The Importance of Choosing the Right Golf Ball If you're new to golf, you might think that all golf balls are the same, but that’s far from the truth. Just like clubs, the right golf ball can make a huge difference in your performance. It can improve your distance, accuracy, and control, making it easier …
If you’re new to golf, you might think that all golf balls are the same, but that’s far from the truth. Just like clubs, the right golf ball can make a huge difference in your performance. It can improve your distance, accuracy, and control, making it easier to learn and enjoy the game. The wrong one could make the learning process frustrating and leave you wondering why your shots aren’t going as planned.
As a beginner, you don’t need a high tech, multi layered tour ball designed for the pros. You need a golf ball that’s forgiving, easy to control, and suited to your swing speed. Whether you’re looking for budget friendly golf balls or the best beginner golf balls for distance, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Golf Balls for Beginners
Compression refers to how much a golf ball deforms upon impact. For beginners, a low compression golf ball, usually below 70, is recommended. A low compression ball requires less force to generate distance. These balls work with your swing rather than against it.
Low Compression golf balls are ideal for beginners with slower swing speeds of under 90 Mph. Soft golf balls provide more distance with less effort, will help you improve control and feel around the green and reduce excessive spin, resulting in straighter shots.
These are designed for advanced players with faster swing speeds of over 100 Mph. These balls offer better shot shaping abilities to experienced players. They can provide more control on approach shots and short game but require precision.
Some benefits of low compression golf balls:
For beginners, simplicity is key. Two piece golf balls are the best option as they are durable, provide more distance and are easier to control. On the other hand, multi-layered golf balls are designed for more experienced players who need extra spin and control.
Two Piece Golf Balls:
These balls have a solid core, usually made of rubber and a durable outer cover, making them great for players who want consistency without worrying about excessive spin.
Two piece golf balls are:
Multi-layer Golf Balls:
Multi-layer golf balls offer more precision for experienced players and are not recommended for beginners. The added spin makes it harder to keep the shots straight. New golfers are always advised to stick to two piece golf balls until their game progresses.
Multi-layer golf balls are:
Spin can make your shots slice hard to the right or hook to the left. Low spin golf balls can help beginners keep their shots straighter, which reduces frustrating and unwanted misses.
High spin balls are great for advanced players who want to shape their shots, but for beginners, too much spin can lead to more hooks and slices. A ball with low spin reduces the chances of excessive side spin, helping you hit straighter shots and improving accuracy off the tee.
Benefits of Low Spin Balls for Beginners:
Best for Distance & Forgiveness.
The Callaway Supersoft is renowned for its ultra-low compression core, making it easier for players with slower swing speeds to achieve greater distance. Its soft cover provides a satisfying feel and enhances control around the greens, helping to reduce slices and hooks for more accurate shots.
Best for Soft Feel & Control
Titleist’s TruFeel golf balls are designed with a low compression core and a soft ionomer cover, offering a combination of distance and a soft feel. This design aids beginners in achieving longer shots while maintaining control, particularly beneficial for the short game.
Best for High Launch & Speed
TaylorMade’s Distance+ balls feature a React Speed Core and aerodynamic dimple pattern, promoting high launch and increased ball speed. This design is advantageous for beginners aiming to maximize distance and achieve a more consistent ball flight.
Best for Straight Flight & Soft Feel
The Bridgestone e6 is engineered with a two-piece construction that emphasizes a soft feel and straight flight. Its low compression core is ideal for players with moderate swing speeds, helping to reduce side spin and keep shots on target.
Best for All around Performance
Srixon’s Soft Feel golf balls are designed with a soft center that gradually transitions to a firm outer edge, providing a balance of distance and control. This construction benefits beginners by offering a responsive feel and consistent performance across various shots.
At the end of the day, picking the right golf ball as a beginner isn’t about choosing the most expensive or the one the pros use, it’s about finding one that makes the game easier and more fun for you. A soft, low-compression, two-piece ball will help you hit longer, straighter, and more consistent shots while keeping the frustration levels low.
Start with a ball like the Callaway Supersoft or Srixon Soft Feel, and as your skills improve, you can experiment with different options. The most important thing is to get out there, hit some shots, and enjoy the game. Every round is a chance to get better, improve your game and learn about your golf ball preferences.
1. Do Golf Balls Make a Difference For Beginners?
The short answer is YES, golf balls make a huge difference. A soft, low-compression golf ball helps maximize distance, improve accuracy, and reduce unwanted spin, making it easier to hit straighter shots. Choosing the right ball won’t instantly transform your game, but it definitely makes learning and improving much easier.
2. Should Beginner Golfers Use Soft or Hard Balls?
Beginner golfers should definitely use soft golf balls with low compression. Soft golf balls compress more on impact, making it easier to generate distance even with a slower swing speed. They also provide a more forgiving feel and help reduce side spin, which can minimize slices and hooks. Hard golf balls, on the other hand, require faster swing speeds to perform well and can be harder to control for beginners.
3. How Many Golf Balls Does a Beginner Need?
As a beginner, you should carry at least 9 to 12 golf balls in your bag for an 18-hole round. Since new golfers tend to lose balls in water hazards, rough, or out of bounds, having extras will keep you from running out mid round. If you’re just practicing at the driving range, a few balls will do, but for a full game, it’s better to be prepared.
The shelf life of an unused golf ball is up to 10 years without losing its quality. For a ball that is getting used, if it isn’t lost or damaged, it can last up to 7 full rounds of golf before showing signs of wear. For casual beginner play, as long as the ball isn’t scuffed or cracked, you can keep using it!
5. How To Know if a Golf Ball is Good?
A golf ball is typically still good to use as long as any scuffs, scratches, or paint loss are smaller than a dime. If the ball doesn’t have any cracks or deep cuts, it should still perform well. As long as the surface remains smooth and undamaged, you can continue using it without a problem.
