The golf ball is arguably one of the most highly engineered sports balls around. Extreme attention to materials, weight and the physics of flight go into the design of the most precise projectiles. There are many factors to consider when choosing a golf ball, but the compression level can potentially affect your game more than any other factor. The term "high compression" refers to the ball's compression rating, which is inversely related to how much the ball compresses upon impact. Balls with ratings over 90 are dubbed "performance balls", and are designed for expert players with fast swings.
Srixon Z-Star X
The Srixon Z-Star X has a core that is firm near the mantle, but gets softer toward the middle of the ball. The result is a hard hit that restricts compression enough provide spin, but compresses enough to maximize distance. The thin cover with the friction coating improves feel on the short game and may contribute to control around the green. The Srixon Z-Star x sells for about $40 per dozen as of January 2011.
TaylorMade Tour Pro Black
The TalorMade Tour Pro Black has a slightly softer inner core covered by a thicker, firmer mantle that gives you a firm feel off the club face while minimizing spin and maximizing distance. Because of the low spin, you'll also get a higher launch angle and flight arc. The TaylorMade Tour Pro Black costs about $55 per dozen as of January 2011.
Bridgestone B330
The Bridgestone B330 is a three-part ball designed for swing speeds over 112 miles per hour. The dual mantle gives the ball crisp feel off the club, but produces a high launch and a low spin. The company also makes a B330-S model, which is slightly softer, though still built for performance with faster swings. Both Bridgestone B330 models sell for about $43 per dozen as of January 2011.
Callaway HX Tour 56
The Callaway HX Tour 56 incorporates a thick, soft cover over a hard core and a larger mantle. The result is increased durability and maximum feel around the green, without sacrificing distance or spin. The Callaway HX Tour, the predecessor to the 56, has a thinner cover for a softer feel and longer carry. Both balls cost about $50 per dozen as of January 2011.
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