As we all know, there are a lot of options on the golf balls market. A lot of recreational golfers do not care too much which one they play with. But if they choose the proper golf ball it could help them improve their game. All the brands are telling you their product is the right one. Sometimes they will exaggerate a bit with the promises to sell it, but a lot of times, is close to what they say.

There are also a lot of sources where you can go and see all the numbers from testing all the different models from a variety of brands. Those are good indicators, but it does not have to mean you have to choose the best ones automatically. After all, you should know your game and what you are looking for to narrow your choices to find the one.

This article will touch on the following in order to help you how to start looking:

• Style of Play – this is a good starting point to begin the search. Depending on your preferences on the course, you can find a ball to gain more distance, focus on the feel and shot shaping, or possibly get the whole package.
• Swing Speed and Compression – knowing how hard you swing can help a lot. Not all balls are built the same, and that can make a big difference.
• Premium or Recreational – if you are more serious about your game you can look into the premium balls department, if you are not too concerned about having a top-dollar ball there are solid choices among the recreational ones.
• Golf Ball Fitting – there is always the option for a professional ball fitting at a golf club, golf pro shop, or golf fitting facility.

Style of Play

Every golfer has a different style of play. Some prefer hitting the ball as far as possible and others are looking for a softer more tactical approach. In the same way, as you naturally choose a preferred style of playing, you can choose a ball that suits that style. This is not the final step, but only one of the steps you should consider when looking for a suitable golf ball. Your style of play may depend on where you are at with your golfing skills.

If you are at the beginning of your golf journey, there is a good chance you are playing a less calculated, simpler game. In case you are a more advanced golfer, you may want something different. For a simpler style, you may be looking at balls that are just built to go further. In the case of a more advanced style, you may be looking for a ball with optimized spin and a better feel. It is a good starting point for the ball search that will point you in the right direction.

Swing Speed and Compression

This is an important part when choosing a ball, and you should know at least by feeling what your swing speed is. If you have played long enough you will know your swing speed category even without knowing the exact numbers. You can find out your swing speed numbers if you have access to a launch monitor or if you go for a professional fitting. Golf balls have different compressions, which means they do not compress the same against your clubface at impact.

Compression numbers go from around 40 all the way to around 100. The low-compression balls are designed for players with the slowest swing speeds. Medium compression balls are for golfers with medium swing speeds. That leaves us with high-compression balls that are designed for fast swing speeds. The swing speed is based on your driver’s swing speed.

• Low Compression (up to 65) – Slow Swing Speed (up to 85 mph)
• Medium Compression ( from 66 to 89) – Medium Swing Speed (from 86 to 104 mph)
• High Compression (90 and over) – Fast Swing Speed (105 mph and over)

The ball swing speed that corresponds to a ball compression is mostly a reference. Your perfect ball could be one that is not in the compression category you were expecting it to be.

Premium or Recreational

The first step is to know what your style of play is. Then, what ball compression could suit your golf swing? After that, it is time to decide what class of golf balls you want. There are a lot of options out there, both premium and recreational. A few key features make the main difference between the two types of balls. The first difference is the number of layers built into the ball. Premium balls have three, four, or five layers while recreational balls consist of two layers. Then there is the material used to build the ball cover and the material used for the core.

Performance-wise, premium golf balls usually perform better on average. They are the preferred choice of professional golfers and players with a larger skill set. A more skilled golfer can get more out of a premium ball than a recreational one. On the other hand, recreational balls are usually behind in performance and suit more players with modest skills. Price wise the premium balls are more expensive. That could be another reason to get a cheaper option, especially in the early days of your golfing.

Golf Ball Fitting

If you are really invested in golf and you just can’t find that perfect golf ball for yourself, you have another option. There is a good chance you are in an area where there are golf-fitting facilities. Besides club fitting, a lot of those specialized places can fit you for a golf ball as well. They have all the technology and expertise that help in the process.

You will try different balls, they will analyze the numbers that come out and give you a good option to try. The downside of fittings is that most of the equipment is in a controlled environment. That does not emulate real golfing conditions. Besides that fact, it is a solid option for someone who wants to go for it.

How do you choose your golf ball? Are you happy with your ball performance? Share below!

Related:

• Different Types of Golf Balls – Guide to Better Choices
• What Golf Ball Should I Play? – Guide for Better Golfing