Golf Balls Compression & Dimples: Why Golf Balls Fly

Many excellent companies make golf balls. Each month you’ll see ads for the latest golf ball that spins more, goes further or does something much better than other golf balls on the market. And if you’re like most golfers, including me, you’re looking for another way to get an edge to improve your game.

Here are some characteristics to consider when buying your next box of golf balls.

Compression

This is the ability of the ball to take the energy from the momentum of the golf club and use it to move the ball. It’s the compression, which lets the ball fly off the club face after it has been hit.

As a general rule lower compression balls work better with those with a slower swing speed. Compression is a factor that used to be more important to track than it is today. Previously low compression balls were considered ladies balls.

Today some Tour professionals use low compression balls. With today’s high tech golf balls compression isn’t as much as a factor as the older solid core balls. Today’s multilayer balls are all very similar in response for the majority of golfers. It’s more about developing your skills and the feel of the ball.

It’s important to find a ball that feels good when cleanly hit. That sounds strange to some but developing a feel for your clubs and particular brands of balls is important.  Golf expertise is a mix of skill and feel.

The way to develop skills is through practice and playing many rounds of golf. You develop your own ‘feel’ by trying a variety of balls to see which brand or brand deliver the best performance for you.

Dimples On Golf Balls

Dimples on your golf balls also are another factor to consider when buying your golf balls. You’ll find the number of dimples on a ball represented as a three-digit number on the box or golf ball package.

The purpose of dimples is to decrease drag or friction as the ball flies through the air. The longer a ball flies the greater the distance possible for your drive. The dimples also give lift to the ball allowing it to rise higher as it travels in the air. The depth of the dimples is important as well but unless you want to take a minute measuring device to check out the depth this is a moot point.

According to Frank Thomas former technical advisor to the PGA between 350 and 450 dimples are best. More and you start having almost a smooth ball with lots of drag and less and you don’t get the lift.  So I take Frank’s advice to heart and buy the balls with dimples between 350 and 450.  He’s done the math and tested.  You could drag out your physics text, but why argue with the golf ball guru?

As you try more balls you’ll find golf balls to suit your game. No matter the price tag if the ball doesn’t feel right when you connect club to ball it’s not for you.

Keep your eye on the ball,

Photo by Aron Kremer