With so many to choose, which ball to use?

Ray Sarno
Golf Writer

June 06, 2009 10:57 pm

— There are well over 100 different golf balls on the market today, and the brand introductions are still coming. Titleist, the largest manufacturer, goes so far as to manufacture almost 20 different balls.
It would be tedious and confusing to try to give you detailed ball-by-ball comparisons, instead, it is more useful to offer some general guidelines in trying to select a ball that matches the way you play. You should think of balls falling into one of the following three categories:
1. Two-piece balls are designed for recreational players and offer durability, maximize distance, and minimize spin. The spin-minimizing ball is particularly advantageous if you are trying to cut down on your slice. This ball has a highly compressive core and durable Surlyn cover, which gives it the greatest carry. It is popular not only because of its distance, but also because it is nearly indestructible. However, since these balls do not generate as much spin, it is more difficult to control, particularly for long approach shots when trying to bring the ball to a quick stop.
2. Three-piece performance balls for skilled players. You are sacrificing a little distance off the tee for more control around the green. Though not as durable as two-piece balls, they are more responsive, offering superior feel and control for those with middle to short game shot making skills. But the trade-off is the need for greater skill in generating and controlling long drives with lower-lofted drivers, in particular, making sure the ball does not leave the clubface with excessive spin. Cores have been made of metal, wood, and liquid -filled materials, and the covers come in either chemically made balata or Surlyn. Surlyn covers have been gaining in popularity because of its extreme toughness and the ability of manufacturers to produce covers that better mimic the feel and control of the old balata balls.
3. Two-piece performance balls that offer great length off the tee and recently have been able to match the feel, control, and shot-making characteristics of the best three-piece balls. This is possible because by making the cover thinner and the core larger ball designers can be more creative in mixing core materials to match seemingly competing objectives.
Because of better materials and improved manufacturing methods, there are excellent golf balls to be found coming from all three categories. Sometimes you might have to make the choice of performance or cost on which ball might be best suited for your game.