World of Golf Handicap
Golf Balls

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The advances made in recent years with ball manufacturing has been significant, to say the least. It is time for you to understand the different types of balls made today and the ball terms so you understand what you are reading about or looking at. We would like to give you the right information so you can decide for yourself which type of ball is right for you. The right ball for you will give you the best chance to lower your scores and ultimately lower your golf handicap.
Golf Ball Types

Wound Balls
These are balls in which rubber thread is wound around one of two kinds of cores: a liquid center, where the core is liquid-filled; or a solid center, in which the core is made of synthetic rubber. This is then wrapped in either a balata or surlyn cover. Ball characteristics differ depending on the way in which the materials for the center and cover are combined. Generally speaking, wound balls excel in spin performance, but fall short in terms of distance and durability. They are also sensitive to temperatures, losing distance as temperatures fall below (68f or 20c).

Solid Balls

One-piece balls
These are balls made of a single, high-restitution synthetic rubber. Because these balls deform to a large degree at impact, they lose a great deal of the energy required for carry and consequently offer less distance than balls built with different structures. However, because they are extremely durable and economical, they continue to be manufactured today, primarily for driving-range use.

Two-piece balls
These are dual-structure balls in which a high-restitution core is wrapped in a cover. This configuration enables the energy at impact to be transferred efficiently to the ball in flight. Because the cover itself is made of a high-restitution material, these balls generate excellent distance. Recently, manufacturers have been introducing two-piece balls with a soft-feel, which is conducive to greater control.

Multi-layer balls (3-piece balls)
These are multi-layer balls in which the core material is wrapped in multiple covers. As a result of the latest advances in technology, manufacturers are now able to flexibly combine materials, degrees of hardness, specific gravity, and so on, in ways that enhance a variety of performance features. The result has been such path-breaking advances as balls that can compensate for slightly missed hits.

Golf Ball Principles

Distance
At the moment of impact, a large force is applied to the ball, resulting in its being flattened and deformed. The energy from this deformation is stored within the ball. As deformation reaches its peak, the ball itself will seek to restore its original shape. This power of restitution is what causes the ball to fly off the club face.

If you use a ball that is too hard for your head speed, the ball will not deform adequately and will fail to store a sufficient amount of energy from impact. Conversely, if you use a ball that is too soft for your head speed, then you will expend a lot of energy deforming the ball, and will not achieve sufficient distance. For example, if an average golfer hits a ball that has been designed for professionals or advanced players, the result is likely to be, not greater distance, but instead a loss of carry because the player will not be able to deform the ball adequately. The key to selecting balls is to find one which provides maximum restitution for your particular head speed.

Spin
This refers to the balls revolutions. Spin is determined by head speed, materials used in the manufacture of the club, club loft, and swing path, as well as materials that go into the manufacture of the ball. The lift created by back spin causes balls to travel along high trajectories, while poorly hit balls tend to spin sideways, which becomes the cause of hooks and slices.

What, then, determines ideal spin? For shots where length of carry is important, such as those hit with the driver or long irons, golfers can gain distance if their balls do not spin more than necessary, but rather are able to keep spin down to an appropriate level. Conversely, for approach and other control shots, the greater the spin, the easier it will be to stop the ball, which gives players the ability to aim for the pin. In other words, an ideal ball would be one that carries for long distances and also stops.

Dimples
The dimples marked onto the surface of golf balls because they play a major role in determining distance. Two of the principal effects of dimples are to increase lift and reduce air resistance, which results in longer distances and greater stability in shot trajectory.

Although dimples all appear to be alike, they in fact come in a variety of patterns, and their impacts differ depending on alignment and depth of depressions. The number of dimples on a ball is also a consequence of alignment and depth. Today, with dimples generally ranging between 350-500 per ball, their numbers do not significantly affect distance.

Ideally, dimples should be spread evenly across the surface of the ball in recurring combinations of one shallow and one deep dimple. If this cannot be done with precision, you will lose distance on their shots, or find them veering to the left or right, even on shots where the ball has been hit squarely on center.

This is where you must either trust the golf ball manufacturers or try as many types of golf balls as possible and let your experience determine what type of ball is best for you.

Materials
Increasing the deformity of the ball at impact on driver and other shots reduces excess spin and results in longer carries without soaring. This also makes slicing, hooking and other missed shots rarer, while providing for a softer feel. To enable players incapable of achieving the high head speeds of professionals to generate such large deformity, manufacturers must soften the core at the center of the ball, but just this alone is not sufficient and will only cause a decline in repulsion. The development of a multi-layered solid ball, in which another high-repulsion cover was placed between the outer cover and the core, provided an excellent solution to this dilemma, moving amateur golfers significantly closer to the ideal of having both Distance and Good Feel in their golf balls.

Generally, softening the material in a balls cover will increase the amount of spin on approach shots. Although balata is an extremely soft material, the fact that it is a natural material severely limits design flexibility, while its proneness to cuts from topped shots also makes it difficult to use. The development of the urethane elastomer cover, whose great softness has made it a successor to balata, the multi-layered ball that provides excellent spin performance on approach shots, low levels of spin on drivers and long irons, and an exceptionally comfortable feel. This advancement of multi-layered balls is creating a Dream product that meets the needs of all golfers, from professionals and single-handicappers to beginners.

Natural Effects
The most sensitive to the effects of temperature are wound balls, because the natural rubber in rubber thread has the poorest temperature dependence. On the other hand, although material used in the covers of solid balls (urethane resins, ionomer resins, polyester resins, etc.) are also affected by temperatures, they are affected to a smaller extent than wound balls.

General Golf Balls Buying Guidelines

High handicappers
Players who need more distance want to go with harder, lower spin golf balls. The low spin helps prevent the ball from hooking or slicing, and gives more roll when it hits the ground. The good news is that these balls are typically less expensive than other balls.

Middle handicappers
Middle handicappers need a little more feel than the distance balls provide, but too much spin will keep them from hitting fairways and greens. Most of the balls in this category will be longer than the softest ball used by tour professionals, but will have enough feel and spin that the average player can still stop the ball on greens and execute tricky touch shots.

Low handicappers
Low handicappers and professionals require more feel and spin than they do distance. These balls are designed to provide maximum stopping power, workability, and feel.

Golf Ball Summarization

Now how do we take all this information and apply it to your game. First of all you need to understand all the principles of the golf ball. If you need to go back and reread then please do so now. You need to determine which area of your game is most important to you. Do you need more distance or do you need more accuracy and control on the green. Do not simply buy the most expensive golf balls just because if they cost the most then they must help my game.

The most important point to look at when deciding which kind of golf balls you should buy will be the spin. The less spin the further and straighter the ball will fly. The more spin then the effect can cause a slight loss of distance but the more definitely will give you better control when approaching the green.

The best thing about golf balls these days is that they have come so far with the technology that almost all the golf balls on the market today are excellent. If money is a major concern then don’t be afraid to purchase golf balls that are better priced for you. These golf balls most likely will still be a very nice ball.

Click Here To See Golf Balls from The GolfSmith Golf Store

Blossom Designer Series 80 Ladies Golf Balls
Four Models available. Daisy, Rose, Sunflower, Tulip. Golf Balls designed especially for the woman in everyway possible. Even down to the flower of your choice design on each golf ball.

Callaway Golf Balls
Callaway HX Tour Golf Balls
The HX Tour golf ball features significant improvements in every area, including aerodynamics, cover and core technology and overall performance, and it has already become one of the most popular balls on the worlds professional tours during several weeks of testing by the best players in the world.
Callaway HX Series Golf Balls
The HX ball is the first ball to highlight Callaway Golfs latest ball technology breakthrough, their patented tubular lattice network, a criss-crossing network of tube-like projections that form hexagonal and pentagonal patterns around the golf ball. This unique configuration is more aerodynamically efficient than the traditional dimple patterns used on many golf balls, helping to create optimum trajectory and carry for golfers of all skill levels.
Callaway Big Bertha Golf Balls
The same groundbreaking distance that made the Big Bertha Driver world-famous is now available in a golf ball. Combining 2-piece technology with Callaways patented HEX Aerodynamics, Big Bertha Golf Balls deliver the power you can only find in the Big Bertha name, with maximum power off the tee and performance on the delicate shots around the green.
Callaway Warbird Distance Golf Balls
The Callaway Golf Warbird is a quality golf ball that meets the high standards Callaway Golf sets for every product they make. Specially designed for golfers who would like to play with balls made by Callaway Golf who are seeking maximum distance at a great price.

Maxfli Golf Balls
Maxfli Revolution
The Revolution contains the unique SPEEDCORE technology that enables ultimate distance and shot-making control. The combination of a low-compression core and SPEEDCORE technology provides a ball that generates extreme driver distance and iron spin while still delivering a soft feel. Designed for above average swing speeds, this is the fastest and longest ball Maxfli has ever created before.
Maxfli Noodle Series
You want a ball that delivers extra yardage, but hate the harsh feel that distance balls generate. That's why Maxfli makes the Noodle. The Noodle combines long distance with the seemingly incompatible quality of soft feel. Long and soft, just like a Noodle.
Maxfli D-Tec Series
The D-Tec Straight Distance and Extra Spin Distance were designed for distance and accuracy. The high energy core was formulated to combine maximum-allowable initial velocity. The key is an exceedingly high-energy distance core and the way it works in concert with the soft yet durable Surlyn cover that features a 408 dimple pattern designed to launch at a high angle and knife through the wind.

NIKE Golf Balls
NIKE ONE
With its oversized core and ionomer inner cover, this ball is designed to go far. Each layer is designed to achieve a specific action and, together create a complete and unified scoring advantage for tour caliber players.
NIKE Mojo
Mojo is the guru of the golf game. Mojo is the next generation distance ball. Mojo does its spin thing around the greens. Mojo is built to bend your brain with a cosmic brew of flight, shape and length. If you're ready to break on through, ride the Mojo, man.
NIKE Power Distance Series
The Super Flex Core is a solid polybutadiene center with an instantaneous snap flex response. The core snaps back to shape so fast and with such voracity after impact that it creates an explosive initial velocity off the clubface. The intensity of the Super Flex Core has allowed NIKE Golf to reduce ball compression while simultaneously increasing distance. The result is low compression golf balls that not only feel better but also reduce spin rates off the driver, optimizing trajectories and minimizing sidespin for longer, more accurate shots.`

Nancy Lopez Golf Balls
Nancy Lopez Distance Match 2
The ideal ball for the woman golfer looking for extra distance and exceptional feel. Two-Piece technology for extra distance and feel. The sensitized molecular core, generates a dynamic interaction with the thermoelastomer Surlyn cove. This creates optimum transfer of energy that results in extra distance and exceptional feel.
Nancy Lopez Distance Match 3
The ideal ball for the woman golfer looking for optimum performance and distance. Three-piece ball technology for optimum control, spin and distance. The complex molecular core works in unison with the inner energy transformation cover and the thermoelastomer Surlyn cover. This maximizes the balls ability to capture and use the energy of impact to deliver optimum control, spin, and extra distance.

Pinnacle Golf Balls
Pinnacle Exception Balls
The Pinnacle Exception is designed to deliver exceptionally long distance and exceptionally soft feel, with enhanced spin and control around the green. The Pinnacle Exception dispels the myth that a distance ball can not perform well in all aspects of the short game. Break away from the pack and find out exactly how the Exception is becoming the rule.
Pinnacle Gold Maximum Velocity
With innovative core and cover technologies the Pinnacle Gold Maximum Velocity golf balls enable recreational golfers of varying abilities to maximize their distance.
Pinnacle Gold Distance
The Pinnacle Gold family of golf balls has been designed to provide golfers of all levels with a variety of distance and performance characteristics to help you enjoy the game of golf to the fullest. With a longstanding reputation for providing superior quality products at a supreme value you will be sure to find a Pinnacle golf ball that suits your needs.

Precept Golf Balls
Precept U-Tri Series Balls
With the new U-Tri balls, Precept has once again raised the bar when it comes to golf ball performance and affordability. No longer are the benefits of a three-piece, urethane-covered golf ball for the low handicap player or professional only. Now everyone has the opportunity to play better golf. What else would you expect from the leader in solid core technology.
Precept D-Series Balls
The new Precept D-Feel utilizes a softer energy efficient core providing lower spin and higher trajectory on tee and iron shots, while allowing for enhanced feel around greens. The Precept D-Force combines a high velocity energy efficient core and a piercing trajectory dimple design creating solid feel and unparalleled distance.
Precept Lady Diamond Balls
Precepts breakthrough development in core softness allows for optimum ball deformation and spin rates at low to moderate club head speeds providing the advantages of explosive distance, extraordinary feel and superior performance.

Srixon Golf Balls
Srixon HR-X333 Balls
The Srixon HR-X333 delivers the distance of todays higher compression balls with feel and control that are unmatched. It features the newly developed Rabalon-HR blended cover that provides incredible resilience for blistering initial velocity and distance, and soft feel for delicate greenside control. A state-of-the-art, proprietary seamless 333 dimple design provides optimum low-speed lift for greater carry, and a shallow angle of descent for more roll and greater overall distance. The soft Energetic Gradient Growth core delivers the optimal high launch angle and low spin launch conditions.
Srixon UR-X Balls
The Srixon UR-X features the thinnest thermoplastic urethane cover in the world surrounding the largest core of any golf ball in the industry. The poly-amide enhanced urethane cover provides the feel, spin and control todays top golfers demand. The solid rubber mid-layer and rubber core combine to give the UR-X the highest rubber content of any golf ball ever played on tour.
Srixon Soft Feel Balls
The Srixon Soft Feel is the softest Srixon ball they have made. With the 333 dimple pattern and Rabalon Cover, the Srixon Soft Feel incorporates tour proven performance in a low compression ball for the everyday golfer. First, the new Soft Feel features the softest Energetic Gradient Growth core ever designed. It promotes ideal high launch angle and low spin launch conditions for all golfers, while the low compression gives great feel and velocity to those with low swing speeds. The highly resilient Rabalon cover, which is 25% more resilient than iomer, provides greater energy transfer for more velocity. The seamless 333 dimple pattern lets the Soft Feel stay in the air longer for greater carry, more roll, and more distance.

Titleist Golf Balls
Titleist NXT Series Balls
The NXT features Titleists advanced solid core and Fusablend cover technologies. NXT has been improved by reformulating the core to provide more speed and lower spin at a softer compression. The NXTs reformulated cover also increases the ball speed and reduces driver spin. The result is an even longer NXT golf ball that maintains its short game spin and control.
Titleist Pro V1 Balls
The Titleist Pro V1 represents the coalescence of three of Titleists industry leading technologies: large solid core, multi-component construction, and high performance Urethane Elastomer cover technology. Fast initial velocity, lower spin and high launch combine to produce a flatter, less arcing ascent and straight ball flight for exceptional driver and long iron distance. The trajectory profile of the New Titleist Pro V1 generates a steep angle of descent into the green and provides Drop-and-Stop performance on approach shots.
Titleist DT Solo Balls
The Titleist DT SoLo features a soft compression, high velocity core and a soft Surlyn blend cover. This combination provides lower driver spin for long distance off the tee. The very low spin also helps golfers to minimize unintentional hook and slice sidespin for straighter distance. Unlike many other low spin distance golf balls, the DT SoLo still provides soft feel on all shots tee-to-green.

Top-Flite Golf Balls
Top-Flite XL Pure Distance
2004 marks the 25th anniversary of the legendary Top-Flite XL, the first 2-piece golf ball designed to boost the performance of golfers everywhere. 2-piece Distance Technology construction with a Titanium Infused Cover helps transfer energy from club to ball. Better energy transfer for dramatic distance with the Afterburner Core for an extra burst of power to maximize your distance.

Wilson Golf Balls
Wilson Golf True Tour Elite Golf Balls
The worlds only Perfectly Balanced golf ball, True Technology Putts Truer and Flies Longer. For the player looking for the ultimate combination of distance, feel, and spin.
Wilson Golf Staff True Velocity Golf Balls
The worlds only Perfectly Balanced golf ball, True Technology Putts Truer and Flies Longer. For the player looking for the longest ball in the True line.
Jack Long Ball
USGA limits for distance. 30 compression points softer than competitive distance balls.
Jack Spin Ball
Outrageous spin off the wedge for maximum stopping power. 9800 RPM off pitching wedge. Soft feel and great distance.
Jack High Ball
Higher launch angle maximizes distance for slower swing speeds. Soft feel and great distance.
Jill
Soft Feel, higher spin and higher trajectory promotes maximum distance.

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