Why softer golf balls?

delc

delc

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Traditionally golf balls were 90 or 100 compression, but now one manufacturer makes one with a compression of only 29. My impression of playing with low compression golf balls is that they go less far and take more backspin and side spin, so they fly higher and make your hooks and slices worse! So what is the advantage? :mmm:
 
i thought it was to do with swing speed, in that lower speed players wont be able to fully compress a 90% ball and it will therefore feel like a rock, lower compression balls make it easier for the slower swing players to compress the ball and therefore get the most from the game.

Its like having shafts to suit your swing speed, same thing with balls. My faves are Wilson DX2 Soft or Srixon Soft Feel
 
I like to use these in the winter. I have Callaway super soft in yellow and Bridgestone extra soft.
These balls go as far as any other for me and perhaps further when it is cold.
I don't think they spin too much with the driver but still stop well.
The Bridgestone are available at £20 for 24 balls, an absolute bargain.
They should definitely perform well for people that do not hit the ball very far.
 
Because no one wants hard balls. I prefer mine soft, almost like an "empty" feeling. Empty balls are just so much more satisfying............
 
delc said:
Traditionally golf balls were 90 or 100 compression, but now one manufacturer makes one with a compression of only 29. My impression of playing with low compression golf balls is that they go less far and take more backspin and side spin, so they fly higher and make your hooks and slices worse! So what is the advantage? :mmm:
Click to expand...

Because for the majority of golfers they feel better. And feel, as opposed to real is a huge part of golf. Also Titleist have said that there is only something like 5 yards difference at most on drives between all their ball range, so I think nowadays the distance thing no longer is true.
 
KenL said:
I like to use these in the winter. I have Callaway super soft in yellow and Bridgestone extra soft.
These balls go as far as any other for me and perhaps further when it is cold.
I don't think they spin too much with the driver but still stop well.
The Bridgestone are available at £20 for 24 balls, an absolute bargain.
They should definitely perform well for people that do not hit the ball very far.
Click to expand...
I agree that slightly lower compression golf balls are better in cold Winter conditions, but I am not convinced that compressions need to be down in the 20's!
 
bluewolf said:
Because no one wants hard balls. I prefer mine soft, almost like an "empty" feeling. Empty balls are just so much more satisfying............
Click to expand...

Have you posted this on the right forum? :o
 
delc said:
Traditionally golf balls were 90 or 100 compression, but now one manufacturer makes one with a compression of only 29. My impression of playing with low compression golf balls is that they go less far and take more backspin and side spin, so they fly higher and make your hooks and slices worse! So what is the advantage? :mmm:
Click to expand...

Simple case of flawed impressions...
 
For me, it's more about how the ball reacts when it lands. If one ball flies 140 and the next one flies 150, you can compensate for the different yard ages by choosing another club. But if it rebounds off the green like a squash ball it makes it difficult to control.
 
In a moment of softness in the head, I bought 2doz Bridgestone Extra Soft golf balls for £17.99 (less than £1 per ball) from American Golf. I took one out for a quick 9 holes this afternoon, and sure enough it flew pretty high, compared with my normal AD333 balls, and felt like hitting a pat of butter! Probably didn't go quite as far either, but seemed to stop pretty well on admittedly rather wet soft greens. :)
 
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I have not found the bridgestone balls to "fly high".
Playing off 5/6 I don't think I am skilled enough to strike the ball with enough repeatability to say for sure whether one ball provides a higher ball flight than another.
 
I've said before I reckon for a majority of golfers, if you did a blind test, many handicappers would never be able to tell the difference, certainly among the premium balls but I'd also argue the same would apply to mid-range balls as well. For my tuppence worth, it's about finding something you think works for your game. In summer on firm, fast greens I prefer the premium ball, but in the Spring, Autumn and Winter I am erring towards a mid-range (NXT-s or AD333 tour) as it gives me a few more yards and on softer greens I can still get enough stop for me.
 
HomerJSimpson said:
I've said before I reckon for a majority of golfers, if you did a blind test, many handicappers would never be able to tell the difference
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I wouls not tell the difference on full shots.

Put me by the green and I could tell them apart by chipping performance however, with some degree of success.

Probably could also with putting but with less success.

I can adapt but prefer a little softer for around the green if they spin more.
 
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