| Size of the ball | | | | Considerations for Driving |
| The "Rules of Golf" says that a golf ball's diameter | | | | Distance balls are designed to fly further and with |
| must be a minimum of 1.680 inches / 42.67 mm. | | | | more accuracy. This means you will be less likely |
| A smaller ball would fly much further than a larger | | | | to land in the rough, in a hazard, or out of bounds. |
| ball. The reason for this is simple: with a smaller | | | | Distance balls have their drawbacks, however, as |
| diameter the ball has less air resistance, or in | | | | they will be harder to stop on the green. Mid to |
| other words, it displaces less air as it flies. | | | | high handicappers should favor a distance ball. |
| Because of this, most manufacturers produce golf | | | | Optimum Performance in Your Approach |
| balls with the minimal diameter (1.680 inches / | | | | Spin balls are made with outer layers that take on |
| 42.67 mm). | | | | more spin when you strike them with angled club |
| Weight of the ball | | | | faces. Drawing or fading around obstacles and |
| A golf ball's weight must not exceed 1.620 oz./ | | | | hazards therefore becomes easier, as they will |
| 45.93 g according to the "Rules of Golf". The | | | | bend more to the left or right. They also take on |
| heavier the ball, the greater its momentum, and | | | | more backspin when struck with a lofted club - |
| the less it would be slowed down by air | | | | this is important, as the balls will therefore stop |
| resistance. Hence it would tend to fly further. For | | | | more quickly on the green. |
| this reason most manufacturers produce golf balls | | | | Whilst spin balls used to be made with fragile |
| with the heaviest sanctioned weight of 1.620 oz./ | | | | outer layers that were prone to damage, this |
| 45.93 g. | | | | problem has now been largely averted with the |
| Compression Rates | | | | introduction of solid multilayer construction, |
| In the manufacturing process, some two-piece, | | | | replacing the old flimsy balata covers. |
| and all three-piece balls are rated by their | | | | Getting More Control |
| compression measurements. This is done by | | | | Distance balls designed to stop quickly when on |
| pressuring them with a standard weight | | | | the green, but with minimum risk of slicing or |
| Balls that don't deform at all are rated | | | | hooking are known as control balls. The Nike One |
| Compression 200, while balls that deform by 0.2" | | | | and Titleist Pro V1 are members of the new |
| or above are rated Compression 0. These are the | | | | generation of balls that are so versatile they will |
| two extremes, and between them balls are rated | | | | perform in any situation. |
| in intervals of 0.001 inches. The Standard | | | | Balls for Slow Swingers |
| Compression rate is usually 90 or 100. the higher | | | | Known variously as Ladies or Senior balls, these |
| the compression rate the harder the feel, and | | | | balls increase driving distance to improve the |
| vice versa. Almost every ball is subject to a | | | | scores of players with slower, less powerful |
| compression rating. Compression rates of 80 and | | | | swings. |
| 100 are also found. | | | | Choosing the Right Putting Ball |
| However, manufacturers are not bound by an | | | | Differently designed balls will roll for different |
| official standard. Hence one manufacturer's | | | | distances on the green. As a rule of thumb, |
| compression rate of 100 can be different to | | | | harder balls role further. The difference is more |
| another manufacturer's compression rate of 100. | | | | than you would think. Teaching professionals |
| This can mount up to a 3.5 point difference in | | | | recommend that you putt with the same kind of |
| either direction. In addition, some balls don't even | | | | ball all the time, as this will help you to calibrate, |
| have the compression rate printed on them. | | | | feel, learn and reproduce the connection between |
| According to a host of surveys, low speed swing | | | | stroke strength and distance. As most balls aren't |
| players are better off using balls with a | | | | perfectly balanced, they won't roll absolutely true, |
| Compression rate of 80. Players with an average | | | | but higher quality balls will be generally more likely |
| speed swing should choose Compression 100, and | | | | to stay on course, due to higher standards of |
| Compression 110 is best for high swing speed | | | | quality control during manufacture. |
| players. | | | | Affordability |
| The weather should always be taken into | | | | Try to always play with the same balls that you |
| consideration when deciding on compression rates | | | | practice with. So if you can't afford to practice |
| to use. Low compression balls are best for colder | | | | with a high quality ball, don't switch when playing |
| weather, while high compression balls perform | | | | competitions. A ball that has been overused will no |
| better in cold water. | | | | longer be spherical, and so is no good to you. Play |
| Tips for choosing the right balls for you: | | | | balls that you can afford to replace regularly. |