Golf Ball Compression: What Charts & Ratings Mean

Golf ball compression is key to a ball’s performance. It is a measure of the hardness of the ball and is rated on a scale of 30 to 120, with 30 being the softest, and 120 being the hardest.

A golf ball with a compression rating of 90 will feel harder than one with a rating of 110.

The lower the compression, the further the ball will travel.

But that’s not the whole story.

A golf ball with too low of compression may not have enough energy to make it through the wind, while a golf ball with too high of compression may not have enough give to create spin.

That’s why it’s important to find the right golf ball for your game by checking out a golf ball compression chart and finding the sweet spot for your particular swing speed.

The good news is, that you will find one to guide you below!

Intro to Golf Ball Compression & Charts

The golf ball compression chart is a tool that golfers use to determine how hard they should hit the golf ball in order to get the desired results. A compression chart is also a useful tool for golf course designers, as it can help to determine the appropriate depth of the greens.

Golfers can also use the compression chart to select the right ball for their game. By knowing the compression ratings, golfers can choose a golf ball that will perform optimally for their swing speed and playing conditions.

Compression Ratings for Golf Balls

When shopping for golf balls, you may have noticed that they have different compression ratings. But what does compression rating actually mean? And how does it affect the performance of the ball?

Basically, compression rating is a measure of how much the ball compresses when hit. A higher compression rating means that the ball will compress more, while a lower compression rating means that the ball will compress less.

Generally speaking, lower compression balls are better for beginners and those with slower swing speeds, as they are easier to hit and produce more distance. Higher compression balls are better for experienced players with faster swing speeds, as they generate more spin and control.

These ratings typically range from 40 to 200.

A ball rated 40 will travel further than a ball rated at 120.  Tour Pros generally use golf balls with a rating of 100 or higher, because they are looking for a high degree of receptiveness in short-range shots. 

The most commonly used balls on tour are the Pro V1, Pro V1X, Chrome SoftX, then a few others.

Golf Ball Layers – What You Should Know

Golf balls have come a long way since the days of simply hitting a leather-wrapped piece of cork.

Today, golf balls are high-tech marvels with carefully engineered layers that provide optimal performance. The typical golf ball has three layers: the core, the inner mantle, and the outer mantle. The core is typically made of proprietary rubber compounds that are designed to provide maximum compression.

The inner mantle is typically made of a softer rubber compound that helps to increase ball speed. The outer mantle is made of a harder rubber compound that helps to add spin and control. By carefully selecting the materials for each layer, manufacturers can create golf balls that perform exactly as desired.

Which Golf Ball Compression Is Right For You?

If you are asking yourself that question this should help…

When picking the perfect ball for you, golf ball compression should be one of the main factors.

The key to this is knowing what your swing speed is, so if you don’t know that you would simply be taking a wild guess. Knowing swing is step 1.

Once you know that, you can use the chart below to find match up your swing speed with golf balls that will jive with that number.

But if you’re thinking your swing speed isn’t up to par, check out this video from Titleist showing what happens to a golf ball at impact at various swing speeds:

Check out the golf ball compression chart below:

Final Thoughts on Golf Ball Compression

Equipping yourself with the right ball is a good idea.  Little things like knowing your swing speed then selecting the right equipment are a great way to get off to a good start in the game of golf. We suggest checking out our golf tips for beginners as well.

Hopefully, by reading this post you have a better understanding of the inner workings of golf ball compression, and how to select the right ball for your game.

There are so many little factors that come into play in the game of golf and piling up little things it can lead to some positive results.

That’s a wrap!

Thanks for checking out this golf ball compression masterpiece.

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To your golf success!