Choosing the right golf ball can help you take strokes off your round, but the best ball for a tour pro is unlikely to be the best ball for the average weekend player. The golf ball industry is a huge market, and there are a variety of golf balls that can improve your game, whatever your ability, preferences and budget may be.
Premium Golf Balls
Professional or low handicap golfers generally use top of the range golf balls. For accomplished players, increasing control around the greens in particular can help save shots. The market leaders are the Titleist ProV1 and ProV1X. Both balls perform similarly, offering high performance in terms of distance and spin. It is common for premium balls to be offered in two options, one for those with moderate to fast swing speeds and one for the fastest swings. The ProV1X is for the fastest swings -- the higher compression core and lower spin rates suit stronger players; the ProV1 offers better performance for slightly slower swing speeds. Other premium balls include the TaylorMade Penta TP and the Srixon Z-Star and Z-Star X. These balls' performance is similar, though there are small differences in spin rates and distance; however, personal preference and feel play a part in choosing the right ball.
Mid Range Balls
The second tier of golf balls provide less spin than premium balls, but still a good amount of control around the greens. The lower spin rates help you to hit it a little straighter and farther off the tee. They are particularly helpful to those with moderate swing speeds. The Bridgeston E6 golf ball is considered to be one of the best available, offering a soft feel and performance off the tee. "Golf Digest" awarded the E6 a gold rating in its 2010 Equipment Hot List, praising Bridgestone's research into the needs of the "average" golfer. Comparable balls include the Titleist NXT Tour and the Srixon TriSpeed Tour.
Distance Balls
If you are a high handicap golfer or have a slower swing, then control around the greens may not be your biggest priority. Two-piece golf balls can help many golfers increase distance from the tee. The Maxfli Noodle+ Easy Distance features a low compression core that creates high energy transfer which increases ball speed. The low spin rate produced by the Noodle helps increase roll distance, and the reduction in side spin means you should find yourself in the fairway more often. There are many other distance balls to choose from, such as the Pinnacle Dimension, the Callaway Big Bertha Diablo and the Srixon Soft Feel.
Women's Golf Balls
Women's golf balls are designed for the slowest swing speeds. They feature ultra-soft cores that help those with slow swings increase ball speed. The Callaway Solaire is a leading women's ball featuring a low compression core to increase carry distance. The soft core also helps to create a soft feel that many lady golfers prefer. The Solaire features "patented HEX Aerodynamics" which also contribute to producing a "long, efficient ball flight." Other women's balls include the Nike Karma and the Pinnacle Ribbon.
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