09/11/2026
Choosing the Right Golf Ball for Your Game
Golfers spend hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars getting fitted for drivers, irons, wedges, and putters. Yet the one piece of equipment we use on every single shot is often chosen without much thought: the golf ball.
And for those of us who have been around golf for a while, golf-ball compression brings back some memories.
Back in the day, we thought we were choosing between a 90 or 100 compression golf ball. You walked into the golf shop, saw 90 or 100 stamped on the ball or box, and figured you knew exactly what you were playing.
But when you look at today's compression data and understand how differently golf balls can actually be constructed, you realize something: We really didn't know what we were playing.
Compression Matters—But It's Not Everything
Compression is basically an indication of how soft or firm a golf ball is. Generally, a lower-compression ball will feel softer, and a higher-compression ball will feel firmer.
Look at the range in the supplied data: Compression Range Examples
- 47–65 Very Soft
Callaway Supersoft 47 • Bridgestone Tour B RXS 65
- 70–79 Softer/Moderate
Tour Soft 70 • TruFeel 73 • Chrome Soft 74 • AVX 77 • Tour B RX 79
- 84–88 Moderate/Firmer
Tour B XS 84 • Z-Star 84 • Pro V1 87 • TP5 88
- 94–96 Firm
Tour B X 94 • Chrome Soft X 95 • Pro V1x 96
That's a range of nearly 50 compression points among popular golf balls.
And notice something else: even balls from the same manufacturer can be dramatically different. According to the supplied data, Callaway's Supersoft is 47, while the Chrome Soft X is 95. Titleist ranges from the Tour Soft at 70 to the Pro V1x at 96.
So saying "I play a Titleist" or "I play a Callaway" doesn't necessarily tell us much about the golf ball you're actually playing.
Don't Automatically Match Compression to Swing Speed
Here's where we need to be careful. Slow swing = soft ball. Fast swing = hard ball, but most golf balls don't work quite that simply.
Compression is important, but construction, spin, launch, cover material, feel, and how the ball performs throughout the bag matter too.
*****The Coach DeLoatch Approach*****
That's why I believe golfers should test a ball from the green backward.
- How does it feel off the putter?
- Can you control it when chipping and pitching?
- Does it give you the wedge spin you need?
- How does it perform with your irons?
- And finally, what happens with your driver?
Distance matters, but the longest golf ball isn't necessarily the best golf ball for your game.
Playing your best golf is hard sometimes, but choosing the best ball to boost your odds doesn't have to be.
Find a ball that gives you the feel, flight, distance, spin, and greenside control you need. Then stick with it long enough to learn how it performs. Because when you stand over a 40-yard pitch that has to stop near the hole, you shouldn't be wondering what kind of golf ball you pulled out of your bag.
Don't just play a golf ball. For many of us, playing better golf, shooting lower scores, and having more fun may begin with playing the right golf ball for YOU.
That’s all I got. Carry on!
Coach DeLoatch See less
