In The Hole !
Throughout the history of the glorious game the golf ball has evolved more than any other piece of equipment used. From the very first wooden balls of the 1550s (there is documented evidence that a certain John Daly played with a wooden ball) followed by the "Featherie" (a ball made of goosefeathers wrapped in wetted leather) to the latest 4 piece, high energy core, tungsten weighted, titanium, super thin covered, go further, go straighter, last forever golf ball; advances in science, manufacturing and the materials used has taken that little white thing to new levels of performance.
At the moment in my golfbag I have 36 different balls to choose from and there are plenty more types I could put in there. This being the case, it is difficult for me to choose which is the right ball for the particular course I'm on. Hellsbells..it won't be long before they bring out balls that are weather-dependent the way they are going !
The Number One
The balls made by Titleist have been known for many years as ‘The Number 1 Ball in Golf’ and it is true that more professional players across the world use a Titleist ball. Some golfers think that if Ernie Els is playing with a Titleist then they should play with a Titleist as well, however, that is not necessarily the case. Believe it or not, amongst this huge selection there is the right ball for you. The ball you choose to play with must suit your requirements and level of skill.
In my opinion the huge range of golf balls on the market can be broken down into 5 categories.
Budget
Hard
Medium
Soft
Swing speed
Budget
If you are a beginner, or lose a lot of golf balls, then buying budget balls is the best thing to do. These are often packaged in 15 ball boxes and are a hard durable ball that will generally go further when you hit them. The draw back of this ball is that it is very lively off of the club face and when it comes to chipping and putting can lack some of the soft feel that some golfers prefer.
Hard
The harder golf ball makes, such as Topflite, or Callaway, are perfect for the golfer who doesn’t lose too many balls but could do with more distance off the tee. These balls are not as hard as the budget type, but are durable and offer some feel around the green although they still won’t stop very quickly on landing.
Medium
If you want the combination of distance, feel and durability then manufacturers such as Titleist, Callaway and Strata supply some types that are ideal. I call these a "medium ball"; giving the golfer consistent performance in all areas.
Soft
The top players in the world all use soft golf balls. Up until about 4 years ago the cover of the ball was actually soft enough to mark with your finger nail and marked very easily when you miss-hit them. This meant that only the best ball strikers (or golfers with more money than sense) would use them. These days, the covers on these balls are very durable and the ball will spin and stop very quickly on and around the greens.
The manufacturers in this category are again: Titleist, Callaway and Strata with Hogen and Maxfli making an appearance. These balls are manufactured to the highest specifications and quality and every golfer could play and enjoy them. They are however very expensive so, if you are not a confident ball-striker then it could cost you a fortune in golf balls.
Swing
When it comes to swing speed some players just cannot swing the golf club very quickly. If this is the case some manufacturers are now making balls specifically for those of you who struggle to get any distance because you just can’t hit it hard enough!
Whichever ball you choose, try to stick with that ball every time you play. You will get used to the feel and performances of the golf ball which, in turn, will help you play more consistent golf.
Get out there and enjoy !
I'm going to start my golf season as soon as possible.. if you would like to know how I get on or if you have a questions or requests then please don't hesitate to leave a comment below