For advanced golfers and beginners alike, choosing the right ball can be confusing and time-consuming. With constantly updating technologies, model names and brands flood the market with dozens of decisions. Among these choices is between low- and high-compression balls.
Definition
Golf ball compression refers to the change that occurs at the point of impact with the club. A golf ball is designed to change shape upon impact, squishing and distorting as the energy of the club is transferred. A low-compression ball will compress more when struck than a high-compression ball. The relationship between compression and club speed results in golf ball performance.
High Compression
High-compression balls are marketed as distance, tour or professional balls. Some may call them hard and say that they lack feel. Higher compression balls typically have more layers, with each layer being made of a harder, more resilient material than that of low-compression balls. Because high-compression balls are generally for more experienced players, they are also usually more expensive.
Low Compression
Low-compression balls are often marketed as soft or having excellent feel and being good for beginners and female players. The anatomy of a low-compression ball differs in both number of layers and in materials used. Low-compression balls often have fewer layers than high-compression balls and are made using softer, more compressible materials.
Performance
To get the best performance out of a golf ball, swing speed should match compression. A slow swing speed that cannot compress a ball will not go as far. Likewise, a high swing speed with a low compression ball may over-compress the ball and produce inconsistent shots. A slower swing speed is best matched with a low-compression ball, since the impact force is weaker. A low-compression ball will still compress with a low swing speed, allowing beginners and weaker players to hit longer shots. More advanced players with higher swing speeds will need a high-compression ball that can stand up to increased impact force.
Considerations
Swing speed is not the only factor that affects golf ball compression. Air temperature is another. Hot temperatures will cause a ball to compress more, while cold temperatures will create a harder, less compressive ball. Consider the temperature when choosing your ball. In the past, many golf manufacturers would print a compression rating on the ball to help golfers choose. As of 2010, this practice is mostly discontinued and should not be relied on for comparisons.
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