There are a number of aspects to consider when finding the best golf balls for beginners. Each one is as important as the other but when combined they make a great ball that suits a beginners game.
So what are they?
What to look for in a golf ball
The golf ball looks small and innocent but it’s actually a complex piece of tech that will agitate you as much as it will make you happy. Scientists and engineers have spent countless hours working out what enhancements to a golf ball are required to make the golfers game better. For a beginner they need to be able to hit the ball long and straight with a golf swing that lacks technique but has enough inertia to send the ball down the fairway. Fortunately golf ball making teams have worked out what a beginner needs to achieve that and it relates to the following aspects:
- Spin
- Compression
- Construction
These 3 elements all need to be low for a beginner to have a good game of golf. The golf ball has to have low spin, low compression and a lower number of layers in its construction.
Something else that the novices should consider is the cost. When a beginner loses a few golf balls they’re not going to be as upset if the cost price per ball is low. All beginners lose golf balls because their technique will send the ball into the bushes or the sand or any water features that the golf course has. Fortunately most of the low spin, low compression 2-piece golf balls are cheaper than those used by the low handicappers.
Distance
We all want to hit the golf ball a long distance from the tee shot but to do that we need the right golf ball. One place to start is to purchase a golf ball that has distance in the title, such as TaylorMade’s Distance +. This name is a good indicator that the ball has been designed a certain way to make it happen. That certain way is a 2-piece, low spin golf ball.
If you look at any ball that is titled as a distance ball you will find that spin is low and construction is low which means it’s a 2-piece ball. The compression may vary but most are low. A distance golf ball could also be called a beginner’s golf ball because the features suit the beginner’s game.
Spin
A beginner needs a golf ball that has a low amount of spin to help the ball go straight and long. When the ball is hit in the air it spins around and stays elevated. A ball can spin backwards but it can also tilt and spin sideways on an angle. This is where the beginner can get into difficulty when the ball is spinning sideways and then traveling off course. That’s why low spin is so important to the new players of golf.
Compression
The level of compression is a really good indicator of whether the ball is perfect for a beginner or if it’s designed for a low handicapper. The problem is that most golf balls don’t indicate whether they are high or low due to some bad stigma low compression golf balls received once. Some golf ball packets do indicate the compression either by words or numbers. A while ago compression was a hot topic so every golf ball had a rating.
- Low – below 70
- Medium – 70 – 90
- High – above 90
Compression is a measure of how much flexibility is in a golf ball or how soft or firm it is. A low compression golf ball means that it is highly flexible at the point of impact with the golf club. Why this is good for a beginner is because when it goes back into shape in a fraction of a second, the ball springs off the club with a lot of energy. Therefore not as much power is needed as compared to a high compression golf ball. That’s why low compression is perfect for a beginner because they won’t have the fast swing speed in the early days of their golfing adventure.
Construction
The next part of a golf ball design a beginner should look for is the construction of the ball or how many pieces it’s made up of. There are a number of options as manufacturers have found a way to add more and more layers over the years. A two piece golf ball consists of a solid core and a thin outer layer. A three piece golf ball has another layer on top of the core. Currently there are five piece golf balls on the market by some of the big brands.
The reason construction is important is because the number of layers will effect how much the ball will spin. A two peace golf ball is what a beginner needs to look for because that is what will generally spin the least. Remember, less spin means more distance and control.
Price
So there you have it. The three most important elements to look for in a golf ball for a beginner.
- Spin – needs to be low
- Compression – needs to be low
- Construction – should only be made of 2 pieces
The last thing to consider is the price of the golf ball. Fortunately the cost of low spin, low compression, two piece golf balls are low in comparison to the more advanced designs. Low cost is important because a beginner is going to lose a number of golf balls especially into the water if the course has lakes and ponds. A lost golf ball hurts less when it doesn’t cost as much as losing an expensive one.
Best for beginners
So what golf balls are available that have the low spin, low compression and 2-piece construction? Well there are quite a few around but the best ones are as follows in alphabetical order:
- Bridgestone Laddie Extreme
- Callaway Supersoft
- Srixon Soft Feel
- TaylorMade Distance +
- Wilson Staff Fifty Elite
Unfortunately manufacturers change their product offering regularly so these may disappear but they generally stay on Amazon and eBay for a while after the production ends. If they’re popular they will stay of course. Like the Srixon Soft Feel which is in its 12th edition.
Bridgestone Laddie Extreme
The Bridgestone Laddie Extreme has 372 dimples and an ionomer cover.
Callaway Supersoft
The Callaway Supersoft has a new hybrid cover that was made by DOW Chemical giving it a softer fell and more durability.
Srixon Soft Feel
The Srixon Soft Feel has 338 dimples and a FastLayer Core. The ball is also into it’s 12th generation.
TaylorMade Distance +
The TaylorMade Distance + golf ball has 342 dimples and a soft ionomer cover.
Wilson Staff Fifty Elite
The Wilson Staff Fifty Elite golf ball has 302 dimples and an advanced rubber core.
Summing Up
There is a golf ball for every player. For beginners there are lots of golf balls to choose from and they are quality designs from quality brands. That’s the beauty of golf. The industry wants beginners. They love beginners so they invest hundreds of millions of dollars to provide them with the equipment that will suit their game, especially golf balls.
