We as golfers are faced with a lot of decisions to make when playing this game. Do I need lessons, and if I do, what instructor should I go to? What are the best type of golf clubs for me? What golf course would I like to play on a regular basis? How much practice can I squeeze in this week? All good questions. but I think one of the most important questions players should ask is “What type golf ball should I be playing?”
One of the biggest challenges for players, in my opinion, is what ball to buy. Today, most of the ball manufacturers offer a variety of balls to choose from that would even confuse most professional players yet alone the average weekend duffer. You can find golf balls that are 2-piece, 3-piece, 4-piece and even a 5-piece ball and all promising to perform differently. You can buy golf balls that promise more spin then other balls. Golf balls that promise more distance then other balls…or even better, a ball that combines both spin and distance. Heck, you can even buy balls in different colors…white, pink or yellow! It’s enough to drive you crazy.
The bad news is that with all of the ball technology come a price – literally in dollars and cents. These ball are not cheap. True, these balls will help parts of your game, but I honestly don’t think to the point where the average recreational player would want to shell out between $40.00 – $50.00 for a dozen balls. Given the rate some players lose balls, these guys would probably have to take a second job to stay in these type balls. The good news is that there are a number of much cheaper balls that have come a long way in playability and in helping your game. True, they don’t have all of the ball technology you’d like, but what the heck do you expect for $ 20.00 – $25.00 a dozen. At least they’re round!
Keep in mind the golf professionals get there ball for free. They could use or lose as many as they want and get replenished anytime they want. You and I can’t. Just like all the yearly hype about a new line of golf clubs being the best ever made, the makers of golf balls want you to believe the same. The truth of the matter is this: amateur players for the most part will never derive the benefits of either club or ball technology like professional players. Unless you have great swing mechanics and a clubhead speed around 112-115 mph or higher, I don’t care what type ball you buy, you won’t use it to its full potential. That’s just the way it is.
So here’s my advise. Save yourself a lot of grief and disappointment…not to mention a hell of a lot of money and get real. Stop thinking that because your favorite player uses a certain type ball that you should as well. Stop being taken in by some of those slick ball commercials you see on television. They are made for the SOLE PURPOSE to entice you to buy a certain high-tech ball. Just because you buy a dozen high-priced balls that your favorite Tour players uses, do you think that magically you’ll be hitting shots the way he does?
Get real. Wake up. Put the ego aside. Make a smart decision.
Now, hopefully, when you hear the phrase “keep your eye on the ball,” you’ll also think of your wallet.
Dennis Silvers
