One area in which tournament professionals can offer no meaningful help to a handicap amateur is in their choice of golf ball. Which goes some way towards explaining the perennial confusion of the club golfer regarding this crucial element of playing equipment.
Professionals can't be of help because they use a ball with a soft, balata cover which allows them achieve a greater element of control when working it in different directions. The soft cover also allows them impart greater backspin which makes the ball stop when it hits the green.
For the handicap golfer, however, one bad swing with the leading edge of an iron will more than likely cut the balata cover and have the ball "smiling" up at the player. In effect, the average player needs a more durable ball.
Though every manufacturer will claim that their ball is the longest and best, the US Golf Association have set guidelines which must be observed. For instance, a legal ball cannot weigh more than 1.62 ounces or be less than 1.68 inches in diameter. And it must be spherical.
Its velocity cannot be greater than 250 feet per second, as measured with an approved USGA testing device. Nor can it go further than 280 yards, including roll, in normal conditions.
In the event, there are six acknowledged areas in which balls differ from each other - construction, trajectory, spin, roll, compression and durability.
Construction: Most balls have what are described as a two-piece or threepiece construction method. The twopiece has a solid, inner core with an outer cover whereas the three-piece consists of a small inner core around which is a winding of rubber and a sealed, outer cover.
Trajectory: This is affected by the dimple configuration. Larger, deeper dimples will promote a higher flight, while smaller, shallow dimples will tend to lower the flight of the ball.
Spin: As we have explained, this is best achieved with a soft, balata cover. For the average club player, however, the tougher, surlyn cover offers greater durability.
Roll: Since two-piece balls with small, shallow dimples tend to fly lower, they will roll further. In wet conditions, however, the larger dimpled ball will remain airborne longer.
Compression: Most balls come in 80, 90 or 100 compression. Lower compression balls will create greater feel, particularly when putting, and are recommended for players who generate modest clubhead speed. Incidentally, contrary to popular belief, balls of varying compression all travel the same distance.
Durability: Most of the game's players are high-handicappers. And if they want a durable ball that won't be smiling back at them after a few strokes, they should choose the solid core, two-piece with the surlyn cover.
