Low spin or high spin golf balls

@Gerry_Lager and everyone else. There are some sales going right now. Titleist has a buy 3 get 1 free. Titleist Golf Balls, #1 Ball in Golf - Golfballs.com

Doing some research on supersoft, it also looks like a good ball, but it definitely sounds less than a premium ball. That really just means you will have a hard time holding firm greens with a 5-6-7 iron. However, if you aren't playing fast and firm greens, for the money, it's probably a really good ball too.

It shouldn't be as low as the original numbers you posted, but maybe it's gonna spin 1000 rpms less on a similar shot.

https://youtu.be/Ka3reSbjQoc

Here's a great review for tour response.

The ball certainly changes spin numbers pretty dramatically, but what will work best will depend on speed launch conditions (dynamic loft), etc.

If you go through and do a gapping test with your clubs, you will definitely want to select a ball in a kind of range that is similar to what you are gonna game. The compression, spin rates, etc will change distances slightly... But also change how you want to play shots.

Low spin or high spin golf balls? Depends on your numbers. Let's assume your driver would have an ideal spin rate of 2400 rpms (that's actually going to be pretty close for you), you might see a tour response that spins at 3000+ and a proV that spins at 2400. The tour response would fly shorter, probably 5-10 yards different on the course.

With the short clubs, the proV would probably spin at 11000 for your sw, the tour response may spin at 8000.

What's the difference? If you prefer playing to have a little release after it hits the green, the tour response would be better. If you want the ball to stop or spin back a bit, the proV is better. Can you live with the driver being 5-10 yards shorter off the tee?

Personally, I start with how I want the ball to react on the green, and work back. 5-10 yards off tee, doesn't really matter to me. But shots into the green that don't respond the way I like... That's a deal breaker.

I do change balls based on a few factors. First, I always start with greens. Are the fast and firm or soft and slow? Is it wet? Second, what tees am I playing g and as a result, what kind of clubs will I hit into the greens? Third, based on the length of the course, will I be hitting driver all day, or am I bunting it around?

I have my personal favorite balls based on the numbers I see that's optimal. But depending on the situations, I can and do change.

Like, if I am going to be hitting short irons in all day, the ball choice won't make much difference. If I am going to be hitting lo get irons in, that also means likely more missed greens, then the ball means a ton.

Personally, I play a premium ball. Pro-v, Taylor made TP5x, or my favorite less expensive ball, Vice Pro/pro plus. I have found no meaningful difference in the numbers with those three balls.

Gerry, when you look at numbers, also pay attention to launch angle. Those two variables will give you the info you need.

Based on your game, I would assume you will land on the vice pro, pro-v, tp5... Or something like that. As you pay attention to spin numbers you will start to really understand the implication of non-center hits.

Also, you will pretty quickly realize the cheaper balls like callaway supersoft simply won't lend itself to short game performance because it takes away optional shots.

I have found that the biggest difference happens on long irons and driver. As an example the zstar is a ball I can't use because it spins too much. But otherwise most premium balls give very similar performance. Hence my decision to land on Vice pro or pro plus. Same premium ball performance at half the price.

I did testing in Sim and on course. Data was clear. For me, Vice Pro, Pro-v, or TP5 were all pretty much identical.

Yes sir. Rule of thumb, you want a ball to spin 1000x club number. 8 iron should be about 8000 rpms (7i 7000, 6i 6000, etc).

That's how you get consistent flight and response on greens). You will see the same low spin numbers using driving range balls.

The ball is key to having right green response and that's why your low spin balls will hit and release VS hit and stop or even spin back.

The spin characteristics are critical through bag. You have identified why the cheaper ball doesn't spin into greens and why better players have control of distance with pitches and chips... I made this comment on an earlier thread, but having a ball that can spin is essential for the low chip spinner.

Is also why the cheaper ball will go further on short clubs, but not as far on lower lofted clubs.

@Gerry_Lager I just changed my gamer recently. I did this based on some some info available when you Google “Which golf ball should I use?” There are several articles available.

my method for choosing the best ball for me started with compression ratings. Based on my driver swing speed of only about 90 mph I will get better results with a ball that has a compression rating of 70. There are charts available showing which balls fall in this range. My next parameter was spin rate. I like low spin off the driver but high spin on pitches and chips. Again, spin rate charts are available. I recently changed from the Snell MTB-X to the Snell MTB. Another option for me is the Taylormade Tour Response. There are others with similar characteristics to these two balls. Each of the major manufacturers have a range of balls with different compressions and spin rates. Do the research, being careful to watch for reviews paid for by a specific brand. There are unbiased testing results available out there.

Good luck.

@burkholder.ronald, @Russell Hogue, PhD, @GolfLivesMatter - Any thoughts with regard to @Gerry_Lager's question? Thanks!