Golf Ball Fitting

As part of any of our sessions, we can determine how your equipment is working for you. There are published standards by Ping Golf for a driver and 7 iron for ball speed, launch, spin, descent angle and distance based upon your swing speed. However, the ball is one the most important piece as it is utilized on every shot. Consistency on the golf course starts with using the same ball not just the last one you found!

Process

Gathering launch and spin numbers is a crucial step in understanding your golf club performance on the golf course. You can achieve this using either your current golf ball or by utilizing our simulator stock ball, specifically for key clubs such as a 50-yard wedge, a 7 iron, and your driver. Where you need the most help with optimizing your launch characteristics in your set is a key component to ball selection as there are potential trade offs with how each ball performs throughout your set.

The test starts with a wedge from 50 yards. I have included my testing below where you can see how much less a cheap 2-piece ball spins which means less control and stopping power:

Highlighted spin number has less stopping power

We then hit the 7 iron and compare numbers with established Ping Golf - 7 iron charts. We can then determine if a different ball will improve your launch conditions or whether your irons or delivery are holding you back. These charts provide valuable insights into the optimal specifications for your clubs, ensuring that they are suited to your swing mechanics and playing style. If the assessment of your equipment confirms that everything is properly fitted and performing as it should, we will then focus on optimizing the ball for launch and spin rates. Below are my 7 iron results showing the difference a golf ball makes. In this case, note the increase in spin with the cheap 2-piece ball over a premium ball and loss of distance.

The ball optimization is particularly significant for the driver, as it tends to yield the most substantial benefits in terms of distance and overall performance. Below are my results and you'll see a significant drop in ball speed and thus distance when hitting a cheap 2-piece ball. In my case, this amounts to hitting at least one club less into a green. Closer to the green-better scoring!

In summary for my particular test, utilizing a cheap 2-piece ball would mean 2 extra clubs (8 vs 6 iron for example) due to lost distance with my driver and my irons and considerably less control around the greens. How many strokes is that worth to you?

To select the golf ball we draw on reputable sources such as Today's Golfer from the UK and My Golf Spy from the USA, both of which publish extensive ball test data utilizing robots. This data is instrumental in identifying potential golf balls that could significantly improve your golf ball performance on the course.

We take a personalized approach to this testing, consider your specific needs and preferences, while also respecting any budgetary constraints you may have. There all a lot of great 3-piece balls (check out my other blog - "Golf Balls - do they matter") you can purchase at a reasonable price! After selecting a range of potential golf balls that align with your performance goals, we conduct testing to evaluate how each ball interacts with your impact delivery conditions.

The final and perhaps most important test is to assess how the ball feels when paired with your putter. This aspect is crucial, as the feel of the ball can greatly influence your confidence and performance on the greens. By ensuring that the ball not only performs well in the air but also feels right during putting. The ultimate aim is to enhance your overall game and enjoyment of the sport.

Bottom Line - the ball does make a difference but if your equipment or delivery is poor, the "right" ball won't over come that. Consistently playing the "wrong" ball is still better than playing whatever your find in the bush!