What Golf Ball Should I Use For My Swing Speed?
Understanding your swing speed is a key part of becoming a great golfer.
But as well as this, you will also need to make sure that you are using the right equipment that suits your swing speed.
The type of club you use as well as which ball you play with will have an impact on the overall quality of each shot.
There is a lot of focus on the best club for your swing speed but fewer golfers, especially those that are new to the game, are paying attention to what ball they are using and what golf ball I use for my swing speed.
In this guide, we will be talking about the most suitable golf balls for high, medium and slow swing speeds.
If you have been struggling to get a good distance on your shots regardless of your swing speed, you’ll likely notice a world of difference once you start using the right type of ball.
How Do I Know My Swing Speed?
Before you can figure out the best type of ball, you have to be familiar with your swing speed.
This is typically measured in miles per hour with certain brackets of speed being classed as slow, medium and high.
If you’re a pro player then you’ll usually have your swing speed measured using a special machine but most clubs will have this type of equipment that members are welcome to use.
If you can’t access a machine to measure your swing speed then you might make use of one of the many swing speed apps out there.
Most people have a smartphone these days and having an app right there in your pocket is one of the most easy and convenient ways of measuring your swing speed.
In addition to the speed, your app will also give you a lot of other data relating to your swing which is always useful to have and will help you to improve over time.
But what if you can’t get an app?
Well, there’s no need to throw in the towel just yet as there is one more way to measure your swing speed that doesn’t require the use of technology.
This is done by measuring the distance of your ball when you hit it with your driver.
We must keep in mind that this isn’t going to give you as accurate a measurement but it will get you into the ballpark.
The idea is that a golf ball will travel 2.3 yards per mph of swing speed. You’ll need to hit your ball and simply measure the distance it has travelled then divide this by 2.3 revealing your swing speed.
To ensure the best accuracy, you should measure where the ball initially hits the ground and not factor in any rolling it does thereafter.
You’ll probably need another person to stand in the rough spot where the ball is going to land for the best results. We would also suggest not relying on just a single shot.
It is best to perform several swings and then calculate the average speed.
What Golf Ball Should I Use For A Slow Swing Speed?
Slow swing speeds are considered to be anything up to 90 miles per hour and if you fall into this category then you will notice that the distance that the ball travels is far less than when it is hit by someone whose swing speed is much higher.
This may seem like an unfair advantage but by using the right type of ball, you can up your game and get the best distance with every shot.
Typically, these balls will be marketed as being suitable for swing speeds up to 85 miles per hour.
What you need to be looking for are balls with a lower compression as these are able to travel much greater distances even with a low swing speed.
The compression rating comes as a figure and you’ll need to look for balls with a rating between 70 and 80 for the best results. You might want to check out out article on What is the best golf ball for over 60’s.
This will suit any swing speed between 85 and 90 miles per hour.
You will also notice that the balls have less of a jarring effect and that when you hit them with a low swing speed, it feels much less harsh.
If you are a beginner then you’ll probably have a lower swing speed.
This might improve with practice but for now, it is vital that you work with the right ball to ensure the most accurate and consistent improvements to your gameplay.
It is widely accepted that Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls and the DT TruSoft Balls by Titleist are among some of the very best for players with slower swing speeds, especially at a beginner or intermediate level.
This is because the balls are made from two pieces and this causes them to travel greater distances.
What’s more, you will find that these balls have much greater durability than high compression balls designed for faster swing speeds.
What Golf Ball Should I Use For A Medium Swing Speed?
The average hobby golfer will have a medium swing speed which will fall somewhere between 90 and 100 miles per hour.
If you speak to most regular players at any golf club, you will find that they fall into this category.
In the same way that low compression balls are more suited to those with low swing speeds, medium compression balls are great for those with an average swing speed.
What you’ll really need to concern yourself with now is the type of cover that you wish to have.
Surlyn is one of the most popular golf ball cover materials especially for medium compression balls.
You’ll usually see this material on two piece balls and what’s great is that it offers amazing durability without being as expensive as other options.
The only thing that you will need to keep in mind when it comes to Surlyn is that it produces less of a spin during the flight.
Furthermore, it does need more space to roll on the green.
Another great option is urethane which is one of the most popular choices for golf ball covers and unlike Surlyn gives you a great spin without being overly hard to hit.
You will also notice that the balls hold well on the green and this is one of the main reasons that they are so commonly used on tour balls.
However, this type of ball is usually a little more expensive than surlyn but since they will almost always be tour quality, it is certainly worth the investment if you want the best performance.
What Golf Ball Should I Use For A High Swing Speed?
For some golfers, there is the advantage of having a high swing speed and this could be anything up to 100 miles per hour.
Check out our review of the Titleist Tour Speed vs Titleist Pro V1.
It is usually more expert level players that have swings in this region or those who have put a lot of time and practice into their swing.
You can read out tips on increasing swing speed here.
The great thing about having a higher swing speed is that you don’t have to be as concerned with looking for balls that will up your speed and you can pay more attention to buying balls that give a simple and clean landing.
In any case, these high speed balls must give you immense accuracy even over longer distances and many are expertly crafted with this reasoning in mind.
This does mean that you will probably have to part with more of your hard-earned cash to get your hands on them but the improvement to your performance is more than worth the investment.
Unlike the balls that are designed for medium and slow swing speeds, these high speed balls are typically made from no less than three parts.
They are very aerodynamic thanks to large dimples that are placed precisely for this reason. The balls are high compression which prevents them from feeling too soft when you hit them which can feel very odd and even off-putting.
You will, however, notice that each high speed ball may behave differently depending on the club you are using.
We would therefore suggest trying out several balls with several different clubs in order to find the best combination.
Conclusion
We all have different swing speeds and this means that we all require different pieces of equipment in order to better complement our golfing abilities.
While many players put their main focus on the clubs they are using, it is just as important to think about the type of ball you use according to your swing speed.
If you are trying to increase your swing speed, check out our article about the Superspeed golf training system.
