Golf is a game of numbers. From counting strokes and measuring swing speed to countless hours of practice, there is a lot of data to process. But there is one number on a lot of golfers minds that they don’t need to worry about: golf ball compression ratings.
Back in the day of wound and liquid core golf balls, compression ratings were important. There was a good chance compression would vary from ball to ball even in the same dozen. Manufacturing was not as consistent as it is today.
Modern golf ball processes have rendered the compressing rating number obsolete, to the point where manufacturers (including the biggest name in golf balls) no longer provide the exact number. It is time to talk about compression and why the rating number just doesn’t matter anymore.
What Is Golf Ball Compression?
Compression occurs when the golf ball squishes against the club face when you make contact in your swing. This is how the club propels the ball forward by compressing it at impact and interacting with the core.
Two factors come into play with compression: swing speed and the core of the ball. Swing speed of your shots is simple. The faster you swing, the harder you hit the ball at impact, and the more the ball compresses. The core is the engine of the ball; it is what drives the ball a long distance at impact. When we discuss compression and whether a golf ball is firmer or softer, we are referring to the core.
Why Compression Ratings Don’t Matter
The exact number rating of golf ball compression is an outdated concept in the modern game of golf. There have been so many advances made in golf ball technology and materials in such a short time that this system no longer provided the information that it once did. This created two reasons why compression ratings don’t matter any more.
#1 – The number one reason golf ball manufacturers rarely disclose the compression rating number of their golf balls is modern materials and manufacturing processes. With the developments of new synthetic materials, it is possible to make a golf ball that performs and feels different than anything before. Modern golf balls do not feel the same as the wound balls that were still in play not all that long ago. A 60-compression golf ball doesn’t “feel” the same as it used to. As one source who works with golf balls told us, “We can make a golf ball now that shows a 70 on the compression test but feels like a 55 or 60. The rating number just doesn’t mean as much as it used to.”
#2 – The second reason we do not rely upon this number any more is in the way compression is tested. There is no universal test for compression. Every golf ball maker uses a different standard for their test. Compression is measured when a static load is applied to the ball and how much the ball is deformed under that standard load is the rating. Not every manufacturer applies the same static load to their golf balls. Not every manufacturer assigns the same value to one compression point as the ball deforms. Simply put, a golf ball may rate as a 60 in one test, a 70 in another, and a 55 in another. Compression tests are so specific to each company that they really cannot be compared across the board. Compression ratings are not a like-for-like comparison, and performance may vary between players with a different skill level.
A New Way Of Thinking
This is not to say that compression and the softness or firmness of a golf ball do not matter. It certainly does when finding the right ball that helps you get the most out of your game. Only the rating number has lost its value in today’s game. Breaking down the difference between a 60 compression and a 70 compression golf ball doesn’t make much of a difference to the everyday golfer. At TGW, we prefer to refer to golf balls as low, medium, or high compression. Each category has its features and ways to benefit your game.
Low Compression
- These are soft golf balls with softer cores
- They compress easily so you don’t have to swing hard to activate the core
- Softer, lower compression golf balls help maximize distance for slower swing speeds for senior golfers
- Popular low compression golf balls include the Bridgestone e12 Soft and the Callaway SuperSoft
Medium Compression
- These are standard golf balls with average cores
- The in-between core, not a soft feel but not hard, fits a large group of golfers
- Medium compression golf balls help maximize distance for average swing speeds
- Medium compression golf balls that you will see a lot on the course include the Bridgestone e6 and the Titleist Velocity
High Compression
- These are firmer golf balls with harder cores
- They compress slower so it takes a harder swing to activate the core
- High compression golf balls help maximize distance for high swing speeds
- Firmer cores are often found in Tour golf balls like the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x or the TaylorMade TP5
Having a golf ball that feels good and performs for your swing is important. Finding that golf ball does not have to be complicated than necessary. When shopping for a golf ball, don’t get hung up on compression rating numbers. Find something that matches your swing speed and feels great without sweating another number. We have all the latest models and biggest names in golf balls at TGW.com when you’re ready to stock up.
A Low Compression ball will stay in contact with the clubface for a longer time than a High Compression ball during impact. Does that not mean that it will spin more?
From our research, compression and spin rate do not seem to be very closely related. Compression has more to do with the core of the ball while spin comes more from the cover. Think of it like this: Off the tee, you are swinging faster and making more powerful contact so you will compress the ball more and activate the core of the ball. As you get closer to the green, you don’t swing your wedges as fast as your driver, so the ball doesn’t compress as much and the club face interacts much more with the cover instead of the core, imparting more spin on the ball. Thanks for your comment, hope this helps!
less spin as the ball stay on the face longer. the impact is not as glancing and generates less spin. I worked for Bridgestone Golf Ball Fitting program. Don’t listen to this author
i work at a golf resort and been teaching golf for a few years.Back many years ago,many of my students would ask about compression rates. Today with the industry not advertising compression rates, no body ever asks about compressions. I try to get my students to use a ball that fits their ability of playing and their budget. It seems that there are a lot of players that use the pro’vs and at $4.00 per ball, they really shouldn’t be playing that kind of ball and be using something easier and cheaper to use. But some of my students will tell me, ” if tiger woods uses this ball, it should lower my scores “. Just because the pro use these ball doesn’t mean that using this ball will do the same for you. Some high handicappers will not play a lower priced ball because of the male ego problem. Being a teacher, my ball of choice is the true soft and the velocity. I remember when the titlist 90’s and 100’s came out and all the pro’s on tour were using the 100’s and everyone was buying up the 100’s.
Thanks for the information you provided. It is too bad that the industry does not had a set standard that all companies must use to determine compression. For myself I have found that low compression balls are harder to putt; and higher compression one more reliable. However for me it seems that the low compression balls go a bit farther off the tee. I will also have to say that on my approach shots the lower ones run farther and do not check up like the higher compression ones.
But who am I to give an opinion since I am a thirty four index.
I also have a golfers disease which is I keep expecting different results with the same swing.
I enjoy golfing in the seventies – however lately the temperature has been in the nineties!
great article keep up the good work
I am 67 years old and my swing speed has dropped some but I notice that when I play with the PRO V1 X, my drives are longer than when playing with a PRO V . I also noticed my drives were long whenever using a NXT and Callaway + ball over any of the Bridgestone or Taylor Made balls.
A good measure for drivers would be a correlation of swing speed and ball distance, which is rarely published by ball manufacturers. Of course, such a measure would need to show driver loft angles.
A fitter told me that a ball will feel soft or hard based on the type of cover used on the ball, urethane or surlyn, since that is what does the bending. I notice that hard balls click coming off a metal faced putter, so I use a soft faced putter to compensate for the feel. Industry standards would probably affect too many production runs of similar items, keeping us trying out new items.
Thanks for your comment. Through talking with people in the industry, we find that it’s difficult to “over compress” a golf ball, at least when it comes to distance performance. If a high swing speed player hits a low compression ball, they will compress the ball even more, springing even farther off the face and maybe adding some more distance. The only downside is that a high swing speed player might lose some control in the long game with that hard, spring-like effect. Wilson is actually a good example of what you mention here. They make soft, low compression golf balls for players of all swing speeds. In the end, we want to help golfers pick the best golf ball for them. That means finding something that tests and feels the best, not picking just based on the compression rating number. Hope this helps and thanks again for your comment!
You left out the great Wilson Staff low compression golf balls that reduce stress from mishits.
Love the 50/50
High swing players have hit lower compression balls with the driver and noted loss of distance off the tee, for over compressing the golf ball. Like a person with a swing speed of 80, hitting a Srixon Z-Star XV, which I believe has a compression rating of 105, is going to hit, let say a Wilson Duo Professional 60, just as far? I don’t think so! The reverse is also the truth. the 110 swing speed is going to hit the higher compression ball further, than the lower one.
Ok, related note. Are there tests that show distance lost when a 80 MPH swing is applied to ProV1x/highest compression ball vs. a super soft/low compression ball?
I find the more I practice, the better all balls perform.
What compression would you put Srizon at?
Buy Costco’s Kirkland brand balls. $1.00 per ball and plays just as well as any other ball. They fought Titlelist over a patent and won. Don’t believe it? Get 2 dozen balls for $24 and find out for yourself. When you sail by your buddies on the first tee they’ll shut up. Just wish they made made yellow ones for the fall.
The reason they are so cheap is the quality control is awful. A well known website measured 3-4 dozen of these and found their weights and actual size (diameter) were all over the place. nothing is consistent. if you’re not serious about scoring then these will work for you, if you’re a serious golfer or competitor then i recommend you steer clear
I totally agree. I wish Costco Kirkland made lemons ( yellow ones ) as at 75 yrs old they are easier to see and find.
I buy low compression balls for winter play, high compression balls turn into rocks when the temps drop!
This. Compression matters most when the temps drop below 70 degrees.
I don’t pay that much attention to the distance I get from a golf ball.(within reason, of course) I’d gladly give up some distance for the spin that more easily permits me to shape a shot and/or stop the ball on the green. An article, such as this one, but covering spin rates off of an iron byron would be really helpful. Thanks.
I’m a senior golfer and predominantly use whatever balls I find in the rough. That means I hit Pro V1s, Callaway softies, and everything in between. I have found that my drives are almost always the same distance off the tee regardless of the type of I use. The one thing I do like is the feel of softer balls when pitching, chipping and putting. Also, for some reason, those darn Top Flights still feel like you are hitting a rock!
I am a12 handicap, 68 years old . My swing speed has gone down. What ball should I use?
A bright green or yellow. 🙂
I am seventy, same handicap and I like the Calloway super soft and Titleist tru feel. I still like the pro V feel, though
A bright yellow one. 🙂
I am 75 with a 12 HD plus and my ball of choice is the yellow ( lemon) Titleist NXT Tour S and I get 200 to 220 yds off the tee in Naples Florida. Worth the price.
It is understood that a softer ball does not spin as much coming off the club face at impact as a harder ball. Spin on a ball allows a good golfer to shape their shots…put curve in the air and to spin it backwards for green control.
Spin on a ball for us regular golfers seems to only create wicked slices and horrible hooks.
Softer balls generate LESS side spin since the ball stays on the face longer
Good article. I’m in my early 60s and usually shoot in the high 90s. I find far fewer low compression, “soft” balls, but ProVs, TP5s and Chromes are common. Coincidence?
I just turned 71 and i’ve lost some distance obviously but then I changed over to the Titleist AVX ball last year and liked them (played Pro V1X before)–my ‘gripe’ was they were hard to spin on approaches to the greens and ran out. The 2020 AVX, Titleist changed the cover and I love it–easy to work the ball and it has great feel off the putter–my Hndcp 3.4. Tried some of the lower compression balls (Taylormade) and they were actually ‘okay’ but don’t perform as well as my AVX. I hit a high straight ball, can pretty much hit any shape I want with control, and ‘found’ a ball that works for me. My buddies all moved over to the Taylormade low compression balls (30 & 40) but they are high hndcp’s (12+) and it works just fine for them. My ‘biggie’ when choosing a ball is “How does it feel coming off the putter”–I don’t want to hear a ‘click’, I want to ‘feel’ the ball come nicely off the face (soft preferred) and I miss Balata like crazy.
I am 78 and my swing has really diminished. I played with Kirkland’s last year but I recently tried a Taylor Made RBZ soft that a buddy found. I immediately saw a difference in the flight of the ball from the tee and chipping to the green. I researched it and Taylor Made claims it’s the softest touch they ever made (compression 60), and I think there IS a positive difference for guys like me.
With the plethora of balls available, how do we choose our favorite……without spending a ton of money? 1. Every golfer finds balls when they are playing. If it is one of interest, play the ball for a few holes and EXPERIENCE how it plays to your game. 2. Choose a few balls that you think might fit your game by what you read about them. Buy a SLEEVE of those balls. Cheaper than buying a whole dozen, and you won’t have to “burn” a whole dozen to get your money’s worth from the purchase. In fact, you can “burn” the FEW extras on water holes and holes that are heavily wooded where an errant shot will most likely be lost. (You know you go to your bag for old balls in those situations.) 3. Opinions are just……….well……..opinions. They can be a good start for an idea of what you’re looking for, but if you are really serious about matching the best ball to your game……you have to PLAY the different balls to get your answer. I “found” my favorite ball in the rough.
My swing speed is 100mph with a Driver. I’ve just gone from a Taylormade TP5 ball to a Taylormade Tour Response ball. The difference off the tee is quite substantial as the Tour Response are going 20-30yds longer. I also find that my control with my irons has improved, as I’m now compressing the ball much more as the core is a lot softer. This is because the Tour response has a lower compression rating (40) than the TP5 (90)
ProV1’s, ProV1x, Taylormade TP5 & TP5x are for players who can hit their Drivers with more than 105mph swing speed. They can still compress the ball with their irons, as their swing speeds still remain high compared to the average club golfer.
Having the thought train of “If the top Pro’s use that ball, it’ll help me!” Is total nonsense and wishful thinking as they’re hurting your game, not helping it.
Use the lower compression golf balls. They’ll help your game, save you money and lower your scores.
1st thing – The article pretty much contradicts itself with headline saying it doesn’t matter then going to say who low, mid, and high compression balls are best for …so it does matter.
If they’re arguing that it “doesn’t matter” because there’s no uniform standard of measurement, then I guess so.
I’ve always liked a softer feeling ball (previous Callaway Super Soft) but have been working on game and noticed different performance by different types of balls. My driver swing speed is about 100mph and I feel like the softer balls (TM Tour Soft specifically) was about 5yards shorter on mid-long irons from TP5 or other “harder” ball.
I’m still shopping around but am doing some testing on that $30-35 range and like the Srixon QStar Tour best in that space so far.
Definitely try some around and find what you like best.
I’m 86 years old and no matter what ball I use, I can’t hit it off the tee more than 135 yards unless I’m hitting downhill or there is a hurricane behind me. The Pro V1 is the best all-around ball out there for all golfers IMHO. I play fairly slow greens and find a soft ball like the AVX doesn’t roll as far or fast with the same stroke. Too many 3-putts. I putt the best with the Pro V1.
I have just been fitted for a golf ball and I was recommended the Taylormade Tour Response, which did surprise me as this is a low compression golf ball for my 104mph driver swing speed. I hit my 7 iron around 86 mph and my gap wedge 82 mph, plus all this was done on a trackman. The numbers dont lie. If you really want to know which ball suits you just go get fit as I have been researching for a long time and would never of thought this golf ball would suit my game, plus still on paper it doesn’t.
In robot testing the longest ball at 75 mph off the driver outside, with normal moisture grass was the PRO V1X by 5 to 7 yards in carry and of course had the highest spin with shots 60 yards and less…soft balls DO NOT GO AS FAR AT ANY SPEED….no one believe this and it is a closely held industry secret….PERIOD
VBob
Callaway Solaire (not made anymore) is the best ball for me, Rated 60 compression whatever that does or does not mean. Used pv1x for many years but I’ve slowed down now. I get more carry and overall distance with the Solaire than all others I have tried (many). I have never been a high ball hitter. It is hard to find them. You can usually buy them new for just slightly more a box that when they were made (including shipping) if you are patient. Used ones sell rather well but I stick to un-used. They putt like any ball. Have found that using a line on the ball has helped my putting more than anything.
It’s a beautiful day in Colorado
Lol. All this explanation of compression not mattering contradicted itself. Sounds like as the swing slows, the distance increases as one gets a lower compression? Back to what anyone with common sense should know – it does matter, lol. But getting the perfect compression isnt going to be the difference in whether most people are good are bad at golf.
Not the case. Im a 58 yo who use to be a collegiate all american. I recently spoke with a retired ball engineer for Titliest. He ask what ball I was hitting I said ProV1. He said so you maintain over 110mph swing speed I said no more like 105 now. He said wrong ball unless you are swinging at 110mph or more you cant compress the ProV1. Said the better ball was the lower compression ball. He said the ProV1 was 100 compression and the ProV1x consistently approached 110 compression anf those balls require a higher clubhead speed. The general public will not admit that its not the ball for them because they see the big boys hottong them.. Lol
Im a 58 yo player with a plus 4 hdcp. I was a former collegiate player. My speed has dropped to 105mph. I spoke with a retired Titliest ball engineer. He told me unless you maintain 110mph pr more you are unable to compress a ProV1 or ProV1x. He stated the ProV1 is 100 compression and the ProV1x consistently approached 110 compression. Apparently players egos will not let them admit they are not swinging like what they are watching on TV. Folks go for the lower compression ball you will play better.
Good article. I see a lot of people questioning the facts behind the article, but the real point of this is to stimulate the thought process of choosing a golf ball. The article is not saying there is not a better golf ball for you, it is simply offering info to help you make a better choice. The truth is, the only way to pick a golf ball that is best for your swing is to test them. There are multiple factors that go into how a golf ball performs for you besides compression, so I recommend buying what you think would be the top 5 golf balls for your swing and go out to the course on a slow day and hit multiple drives to see if there is one that carries further than the others. But having said this – I played the Srixon AD-333 for years because of the way it came off the putter, but everyone has to decide what is best for them.
compression is important 75 for a 90 swing speed also a super soft will go 30 yards shorter and much higher for shorter holes harder balls spin higher and loft less good for fades roll budge at 14 to 1 will keep you on course.
Putting and chipping. Urethane vs surlyn. For now, I have decided to switch to urethane, regardess of distance or spin off the tee. I like the feel on the green and I know this makes no science, I think the urethane rolls truer than a surlyn.
I’m pretty consistent in the 70s. For years I have hit bags of “shag” balls mostly found in the woods and creeks. I sort of get to “know” the balls as I hit them and pick them up over and over. I’ve always found it curious what balls go furthest when I hit drives. As often as not it is the old Top Flite or Maxfli that has been in my bag for three years and not the Titliest or Calloway I just added. I think it is more how you hit them …
I have more benefited from these best golf balls. tanks a lot for this best idea
I get what the author is saying here. Basically – Ball brand compression ratings and independent testing are arbitrary or all over the place.
But, I know for damned well that the brands that advertise their balls specifically as ‘ low compression/super soft ‘ are just that – low compression/super soft.
Putting and chipping. Urethane vs surly. I have decided to switch to urethane, regardess of distance or spin off the tee. I like the feel on the green and I know this makes no science, I think the urethane rolls truer than a surly.
First you will most likely select a ball that feels better putting and chipping. That is where better golfers score. Usually a cover such as a Pro V1, Calloway Soft, Kirkland, or TP5 excels. A low percentage of golfers have swing speeds on irons over 85 mph. The irons are used much more than a driver. Losing 5-9 yards off the tee is not going to change your score. Maybe 5 percent can compress the upper tier balls played by professionals. Find a ball in the 70-80 compression range if your swing speed is under 90 mph. If you are a senior swinging 65-80 play a ball under 70. Some seniors may find a ladies ball works for them after losing much of their strength. I have played with many mid handicap older gentlemen who play a ladies ball. The trampoline effect gives them more distance with a more controlled swing.