Miscellaneous - Ball Compression

In order to get the most distance out of a particular golf ball it is important that individuals select a ball which matches their swing speed.

As a ball is struck, the majority of the power is created by the compression of the ball (i.e. the ball is indented) and the resulting action of the ball springing back into its original shape. Therefore, if a golfer selects a ball which is very difficult to compress (higher compression balls - 100, 110) he/she will not get as much spring action, and therefore distance, out of the ball if they do not hit it with enough force to cause the compression of the ball. If you do not hit the ball with enough force to compress it adequately (regardless of the ball compression) it will not travel its maximum distance..

For this reason balls designed for ladies tend to be easier to compress as their swing speed tends to be lower than that of the average male. Lower compression balls (i.e. 60, 70, 80) will compress more easily allowing for maximum spring back into shape and thus maximizing the speed at which the ball leaves the club.

Although a high compression ball is more difficult to compress, if a golfer has significant swing speed such that they are able to compress the ball adequately the spring (i.e. the bouncing back into it original shape) of a high compression ball is more forceful than that of a lower compression ball. Therefore, similar compression on lower and higher compression balls will result in different distance, with the higher compression ball traveling farther.

TheGolfExpert