Golfers constantly debate whether to play a high-end, premium-priced ball or a more standard one. Some spheres are best with fast swings, while other balls benefit slower ones. There are balls that spin like a ballerina and ones that twist more like your Aunt Betty. Which orb is right for you?
OUR TEST
Our exclusive research
partner, Hot Stix Golf,
robot-tested two ball types — a three-piece construction with urethane cover, and a performance two-piece —
to highlight differences in launch angle, spin rate and, ultimately, performance. Hot
Stix used a 460cc titanium driver, 9.5-degree loft, and a cavityback 6-iron. We tested the driver at four clubhead speeds (60, 80, 100 and 120 mph) and the 6-iron at three speeds (60, 80 and 100 mph). Plots show launch and spin values across the designated swing speeds. Your swing may produce different results (be sure to conduct your own on-course evaluation).
Finding
On average, the premium
three-piece ball launches
lower (blue bar) and spins
roughly 200 rpm more off
the driver. The three-piece
ball also launches lower
with a 6-iron (green bar)
and produces 400 rpm
more backspin. Differences
between ball types are likely
due to the two-piece ball
sliding up the face prior to
fully engaging it (higher
launch with less spin.) Thus,
a lower-spinning ball could
help golfers who slice or
hook it. Distance-challenged
golfers can also benefit from
higher launch and less spin.
Specific patterns develop
based on swing speed
differences, too. Both ball
types spin twice as fast off
a driver at 120 mph swing
speed than at 60 mph (and
50 percent more off the 6-iron
at 100 mph than at 60 mph.)
