Types of Golf Balls

Types of Golf Balls

Golfers that are new to the game may be surprised by the number of variations in a golf ball. It’s not simply a ball that you hit a few times to get to the green. It’s a cleverly designed piece of equipment that when hit can go higher or longer depending on what’s inside and how it’s designed on the outside.

A golf ball can be designed with these elements:

• 2-piece
• 3-piece
• 4-piece
• 5-piece
• Low Spin
• High Spin

Construction

Golf balls can be constructed from 2, 3, 4 or 5 separate pieces also known as layers. These pieces can include the core which is usually solid, a mantle or casing and a cover. Knowing how many pieces or layers a golf ball has will determine what type of player should be using it.

2-Piece

A golf ball made with 2 pieces or 2 layers is simply the core and the cover. This type of ball produces a low amount of spin which means a reduced slice or hook when hitting and more distance gained. A 2-piece golf ball is designed for the beginner golfer.

3-Piece

A golf ball with 3-pieces has a solid core, a middle piece and a fairly soft cover. These types of golf balls produce a lot of spin which is great for green-side control. The type of golfer that would use this ball is a skilled one that can use the extra spin to their advantage.

4-Piece

A golf ball with 4-pieces has a solid core, an outer core layer, an outer mantle and a relatively soft cover. These types of golf balls produce a heap of spin which is useful for green-side control. The type of golfer that uses this ball is very skilled and can make the ball do fades and draws when teeing off.

5-Piece

A golf ball with 5-pieces has a solid core, outer core, an inner and outer layer and a super soft cover. These types of golf balls produce amazing spin and is designed for the pro tour players that can make the ball move in the direction they want.

Spin

The type of spin a ball produces is extremely important for the players to know. A low handicapper doesn’t want to use a ball that has enough spin for a high handicapper and a beginner will only want a low spin ball.

Low Spin

Low spin balls are mainly designed for the beginner golfer or the high handicapper so that they have more control and longer hits down the fairway. The beauty of low spin golf balls is that they don’t produce a lot of backspin so the ball keeps rolling forward down the fairway. This can be annoying when on the green because the ball keeps rolling but it’s great for distance and getting to the green. Golf balls produce backspin but they also produce side-spin so when it’s low spin the ball stays straighter in the air creating less chance of a slice or hook.

High Spin

When teeing off, or using irons, the action of hitting a golf ball into the air will generate backspin or side-spin on a miss-hit. A high spin golf ball will enhance the spinning motion sending the back-spinning ball higher into the air or the side-spinning ball off course.

High spin golf balls are made for the players that know how to control it. That type of player will use the backspin to their advantage especially around the green for extra control. A beginner that has a high spin golf ball could easily slide or hook it sending the ball way off course.