Best Golf Ball 2022 • 7 Golf Balls Reviews
Technology has certainly enhanced the design, shape and ergonomics of various sports equipment, including golf balls. Our experts have identified the best golf balls after analysing numerous online reviews.
Golf Ball Leaderboard 2022
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What is a Golf Ball?
It’s a special ball designed for use when playing golf. Golf rules require manufacturers to produce golf balls with a diameter not less than 1.68 inches and weighing 45.93 grams to perform within the best distance, velocity and symmetry limits. As such, the balls are subject to tests and reviews by R&A of golf throughout the world, which disqualifies golf balls that have not met the specified conditions from use in competitions.
How does the Best Golf Ball Work?
Three things determine how the best golf ball works, and these include its construction, impact and the type of golf ball. For this review section, we look at impact and construction as there is a different review section for the types of golf balls.
Impact
The impact of between the golf club and the ball determines how far it launches. While the impact lasts less than a millisecond, it determines the spin rate, the ball’s velocity and launch angle. After this brief impact, the ball’s trajectory is controlled by aerodynamics and gravity. When a ball or other object is moving through the air, it experiences two aerodynamic forces that are drag and lift. The best illustration of this phenomenon is when we hold out our arms out of a moving vehicle. This lift causes an upward lift while the drag opposes motion. Thus, when rotating our hands in the air, we vary the direction and amount of the lift and drag forces acting on the hands.
Moving objects have high-pressure areas on the front part and as the air flows over the contours of the sides, it separates from the item toward the back section. It explains why dimpled balls fly longer distances than smooth balls. Dimpled balls create a boundary layer on their upper side to enable them to change from laminar to turbulent.
Construction
The best golf ball has three parts, which are the core, cover and dimples.
The core: It influences the initial velocity, spin rate and compression. The compression rate shows how much a ball compresses upon impact with the club. As such, ratings greater than 100 are ideal for professional golfers that have high swing speeds and can make hit balls at a height of 140 feet or more. Golfers who have low swing speeds should buy balls with compression ratings that are lower than 90.
The cover: There are two types: urethane and surlyn. The latter was introduced in the 1960s and is made of an ionomer resin that lasts longer than urethane. Note that the only downside to golf balls made of surlyn is that the material does not generate as much back spin, making them best for beginners. Balls made of urethane covers are softer hence, allow great control and higher spin. It explains why skilled golfers prefer them to surlyn-covered golf balls.
Dimples: They determine the lift of the ball. Smooth balls warp the airflow to create a lift, making them function like aeroplane wings. The spinning action causes the pressure at the bottom of the ball to increase more than the pressure at the bottom part of the ball. An upward force is generated by this imbalance, causing the spin rate to create half of the ball’s lift while the other half is generated by dimples.
Advantages & Applications
We have already talked about the drag and the lift forces used to propel the ball into the air. Our team carried a review and found out there is another force involved, the Magnus force, which develops as the ball spins. Initially, review experts claimed that smooth and sphere-like balls experienced less drag but it is not true. On the contrary, the ball spins immediately the club hits it hence, fighting against the drag.
Magnus force develops as a result of relative drag in the air at the top and the bottom of the ball. The top section of the ball experiences a lower velocity compared to moving air, creating less drag over the ball. The bottom part of the ball, however, moves faster compared to the nearby air thus, experiencing minimal drag on the air passing by. As a result, a turbulent layer develops, creating the Magnus effect.
What Types of Golf Balls are there?
There are three types of golf balls; two or three parts golf balls and the multi-layer golf balls.
Two-piece golf balls
They are best for casual golfers and consist of plastic and rubber hence, very durable. Generally, two-piece golf balls have a low side compression and a reduced spin rate hence, designed for low swing speeds, usually 130 km/h, which compromises on the much-needed accuracy when playing. They are made of 70% of production and are cheaper than three-piece golf balls. Besides, they have a large core, which enables them to fly a relatively long distance, but players should be cautious when launching a few yards of a gold course.
Pros:
- They firm polymer layer slides upwards on impact, causing it to launch higher
- They are cheap
- The hard layer is less likely to develop abrasion
- Easy to compress
Cons:
- The soft feel does not generate adequate spins
- They spin less hence, preventing slow swingers from generating adequate lift
Three-piece Golf Balls
They have the core, plastic cover and windings of rubber thread and are usually used by professional golfers. Three-piece golf balls retain the best of two-piece golf balls and add a mantle layer to create a softer feel that allows enhanced control. As a result, they have a swing speed only professional players can handle to reduce impact and can give any mid-handicapper the much sought-after short game advantage without compromising on the distance. After various revie findings, experts recommend that the compression of the ball should match the golfer’s swing speed.
If not, an over/under-compression leads to the loss of distance. Initially, the core was made of liquid but modern balls have synthetic rubber, which may be produced using bits of metal like titanium or tungsten. What’s more, balls in the new genre have large spring-like cores with thin covers, making it easy to compress when the ball meets the club.
Pros:
- Travel long distances
- Great for mid-handicappers
Cons:
- May not offer similar spin advantages as the multi-layer golf balls
Multi-layer Golf Balls
Advanced golf balls have more than three layers as they are designed to generate greater impact than two-piece and three-piece golf balls. They have 4-5 layers and are best for mid-to-low pros who have extremely fast swing speeds. They have an extremely thin outer layer made of urethane, which enhances the spin rate while the core layer elevates the feel, control and shot sculpting. It has a soft material that provides adequate short-game spin by letting the club’s face grab the golf ball. Multi-layer golf balls are extremely expensive, according to reviews hence, ideal for intermediate players.
Pros:
- Allow more control and spin
- Have different mantle and core variations, giving players a range of options
- Players don’t have to sacrifice distance
Cons:
- Are expensive
- Are best used by professional players only
Guide for Buying the Best Golf Ball
Which Typical Defects Must Consumers Take Note of?
With the vast selection of golf balls in the market, it is essential to identify specific defects that can make or break your golfing experience. For example, some golf balls are designed to enable players to launch long distances off course while others with soft covers thus, designed help professional golfers achieve a higher degree of accuracy over their shots. As such, golfers need to acquaint themselves with possible product faults and test the product before purchase. Players are also advised to use online reviews for guidance. Here are essential features to look at so as to pick the best.
Distance: Players are tempted to purchase golf balls that promise the best distance when launched. While it is a critical factor, these balls make it difficult to control on the course or when the player is required to make a finesse shot. During our review, we found that golf balls that launch long distances tend to react fast when struck using a golf club.
Control: Does the ball allow the golfer adequate control or does it spin off as soon as it is struck? The best golf ball should provide adequate control over each shot by minimising the extent to which it spins when struck. As such, the ball should help the golfer combat slices and hooks.
Spin: The best ball should spin within a range that is not too far and not too close. Professional golfers select balls with a high trajectory and harness the spinning attributes of the ball to cause it to go in the direction they want or stop on a particular spot on the green.
Player’s swing speed: Players who have high swing speeds usually experience difficulties when controlling the ball on the course.
Handicaps during the game: handicap differences are used to identify the number of strokes the low handicapper should give the high handicap player. Generally, players with low handicaps are better players than those with high handicaps. As such, high handicapped players should buy cheap balls as they are best.
How to Test Before Purchasing the Best Golf Ball
Players need to test several parameters when buying the best golf balls. According to most players’ online reviews, they tested two critical factors as highlighted next.
Feel
This aspect depends on the player’s/buyer’s preference. The bottom line is to purchase a ball that gives the player confidence when hitting. Feel narrows down to features that include putting and short game. Respondents on most online reviews said that putting is similar to pitching and chipping the ball. Feel plays an integral role during short games. Most review respondents preferred using balls with a softer feel on the green than those with a hard feel as they considered them best.
Review experts also recommend testing different balls on the green when evaluating the right golf ball. Then, the player can do away with those he does not like and consider the best:
- Hit several distance balls and determine the sum of the first ten distances
- Calculate the average distance by dividing the total by 10
- Divide the average by 1.7 to estimate the speed of the ball and divide the result by 1.5
- The result is equal to the swing speed of the player
The Swing Speed
Buyers who don’t know their swing speeds have two options, which are purchasing a swing speed monitor or visiting the nearest golf retail shop and asking the retailer to check the speed as he swings. Most online reviews also suggested the use of a certain equation to determine the swing speed. It requires:
Results and Experiences from other Consumer Tests
Golf ball testing or review has become a popular phenomenon among manufacturers. The tests help them identify essential features that golfers look for and differentiate their products. However, some reviews do not include an independent comparison of their products with other manufacturers. This approach is limited and it leaves golfers to make their purchasing decisions based on trial and error or marketing campaigns. It is this need that drove us to make this simple review.
The Test
In 2017, major golf ball manufacturers launched new tour balls. We used these models for our research on the diverse features that users liked and those that they thought needed improvement. Naturally, when it comes to choosing the best tour ball, too much attention is given to one feature and the others are ignored. Aware of this fact, we requested renowned golf ball manufacturers to send the new models for testing indoors. To ensure the test results were best, we asked one of our professional golfers to hit the shots so that we could verify if indeed, the manufacturer’s claims were true.
What was Taken into Account in these Tests?
The first golf ball for our test review was the TaylorMade TP5X, which came in five layers and had a three-piece for optimal transfer of energy and two-piece cover for adequate spin and feel. Compared to this manufacturer’s previous model, the TP5, the TP5X provided a lower launch but had the same greenside spin and wedge as the TP5X. However, TP5 has a compression of 83, making it softer than the TP5X.
We then reviewed Srixon Z-Star XV, which featured four layers and was designed for high swing performance. The manufacturer included a compression of 105, which makes it firmer than other tour balls. The Z-Star XV also came with a new skin coating to improve dimple aerodynamics and enhance friction between the club head and the ball. Compared to Srixon’s previous product, the Z-Star, XV certainly performs better, according to our review. However, Z-Star has a larger compression than the XV making it feel softer.
Findings
Choosing the best golf ball is not difficult: The vast selection of golf balls only means that golfers have a difficult time choosing a suitable one. However, with manufacturers like TaylorMade narrowing down the options to firm and soft golf balls, (TP5 and TP5X), players now have an easier time buying the best golf ball.
Testing the golf ball on the golf course makes all the difference: Evidently, all the balls performed differently during our test. Even a three-yard difference between Titleist’s Pro V1X and V1 can make the difference between buying one over the other.
Regarding Which Properties are there Large Differences between the Products?
Players need to decide whether they want more spin or distance
Most golfers are in a dilemma when it comes to these two features. Naturally, players will pick a ball that launches furthest. However, distance should not override other aspects like feel, swing and control.
Always check the price
For casual players, the price is the bottom line. Professionals, however, may opt for premium golf balls as they are believed to provide the best performance.
Regarding Which Properties are the Products on the Same Level?
Spin and accuracy
These features go hand in hand. Golf balls with low spin increase accuracy; the opposite is true.
Feel, spin and distance
Modern manufacturing technologies have made it possible to manufacture golf balls with all these features together; this was not possible a while ago. Today, golfers can pick a golf ball with the desired feel with the confidence that it will perform well. Similarly, players can buy long soft golf balls without compromising on distance.
The 10 Best manufacturers of Golf Balls
There is a range of brands to select from but only a small number makes it to the best list. Most of these brands have gone through extensive evaluation and tests and are used by professional players. Here’s a lineup of the best brand, according to our comprehensive review:
- Titleist
- Callaway
- TaylorMade
- Nike
- Srixon
- Wilson
- Nitro Maximum Distance Balls
- BridgeStone
- Vice
- Volvik Vivid
Interesting Facts & Guide
The Development of the Golf Balls over time
The game dates back to 80 BC when the Roman Emperors played paganica, which was a game that involved the use of a feather-stuffed ball and a bent stick. The ball was seven inches in diameter. By the middle ages, the game had evolved into bandy ball game that used a smaller ball (four inches in diameter) and wooden clubs. Later, the Scottish golfe game was introduced, which spread across European countries, though in different variations. Golfe is the immediate ancestor of the modern golf sport. The feathery ball was delicate and easily damaged hence, only a few could afford to buy it.
The ball was used until the late 1840s when a new type of ball was developed by handcrafting a cow’s hide skin with goose feathers. The manufacturing process was pretty tedious as the feathers were stuffed while the leather was still wet, causing the resulting golf ball to be extremely pricey. The ball was used for three centuries before it was replaced by Gutty golf balls in 1848.
6 Safety Instructions When Dealing with Golf Balls
Golf is one of the safest sports as long as the players abide by the safety rules established by the respective golf course. Keep in mind that it involves swinging of metallic clubs that launch golf balls at high speeds. Here are some safety rules that were noticed on the majority of online reviews:
Warn those around you when preparing to swing: Ensure the other players are a distance away when preparing to swing. Also, look ahead, to the right and to the left where you are aiming the shot.
- Shout a warning: If the ball flies towards another player upon launching, shout a warning to give him a chance to take cover.
- Always stay behind the balls’ direction of flight: Be sure to keep track of the ball’s flight from the time it comes into contact with the club to the moment it lands.
Other Safety Rules:
- Drive the cart along the course’s paths
- Keep hydrated before, during and after the competition
- Apply sunscreen
7 Tips for Care & Maintenance
Just as other sports equipment, golf balls are prone to dirt after prolonged use hence, the need to clean them. A clean golf ball is not only pleasing to the eyes but also helps the player make accurate shots. Here are some top cleaning tips:
Tip 1: Use bleach
Tip 1: Use bleach
Tip 2: Using hydrogen peroxide
Tip 2: Using hydrogen peroxide
Tip 3: Rub the balls with alcohol when removing markings
Tip 3: Rub the balls with alcohol when removing markings
Tip 4: Use a dishwasher
Tip 4: Use a dishwasher
Tip 5: Use a washing machine
Tip 5: Use a washing machine
Tip 6: Don’t soak for to long
Tip 6: Don’t soak for to long
Tip 7: Separate balls by colour
Tip 7: Separate balls by colour
Useful Accessories
Golf accessories create convenience when playing the game. An analysis of online reviews found most players find these accessories helpful:
Golf ball markers
They help the golfer align his shot when playing. They come in different colours and designs.
Golf ball retrievers
It comes in handy when the golfers’ ball is lost or misplaced. The retrievers also help rescue the balls from water hazards.
Golf ball marking systems
They enable the player to improve his stroke and aim accurately. The marking also comes in different styles.
Golf tee
The instrument raises the ball from the ground. It ensures the ball is stable when swinging the club.
Divot tools
The accessory enables the player to repair pitch marks created when the golf ball plops, leaving a depression of the surface of the field.
FAQ
How are the Best Golf Balls Refurbished?
Refurbishing is different from recycling golf balls. Refurbishing involves a sandblasting process that ensures part of the cover is removed to eliminate exterior scratches. They are then painted using a glossy finish and restamped using the desired model and brand.
What Golf Balls Spin the Most?
Spin rate shows how much backspin a player can impact on a golf ball. Golf balls with high spin rates have 3-4 layers and have a large inner core. Examples include Nike One Tour, Titleist Pro V1, and Callaway Tour.
Which Golf Balls should Beginners Buy?
Beginners tend to lose a lot of balls when training. As such, they should consider investing in two-layer golf balls. They are affordable and do not spin as much.
When should We Buy Low Compression Golf Balls?
Compression rate is a parameter that measures the density of an object. It ranges from 0-200 and most golf ball compressions range from 40-120. Players with slow swing speeds should consider buying low compression golf balls because they are soft and easy to compress upon impact.
Which are Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers?
High handicappers are new golfers with a handicap above 20. Our review concluded that Titleist Velocity was rated best by high handicappers who craved long flights. Other reviews recommended the Srixon Soft feel for slow swingers and Srixon Z-Star XV for those looking for a tour feel.
How does the Clubhead Affect a Ball’s Backspin?
Backspin is a shot that causes an upward force on the ball, causing it to rotate backwards. Three factors determine the extent of a backspin of a golf ball, and these include the speed of the club head, friction and the spin loft. The higher the club head speed the higher the spin rate.
How does the Weather Affect Playing Conditions When Testing the Long Distance Golf Balls?
Golf balls are designed to deliver the best performance when it is hot. Thus, during cold weather, low compression golf balls are considered the best performers as they are highly responsive.
Which Golf Balls fly Straightest?
Some golf balls are designed to fly straighter than others and tend to have a low spin too.
Which Golf Balls are Best for Seniors?
According to most online reviews, buyers preferred the Srixon AD333 Tour and Callaway Chrome Soft for seniors.
What does the Number Printed on the Golf Ball Signify?
The numbers vary from one brand to another. Single-digit numbers, for example, are used to identify the ball. However, numbers that have three digits, e.g., 300s or 400s indicate the number of dimples on the ball.
Links
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_ball
- https://www.gearhungry.com/golf-hacks/
- https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/504911/best-way-to-clean-a-bucket-of-balls
- http://forums.golfreview.com/showthread.php?1575-Whats-the-best-way-to-clean-golf-balls
- https://www.vicegolf.com/us/all-balls.php