The Science And Witchcraft Of Golf Balls

As with everything else in golf, most golfers have a favorite brand of golf balls. Whether or not this preference is based on sound scientific reasoning is doubtful because of the one word that applies to every aspect of golf. Can you guess what that word is?

The magic word in golf is feel; but like the untrustworthy moonlight that flatters your blind date, you can’t always depend on feel… or at least not mine. Sometimes my “feel” is based on one swing on one hole. Sometimes my “feel” is based on what someone told me. And, because I have a tiny little brain, sometimes my “feel” is based on something I read in a golf article like this.

At one time or another, I have played with every golf ball on the market for every reason imaginable. Some were gifts, some were cheap, some were the only thing available, and some were used in a never-ending, not so scientific, quest for the elusive long-ball.

Frankly, I don’t know how to test a golf ball. I have tried playing a round at my home course using the fairway landmarks that I know, but because I am so inconsistent I can fly any ball almost any distance, and if gaining an extra 10-yards is considered a big deal, then my bladed five-iron is the perfect scientific measuring stick.

What exactly is feel, anyway? Are some people born with it, while others will never have it? Can it be learned, developed, bottled and resold by Butch Harmon, David Ledbetter and Hank Haney?

I have seen remarkable examples of feel. Jim Furyk knew when the clubmaker added one extra layer of tape under his grip, and he would not allow the shaft manufacturer to changes the graphics on the shaft because it changed the weight five-grams (five-grams is what a post-it note weighs). On the other hand, Fred Couples seems to be able to play with any old set of clubs. I’ve known professional golfer who didn’t know their swing weight, and then there were guys like Ben Hogan who knew everything about his clubs and yours.

Here are the few things that I think I know about golf balls. Spin equals lift. Lift helps you attain optimum launch angle. However, if your ball spins too much it will balloon and you will lose distance. The more club-head speed you have the less spin is required to obtain optimum launch angle. That’s why Tiger can hit a one-iron as high as you and I hit a five-iron. It’s artillery practice and the bigger your cannon the longer and higher your cannon ball will fly.

Spin is also the father and mother of the hook and slice. The more the ball spins off center, the more hook or slice you will have. In these cases, the problem is with the swing not the ball, but if you can’t fix the swing perhaps you had better change balls.

Here’s a revelation; you can play the correct ball and still not strike it very well. Sometimes (most of the time with me), it is the Indian and not the arrows. Which for me means that confidence is the most important aspect of “feel”, and if you feel more confident with a fifty dollar a dozen ball than a fifteen dollar a dozen ball, you should go with whatever you feel confident about. That reminds me of the story of the guy who, after hitting three brand new ProV1s into the water hazard, was asked by his playing partner, “Why don’t you use an old ball?” to which he answered, “I never had one.”

I personally abide by the $10 rule, which states that you should never lose more than $10 worth of golf balls on any single hole.

Here’s what Brandon Sowell of Bridgestone Golf has to say on the subject: “For the industry as a whole, it’s fairly evident that solid-core golf ball technology and three-piece urethane cover construction have had the biggest impact. Seamless Cover Technology allows players to experience unparalleled flight consistency, regardless of whether they strike the ball on the equator or on one of the poles.

“The biggest mistake that I’ve seen is that the average golfer doesn’t always buy the best ball to maximize their game. Some may choose a model based on what their friends use or what guys on Tour are playing. Another mistake we see is that the ones who do choose a ball based on their swing only look at swing speed. In order to get the best ball for your game, it’s important to look at the total equation. For instance, launch angle and the optimal spin rate should also be a consideration for golfers. Every golfer should be fit on a launch monitor to find out what ball is best for them.”

So I guess a launch monitor is the answer to my question about how to test golf balls. Now all I need is someone to loan me the money to buy ten different sleeves of golf balls.

You’re right, there is no cure for cheap.