Menu
So, you’ve been swinging for a while, and now finally you’ve graduated mid handicap territory. Congratulations are definitely in order. But more than the minor celebration, it’s imperative that you consider upgrading your gear to keep up with your improvement. Sure, the first thing you might think to replace would be your clubs. However, before you go on and shell out big bucks for a fresh set of steel. You might want to consider trying out a more suitable golf ball first.
While you might have had a pretty good run with that ultra soft and ultra forgiving golf ball, there’s a lot to learn with more advanced models. The best golf balls for mid handicappers offer just enough forgiveness. However still deliver more versatile performance that can help you maximize your new skills and developing understanding of golf physics.
First things first. How can you know if you’re ready to transition to mid handicap gear after spending some time as a high handicapper? Well, there are a few subjective ways to tell.
For starters, while it isn’t a definitive marker of a handicap. Your swing speed should help you figure out whether or not you’ve improved.
According to statistics, the average high handicapper could swing with a speed anywhere from 70 to 89 mph. But as your performance improves and you start to learn more about the technique, you become more capable of swinging faster. A mid handicapper will likely let the golf club rip with a speed of about 90 to 99 mph. A scratch could probably swing from 100 to 109 mph. And then of course, the pros swing at speeds of about 110 to 125 mph.
But if you were hoping for a more definitive, objective way of determining your handicap. There wouldn’t be a more accurate measure than by calculating it. To do that, you’re going to have to play 5 to 20 reps on a specific course. The data you collect during your game will be the first variable you need to do the math. Once you have that, you can try this nifty computation.
Figure out your adjusted gross score or AGS. This is the total of strokes used during a round, adjusted to match the maximum per-hole score. So for example, if you had to use up 9 strokes to complete a par 5 on a specific hole. You should record 5 instead of 9. If you used less than 5 strokes, then record as is.
Subtract the course rating from your AGS. The course rating is a number designated by the USGA that estimates how many strokes it would take for a zero handicapper to complete the entire course. Course ratings vary depending on the course you’re playing.
Multiply the resulting difference by 113. This fixed variable is the same for all golf courses, and represents the standard slope rating difficulty.
Take the product from the previous step and divide it by the course slope. This is the number designated by the USGA. It identifies how many strokes a high handicapper would need to complete a round on the course. This varies depending on the course you’re playing.
The resulting quotient should help you identify your handicap.
So, after all of that, how do you know if you’re a high or a mid handicapper? Well, there isn’t actually a definition of handicap ranges. That said, opinions tend to vary across the great, wide golfer landscape. Nonetheless, the rough estimates tend to commonly fall within these divisions.
20 and above. The maximum recognized handicap by the USGA is 36 for men and 40 for women.
10 to 19
Falls within the single digit range at 1 to 9
Zero above par or even lower than par
The first time you went looking for golf balls, all of the signs probably pointed you to ultra-soft, low-compression golf balls that fly far, straight, and fast even if you’re not exactly the best off the tee. But now that you’ve managed to shave a few counts off of your handicap rating. You should be able to explore new territory by trying a ball that’s a little more versatile without posing too much of a challenge.
Consider the various types of golf balls according to their construction:
NUMBER OF LAYERS | MAKE & CONSTRUCTION | PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS |
|---|---|---|
Two | Incorporates a thin cover material that lays directly over a single rubber core | Offers the lowest compression rating across the board, delivering simplified performance for low driver spin and extended distance with reduced risk of hooks and slices |
Three | Uses a thin cover material that sits on top of a mantle, with a rubber core in the center. Most tour-grade golf balls fall within the 3-piece category | When using softer low compression cores, 3-piece golf balls can behave like 2-piece designs. But they differ by their more versatile and dynamic greenside spin and control |
Four | Similar to the 3-piece golf ball, with the distinction that they use two mantles in varying materials and densities. They can also have liquid cores. Some tour-grade golf balls use 4 layers | Provides more advanced performance both off the tee and on the turf. Permits the opportunity for more complex shots that involve shaping |
Five | Uses 5 different layers that are made from varying materials with unique densities. Typically, 5-piece golf balls are advertised as the golden standard for advanced players and even professionals | Capable of the most spin separation compared to any other ball in the line-up. Provides ample legroom for shaping, fades and draws |
All that said, a mid handicapper should be on the look-out for a golf ball that can provide the opportunity for skill exploration without totally making it impossible for you to navigate the course. Of course, you’re still going to want distance and accuracy off of the tee. But greenside control and shaping might be techniques you’d be interested to explore.
With that, most mid handicappers are best served by three or four piece golf balls. However this will depend on your experience and confidence. There are also some dynamic two-piece balls out there that can make a good choice for mid handicappers as well.
Aside from construction, what else should you look into if you’re hoping to cop a set of golf balls that will match your evolving technique? As you might already know, there’s a lot more to golf balls than meets the eye. So understanding how each of these features factor in should help you pick out a ball that really fits your performance and skill.
For beginners, experts recommend getting the softest balls available. These ultra low compression golf balls tout interiors that are loosely wound. Allowing them to compress more readily for farther flight even if you’re not the hardest or fastest swinger. But now that you’ve developed a slightly more advanced technique. You might not need the extra help to get your golf ball flying far.
Now that you’re a mid handicapper, you’re probably swinging slightly faster than the average golfer or beginner. So a firmer ball at a compression rating of 70 to 80 shouldn’t be too hard to manage. A low compression ball with a rating that ranks a little firmer than the beginner ball can help you maximize your distance. Therefore still giving you a little more spin for more versatility from the tee to the pin.
Keep in mind however that there is no rule that says a slightly firmer ball is absolutely necessary. This all still depends on the speed of your swing. If you’re still a slow swinger despite clocking in fewer shots above par, then a soft, ultra-low compression golf ball shouldn’t be a bad idea.
A common question that golfers have as they move into an improved handicap rating is whether or not they should give a Tour ball a go. The worry is mainly due to the fact that Tour-grade golf balls are thought of as difficult to control on the greenside, and shorter off of the tee. Well, that could be the case, but it really depends on your performance.
A Tour-level golf ball is essentially a ‘distance’ golf ball with slightly tweaked anatomy. Using a soft, thin cover (typically made of urethane) layered over a firm mantle and then a softer core. These golf balls provide dynamic physics that can be highly beneficial for mid to low handicappers who know how to hit a ball to achieve a certain trajectory.
But don’t Tour golf balls spin severely around the putting greens? Maybe they do spin a little more during short-game, but the difference is marginal at best. So if they’re not so different after all, why doesn’t every mid handicapper buy a set of premium Tour-level golf balls? Simple - they’re expensive.
If you’re not keen on golfing with razor sharp spin precision, premium feel, and slightly improved spin. Then there are a ton of other, more affordable choices out there that can work just fine for your skill level even without the fancy ‘Tour-grade’ label slapped on them.
And since we’re on the topic of prices. There’s no way to avoid the glaring recycled vs brand new debate. The market for recycled and refurbished golf balls is bigger than ever. Offering buyers a selection of viable balls that were retrieved, washed, and sorted according to brand, type, and color, among other things.
These are going to cost significantly less than your brand new set of golf ball, touting prices that can really draw in the budget-conscious golfer. For the most part, recycled golf balls can be a practical choice if you want to buy a set of practice golf balls that don’t feel too painful to lose. And while it might be a challenge to get all of the same ball in one set. Similar designs and colors are usually lumped together so you get roughly the same experience with each ball.
Refurbished golf balls tend to draw in buyers who don’t want to pay big but still want that new golf ball look and feel. Unfortunately, refurbished golf balls are often made to look better than their true condition. Because they’re repainted and sometimes even rebranded. There’s no way to know how damaged the ball might have been before it was recovered.
Brand new golf balls don’t necessarily cost a fortune. This is especially the case if you’re careful to make an informed choice. Some buyers tend to steer clear of previous golf ball models thinking they’re obsolete or outdated. But older golf ball designs that are marked down because of the introduction of newer choices will perform just fine. Sometimes perhaps even better - without calling for steep prices.
So, what precisely should a mid handicapper be keen on achieving when it comes to selecting a golf ball? These main factors should provide a clearer picture:
You’re still going to want distance. The farther your ball travels from the pin, the shorter the distance you’ll have to play on the turf. Thus the bigger your chances of scoring below par.
Now that you have a deeper understanding of golf ball physics, you should be interested in learning how to shape your shot to achieve a not-so-straight trajectory. Especially when it’s necessary to avoid bunkers and hazards.
Greater greenside spin can make it possible for you to control your ball through more complicated shots. Chips and pitches out of bunkers become far more dynamic when you learn how to leverage spin during the shot.
A soft, pleasant clap is still the best feel there is, but feedback is equally as important. As you learn more skills and techniques as a golfer, your ball’s feedback will help you learn more about golf ball physics depending on the sound and feel it produces when you strike.
Touted as Tour performance golf balls. The Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls are a four-piece design that’s engineered for the same, satisfying, straight flight off of the tee with reduced driver spin. But what makes it ideal for mid handicappers is that its dynamic construction allows more control and versatility on the putting greens. Giving you the ability to shape your shot and try more advanced short-game techniques as you approach the tee.
A favorite from the brand. The Srixon Q-Star Tour 2 Golf Balls are designed for seamless energy transfer off of the tee. Maximizing every ounce of force to launch forward with unprecedented speed. Using an Energetic Gradient Growth Core, these Srixon golf balls fly forward with razor sharp accuracy to bring your ball closer to the tee with precision. And once there, they showcase elaborate short-game performance that lets any mid handicapper discover easy ways to leverage spin for more complicated approach shots.
Using a gradational core. The Bridgestone Golf Tour B RXS Golf Balls demonstrate excellent forgiveness without limiting your ability to shape your shot. Its SlipRes cover formulation provides extra spin control during short-game. Therefore providing increased friction that works with your club face to achieve various trajectories and launch angles. And of course, these golf balls feel exceptional on both full and partial shots. Resonating with gentle vibration that’s easy on the club but still intuitive for the discriminating golfer.
While they’re not quite as popular as other choices from TaylorMade. The Project (a) Golf Balls were designed specifically for mid handicappers. Despite being Tour-level, these golf balls tout ultra soft feel that still allows impressive distance and spin control with drivers and long irons. Its three-piece construction also makes it possible for players to execute fades, draws, and shaped shots. To address a variety of lie conditions that might be challenging for high handicap golf balls to get out of.
The four-piece Callaway Golf Chrome Soft X Golf Balls are just the right feel for a mid handicapper hoping to expand his horizons. Developed for satisfying feedback. The Chrome Soft X golf balls are impressively forgiving despite delivering workable flight from anywhere on the course. With its soft urethane cover, these golf balls maximize the power of your swing. It also transfers energy in dynamic ways to the core for more opportunities for versatile short-game.
They weren’t kidding when they said there’s a golf ball for everyone. Mid handicappers aren’t pro-level, that’s for sure, but they’re not newbies either. So it would come as no surprise that a middle-ground golf ball should be the perfect choice for these in-between players who have acquired some skill but have yet to join the pros.
Our choice for the best golf balls for mid handicappers would be none other than the Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls. With a familiar feeling that replicates the feedback you get out of the beginner golf balls you’ve probably gotten used to. The Chrome Soft Golf Balls from Callaway deliver more versatility around the course. Letting you enjoy the same long carry without limiting what you can do when you approach the pin.
