Australian Golf Digest recently conducted an online golf ball usage survey. The results were very interesting, especially in revealing the limited number of people who have been fitted for their golf ball. Of the more than 5,000 golfers who completed the survey, only 17.5 percent have been fitted for their golf ball. Have you been fitted for yours? Did you know being fitted for a golf ball was even an option?

Just like golf clubs, golf balls are different, and one ball does not suit every player. Your age, swing speed, shaft type, club design and even the course you play can impact the type of ball you should use. Some of the major manufacturing companies now conduct golf ball fitting days alongside, or more often separate to, their club fitting days. If you get the opportunity to attend a golf-ball fitting day I recommend you do so.

If you don’t get that opportunity, here are a few basic tips to help you decide which ball may best suit your game:

  • For female and senior golfers, who usually have lower clubhead speeds, both the Callaway Supersoft and Titleist DT TruSoft have a lower compression. This means they help golfers with lower clubhead speeds create more carry and therefore more distance.
  • For golfers with clubhead speeds of 85 to 95 miles per hour, the Callaway ERC Soft and the Titleist AVX are better suited. The ERC has a higher launch and low spin rate. This ball suits golfers who normally have a lower ball flight as it will launch higher and provide increased distance. The AVX has a lower flight with low spin rate and is more suited to golfers with a higher ball flight. It will fly lower with less spin to create better control and increase distance.
  • The Callaway Chrome Soft and Titleist ProV1 balls are for the low-handicap player. These balls provide more feel around the greens and better spin control, and both have different flights and spin rates.

All golfers would benefit from seeing their swing on a launch monitor. I use the FlightScope X3 to help my clients gain an understanding of their spin rate, shot distance, clubhead speed and ball speed. I recommend you ask your PGA professional how you can get fitted for a golf ball to suit your game.

 


Jason Laws is the NSW PGA Teaching Professional of the Year and if you have any questions for Jason, e-mail him at [email protected].