I stumbled across this video on golf ball myths and found it very interesting. Clay Ballard from Top Speed Golf debunks some ideas about golf balls that many amateurs should know. As you watch the video, Ballard provides stats on golf ball performance that could save you money in the long run. Up front, I am not associated with Top Speed Golf or any specific golf ball and the information provided is for you to use as you see fit.
As I watched the video, I was impressed by his frank approach at explaining some of the myths of golf balls. Here are my top three take aways:
All golf balls react the same basic way off the driver. There is very little advantage gained by using a “harder ball” in the attempts to gain distance off the tee. Expensive or not, the performance is relatively the same when letting the “big dog eat”. After thinking about it, I would agree with Ballard’s assessment; except for one ball (Forte Tour Performance), I have not notice any major difference when hit the same way. I would suggest that the top end golf balls perform better on a miss hit with the driver, but this is opinion only.
How the layers of a golf ball works to produce spin is very interesting. The second layer allows the top lay to compress to add bit to the club face makes perfect sense. Hence the reason why 3 and 4 piece golf balls are better for playing within 40 yards of the green.
Cold weather equalizes all golf balls. Because the cold temperature reduces the effectiveness of the a 3 and 4 piece ball, using a cheaper ball in colder weather makes sense. The results off the club will be the same, so why not use a more inexpensive ball when playing. I have recommended that for years and I use the Wilson 50 in the spring and fall. They are very inexpensive and I do not notice a major difference in performance when chipping. To be fair, there is some difference, but not enough to warrant paying 3 times as much for a dozen golf balls.
I am not entirely convinced I agree with Ballard’s view on compression because it is counter to what I understand. I will have to give this some more thought and research before changing my mind. However, I am open to his viewpoint and I enjoying the discussion.
I am not sure if this article helps you select the right ball moving forward, but at least you will be better informed.
Did the video provide any information you did not already know? If so, please share.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim, thanks for this blog and the video. Interesting information for sure!
I have believed for years the most important aspect of my game and my ball is the short game and how the ball reacts from 100 yds and in! How the ball reacts on pitches, chips and putts (most importantly) are the factors I consider in choosing a golf ball.
I have been playing ProVs for many years now, but I have also tried a number of other balls over the past few years. Previously, I have always returned to ProVs after trying other premium and “below” premium balls. Lately, I am reconsidering my choice of ProVs🤫
More recently I have tried Vice Pro Plus, Chrome Soft (got my first hole in one with the Truvis version this year!), Snell MTB Black and Red (prefer the Red, which will likely become my “go to” ball) and TP5. Overall these balls are all premium balls which perform similarly in my opinion! That said, cost then becomes the deciding factor when I am making a purchase among these balls. On average, I have found Snell balls are more consistently the cheaper purchase and Snell MTB balls perform very similar to the more expensive premium balls.
Different balls in spring and fall versus summer:
I find it interesting you switch balls between premium and “other” balls depending on the season. I don’t normally switch to a cheaper, less “playable” ball for the shoulder seasons. I normally take “slightly used premium balls” out of my bag and save them for use during the “shoulder seasons.” This allows for the “same response” during the short game/putting and doesn’t impact the long game as most balls react similarly in the cold – loss of distance,🙁
I personally do not lose a lot of balls (leaves in the fall are the biggest issue) so purchasing “cheaper” balls just for the shoulder seasons is not my norm! Maybe when I retire this approach will change!
Take care and Merry Christmas!
Colin
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Colin
Thanks for the great response. The reason for the switch is cost for sure, but also performance. I find the Wilson 50 allows me the same distance performance with my clubs as the Pro V in the summer. The touch around the green remains a push because the Pro V does not react any better than the Wilson 50, so why use the expensive ball. I recommend you try the Wilson 50 in the spring, you might be surprised as to how well it performs off the tee and around the green. Only 4 more months until golf season!
Cheers Jim
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Jim, when I was younger and used to play winter golf, Titleist wound balls were available in 80, 90, and 100 compression. I’d switch to a 80 compression (Lady Titleist) for temps below 40 degrees and get back a few of those lost yards. Now I don’t play much in the winter and just load my bag with ProV1s. They are the best around the green for sure. I had briefly switched to Velocity balls in wet weather, but noticed a lack of control around the green and basically ditched them. Use nothing but ProVs now.
Excellent video, thanks for sharing!
Brian
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Brian
I get what you mean. I use a 50 compression ball (Wilson 50) in spring and fall. It provides the same distance as in the middle of summer, but I do give up some touch around the green. I have come to live with the limitation and it is cheaper than playing Pro Vs. Glad you liked the video.
Cheers Jim
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I’ve seen this video and can’t disagree with him. In my experience there is no difference in a 3 dollar ball and a 50 cent ball besides the feel you get when you hit it. I’ve used expensive balls from all the major ball makers and I’ve used the cheapest balls Wilson makes and in my game, there is zero difference. One travels as far as another and both give me about the same spin. The only time I can see where you would get a big difference is if you generate a ton of spin on the ball and that’s something I just don’t do. I get enough spin to stop a ball, and no more. It’s a very rare occasion when I’ve generated enough to make a ball come back towards me and that’s only happened when hitting out of the sand. So I’ve been buying a bag of 24 Wilson balls from Walmart for 10 bucks lately because it anything else just seems a waste.
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Kevin,
I would agree with you except to one point. When the warm days of summer finally arrive at the great white north, the higher end ball does perform better around the green and I can notice the difference. So my change to a ProV from Wilson is worth the cost. Other than that, we are on the same page in the spring and fall.
Cheers Jim
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