Best Golf Balls in 2022

The Anatomy of a Golf Ball

We all know what a golf ball looks like, but how many of us actually know what’s inside the golf ball? And, even if you do, do you know why it’s like that? If you’re still a little unsure about what makes up a golf ball, then look no further, we’re here to put it simply and straightforward so even someone who’s never stepped up to the tee could understand and impress buddies with his rather random but nonetheless thorough golf ball knowledge.

Construction

Golf ball construction is very important if you want to optimize your game the best way you possibly can and it’s best to look out for the different kind of constructions.

One-Piece

The most basic balls. Used on driving ranges, mini golf and by novices. You’ll more than likely never see these on an actual course. Crafted from a solid piece of surlyn and with dimples molded into the ball it’s very cheap to make, and while it is durable, you’ll not get great distance out of it, but you don’t need to.

Two-Piece

This is what your average golfer will use. These balls contain a solid core which is encased in a blended cover which provides the most distance out of any other type of golf ball. This distance comes at a cost of control though, but it is still the preferred ball type and probably the one you use most frequently.

Three-Piece

Comprised of either a liquid or solid rubber core, a second layer and then covered with suryn or similar material, three-piece golf balls are soft, provide greater spin, and allow for greater control. The more layers ensure better spin separation, which gives more customization from drives.

Four-Piece

With each layer having a specific purpose, the four-piece ball flies like a well-oiled machine. The inner core allows for explosive distance, while the next layer transfers energy to help in its flight. The middle layer gives excellent driver distance while the outer cover, with as many as 400 dimples, provides the feel. Its soft yet durable and is typically made from urethane.

Five-Piece

First released in just 2009, the five-piece golf ball is the latest innovation in golf ball technology. It works similarly to the three and four-piece ball but brings better spin separation and performance. They're the most expensive you’ll find at the shop and will bring Tour-esque performance and totally optimize your game if you can afford it.

Spin

There are three different kinds of spin that golf balls can have.

Low Spin

As the name suggests, these are designed to reduce the spin from your shot and help it fly through the air straight and true. They are ideal for players who have a habit of slicing their shots and who struggle to achieve substantial ground distance upon landing. Due to the lack of spin, your ball will run further on the fairway once it lands, giving you that extra bit of distance that you’ve been missing out on as well as keeping it in the right direction.

Mid Spin

Golf balls with mid spin construction will act as a midway between low and high spin balls. These are ideal for players who neither need more distance nor more spin and they are typically favored by players who are decent in these areas. Mid-spin golf balls are an excellent choice for beginners as they offer a great balance between both distance and feel, allowing them to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their game.

High Spin

A type of golf ball for anyone who desires better spin and control from their shots. They’re excellent for using around the green, which gives the player better autonomy over where the ball will end up, but they won’t be as useful on the fairway as they have a tendency to veer off course if you’re not careful. Of course, if ending up in the rough is something you’d like to change, then the high spin golf ball can help keep your shots level, as long as you aim for the opposite side.

Compression

Measured between 0 and 200, the compression of a golf ball relates to how much deflection a ball undergoes when it is struck. If you see a ball with 200 measure, this means it does not compress at all, while one with a 0 measure means it will deflect by 5 millimeters. The majority of balls you’ll come across are somewhere between 50 and 100.

If this sounds a bit confusing, don’t worry, we’ll try to simplify it for you. Compare it to a rubber band and wrapping said band around your fingers, the more your wrap, the tighter it gets, putting greater pressure on your digits. This is the same with golf ball compression. It’s balls about the pressure.

Golf balls that advertised low compression will come with a softer feel than higher compression balls and will achieve a greater distance off the tee. Higher compression golf balls give the player more control over the direction and flight of the ball and are typically used by better players with faster swing speeds that compress the ball, as well as people who just pick any old ball up at the store.

Dimples

They’re not just an aesthetic choice, the dimples on a golf ball actually do serve a purpose, but what purpose you ask? Well…

Golf ball dimples are to with the distance it can achieve. As soon as the golf ball is struck from the tee or from the ground, it is losing its speed thanks to air resistance. The dimples reduce the surface area of the ball so that it disrupts air molecules around and in turn flies further.

Once upon a time, like way, way back when, golf balls were smooth, but this meant that the ball would not travel as far as it could. These balls were also filled with feathers, so they were more susceptible to external damage.

Like many things throughout history, the dimple solution was discovered entirely by accident, as they realized that these dented and misshapen balls actually traveled further than their smooth counterparts. From this revelation, the golf balls we know today were born. The more you know, hey?

Handicap and Choosing the Best Golf Ball

All golf balls are created equal but some are created more equal than others, and not all of them will suit your game. When you’re first learning to play golf, it feels like every ball is the same, and that it doesn’t matter which one you pick from the bucket. It’s only when you start gaining experience and start to master the craft of the swing that you’ll start paying attention to what kind of ball you use.

First things first, let’s establish just what a handicap is. In golf, it is a measure of your potential ability. Better players will have a lower handicap while amateurs and people who are just not that good at golf might see a handicap anywhere between 30 and above, especially if they’re just starting out. If you have a handicap of ten, then this means you’ll typically score ten shots more than the course rating for whatever course you’re playing on, which isn’t too bad but can always be improved.

When it comes to selecting the right ball for your handicap, you need to understand the weaknesses in your game and hope you have the proper technique to counteract this with the right ball. Be aware that finding the right ball won’t magically solve your problems, but it can help in making golf more successful, and in turn more enjoyable, for you.

As an example, suppose you struggle with keeping the ball straight. To combat this, you want to use a ball that offers better straight shots, reduces side spin, and is aerodynamic enough to land near enough where you aimed it. Conversely, if the distance is your problem, a ball that picks up speed and flies further is the solution.

As we said, this won’t turn you into Jordan Spieth overnight, but it can help make up for gaps in your game and hopefully contribute to better scores during your game, just don’t tell anybody your secret.

Golf Ball FAQ

Q: How Do I Choose the Right Golf Ball?

A: Finding the right golf ball for you will depend on how much you are willing to spend, as well as how many balls you lose during a round of golf. If you’ve already got a couple of games under your belt, and you’ve bedded in that shiny new golf glove, then you’ll have a decent idea about which parts of your game could need optimizing and can pick and choose your ball accordingly.

This will take a lot of trial and error, though. You can’t expect to find the right ball straight away, but keeping track during your games of which balls offer the best results will go a long way towards helping you improve your game, even if you haven’t mastered everything yet, and in golf, can you ever really master everything?

Once you’ve found the ideal ball for you, then ensure that you keep with this brand of ball. If you keep changing balls, then your game will suffer, as you won’t be able to achieve any consistency and you’ll be expecting one result, but getting another.

Q: What Is The Best Golf Ball For A Beginner?

A: For beginners, it’s best that you find a ball that is equal across all different factors. Think of it like a video game where you select your character or accessories based on stats and imagine the ball you start with has an equal distribution across speed, distance, spin, and weight. This will give you a chance to discover what parts of your game you need to focus on. If you can hit it far, but not straight, you’ll need to find a ball that helps avoid spin.

Likewise, if you can hit it straight but not far, then find a ball type that does the opposite.

Again, this will take some trial and error while searching for the right ball for you. Luckily, there should be someone at the golf club or at the store who knows much, much more than you do and will be able to study your game and give you advice on what is the largest area for improvement.

Every golfer finds it a massively frustrating game, and you’ll no doubt feel the same while you’re still getting to grip with it, if you swallow your pride and take advantage of experienced golfers’ knowledge you’ll find yourself enjoying the game much more and you’ll move quicker through that awkward learning stage that plagues every new golfer and makes them want to snap their club in half. It’s all part of the experience, so don’t take it too personally if you’re not great straight away.

Q: What Is The Difference Between Soft And Hard Golf Balls?

A: Aside from the names, the differences between soft golf balls and hard golf balls go back around 20 years, where the hardness of the ball cover affected the flight. Back then, soft golf balls possessed more spin, while hardcovers granted better distance.

With the advances in golf ball technology and design over the past couple of decades, these differences have waned. Manufacturers have taken the best bits of both kinds of balls and developed a ball that can do everything you need it to. Because of this, there are now very few hard golf ball sold, and if you were to pick one from your golf bag at random, it would undoubtedly be a soft golf ball.

It’s now the inside of the ball that makes the difference regarding spin, distance, hang time and velocity. The materials used to construct the ball will range from expensive to cheap, and you’ll feel a difference hitting a ball off the tee with your driver compared with hitting the same ball across the green with your putter.

Q: Are More Expensive Golf Balls Better?

A: A question that many new golfers ponder when first getting into the sport. Surely the more expensive the golf ball, the better the quality, right? Or is it just a myth perpetuated by Big Golf™ to convince saps to buy their fancy balls in place of cheap golf balls that you find at the driving range?

Once upon a time, there was a marked difference between tour ball (the expensive ones) and regular old balls that seemed more suited to mini golf than a proper course. These tour balls flew longer, stayed in the air better, and generally ensured a much more pleasant game. However, golf ball technology has evolved and changed and now there is very little difference between the urethane-covered professional balls and surlyn balls, if any at all, from the tee.

That’s right, while you probably won’t see a difference in ball quality at the beginning of the hole, you might from around 100 meters or so from the pin. This is where the expensive balls justify their price and will really help you smash your best score and get more eagles that you can handle than if you were to use a regular golf ball.

Q: How Do I Take Care Of My Golf Balls?

A: Golf balls are incredibly easy to clean, maintain, and take care of. During play, there might ball washing stations every hole or every other hole, which allow you to clean your ball before teeing off. This ensures you can manage a clean connection with the ball off your swing, and will produce better results.

After games, you can take whatever balls didn’t end up lost in the bushes or in ponds and clean them at home. There’s no secret ball washing formula out there, all you need is a bucket of warm water, dish soap, and something to rinse and clean them with. If your balls are caked in dirt and mud, you can let them soak for 2 hours in the warm and soapy water before removing them, rinsing them, and letting them dry before using them again. Simple. Real simple.

Sources

1. 5 Ways to Take the Frustration Out of Golf - Golf Stinks
2. The Best Low Compression Golf Balls - LIVESTRONG