Ted Bishop

This is a question that most every golfer has asked their golf professional at one time or another. We are all bombarded with ads while watching our favorite golf event or listening to the golf channel or similar programs as why their golf ball is the best or fits a certain golfer. Even after listening to the ads there are probably still many doubts as to what golf ball to play.

My opinion and recommendation as to what ball to use has been shaped and influenced by my 35 years as a Titleist Staff Member. Most every player has heard of Titleist Golf Balls, seen tour players with Titleist hats, visors, clubs, and bags and of course the golf ball. My relationship with Titleist has afforded me the opportunity to attend seminars and workshops where their scientists explained not only how they make the golf balls but how the different balls function for tour players, you and me! One thing that always got my attention with Titleist, they do not pay a single player to play their ball golf ball!

There are definitely variables and preferences when selecting the golf ball you play such as skill level, certainly economics, playing expectations and your biggest need from the golf ball. Examples of factors to consider are the need for more distance off the tee or more short game control especially around the greens. Titleist and other manufacturers all have golf balls in their lines that address these factors by designing balls that generate more or less spin and cover materials that are firmer or softer feeling.

A question often asked is what compression ball should I play? My swing speed is 110, 100 90 or 80 MPH. This turns out to be one of the biggest myths of all when selecting a golf ball.  “There is no performance benefit associated with choosing a ball with specific compression to match your swing speed. Compression is solely a test of the relative softness of a golf ball and a golfer that has a feel preference for a softer ball may prefer a lower compression ball.”

Titleist will tell you while others will not that any player can use a Pro V1 or other top of the line golf balls. Club head speed alone does not determine whether a golf ball is right for you or not. Take a PGA tour professional that hits a pitching wedge with 90 MPH club head speed and an average amateur that hits his/her driver with 90 MPH club head speed. The golf ball does not know what club is hitting it…it just responds to the force against it!

I think the reality of selecting the right golf ball for you is based on your immediate expectations and possible future goals. Do you need more distance? Do I need more short game control? Can I afford Pro V1’s or other similar golf balls? The fact is there is less than 3-5 yards difference from any major ball company. Some companies will tell you based on your swing speed you will get more distance with their ball…just not true!

Titleist and other golf ball companies offer ball testing (we had Bridgestone at CW a few weeks ago) where you can get evaluated by hitting their ball and your current ball. My guess is the company doing the testing golf ball wins out more than not. You can also go online and take ball fitting tests…see www.titleist.com/ballfitting as well as review Titleist’s www.titleist.com/difference.

I hope this as shed some light on the process and maybe answered a few questions. The bottom line is play the ball that feels good to you and keeps you coming out to play Candia Woods and The Oaks!!

Fairway & Greens,

Ted

As PGA golf professional for the past 41 years