Tips from the Pro: Which ball is best for you?

When I’m teaching I’m often asked if a golf ball really makes a difference to over all performance. In short, Yes. This post is intended to help you pick the right ball based on three questions.


-What is you skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
-How do you play (long/short hitter, hook/slice the ball, high/low ball flight)
-What do you want out of your ball (distance, feel, more/less spin)

Once these questions are answered you will be able to make a more educated purchase the next time you need to fill your golf bag with balls.

The Beginner:

As a beginner you are going to want to lean towards a two-piece distance ball. These balls have a harder cover to help reduce spin to lessen a hook or slice, produce a higher ball flight, and help you gain a few extra yards. These balls are also fairly cheap, so losing a few isn’t going to cause a breakdown. Nike Power Distance, Topflite XL, Pinnacle FX Long, Callaway Warbird are all good choices.

The Intermediate:

As your skill level improves so should the ball you play. A two-piece low compression/performance ball is a better fit then a distance ball. These balls have a larger core for added distance and a softer cover for improved feel around the greens. Bridgestone e5/e6, Maxfli Noodle, Titleist NXT, Pinnacle Platinum would fit into this category.

The Advanced:

Players at this stage are looking for a ball that provides benefits for all aspects of the game from tee-to-green. A multi-layer performance ball such as Titleist Pro V1/V1x, Callaway HX Tour, Bridgestone B330, and Nike One Platinum are the best you can get. Each layer enhances a specific part of your game, a Urethane cover for feel and spin, a firm mantle to increase energy transfer for distance, and added durability are the characteristics that will help your assault on par.

So next time you go to buy a dozen eggs take a few minutes and get the right ball for your game, don't just grab a hand full out of the experinced ball bin.

Cheers,