Which Golf Ball Is Best for You?

Nearly 25 million Americans play golf each year. The popularity of the sport is rising, especially among younger demographics.

It's a great way to socialize, get outdoors, and get exercise. And yes, golf is a great exercise that can improve your health.

Especially in Fort Myers, FL, where you can play year-round. But golf is a lot more fun if you can actually play well. And how you play is largely affected by the balls you use. 

One of the most important Fort Myers golf lessons you can apply today; is learning how to choose the perfect golf ball for you. Our guide down below will help you do exactly that.

Golf Ball Intricacies

New golfers often play with used balls they find laying around the golf course. Or they'll buy the cheapest basket of balls they can find.

But if you're using a different ball at every hole, or each time you play, you're shooting yourself in the foot.

Contrary to what you might think, not all golf balls are created equally. They might look the same, but there's a lot more than meets the eye.

The most important factor is how many layers the golf ball is made of. The number of layers that make up a ball can impact your height, distance, and spin, as well as how it feels to hit it.

In general, balls with more layers are geared toward better golfers, while fewer layers are better for beginners. 

One-piece golf balls, or solid balls, are very firm. They are designed for mini golf and shouldn't be used on a golf course.

Two-piece balls are made of a solid core with an additional outer layer. They are quite soft and very forgiving. Beginners love them because they offer max distance and greatest height. 

Once new golfers go from a high handicap to mid or low handicap, they often switch to three-layer golf balls. The biggest benefit is the additional spin that doesn't come with two-piece balls. 

Understanding Spin

Balls made of fewer layers spin less. Novices are often ok with this, as their main goal is to hit the ball as far as possible.

But as you progress in your golf game, you start to understand how important the ball's ability to spin is.

Balls can spin sideways, or they can have backspin or topspin. The type of spin you want depends on the shot you are taking. If you want the ball to land on the green and stop, you want to hit it with backspin.

If you need to ball to roll forward once it lands, you need to hit it with topspin. 

In order to do this, you need a ball that is capable of spinning. When selecting golf balls, you can choose balls based on the level of driver spin and wedge spin

More spin might mean less distance. But in the hands of a trained golfer, it means more control over where the ball goes and how it acts once it lands. 

Golf Ball Compression

When you hit a golf ball, it compresses upon impact with your club. Depending on the material of the ball, and the number of layers that make it up, the ball will offer higher or lower compression.

The level of compression you want is determined by your swing speed. You want to match your swing speed with the correct compression rating.

Otherwise, if the ball compresses too much or too little, you'll lack distance and get far too much spin off the tee.

The faster that you swing, the more compression you want. Generally, this means better players should opt for higher compression balls. 

If you're a novice who swings at a slow pace (less than 85 mph), stick to a low compression ball, such as 70 and under, to ensure you still get the distance that you need. 

Those with fast swings (above 100 mph) would appreciate a compression rating of 90 or above. 

Ball Color

Most golfers stick with white golf balls. They are clean and professional, and the most widely available.

But in many circumstances, they can be very hard to see, both in the air and when they land.

If you lose a lot of golf balls, consider a different color. Many golfers report that switching to bright red or orange helps them see the ball more often, resulting in fewer lost balls. 

Golf Ball Pricepoint

One of the most important factors when buying a golf ball is the price. And it usually depends on your skill level.

Novice golfers should stick with affordable balls. Why? Because they lose a lot of them. That's just part of the game.

If you're using premium $5 balls, and you lose half a dozen every weekend, the cost is going to add up.

Plus, premium balls won't necessarily make you a better player. They have their benefits, but should only be used once you are considered a low handicap golfer. 

Best Golf Balls for Most Players

So what are the golf balls you should try out for yourself? If you're golfing above 90, try one of these:

• Callaway Supersoft
• Wilson Duo Soft+
• Bridgestone e12 Contact
• Titleist TruFeel
• Srixon Soft Feel

If you're shooting in the 80s on a regular basis, and want a bit more control of the ball, you can try one of these:

• Titleist Velocity
• Wilson Triad
• Taylormade Tour Response

It usually takes some trial and error to find a ball that matches your skill level and swing speed. A private instructor would be able to recommend the perfect ball for you. 

Up Your Game With Fort Myers Golf Lessons

Other than gear, however, taking golf lessons is the number one thing you can do to improve your swing and improve your abilities.

It's very hard to learn proper techniques by watching videos. You need an expert standing next to you, watching your body as you swing your club, and coaching you directly until you strike the ball just right. 

Wondering how to find golf lessons near me? Here at The Plantation in Fort Meyers, we run one of the most successful golf academies in Florida.

Group lessons are available if you are brand new to the sport, and looking to learn the basics. But if you're a regular golfer or even a competitive player, private lessons are ideal for one-on-one coaching. 

Take Your Game to the Next Level

Selecting the best golf ball is crucial to playing well on the green. Sticking with the same ball, rather than using random balls you find on the course, will help you perform consistently.

But the best thing you can do to play well on a consistent basis is to take Fort Myers golf lessons today to permanently improve your golf game.