider a golf ball with a 90 compression rating. These golf balls work best for mid-handicappers.
- 100 Compression Rating: The 100 compression rating is more for the players who have a faster swing speed. If you can break 100 MPH with your swing speed, a ball with a compression rating of 100 should be ideal.
On the more extreme ends of the spectrum, beginners could consider a compression rating of 30, which is the lowest you will find.
However, a player like Tiger Woods has a swing speed of over 120 MPH. This means that a ball with a compression rating of 120 is often ideal.
4. Practice Makes Perfect
Once you have an idea of the golf ball you might want or need, you should test them. The best way to do this would be at the driving range.
However, you might also want to take it to the golf course and play a few games. You can test how the compression rating and construction of the golf ball will be influenced by your swing speed.
What Golf Ball Should I Use for My Swing Speed?
The golf ball you use is heavily affected by your swing speed. While the exterior cover and core do not have such a massive influence, the compression rating will have.
The compression rating can vary between 30 as the lowest and 120, which is the highest compression rating. Most people use 70 as the minimum compression rating.
If your swing speed is lower than 90 MPH, your compression rating should not be more than 80. However, with a swing speed of more than 95 MPH, you could look into a compression rating of 90.
You will need to measure your swing speed to get an idea of what you could need. The Sports Sensor Swing Speed Radar is one of the best tools you can use to measure this.
Medium compression golf balls offer ideal ball speed for those players with average swing speeds. They should assist your golf swing if you have the right ball. Each player needs the best golf ball with the best golf ball technology that complements club head speed.
What Golf Ball Is the Best for Slow Swing Speeds?
There are a variety of good golf balls that can be used if you have a slow swing speed. As mentioned, a swing speed of less than 90 MPH is considered a “slow” swing speed in modern terms.
One of the best balls we could find for beginners, seniors, and the junior player will be the Wilson Tour Velocity. The Bridgestone Golf Tour B RXS is another one of the top options you can consider and it only features a compression rating of 65.
This means that golfers with a swing speed of under 80 MPH might find it very useful to help improve the overall distance they should get from a shot.
Longest Golf Ball for Slow Swing Speeds
With 90 MPH being the point at which many believe a swing speed is slow or fast, you will want to look for a ball with a compression rating that is lower than 80 if you have a slow swing speed.
Depending on the swing speed, you could even go with a compression rating of 70 in many cases to ensure the ball is ideal for you.
While there are hundreds of great balls for beginners, we have decided that the Bridgestone Tour B XS is one of the best options for those with slower swing speeds.
Many consider it to be the best Bridgestone golf ball for 90 MPH swing speed. Unfortunately, it is a competitive tour golf ball and quite expensive.
The lower compression golf ball is often not a tour golf ball. These low-compression balls work well for beginners as opposed to high-compression golf balls to give the player optimal ball flight.
Having the right golf ball that complements your swing speed is vital in the modern era. You can gradually work to improve your swing speed and find a different golf ball, but you need to understand how swing speed affects your game.
We have found a few questions that many people might have about the swing speed and ball:
Which Golf Ball Is Best for 100 Mph Swing Speed?
If you have a swing speed of 100 MPH, you are considered one of the players with a fast swing speed.
While you might not be at the level of many professional players, you are still one of the more advanced players and most likely a low-handicap player. The Srixon Z Star is one of the ideal balls that you can start with.
How Do I Know Which Golf Ball Is Best for Me?
While you can use all the data and statistics available, they will not be able to give you the best representation of performance.
Instead of using data only, you could consider playing a few rounds with different golf balls. Different balls will make it easier to experiment and see which one works best for you.
Does Swing Speed Matter When Choosing a Golf Ball?
The swing speed is not the only determining factor when selecting a ball. Things like skill level and performance as all crucial parts of the game.
However, finding a golf ball with the right compression will make it much easier to play your shots. You could even increase your prospective distance off the tee.
Wrap Up
Once you know what golf ball compression is right for me, it should be much easier for you to find the ideal golf ball. Regardless of your swing speed, you need to make sure have the right golf ball.
These are some of the top options and they should help you significantly improve your game. We would love to read in the comment section which golf ball was your first and why.
