ppChoosing the right ball is critical to cutting your golf
handicap. A ball impacts your game almost as much as your clubs, so
its important to choose a ball thats right for you. Below is a
sixstep process for selecting the right golf ball, a process I
often review in my golf lessons and golf tips. Its a relatively new
selection approach. But first, lets review the standard historical
approach to choosing a golf ball.ppStandard Selection
ApproachppWith this approach you chose a golf ball going from the
tee forward. In other words, you hit balls from the tee and
observed their performance characteristics. You based your
decisions primarily on control and distance, depending on their
preference.ppThis approach was appropriate when ballmanufacturing
technology was simpler. Here were your options.ppIf you wanted the
ultimate in control, you chose a threepiece with a balata cover. It
offered highspin rates, soft feel, and good maneuverability, but it
lacked durability. I used to recommend this ball in my golf lessons
and golf tips for players with low golf handicaps adept at shot
making.ppIf you wanted the ultimate in distance, you chose a
twopiece ball with a Surlyn cover. This ball would travel far and
last a long time. Unfortunately, its lack of spin greatly reduced
control, especially around the greens. I used to recommend this
ball for players with high golf handicaps who needed distance more
than control.ppIf you wanted something in between, you choose a
threepiece ball with a Surlyn cover. With this ball, you sacrificed
a little control for more distance and durability. This ball worked
relatively well.ppThis process worked well for a long time. But its
less appropriate for evaluating todays golf balls, which
incorporate the latest advancements in technology.ppBreakthroughs
in TechnologyppBall manufacturing technology saw several
breakthroughs in the 1990s and beyond, complicating selection.
Multilayer balls, like the TopFlite Strata, which provide less spin
for more distance and a softer cover for better control around the
greens, hit the market in 1996, followed by Titleists Pro V1a
solidcore, distance ballin 2000. Nikes One and Titleists Next also
debuted in the last 10 years.ppWhile these balls all represented
technological breakthroughs, they challenged the standard approach
ball selection. Basically, you still chose a ball from the tee
going forward based on distance and control.ppA New Selection
ApproachppToday, theres another approach to choosing a ball. This
approach is based on going from the green backwards. Its proving
more appropriate for todays game. Below is a sixstep methodology
for choosing a ball based on this new approach.ppStep 1 Define Your
Needs.ppFirst, you need to 1 assess your game, 2 define your needs,
and 3 decide what you want and dont want from a ball. Defining your
needs is crucial to choosing the right ball. Remember not everyone
with the same ballstriking ability, golf handicap, andor swing
speed will play the same ball. Ask yourself such questions as Do I
need more distance, Do I need more control with my ironsppStep 2
Chose Test BallsppSelect several balls you want to test. Base your
decision on your defined needs. Try selecting balls from each
categorymultilayered, twopiece, and super soft, low compressionto
see how they test. Remember not every manufacturers models of the
same type ball will react exactly alike.ppStep 3 Test from the
FringeppTake the test balls to the fringe of the green. Hit some
chip shots and pitch shots, and observe the results. See which
balls hit the green and check and which hit the green and release.
Then, hit some putts and sandshots. Observe performances. In
general, the multilayer balls will feel softer, fly a bit low, and
stop or check more on the green than their twopiece counterparts.
Supersoft balls will roll the farthest with the least amount of
spin after hitting the ground.ppStep 4 Test from 100 YardsppTake
the balls and move out into the fairway to the 100yard marker. Test
each ball from that point and observe each balls checking and
releasing characteristics after it hits the green.ppStep 5 Test
Balls from 150 yardsppNow, take your balls out to the 150yard
marker and hit from there. Observe the results. Use the same
criteria to evaluate each ball.ppStep 6 Test Balls from the TeeppGo
to the tee box and hit the balls with your driver. Look for drives
that reach their apex or highest point quickly and then level out
and carry far down range. What you dont want to see are drives that
start low and then shoot up like a jet plane taking off. Such shots
indicate that the driver has added too much spin to the ball,
resulting in shorter drives that hook or slice more.br Now,
obviously you cant necessarily go out onto the course to do all
this testing. Your local range or practice area will work just
fine. Once youve completed these steps, youre ready to choose. Base
your decision on the most meaningful combination of performance
qualitiesmeaningful to you, that is. For example, golfers who base
their iron play on shots that hit and bite close to where they land
will probably prefer a multilayer ball, even if it means
sacrificing a little trajectory and distance.ppRemember a golf ball
impacts your game almost as much as your clubs. If the ball you
choose doesnt feel right after selecting it, try another. Give each
ball a fair trail.ppChoosing a ball thats right for you, as I say
in my golf lessons and golf tips, takes some work, but its well
worth the effort. Having the right ball is crucial to improving
your game and lowering your golf handicap. It also helps build
selfconfidence. Choose wisely.pphrstronga href titleTarsems
ArticlesTarsemastrong strongAbout the Authorstrong
pphttpwww.golfschooltarsem.blogspot.compp
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