For slower-swinging golfers, compression has turn into probably the most fashionable methods to decide on a golf ball. Low-compression balls are sometimes thought of simpler to launch and higher fitted to gamers who don’t swing quick.
At first look, the information could make that logic really feel proper. Some lower-compression balls present larger general flight whereas some firmer balls produce extra complete distance. When these patterns seem alongside compression numbers, it’s straightforward to imagine compression is the explanation sure balls work higher than others.
However while you dig deeper into the information, that rationalization begins to crumble.
Compression exhibits up within the numbers. It correlates with sure behaviors. It isn’t the reason for the efficiency variations.
What the information shortly guidelines out: Ball velocity
The very first thing we checked out was ball velocity for slower swing velocity golfers utilizing each driver and irons.
Throughout the board, ball velocity was basically flat.
Regardless of compression starting from very gentle to very agency, neither driver ball velocity nor iron ball velocity meaningfully separated. If compression was the mechanism driving efficiency, ball velocity could be the primary place it confirmed up.
It doesn’t. The ball take a look at exhibits that “quick” works for everybody. At slower swing speeds, golf balls aren’t failing as a result of they’re too agency to compress. Efficiency variations are coming from how the ball flies, not how briskly it leaves the clubface.
Importantly, launch angle itself modifications little or no throughout the take a look at. The variations golfers see aren’t coming from how the ball leaves the clubface, however from what occurs after launch — how the ball climbs, the place it peaks and the way steeply it descends downrange.
Driver efficiency: Why distance is a flight downside
After we take a look at driver efficiency for slower swingers, complete distance variations are obvious. Some balls constantly end longer than others though ball velocity stays practically an identical.
What modifications is spin and the way that spin interacts with launch.
Balls that produce essentially the most environment friendly driver efficiency are inclined to stay in a center spin window. When spin climbs too excessive, complete distance drops. When spin falls too low, carry turns into inconsistent.
Compression usually seems tied to those outcomes as a result of ball development influences spin and flight tendencies. Balls that spin much less are inclined to roll out extra, whereas balls that mix top with adequate spin can descend extra steeply. Compression itself is just not driving these outcomes.
Driver efficiency at sluggish swing velocity
Regardless of compression spanning from 50 to 102, driver ball velocity barely strikes. Whole distance does as a result of spin modifications.
Iron efficiency: Why top alone is just not sufficient
Many slower swinging golfers assume a softer ball will assist them produce larger iron flight and extra stopping energy. Peak top can reinforce that perception as a result of some lower-compression balls do present larger flight in testing.
The issue is that peak top alone doesn’t decide stopping energy.
Spin and descent angle do.
To make that clear, we deliberately used totally different balls than we did within the driver part to focus on the place iron efficiency truly breaks down.
Iron efficiency at sluggish swing velocity (Mid iron)
As soon as once more, iron ball velocity stays flat throughout a large compression vary.
What separates efficiency is how the ball combines spin and descent angle.
Tour Response launches excessive sufficient to look playable however decrease spin and a shallower descent angle make it tougher to cease. PXG Xtreme Tour is available in noticeably steeper regardless of spinning lower than Professional V1x. Professional V1x spins essentially the most but doesn’t produce the steepest descent angle.
There is no such thing as a clear line connecting compression to stopping energy. Excessive iron photographs that don’t cease are a spin and descent angle downside.
A greater approach to decide on a golf ball
As a substitute of selecting a golf ball based mostly on compression alone, concentrate on what the ball is definitely doing within the air and match it to the issue you are attempting to unravel.
If irons fly excessive however don’t cease
Search for balls that produce steeper descent angles, not simply larger peak top
Examples from testing: Wilson Triad, Vice Professional Air, Callaway Chrome Tour
If irons wrestle to carry greens
Search for designs that mix spin and flight to create descent angles above 42 levels
Examples from testing: PXG Xtreme Tour, Maxfli Tour S, Bridgestone TOUR B RXS
If driver distance feels capped
Search for decrease to mid driver spin to enhance carry-to-roll stability
Examples from testing: Srixon Q-STAR TOUR, PXG Xtreme Tour, Srixon Z-STAR DIVIDE
If driver distance is inconsistent
Search for secure mid-range driver spin that avoids extremes
Examples from testing: Vice Professional Plus, TaylorMade TP5x, Srixon Z-STAR XV
The underside line
Once you first take a look at the information, it’s straightforward to assume compression explains why sure golf balls work higher for slower swing velocity golfers.
Nevertheless, while you dig into ball velocity, spin and descent angle, compression stops being the reply.
Slower swing velocity golfers don’t lose efficiency as a result of they select the flawed compression. They lose efficiency once they select balls that fall exterior the proper spin and flight home windows. Compression alone can’t let you know that.
The put up Why Compression Alone Is The Mistaken Method For Slower-Swing Velocity Golfers To Select A Golf Ball appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
