One Ball Play, Recommended Replacement Every Three Holes
Misconceptions About Peace, Compression, and Dimples
Room Temperature Storage, Usable for Several Years
Expert Assistance, Use of Apps and Fitting Centers
What is the most important equipment in golf? It is probably the golf ball. The golf ball is the only item used for every shot. It accompanies the golfer through all 18 holes during a round. It is the key factor that determines performance. The outcome of the game depends on the performance of the golf ball. The brand and model of the golf ball can affect the game results. It is essential to choose a product that matches your playing style. Amateur golfers often have misconceptions about golf balls.
The rate of amateur golfers using only one type of golf ball is around 10%. The vast majority of golfers mix and match different golf balls. There are performance differences among golf balls. Consistency is crucial in golf results. To reduce performance variables, it is best to play with one type of ball. This is called One Ball Play. Selecting a golf ball that delivers the best performance in terms of consistency and quality is important.
Some customers purchase lost balls for economic reasons. However, it is recommended to play with new balls whenever possible. There is a difference between new balls and lost balls. Lost balls cannot be verified for the conditions in which they were recovered. If a golf ball has been underwater for a long time or has suffered serious damage, its performance deteriorates. Research shows that lost balls have 22.3% less spin and 14.4% less distance.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) regulate six aspects of golf balls: size, weight, initial velocity, distance, spherical symmetry, and ball construction. The weight must not exceed 45.93g, and the diameter cannot be smaller than 42.67mm. It is also a misconception that there are separate balls for amateurs and tour players. People think tour players have much faster swing speeds than amateurs because they only compare driver shots. However, golf balls are the same for both professionals and amateurs. Additionally, both female and male players use the same balls.
Weekend golfers often believe that the more pieces a ball has, the better it is. The number of pieces refers to how many layers the golf ball has. Recently, this has been used as a marketing strategy. 3-piece or 4-piece balls are perceived as high-performance or expensive balls. This is incorrect. A higher number of pieces does not necessarily mean a better golf ball. Balls with the same number of pieces do not perform identically either. First, you need to check the development purpose of the golf ball.
Next is the relationship between swing speed and compression. Amateur golfers choose golf balls based on compression levels. There is a misconception that "low or high compression balls travel farther." The performance of a golf ball is influenced by various factors such as core size and material, the number and type of intermediate layers, cover material and thickness, and dimple design. Additionally, differences arise depending on the golfer's swing speed, spin rate, and launch angle. Compression is a single value indicating how hard or soft the ball is. It affects the feel and preference of the golfer more than performance.
There are also misunderstandings about dimples. Dimples affect the flight of the golf ball. The higher the dimple coverage, the lower the air resistance. Generally, people think that more dimples mean a better golf ball. However, what matters is the consistent arrangement of dimples. If you try to fill a 4.3cm diameter golf ball with too many dimples indiscriminately, the axis of symmetry disappears. Dimples must be arranged symmetrically on both sides based on the axis of symmetry to produce consistent performance. Golf ball manufacturers invest heavily in dimple design. The Titleist Pro V1 has 388 tetrahedral dimples, and the Pro V1x has 348.
When to replace the golf ball during a round? Even small scratches caused by hitting clubs or obstacles affect performance. Tour players often change to new balls frequently during a round, even if the ball is not damaged. On average, they replace the ball every three holes.
Golf balls are somewhat affected by external temperature. Exposure to cold temperatures actually reduces distance. Compared to warm air, cold air is denser. Both lift and drag forces acting on the golf ball change. The temperature of the golf ball itself also affects the resilience of the ball material. If you play in cold conditions, it is advisable to alternate between different balls for each hole. Balls not in use should be kept in a jacket or pants pocket to maintain temperature.
Golf balls also have a lifespan. They are composites of rubber and chemicals. Stored at room temperature without external stimuli, they can be used for several years. However, elasticity and compression gradually decrease over time. Temperature changes must be monitored. Exposure to extreme cold winters or hot summer weather reduces performance. Even if the ball looks fine, if it has been submerged in water for a long time, this also causes performance differences. Due to the nature of the materials, golf balls should be stored in places not affected by humidity at room temperature. It is not advisable to store them in places with severe temperature changes or exposed to direct sunlight, such as inside a car.
Golf ball fitting is very important. It should be done with the help of experts and cutting-edge equipment. Titleist has developed a golf ball fitting app that recommends the optimal golf ball for each golfer. This new concept fitting service is called the "Titleist Golf Ball Selector Tool." It uses fitting data from tour players, club experts, and golfers of various levels. Using the app, a simple yet accurate fitting can be completed in about 15 minutes through a proprietary algorithm. If you want to learn more about golf balls, you can join the Titleist Golf Ball Education Van for training. Of course, golf ball fitting reservations are also available.
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