Golf Ball is the #1 Way to Gain Distance
To gain distance, you have to understand that ball compression is key to distance. Golf balls have become almost a social construct of “you’re a good golfer only if you play Titleist ProV1’s or ProV1X’s” and although Titleist is known for their superb golf ball lineup, the Tour professionals can actually compress those golf balls, while the amateur cannot. So, what does it take to compress a premium golf ball for the best way to gain distance? Here are the numbers:
TRUFEEL: under 80 mph swing speed
Velocity: 65 mph swing speed
AVX: 80 mph swing speed
PROV1: 90 to 100 mph swing speed
ProV1X: 105 mph swing speed
Now, women tend to hit women golf ball designed specifically for them with their swing speeds, but men don’t understand this concept near as well. Without going too deep into this “gain distance” concept, what I will tell you is take the longest approach iron that you have, whether you typically hit a 7-iron or 8-iron to attack a green and hit four balls of varying compression. I am willing to wager that the softer compression balls will have better ball speed and higher spin, translating to better stopping power on the green from backspin, whereas the harder compression golf balls will roll out to the back of the green, having less compression and less backspin. Golf is not just about compressing the golf ball off of the tee to gain distance, you also want to compress the golf ball for feel and spin when you attack the greens.
My point is playing a softer, cheaper ball doesn’t mean it will perform worse. Golf Journey 365 said this about the ProV1 golf ball:
“For a golfer to hit a 7 iron 200 yards, he or she would need to produce a club head speed of around 95 to 100 miles per hour with a 7 iron. The PGA Tour average for a 7 iron is 90 miles per hour.” You can visit this article here:
How To Hit A 7 Iron 200 Yards (4 Recommendations) – Golf Journey 365
That isn’t a driver swing speed, that’s a 7-iron swing speed and if you’re on the other side of 50 years old on average, your swing speed is getting below that, meaning your 7 iron is traveling 160 yards or less.
I use ProCheck to test my golf balls. It fits in my bag and gives me instant compression information on the golf balls for that day. You’ll find it here: ProCheck® | #1 Golf Ball Compression Testing Tool (squarespace.com)
I play a softer, lower compression ball under 80°F in the spring and fall. During the summer, above 80°F, I’ll play a higher compression ball that is warm from the heat and will compress easier. This maintains my club distance throughout the golfing season. Try it out! Again, the easiest and most affordable way to gain distance!
-David