What to Look For
The first thing to look at when buying golf balls is yourself. An honest assessment of what type of golfer you are will lead you to the right ball. If you are a beginner, the cheapest golf ball is the best. You will probably lose a lot of them while you are learning. If you have a troublesome hook or fade and want to add distance while reducing spin, a two-piece ball is the best. If you already have good control and want a ball you can place with more accuracy, one of the more expensive three- or four-piece balls is the right choice.
Common Pitfalls
The most common mistake a golfer can make is to choose the golf ball his favorite pro uses. Unless you are scoring consistently in the 70s or low 80s, that ball will likely aggravate your problems. The three or four-piece balls that professionals use can dramatically magnify a hook or a slice. The very high spin quality of such balls off irons gives professionals pinpoint accuracy. But unless your mechanics are right, they will more frequently give you erratic bounces and errant hooks and slices on the fairway.
Where to Buy
Golf balls are easily available in stores and pro shops throughout the country. The novice golfer can pick up bargain balls at discount department stores such as WalMart or at public courses. The more expensive balls are available at pro shops of regulation golf courses and high-end specialty stores such as Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith. Once you reach the intermediate level you should buy at a store or pro shop, where the sales people can advise you on what ball characteristics will best improve your game.
Cost
At a discount department store, a cheap bag of mixed balls costs about $7 per dozen. According to Golf Digest, matched sets of balls start at about $15 per dozen and can go up to $50 per dozen for premium, professional level balls.
Comparison Shopping
The softer the compression of a golf ball, the more distance people with slow swings will get out of it. The dimple pattern and cover of a ball affect its spin rating. A low spin ball will help diminish a slice or hook, but will give you less touch when hitting from the fairway or near the green. The expensive three and four-piece balls have a low initial spin, allowing them to be long off the tee while offering plenty of touch with irons on the fairway.
Accessories
Golf is all about accessories. Problems with your drive may have less to do with the ball than the length of the tee you use. Some golfers are excellent on the green with the right putter and atrocious with a different one. A good salesman at a golf specialty store can help you choose the right equipment for your style of play. A good course pro can go one step better and help correct flaws in your game. Intermediate golfers often stay intermediate because they are working on the wrong problem.
Insider Tips
Don't allow yourself to think that the most expensive equipment is the key to improving your game. A professional golfer working with clubs from a rummage sale and balls from the range will trounce an intermediate player. The most important factor in improving your golf game is practice. When you reach intermediate level, consistently breaking 100 for 18 holes and losing only two or three balls per round, your style of play will begin to emerge. That is when a golf pro can help you choose equipment that will enhance that style.
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