For those new to the game of golf, it can get really annoying to not be able to understand terms like golf ball compression. You may be standing in a golf pro shop and wondering what it means when golf balls are labeled as high compression, low compression, and also soft/hard. In that case, how can you decide which set of golf balls to choose for your game?
If you can relate, then allow us to explain all about what compression means. We have also added to this post the Golf Ball Compression Chart. So you can get a better understanding, at the most basic as well as advanced level.
Contents
What Is Golf Ball Compression – All You Ever Need to Know
There are plenty of factors that determine the performance level of a golf ball. And no doubt, compression, among them, is the most baffling. But that’s only when you don’t know what compression really means. In simple language, it’s the level of compression the ball undergoes when in contact with the clubface during impact.
The compression rating is given in the form of numbers. Watch a slow-motion, close-up video of a golf club striking a golf ball. And you’ll notice that the latter compresses against the clubface. And just when this compression is released does the golf ball launch.
How Does Golf Ball Compression Matter?
The role that compression plays varies from one golf ball to the next and from one golfer to the next. Top brands that manufacture golf balls prioritize their compression ratings. Simply because they want golfers to use equipment best suited for their swing speed, handicap, and other such skills.
The whole idea here is to allow golfers with a slower swing speed to also gain extra distance, which is something that becomes not only possible but also effortless with low-compression golf balls. The lower compression rating makes the ball softer, thus more susceptible to being compressed.
Then there are other brands that give absolutely no importance to compression. Titleist, for example, believes that the level of compression is much the same in the case of both amateur and Tour golfers. The brand, instead, focuses more on accuracy, responsiveness, trajectory, feel, and backspin.
So how can you tell what’s right or wrong anymore? To be honest, there’s no single correct or definitive answer. However, the general consensus is that compression rating matters. Speaking of which…
What Compression Is the Most Suitable – The Compression Chart
Now before we tell you how to determine the right compression rating for your skills and game, let’s just have a look at the chart below:
|
Golf Ball |
Layers |
Compression |
Swing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3 Piece |
Medium (85) |
Fast | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (85) |
Fast | |
|
3 Piece |
Low (65) |
Mid | |
|
3 Piece |
Low (65) |
Mid | |
|
3 Piece |
Low (50) |
Mid | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (75) |
Fast | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (45) |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (40) |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Low |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (75) |
Mid | |
|
4 Piece |
High (90) |
Fast | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (60) |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (40) |
Slower | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (40) |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Low (50) |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
High (90) |
Mid | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium |
Mid | |
|
4 Piece |
High (105) |
Fast | |
|
4 Piece |
High (90) |
Fast | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (80) |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (60) |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Low (65) |
Mid | |
|
Mizuno RB Tour |
4 Piece |
High (90) |
Fast |
|
Mizuno RB Tour X |
4 Piece |
High (110) |
Fast |
|
Mizuno RB 566 |
2 Piece |
Low |
Mid |
|
Mizuno RB 566 V |
3 Piece |
Low |
Mid |
|
Snell MTB-X |
3 Piece |
High (90) |
Mid |
|
Snell MTB-Black |
3 Piece |
Medium (80) |
Mid |
|
Snell Get Sum |
2 Piece |
Low |
Slower |
|
Srixon Z-Star |
3 Piece |
High (90) |
Mid |
|
Srixon Z-Star XV |
4 Piece |
High (100) |
Faster |
|
Srixon Q-Star |
2 Piece |
Medium (75) |
Mid |
|
Srixon Q-Star Tour |
3 Piece |
Medium (70) |
Mid |
|
Srixon Soft Feel |
2 Piece |
Low (60) |
Slower |
|
Srixon Soft Feel Lady |
2 Piece |
Low (60) |
Mid |
|
5 Piece |
Medium (80) |
Mid | |
|
5 Piece |
High (90) |
Faster | |
|
Taylormade TP5 Pix |
5 Piece |
Medium (85) |
Mid |
|
Taylormade TP5X Pix |
5 Piece |
High (100) |
Faster |
|
Taylormade Tour Response |
3 Piece |
Medium (70) |
Mid |
|
Taylormade Project (a) |
3 Piece |
Medium (70) |
Mid |
|
3 Piece |
Low |
Mid | |
|
Taylormade Noodle Long And Soft |
2 Piece |
Low (35) |
Slower |
|
Titleist ProV1 |
3 Piece |
High (90) |
Mid |
|
Titleist ProV1X |
4 Piece |
High (100) |
Faster |
|
Titleist AVX |
3 Piece |
Medium (80) |
Mid |
|
Titleist Tour Speed |
3 Piece |
Medium (80) |
Mid |
|
Titleist Tour Soft |
2 Piece |
Medium (65) |
Mid |
|
Titleist Velocity |
2 Piece |
Medium |
Mid |
|
2 Piece |
Low |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Low |
Mid | |
|
3 Piece |
Low |
Slower | |
|
4 Piece |
High |
Fast | |
|
3 Piece |
Low |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Low |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (80) |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (75) |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (85) |
Mid | |
|
4 Piece |
High (95) |
Fast | |
|
3 Piece |
High |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Medium (70) |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Medium (75) |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
Medium (70) |
Slower | |
|
3 Piece |
High (90) |
Mid | |
|
4 Piece |
High |
Faster | |
|
3 Piece |
Low (60) |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (35) |
Slower | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (30) |
Slower | |
|
2 Piece |
Low (50) |
Slower | |
|
2 Piece |
Low |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Medium |
Mid | |
|
2 Piece |
Medium |
Mid |
So What Compression Rating Is Right for You?
Should you choose a high compression rating, that is 90 and above? Or low-compression (65 and below) golf balls? Or golf balls with moderate compression (between 65 and 90)? The only way you can decide is by taking your driving distance into account.
What’s your swing speed with your driver? 105 mph or higher means you can generate a good amount of distance. So it would benefit your game a great deal if you could also gain some control with the help of a higher compression rating.
On the other hand, if your swing speed is below 85 mph, then you have every reason to go for a lower compression rating. In this case, control is not so much of a priority as distance.
Now, what if your swing speed is between 85 mph and 105 mph? It means scoring some extra yards with a low compression golf ball is not such a bad idea. But then you start to worry about producing too much spin at the same time, which jeopardizes control. And that is why these types of golfers demand mid-level compression.
- Longer Distance
- Extremely Low Long Game Spin
- Greater Iron Stoppability
- High Flight On All Shots
- Playable Greenside Feel
- Item Package Dimension: 7.480314953L x 5.511811018W x 1.8897637776H inches
- Item Package Weight - 1.4219815899 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - RECREATION BALL
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- Spherically-tiled 348 tetrahedral dimple design delivers high and consistent flight
- Soft cast urethane Elastomer Cover provides excellent greenside
Last update on 2023-07-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Read more:What Do The Numbers On Golf Balls Mean? You Should Know This!
How Does Golf Ball Compression Affect Your Game
How the compression rating of a golf ball affects your performance is based on a few very important factors.
1. Your Golfing Skills
Are you just learning the ropes of the game? Almost every beginner golfer prefers low-compression golf balls as these help in achieving extra yardages. No wonder these best longest golf balls have a lower compression core.
But if you’re an experienced player who doesn’t have to worry so much about distance, then you’re sure to benefit more from a higher compression rating that’s more about accuracy and control.
2. Your Swing Speed
Before you look at the chart of golf ball compression, you have to know what your swing speed is. Most golfers match the latter to the former on the compression chart.
Faster swing speeds demand high-compression golf balls. Because, that way, the ball compresses less, thus giving you greater control for greater accuracy. While slower swing speeds require a lower compression in order to boost distance.
3. Weather Conditions
Not many golfers understand that weather conditions also play a part. Here’s how.
High-compression golf balls feel like hitting a golf club against a rock on a chilly day. So for a cold day at the golf course, choose a lower compression rating.
In Summary
So, hopefully, now you understand the meaning of the words golf ball compression. We have even added a chart. So you can choose the right compression rating for your game.
Many brands and golfers believe that it doesn’t matter what the compression rating of a golf ball is. However, that’s not the right approach. After all, beginners cannot go about using golf balls that are difficult to compress. Because beginners have a different set of demands than experienced players.
Keeping that in mind, factors like these do indeed matter. And how they matter and why are topics we’ve addressed in this post.
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