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The more you play golf, the more apparent it becomes that every little detail matters. From the material of your club, to the minute movements of your hands and feet, to the slightest breeze - all of these things can mean the difference between a birdie and a bogey. And so as we unravel the intricacies of the golf sport, so are we starting to realize that small details might not be small at all. Case in point - golf ball anatomy.
Browse the market for golf balls, and you’ll find that manufacturers are coming up with brand new ball designs left and right, all of which promise one thing - to maximize your distance. The only question now is, ‘what’s the science behind those claims?’ Well, you’re about to learn what makes the longest golf ball.
As one of the primary considerations for long distance golf balls, players have long debated whether soft or hard balls have potential to travel farther. Fortunately for us, there’s sound science that can finally put that discussion to rest.
Way back during the later half of the 20th century, golf ball manufacturers would use two primary golf designs. The softer Balata golf balls were often preferred by players for their excellent control. On the other hand, there were hard-cover balls that were desired for their greater distance of travel.
Today, golf balls are designed to incorporate the benefits of both hard and soft balls. But just as in the days of old, golfers know that harder balls tend to deliver greater distance while softer balls are far easier to control especially during short game.
For those seeking to maximize the distance of their drive, it helps to know how altitude can change your game. While some might think that swinging a club at higher elevation might dampen the distance of the resulting collision, the result is actually the opposite.
Golf ball physics teaches us that conditions at higher altitudes can actually help propel your ball forward. In fact, some studies have found that driving from an elevation of 5,000 feet can actually cast your ball forward by up to 10% farther. That’s because air is thinner at higher altitudes, and thus there’s less friction on your ball.
Another reason why altitude might be a smart tool to max out distance is because air imparts less upward force on your ball at higher elevation. That means you can expect a straighter trajectory and a longer roll as your ball lands on the terrain.
Check out this video from Trackman Golf which does an excellent job explaining this:
Way back when, manufacturers would churn out two-piece golf balls by the millions. But with research telling us that there might be better ways to construct longer-travelling balls, we’ve seen the introduction of multi-layer golf balls.
In essence, a two-piece golf ball is one that uses two layers. The outermost layer is typically a cut-proof, blended cover, and the interior, a high energy resin or acrylate material. These are designed to be particularly firm and are known to travel far and roll far despite being harder to control.
On the other hand, there are multi-layer golf balls that can incorporate anywhere from three, to four, and even five different layers of material. The purpose of these designs is to maximize distance and improve ball control and feedback.
NUMBER OF LAYERS | CONSTRUCTION | ADVANTAGE |
|---|---|---|
Three | Solid rubber or liquid core, enhanced rubber mantle, and a molded cover of durable urethane, surlyn, or balata-like material | Same distance as a two-piece ball but higher spin rate comparatively |
Four | Solid rubber core, soft rubber inner and outer mantle, ultra-thin outer covering | High feedback, enhanced accuracy off of the tee, mid iron spin, and increased distance depending on mantle density and hardness |
Five | Solid rubber core, three mantle layers of varying make and material, and soft urethane cover | Marries distance and control, but performance varies depending on mantle construction |
The answer isn’t really set in stone. The thing about ball construction and distance is that it all ties in with your performance. For casual players who want to swing far, a two-piece golf ball can be an easy choice that offers just enough feedback for the improving golfer.
On the other hand, an advance player who pays more attention to feedback might find that multi-layer golf balls provide a more distinct smash feel. And when you’re more attuned to the response of your golf ball, you stand the chance to take if farther with each swing.
For beginners, something softer - like a four piece ball - might be a sound choice. Responding better to slow swing speeds, these softer balls can travel much farther when subject to slower swings.
The big difference between a low compression and high compression golf ball is that they’re wound differently. As its name suggests, a low compression golf ball is less tight, making it softer and more responsive to slower swing speeds. For players with swing speeds below 90 miles per hour, a low compression golf ball offers excellent distance.
Then of course there’s the high compression golf ball. Constructed to be far tighter, these golf balls are denser and harder. They work best in the hands of a golfer with swing speeds of over 90 miles per hour.
In essence, a low compression ball is more forgiving, launching to substantial distances even in the hands of a slow swinger like novice players and seniors. The high compression ball was designed for power hitters, travelling farther distances with superior swing speed rates.
In the right hands, a high compression ball can travel marginally farther than a low compression ball. But even then, if you’re not a power hitter, then you might find that a high comrpession ball may bring down your driving distance compared to a softer low compression ball.
The earliest golf balls were designed without the dimples. But as those first few golfers would realize, their golf balls would travel farther the longer they were used. They attributed this to the scuffing and beating that the balls were exposed to during play, creating dips and dimples all over its surface.
Today, dimples are the signature of any legal golf ball, and it’s understood that these surface patterns can have significant impact on the distance that they travel. In essence, the dimples change the way that the ball interacts with the force of air and wind.
As wind hits the surface of the ball, it closes back up at the tail end, reducing the size of the air pocket that forms behind the ball during travel. This in effect minimizes drag - the vacuum of air that forms opposite the area of wind resistance. What you get is a ball with the capability to travel much farther than any smooth ball of the same make and material.
There is no regulation that controls the number or size of dimples that are legal to play in a golf game. But research has found that larger, shallower dimples are likely to produce a more beneficial effect in terms of launching your ball farther.
The recycled golf ball market is pretty big business. And with prices that can be up to 80% cheaper than brand new, it’s easy to see why a golfer might want to cash in on that cake. But there are some reservations for players who want nothing short of professional-level play, especially because some of these balls have seen quite a bit of abuse.
According to statistics, a ball that’s lost on a golf course will go for an average of 3 months or less before being found. What causes the worry for some players is the fact that some of these balls might be waterlogged by the time they’re retrieved. But research tells us that we might not need to worry about that.
The Oakland University performed an experiment on brand new golf balls that were soaked in water for 5 months, and then tested for distance. Based on the results of their test, the balls performed no different from how they did when they were first taken out of the pack. So if you’re looking to save on your next golf ball purchase, a recycled ball might not dampen your game.
Sure, we’d all love to drive our golf balls a little farther whenever possible. But there are some players who might benefit more from the best golf balls for distance than the majority of advanced and professional players.
A high handicap player will use more shots to get a ball where it needs to go. With a long distance golf ball, high handicap players can move closer to the target with fewer shots.
Novice players who don’t fully understand the mechanics of the golf swing might find it difficult to fine tune their performance to get the most distance out of a ball. But with a golf ball that’s designed for long distance play, then they stand the chance to enjoy the course without having to be a pro.
In tournaments, completing the hole with as few shots as possible is the ultimate goal. A long distance golf ball can earn you a coveted hole-in-one versus a ball that might not be able to go the distance.
Considered one of Titleist most successful golf balls for distance, the Velocity two-layer design touts anatomy that works to minimize drag and max out distance travelled. The golf balls are developed for exceedingly low long game spin, launching your shot out into the green with as little resistance as possible. Its shallow dimples work to optimize aerodynamics, creating small pockets of turbulence towards the rear for low pressure area reduction.
Perfect for players looking for flatter trajectories with minimized spin, the TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Balls can fly with clear-cut precision across long distances. The shallow dimples were intended to interact with air resistance and limit the impact of drag, effectively shooting your ball out in as straight a line as possible. These balls use a reactor core that preserves momentum and charges the layers with the power of your swing.
Using advanced two-piece construction, the Wilson Ultra 500 Distance golf balls help to improve how far you can go by amplifying the power of collision with its high energy core. The design is then covered with an ultra durable coating that provides a satisfying impact feel, heightening feedback so you can fine-tune your swing to get the most distance. Guaranteed cut-proof, these long-wearing balls come with an impressive year-long warranty for your comfort and confidence.
Often considered the creme de la creme of golf balls, the Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls offer astounding long distance performance and consistent flight. These balls use unique anatomy and construction, utilizing a 17% thinner cover material to really bring the power of your swing straight to the core. But aside from travelling far, these golf balls also set them apart with their ingenious drop and stop short game control that keeps rolling in control at the tail end of a drive.
Dubbed the longest illegal golf balls, the Polara Ultimate Straight Golf Balls might not meet regulation standards, but they can be a fun way to achieve long drives during casual or leisure play. These golf balls tout self-correcting technology that straightens out slices and hooks by up to 75%. Sure, it might feel like cheating. But if you just really want to launch a golf ball far just for the kicks, the Polara balls might be a fun way to get it done.
The longest golf ball hit ever recorded spanned a whopping 515 yards. And while that might seem impossible to any average player, it’s important to remember that there’s a lot more that contributes to your driving distance than just your swing. All of the equipment and gear you choose - and yes, even your golf ball - can have a significant impact on how far you can go with a single shot. So, go the distance, max out your longest golf ball drive, and keep a few long distance golf balls in tow to see just how many extra yards they can take you.
