The best golf ball in 2010 is the one that is best suited for your individual swing. Golfers that generate a lot of clubhead speed are best off with a high compression golf ball that is more tightly wound. On the other hand, slower swingers who generate the least clubhead speed need a low compression ball that more easily slingshots off the clubface. This does not necessarily correlate to skill level. Someone with an average swing speed could be a scratch golfer or a duffer.
Fast Swing Speed
Generally, the best golfers will generate the most clubhead speed, and will benefit from the top-of-the-line balls with high compression and high spin. These are the same balls that the pros and best amateurs use. The best balls of 2010 for low handicappers include: Bridgestone B330, Callaway i(s); TaylorMade Penta TP; Titleist Pro V1 and V1x; Nike One Tour; Srixon Z-Star X.
Medium Swing Speed
Golfers with mid-level handicaps are most likely to have medium speed swings of around 80 to 90 mph. If your swing speed is around average, the best balls for you should be ones with medium compression. These balls will give you the most distance while also giving you quite a bit of spin and control around the greens. According to the "Golf Digest's" 2010 Hot List, the best balls in this category include: Bridgestone e6; Nike One Vapor Speed: Srixon Trispeed Tour; and Maxfli HT Tour.
Slow Swing Speed
Most high handicappers have slow swing speeds of less than 80 mph. Many women and seniors swing at 70 mph or less. Such golfers can benefit the most from lower compression golf balls that will spring off the clubface more than higher compression balls. The best balls in this category include: Callaway Noodle + Easy Distance; Srixon Soft Feel; and Taylor Made Burner LDP. Women's balls in this category include the Nike Karma and the Precept Lady IQ Plus. Finally, the testers at "Golf Digest" say that the Titleist DT Solo, the cheapest ball in the Titleist line, may actually be its best ball for some slower swingers.
Dissenting Opinion
Teaching pro Rob Akins, a "Golf Digest" 50 Best Teacher, believes everyone should play the same type of high-quality ball that the pros play. He believes that the high spin ball that better players use will save every golfer shots into and around the green. "I'd estimate that high-spin balls spin 75 percent more on full wedge shots than your typical two-piece ball...you're going to face a lot of short-game shots that you can't execute properly because the ball you're playing won't respond." If you are a mid to high handicapper, you can test out Akins' theory by buying a few high quality balls for low handicappers and giving them a try around the greens.
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