How to Choose a Golf Ball


A man hitting a golf ball

When it comes to your golf game, having the proper equipment matters even down to which golf ball you place on the tee. Loaded with innovative technology, golf balls are constructed in such a way to leverage the strengths of a player’s swing. Our Golf Experts share a few considerations to keep in mind when choosing your next golf ball. 

Your Golf Ability

When choosing a golf ball, start by considering your golfing ability:

Your ability on the golf course is noted by the term handicap. If you’re a high handicap golfer, it takes you more strokes than average (par) to complete the course. On the other hand, if you’re a low handicap golfer, you consistently use fewer strokes than par on the course. A scratch golfer will consistently hit par each round.

Keeping this in mind when determining what golf ball you should use will help you understand which features to look for in your next golf ball. 

What Are Golf Balls Made Of?

To understand how golf ball technology influences your shot, we need to start with the materials they are made of. All golf balls have a core and a cover.

  • The core of the golf ball is the powerhouse and usually made from rubber. 
  • The cover of a golf ball is the hard outer layer and can be made from ionomer or urethane. 

Some golf balls have a layer(s) in between the core and the cover that’s called the mantle. 

  • The mantle of a golf ball can be manipulated to control the spin as well as increase speed. These layers can be made from a range of materials including rubber and thermoplastic.

Golf Ball Construction

These layers—the core, mantle, and cover—all make up the construction of the golf ball. You’ll notice golf balls are classified based on how many layers they have. This is important to pay attention to because the construction influences how the ball responds to force.


  • Two-Piece Golf Ball: A two-piece golf ball is made up of only the cover and the core. This construction is most popular among beginner and high handicap golfers because the larger core creates greater distance and offers more forgiveness.
  • Multi-Layer Golf Ball: A multi-layer golf ball has a thinner cover and can have one, two, or even three layers of the mantle to help fine-tune the control, spin, and feel. Typically, this construction is used by low handicap or scratch players with high swing speeds.

Golf Ball Compression

The core influences how the golf ball compresses and reacts upon impact, so you need to think about your swing speed when choosing a golf ball. With a low compression golf ball, players don’t need as much swing speed for the ball to generate distance, making it a great choice for a beginner or recreational golfer. If your swing speed is well over 100 MPH, you’ll prefer a high-compression golf ball. The core will be smaller because you don’t need as much power to launch the ball, giving you a better feel and greater control off the tee box.

Soft vs. Hard Golf Balls

Dog Plush Toys.

  • Soft golf balls are ideal for golfers with slower swing speeds; these offer more distance and a better flight even on mis-hits. 
  • Hard golf balls are ideal for golfers with a high swing speed; these offer better control.

Golf Ball Spin

Golf balls can be classified as low, mid, or high spin. With a lower spinning golf ball, your ball will travel farther and straighter making it a great option for beginners or high handicap golfers. A higher spinning golf ball has less forgiveness but better overall ball control making it ideal for advanced players. A mid spinning golf ball is a balance between the two and is a great option for golfers at any level.

Why Do Golf Balls Have Dimples?

So many people wonder why golf balls aren’t completely smooth but rather have indents all around. Golf balls have dimples to produce unsteady airflow. This design helps your ball travel farther.

When understanding and considering these factors while choosing a golf ball, you’ll be set up to use a ball that’s more tailored to you and hopefully helps lower your score. If you have any questions about what golf ball to use, contact a Golf Expert at your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN.