Compression in a golf ball is not particularly well understood. Our natural "more is better" reaction when choosing a golf ball is to pick a ball with a higher compression rating. But what is the right compression for your game?
What is golf ball compression?
The compression of a golf ball is its effective density. It is a measure of how soft or hard the ball is, or, more specifically, how much it will deform under an applied pressure. A low compression ball requires less pressure to deform than a high compression ball.
Range balls can have a low compression as low as 70 and feel soft to hit. Some of the hardest balls manufactured have a compression of 110. Most you will see in general circulation are between 80 and 100 compression.
Remember also that the air temperature can affect how hard the ball feels too. In cold weather, a high compression ball can feel like a rock to hit! In these conditions you may well benefit from switching to a lower compression ball.
Matching compression to swing speed
The compression of a golf ball does not equate to the distance it will go. A high compression ball does not fly further. What makes a ball travel further is the speed it comes off the club head.
When the club strikes the ball, it will significantly compress or deform the ball. The ball then rebounds back to his normal shape and accelerates off the clubface. A harder, high compression, golf ball takes more energy to compress it at impact i.e. you need a much higher swing speed. So matching your swing speed to the ball compression is important.
For golfers with slower swing speeds, the high compression balls do not benefit them at all. They simply do not generate enough club head speed to compress the ball enough at impact to get the required response. The balls will feel very hard to hit. Golfers with slow swing speed will find they get better overall playability from lower compression balls.
Conversely if you have a high swing speed and are using a low compression ball you will not gain maximum distance as you compress the ball to its maximum with energy to spare. That energy is wasted.
So what you need to do is find a ball with a compression rating most suited to your swing speed
From the tee to the green, if the ball you are using is matched to your game you will play with much more confidence. If you are playing with confidence you will start to score well.
MARK PEARSON plays and coaches golf professionally in the UK . With over 25 years golfing experience, Mark teaches a combination of good technique and proper course management techniques to enable golfers to get the most from their games. Mark is the author of "How to Master Putting and Putt like a Pro" and offers a FREE 7 Day E-Course on "Course Management Keys". More information is available at http://www.masterputting.com/
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