A golf ball should have little side or backspin for long, straight tee shots, control for iron shots, and a soft appeal for chipping and putting. Multi-layered golf balls are designed for just this purpose. These golf balls, whether three- or four-layered, are generally made with a large inner core surrounded by a casing and a thin soft cover. For four-layered golf balls, the inner core consists of a soft inner core with a larger core surrounding it, according to the website Guide to Golf Equipment.
Construction
Modern golf balls are broken down into three distinct groups. The two-piece ball has the lowest production cost. These balls are made from a solid rubber core, surrounded by a skin. Three-piece balls have what is called a mantle layer in between the core and the skin. Performance balls are designed with a solid rubber core in the middle and two mantle layers on top, wrapped up into a skin, according to the website World Golf.
Spin
Two-piece balls are designed for low initial spin off the tee. This aspect makes them forgiving when it comes to hooks and slices. According to Golf Ball Review, these balls have a high tendency to roll after ground contact. Three-piece balls will generate more spin off the initial hit. The idea is to gain more loft for higher travel distances. Side spin starts to become a problem here. These balls can be hit to roll fast or slow after contact. Performance balls are capable of major amounts of spin during all parts of flight. This means that while your ball will fly farther, if you do not regularly hit the ball straight, your balls will often have severe hooking and slicing action. Performance balls can stop relatively fast after ground contact because they are build to maximize backspin, according to the website Golf Link.
Covering Material
The skin of your golf ball is not always the same material from ball to ball. The most common covering materials are surlyn, balata and elastomer. Surlyn covers are durable and cheap to produce. Balata covers are softer than surlyn covers, which means it is easier to damage. Balata also provides more spin than surlyn. These balls are made for intermediate golfers. Elastomer covers are usually used by top golfers. This material is designed to maximize spin on your ball, according to Golf Ball Guide.
Compression
Golf balls are rated for compression, which measures how tightly the ball is wound. According to World Golf, the three most common compression ratings are 80, 90 and 100. Golf balls rated at 80 compression have the softest feel. These balls provide a slingshot effect that results in more distance. This compression level is typically used by golfers with a slower swing speed. Ninety compression is designed for players with average swing speeds. One hundred compression is best for golfers with very swing speeds.
Swing Speed
Every golfer has a swing speed, as defined as how fast the club head moves at the point of impact with the ball. Each ball reacts differently to swing speed. Two-piece balls are best for golfers with lower swing speeds and especially any under speeds of 85 mph. The lower spin on the ball will cause the ball to get good distance without fear of your ball flying of course. Three-piece balls do not fly as far as two-piece balls on the same exact swing, though with added swing speed, these balls will travel farther because of the ball's extra spin, which adds to the ball's loft. This ball is ideal for an intermediate golfer. Golfers with a swing speed of 85 to 95 mph would do well with this ball. Performance balls have a double-mantle system, which greatly reduces total distance on a drive unless you golf swing is fast. The spin generated by this ball with swing speeds over 100 mph will cause long flights, according to World Golf.
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