Golf Balls - do they matter?

This is my favourite topic as I see so many players playing very inexpensive (ok cheap) or used golf balls.  Does it really matter? Well, it does and here is why.

If you go to a place like Golf Town, you’ll find a large area dedicated to golf balls with prices ranging from <$20/dozen to $73/dozen.  What’s the difference?  It’s quality and construction. The less expensive balls are 2-piece (an inner core and a ionomer cover) while the more expensive balls 3+ piece balls (added second layer and a urethane cover) have much better all around performance and quality. The less expensive balls will have surface imperfections, some will not be exactly round, inconsistent diameter dimensions and the internals of the ball will not be entirely concentric which means they will not fly true and they feel like hitting a rock.  They are so easy to lose which is why you buy them right? On top of that, their performance with your driver to maximize distance or have any spin at all to hold a green is generally sub-standard.

We purchased the Kirkland Performance + balls which are a low end 3-piece ball for our simulator ($36/two dozen) as an inexpensive option as any balls we use get ripped up relatively quickly.  What we found was a very high spinning ball which is a driver distance killer that will exacerbate a slice. They also got ripped up faster than any other ball we have tried. Poor durability and very inconsistent quality.  Where is the value in that! How do I know that about the quality issues?  The website www.MYGOLFSPY.com conducts independent testing on balls amongst other golf related equipment.  The data is there for all to see.  FYI, the best quality balls come from Titleist and as such the higher price.

As for used or found balls, if you find a pristine premium ball, you will obviously be fine.  Generally, those found balls are all nicked up and will affect your ball flight and will probably end up right back in the woods.  As for water balls, if it’s your ball that just went in the water, that will be fine of course but any of those fishing expeditions for multiple golf balls is just a waste of time as the balls do get degraded by sitting in the water.

“But I don’t hit the ball that well and the ball doesn’t matter!” Well, that’s were we come in at Golf 4 Life Grandview.  We will work with you to improve your ball striking so that the balls do matter.  There are lots of great 3 piece balls out there in the mid price range (balls do go on sale) and our ball fitting process as part of our sessions will allow you to maximize your performance on the course within your budget. Oh, and one other thing, we don’t sell golf balls.

Golf is 4 Life: let’s enjoy it along the way!