A new golf ball can cost anywhere from 50 cents to $5 but do expensive balls make a difference to your game?
When you play are your golf balls there for a good time, but not a long time? If you are losing several golf balls per round, $5 each can add up quickly. Have you ever hit your first tee shot of the day out of bounds and thought “I didn’t really get my money’s worth out of that one”?
How much should you spend on a dozen golf balls? You want to have an excellent performance, but golf can be an expensive activity. How many strokes do you save playing a premium ball compared to the one you found in the lake?
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Do Expensive Golf Balls Make A Big Difference?
Yes, but it depends on your playing level. Helpful, right? Well, let me explain further. The differences in the type of golf ball you use makes will change based on several factors. Your playing level (PGA Tour Pro vs. Elite Amateur vs. Weekend Warrior 18-handicapper vs. Beginner). The type of player you are – fundamental, mechanical, or feel. Mentally, do you feel more positive hitting a nicer ball – Bobby Jones famously said, “Golf is a game that is played on a 5-inch course – the distance between your ears”. Let’s talk about golf ball pricing and how to make the best decision.
Is there a difference between golf balls?
There are many different types of golf balls on the market, for several different price points, but we will focus on Premium, Mid-Range, and Low.
- Premium – that golf balls that Tiger, Rory, Ricky, and Phil play. They have all the technology that golf ball manufacturers can develop to belong, be soft, and straight.
- Mid-Range – costing 40% less than the premium ball, mid priced ball still provides playability and the vast majority of amateur players can’t tell the difference between premium and mid priced ball. Often designed for slightly slower swing speeds, which can help the average golfer.
- Low – costing 60% – 80% less than premium, these are designed to be less expensive. They will often be marketed as long because they are typically very hard. The primary goal – the ability to purchase a lot of golf balls, for not much money.
Which price range should you be shopping in?
Is it really important what brand of golf ball you use?
With the quality of the golf ball you use, you can have a significant impact on your swing speed. Even said, premium golf ball beats cheaper brands when it comes to golfers, with the cheaper golf balls producing a lot more spin – especially if you’re a high handicapper.
Does it really make a big difference what kind of golf ball you use?
The type of golf ball you use can have a significant impact on your game. A urethane coating, which improves ‘feel’ while also increasing spin control, is commonly seen on more expensive golf balls. You will have a better approach shots if you shoot lower scores since premium golf balls are lengthy and consistently hold the greens.
Does the type of golf ball make a big difference?
Only this form of equipment allows golfers to succeed when they initially begin hitting golf balls. A golf ball fits any golf club – it doesn’t matter what kind of club it is or how it is designed to perform. Golf bags may appear to be a minor consideration, but according to our research, they are one of the most crucial.
Are more expensive golf balls worth it?
The greatest approach to play golf is with more expensive golf balls. If you believe you have a cheap ball against an expensive golf ball, others will believe you. The extra money could be better spent if you can’t tell the difference.
Do expensive golf balls make a difference?
A pricey golf ball would improve spin and feel, but will have the same effect on spin as an expensive ball with very low impact swing speed. If the average golfer could find a benefit in paying the higher price and use that money to improve their swing instead of paying the higher price, they would find more value in it.
The PGA Tour uses premium golf balls because they are unique. Generally regarded as the top-tier golf ball, premium golf balls are spun less off the tee, configured a specific distances on a longer shot, and spin more around the greens for improved control.
Are there any golf balls that are significantly better than the less priced ones? ? Because superior multilayers are frequently covered in urethane, their effectiveness is unrivaled.
Do expensive golf balls make a big difference?
A pricey golf ball would improve spin and feel, but will have the same effect on spin as an expensive ball with very low impact swing speed. If the average golfer could find a benefit in paying the higher price and use that money to improve their swing instead of paying the higher price, they would find more value in it.
Are more expensive golf balls better than cheaper balls?
The ball is generally formed as a thin stick with a sharper edge to give it a more reactive feel. As a general rule, the more sturdy the ball is, the longer its life will be and the more durable it will hold up.
Do golf ball prices affect distance?
There are two types of golf balls: rocgolf balls and rocgolf balls with more control. The higher the quality of your ball, the more control it provides, yet certain top-end range ball may deliver more distance.
Are you fighting to break 100 or par?
The most significant factor to consider when deciding if you need a premium golf ball is your current level of play. 100% of PGA tour professionals leverage a ball that would fall in our Premium category. You will find the occasional exception when a pro is paid endorsement money to play a Mid-Range ball, but that is rare.
At this highest level of golf, the expensive ball definitely makes a biggest difference. A professional golfer will spend hours on the range trying different models to determine the ball that provides the feel, spin rate, and speed/length they desire. When Tiger switched from playing a Nike to Bridgestone, he spent days with the engineers discussing/designing how the ball should feel, react, and fly.
What are your goals in the game of golf? What is your current handicap? As you are deciding if you need an expensive golf ball, be realistic about your game. Unless you are consistently hitting shots on the sweet spot, you aren’t going to experience the advantages that a premium ball provides, so what are you paying for?
Are you a feel player?
Do you have mechanical swing thoughts about club position, or do you just try to make a natural swing? Do you care if the ball feels hard when you hit your driver, chip to the green, or putt? If the feel of the ball is important to you, you may want to try a mid-range priced golf ball. Low-priced golf balls will typically feel firm and many players struggle with this near and on the greens. It can also be harder to spin a Low-priced ball and get it to stop close to the hole.
If the feel of a Low-priced ball doesn’t bother you, you may want to stay in that price range.
The good news is that other people will play with these balls and most likely lose them. When you are on the course, always keep your eyes open. It is like finding $5 in the woods under some leaves in some cases. The great thing about finding balls is that you can try different types and see if you notice a difference.
If you don’t want to count on Lady Luck, there are some other alternatives. One great way to get Mid-Range balls for the price low is Logo Overruns. You can find these sales online. The balls are discounted because they have someone’s logo printed on them, but they are brand new.
If you want to try an expensive ball without dropping the premium cash, look for X-outs or Practice balls. These are premium balls that either has a slight imperfection or were intended to be used on a driving range. They are brand new and will let you get the feel of a premium ball.
And maybe just for fun, ask for a dozen premium balls as a gift. Maybe as a holiday or birthday present. Just don’t try to slip that on your wedding registry – it won’t go over well!
How Does the Spin of Cheap and Expensive Golf Balls Differ?
Low spin off the tee and low spin around the greens are common characteristics of lower-priced golf balls. Low-spin golf balls are ideal for most golfers who need to hit the ball farther off the tee. When a golf ball falls on the fairway, the low spin helps to guarantee that it continues to roll.
Golfers looking for long distance will take the extra roll. The problem is that they will most likely receive the same type of roll around the greens as well.
When you use a two-piece golf ball, you get a low spin off the tee but plenty of spin around the greens. You get a relatively little spin off the tee with a high-end golf ball, but a lot of spin around the greens.
How is compression different between different priced golf balls?
A higher compression golf ball compresses at a considerably faster rate than a lower compression golf ball.
Lower compression balls are designed for players with slower swing rates who want to get more distance out of their shots.
You can buy golf balls in a variety of compressions, both expensive and cheap golf balls, and many of the better-priced golf balls are also higher compression. This is due to the fact that golfers with a lower handicap have a faster swing speeds.
Do low priced or high-priced golf balls hold up longer?
We don’t blame you if you’re a golfer who enjoys getting several rounds out of a dozen balls. These items are costly, and if you play a lot of golf, the cost can quickly add up.
Fortunately, there are some golf balls that may be used for three or four rounds before needing to be replaced.
In general, the less expensive golf balls are more durable and last longer than the more expensive ones.
Final thoughts
Unless you are getting paid to play golf, a premium golf ball will not make much difference in your game but maybe in your bank account. A simple way to think about it, is if you start playing 18 holes without losing a ball, the extra investment might be worth it.
Try some different mid-range and low-priced balls – how do they feel? Do you notice a difference in how they play? Do you feel more confident playing one brand versus another? Do you like playing the same brand as your favorite professional golfer? Almost all top golf brands offer a mid-range ball to suit your game.
Golf is a great way to spend the afternoon, regardless of the type of ball you hit down the fairway. Stick with mid-range or low-price balls and save your money for the 19th hole!