Golf is a stereotypical facet of the retired life. However, for golfers that have been hitting the links all their life, an increase in age may correlate to a change in equipment. One of the most important pieces of equipment to consider is the golf ball.
Compression
Golf balls are frequently compared by their compression. Marketing hot words such as soft feel, distance and spin are frequently used to encourage sales, but it all boils down to compression. A golf ball's compression is amount of distortion it undergoes when struck by a golf club. Good compression distorts the ball enough to create a trampoline affect off the golf club. Because many seniors have slower swing speeds, they should consider low compression balls that take advantage of slower swing speeds. Look for balls that advertise soft feel and increased spin.
Color
For many seniors, hitting the ball is not nearly as hard as finding it. While most golf balls come in standard white, bright orange or yellow balls are readily available. Many of the top golf ball companies make their most popular balls in neon colors for golfers that benefit from their increased visibility. These alternate colors may provide a better contrast with a senior's home course.
GPS
Many golfers are familiar with GPS systems being used to help with yardages and pin placements, but few are aware that GPS golf balls are available. For seniors that have difficulty following the ball off the tee, GPS or radar golf balls may help. GPS golf balls have embedded micro chips that respond to a hand-held receiver to help seniors find their tee shots. However, GPS golf balls are some of the most expensive balls on the market and may not offer the performance that seniors are looking for.
Considerations
Many seniors spend different parts of the year in different environments that feature a variety of temperature changes. Temperature greatly affects a ball's compression rating. In colder temperatures, compression is increased, making the ball firmer and requiring higher swing speeds. For seniors that golf in both hot and cold environments, choose a ball accordingly. If you move from cold to hot weather, use a higher compression ball than normal. If you go from hot to cold, use a lower compression ball.
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