Looking for a new set of golf balls for senior golfers (more distance & more durable) ? Well, that’s a serious task.
Depending on your swing, certain golf balls will perform better for you than others. Some balls will deliver greater distance for those needing it, while others will provide greater spin for those needing more control. Some will be a combination of the two. But how do you pick the right one for you when there are so many to choose from? The choice can seem overwhelming.
The purpose of this article is to make that choice a bit easier for you. We’ve looked at the current market and we’ve provided a number of golf ball recommendations that will help you zero in on the right ball that will perform the best for you. Let’s talk about the Best Golf Balls for Senior Golfers.
Table of Contents
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Best Golf Balls for Seniors
The Anatomy of a Golf Ball
Before we get into recommendations, though, let’s first get some background by taking a quick look at the anatomy of a golf ball. Essentially, a ball has three main component parts: a core, an interior layer (or several) surrounding the core, and the exterior cover.
- Core – At the center of all golf balls is a solid, round compound, usually made of rubber or resin. You can think of the core as a “ball within the ball.” The core is the largest part of the ball and will have the most important effect on full swing shots. Generally, the larger the core, the greater the distance. That is why balls that are advertised as “distance balls” will almost always have a very large core.
- Layers – Surrounding the core are one or more layers that are made of a blend of ionomers. The purpose of adding these layers to the ball is to provide enhanced feel, more control, and better overall performance. Golf balls that have one or more of these interior additional layers are referred to as “multi-layered.”
- Cover – The outer “shell” of the ball is usually made from one of two different materials, either Surlyn or Urethane. Surlyn gives a slightly harder feel to the ball, while Urethane provides a somewhat softer feel for added control.
What Makes One Ball Different from Another?
Golf ball design is extremely complex, with companies spending a lot of time and money researching how the combination of layers and core can provide the ideal blend of distance and control at different swing speeds and price points. To make an informed decision about the best golf ball for you, it’s helpful if you understand the different features of the ball, and how those features determine which ball is best suited for one golfer versus another.
Example: Let’s say Golfer A’s primary goal is to pick up some additional distance with his shots. Golfer B’s goal, on the other hand, is different. He already hits the ball a long way, but he wants to get increased spin and control. Two different types of golfers, two different objectives. And, therefore, two different golf balls that would be recommended. The reason for that is because a golf ball that is designed for added distance has a different construction than a ball designed for spin generation and control. Identifying which goal is most important to you (distance, control, or a combination of both), is the first step in being able to ultimately choose your ideal golf ball.
Two-piece vs. Multi-layered Golf Balls
All golf balls have a core, and all have a cover. But what differentiates golf balls today is the number of interior layers that surround the core.
Some golf balls simply have a core surrounded by a cover (i.e., no additional layers). This type of ball is referred to as a two-piece ball, reflecting those two component parts.
Other balls may contain one or more additional layers surrounding the core. These “multi-layer” golf balls provide a different, softer feel when compared to two-piece balls. When one additional layer is added to the core and the cover, it is referred to as a three-piece ball. Likewise, two additional layers added to the core and the cover creates a four-piece ball.
Most multi-layered golf balls fall into one of these two varieties, although the ante was recently upped when a few companies introduced a five-piece ball, and one even came out with a six-piece ball!
Which Type is Better for Senior Golfers?
Whether a two-piece ball or a multi-layered ball is better for you depends on two things: the kind of golfer that you are, and what type of performance you are seeking from your golf ball.
The Two-Piece Golf Ball
If you are a golfer who has a slow-to-average swing speed and find that you aren’t able to hit the ball as far as you’d like, chances are that a two-piece ball would be preferable for you. Two-piece balls are designed and constructed with the aim of providing extra distance. There are several three-piece balls that are advertised as having a combination of distance and feel, and these may work for you as well, but as additional layers are added to golf balls, you’ll usually see an increase in price. Two-piece balls will almost always be less expensive.
You should be aware, though, that because two-piece balls don’t include any extra interior layers, they will usually have a lower spin rate than a multi-layer ball, and therefore won’t stop as quickly on the greens.
So, in summary, two-piece golf balls consist of a thin (but tough) outer layer surrounding a large, solid core. Spin is minimized, delivering maximum distance and this reduced spin has the added benefit of lessening the amount that these balls will slice or hook.
- The best golf balls for distance
- Spin is minimized
- Less expensive
The Multi-Layered Golf Ball
Multi-layered balls have a higher spin rate than the two-piece balls, due in large part to the extra layers. Extra spin is usually sought by players seeking a greater level of control. They also feel softer than the two-piece balls, but because of this, they don’t always have the same durability.
This type of ball is generally used by stronger, lower handicap golfers who can control the ball’s flight better than those with higher handicaps. Multi-layered balls are more expensive than their two-piece counterparts, due to the added design, engineering, and cost of production.
So, multi-layer golf balls are:
- The best golf ball for low to mid handicap golfers
- The best ball for players with higher swing speeds
- The best ball for golfers that prioritize feel and control over distance
How to Choose the Right Ball for You
So, with all that being said, what’s the process you should go through when trying to determine what kind of golf ball will be best suited for you? Basically you should consider the following factors:
Feel
A golf ball’s feel will depend on its construction. Some balls feel soft off the clubface, others have a firmer feel.
Low-compression balls will generally have a soft feel, but not all soft balls are low compression. Some of the high-end multi-layer balls feel very soft but can have a high-compression. Most high-compression balls are made of multiple layers so if the outer cover is relatively soft, the ball can still present a soft feel to the player.
It is generally agreed that soft golf balls spin less than firmer golf balls so, from the tee, they should be longer and straighter, having less backspin and sidespin. However, there is a trade-off: spinning less will mean that there is a little less control around the greens.
Spin
Spin is an important factor to consider when selecting a golf ball. The determination of whether you choose a low-spin or a high-spin ball depends on what your goals are. Is your main objective to increase your distance because of a slower swing speed? Is it to have better feel so that you can control your ball better to be able to shape shots, or to be able to stop the ball better on the greens? Identifying what you’re trying to achieve in your game is the first step in deciding what level of spin is best for you.
If your objective is to get some additional distance, a low-spin golf ball would probably be advantageous for you. They also tend to decrease side spin on your shots, allowing the ball to fly straighter through the air. Because of their reduced spin in the air, they tend to roll out more once they hit the ground. They are best-suited to players that slice the ball or struggle to get distance on the ground.
Mid-spin balls, as the name suggests, bridge the gap between low- and high-spin balls. These are golf balls that offer a combination of both distance and feel and, consequently, they target the widest range of golfers. Because these balls offer additional spin as a feature, they often incorporate a softer but more expensive urethane cover, which will tend to bump up the cost versus pure distance balls.
High-spin balls are designed to increase how much the ball will spin in the air. Backspin is needed to get lift on your ball, so those who struggle with hitting the ball as high as they’d like would benefit from a higher spinning ball. Higher spin also comes in handy around the greens allowing you to get a little better feel and a little better stopping power on your shots.
Distance
As mentioned previously, prior to shopping for golf balls, it helps to identify whether your preference is for distance or for feel. Typically the less-expensive two- or three-piece balls are marketed as distance balls. They are firm and produce less sidespin and, sometimes, they are even engineered to provide a higher launch trajectory, which can enhance your distance.
Compression
The term compression comes from the fact that when struck with a club, the golf ball will compress and then rebound off of the club at a high rate of speed.
Golf ball compression is a way that ball manufacturers measure the overall hardness of the ball. The typical compression ratings are between 70 and 110, with the lower number indicating a softer ball and a higher number indicating a harder ball.
Generally speaking, players with slower swing speeds will benefit from using a low compression golf ball (between 70-90), while high swing speed players would typically opt for a higher compression rating (95-110). Why?
With a slow swing speed, it is more difficult to compress a golf ball, so slower swingers need a softer, low-compression ball that is easier to compress. This will enable them to benefit from the rebound effect. High swing speeds, on the other hand, are able to compress a golf ball more easily, so these players need a higher-compression ball. Also, it could impact performance negatively if a high swing speed player was to use a low-compression ball, and the ball was therefore compressed too much.
Price
This probably goes without saying. Different golfers will be comfortable at different price points. You’ll find a fairly wide range of golf ball costs. Generally, the cost of golf balls will go up as additional components are added. A two-piece ball, consisting of just the core and a cover, will cost much less that a multi-layered ball that includes a core, one or more additional layers, and a higher-end cover material.
Best Golf Balls for Senior Golfers
Now that you have a better understanding of the factors that make different golf balls behave in different ways, we are highlighting below the golf balls that we recommend for you. These models represent the Best Golf Balls for Senior Golfers. For the most part, they are all low-compression models that will facilitate better performance for those with slower swing speeds.
To help you in your decision-making, we’ve included a table that presents the characteristics of each ball, showing its type of construction, cover material, spin, and compression rating:
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I have bee searching for a long time about this topic because my fathers are very interested in this golf. we need to the idea about golf idea for old people. thanks
This golf ball idea is a correct and more effective idea. thanks a lot for this bets idea
I agree with the autor. Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls are the best golf balls for seniors. My Grandpa is totally delighted plaing with them.
Why low compression is so important when choosing golf balls for seniors?
Basically, due to lack of swing speed.
Now, I understand the differences between beginner and senior balls. Thank you!