The idea of compression is somewhat taboo in the world of golf. There is also no general consensus as to whether compression is an important factor in ball fitting. Nevertheless, it is something that you want to take into consideration when deciding on which golf ball model to include in your collection.
If you want to think about maximizing distance and accuracy, check out Ben Hogan’s golf swing secret. However, today, our goal is to answer whether compression is really worth considering. How should one look one golf ball compression vs swing speed?
What Is Compression?
In the game of golf, compression refers to the amount a ball compresses when the clubface makes an impact against it. Many golfers do not subscribe to using the idea of compression in their golf ball usage, but others swear by it. Generally speaking, golf balls are divided into three different compression categories: high, mid, and low.
With no other variables at play, it requires a lower golf swing speed to compress a ball that has a low rating. Likewise, it requires a higher golf swing speed to compress one that has a high rating. So, you can think of it in the sense that most golfers would be able to compress a golf ball that has a low rating to a higher degree as compared to a golf ball with a high rating.
Why wouldn’t every golfer want to use a golf ball with a low compression rating? Wouldn’t a low compression golf ball lead to a further distance? Actually, the answer is no. When it comes to golf ball compression vs swing speed, the issue is a bit more complicated than that.
Tons of compression and high speed might sound really attractive, but often, those same features come with several setbacks as well. For example, if you have a low compression golf ball, you are also likely to have a high spin rate. This is especially true if you also have a high swing speed.
Golf Ball Compression vs Swing Speed: The Distance Factor
Any time a golfer mentions compression, it is usually followed by some consideration for distance. In general, nearly every golfer is looking to hit their ball farther. Most also think that picking a ball with the right compression will help them do that.
The golfer looking to increase their distance thinks that doing so means picking out a ball with the lowest compression. The thought process is that a lower compression golf ball means the ball will be easier to compress when impacted. This is, in fact, true. The ball will ultimately rebound off of the clubface much harder as it cuts through into the distance. While this way of thinking is not wrong, necessarily, it is a bit too simple.
There are other issues to consider when it comes to distance. It is not all about compression; you also have to think about your swing speed and spin.
The rate of spin you have on any shot will have a major impact on your distance. This is because it impacts the way the ball flies in the air. A shot that has a lot of spin will likely soar high in the air, while one with very little spin will struggle to even get off the ground. If you are going for maximum distance, you need to find a sweet spot between these two extreme ends.
It isn’t desirable to have a golf ball that is spinning at a very high rate, but you also don’t want one that spins very slowly. What you need is a moderate spin and a great angle at launch. This, along with a few other factors, will give you the distance you want. This is often regardless of the compression you are using, though some golfers would beg to differ on that point.
Golf Ball Compression vs Swing Speed: Testing
A lot of the guesswork around golf balls has been taken out of modern golf. This is due, in large part, to advances in technology. Now, if you want to pick a new golf ball, you don’t really need to try out a whole bunch of them.
Back then, you would have to go to the store and purchase several different balls to try them all out. Instead of doing that, you can now just go get a ball fitting. Many golf shops and courses offer this service and have the equipment to fit you with the perfect golf ball for your individual game.
What is great about a golf ball fitting is that you won’t just leave with the right golf ball, but you will likely also learn a lot about your individual golf game and swing.
When you get a fitting, you’ll be measured for several other things as well. This includes your attack angle, the path of your swing, and of course, your swing speed. All of this will feed right into getting you the right golf ball for your game.
Golf Ball Fitting: Considerations
If you do go the route of getting a ball fitting, make sure that you swing as you normally would. Otherwise, you are really just doing yourself a great disservice. Much of finding the right ball has to do with your swing, so if you aren’t honest about your swing, you are essentially defeating the purpose of the fitting. You aren’t there to impress anyone; you are simply there to find the right golf ball for you.
It also makes sense to ask any questions you might have during the fitting. After all, you want to understand the process and how the professional fitting you arrived at their decision. If a concept is foreign to you, ask about it.
When your fitting is complete, you will be given a list of golf balls that would work for you. These will be suggested to you based on your swing dynamics and the information you supplied the professional who was fitting you.
You are still able to choose whatever golf ball you want, but the recommended list is a great starting point. This also means that you will not have to guess what compression is right for you. You also won’t even need to think about the compression of the balls you’ve been recommended.
Then again, most golf balls do not even list their compression rating on them. This is because many of the most seasoned players do not consider compression in their choice.
Final Thoughts
Here, we’ve discussed how golf ball compression affects swing speed so as to help you determine which golf balls might be right for your golf game. In this way, you get to do and be better at your game.
In addition to the kinds of golf balls you’re using, there are other ways to improve your game. If you’d also like to consider added distance and accuracy to your game, we strongly suggest visiting Ben Hogan’s golf swing secret.
