Spin Balls
On the outside most golf balls look pretty much the same; most are white, most feature a manufacturer's logo and most have a hard shiny surface. However there are numerous intricacies within the design of each ball that allow it to perform in very different ways when struck. For those looking to add a little extra momentum to their drives, a distance golf ball will provide an ideal solution; however if control around the fairways and green is more of a key feature of your game, then you'll require a spin ball.
Increased Control with Spin Balls
The spin ball features a slightly different design and manufacturing process to help generate that all important additional control. There are numerous levels of spin ball, ranging from a limited model that will offer minor additional help for hook and slice shots and increased control, right through to maximum spin, which provides great control through increased ball rotations although has a significantly adverse effect on the distance achieved.
Dimple patterns can be changed in order to alter the flight of a ball. Manufacturers have developed methods of varying the surface layer in order to accommodate different numbers, shapes and arrangements of the dimples. The average golf ball features between 250 and 450 hollows - almost always an even number too - which are required by the laws of the game to be as symmetrical as possible. The formation of these indentations determines how the ball reacts when it is struck by the club head and when it lands on the surface of the course; however it isn't the only determining factor.
Key Features of a Spin Golf Ball
Modern golf balls tend to be made up of between 2 and 4 individual layers. Each layer provides a compacted shell around the core of the ball and singularly alters the weight and flight. Golf balls with a greater number of layers are particularly favoured by more advanced players due to their unique characteristics, which essentially stem from having a softer outer cover and a solid core. This makes the ball feel significantly lighter when struck and produces that all important extra spin and control that top player's look for.
The downside of this is that they generally need to be struck with great firmness to achieve the optimal shot; this is due to the increased compression that occurs on impact, caused by the softer outer layer. Due to its unique characteristics these balls also tend to be more expensive than the standard 2 or 3 layer alternatives, which may of course put some players off, particularly those who have a penchant for finding the water hazards on their local course.
Improve Short Game without Sacrificing Distance
In short, if you are currently playing to a high standard but want to sharpen up accuracy and begin improving approach shots, an advanced spin ball could well be the answer. Take the Callaway Tour ix or Titleist Pro V1 X golf balls; these are two high end professional spin balls that will sharpen up your short game with added spin whilst also maintaining a decent distance. Lower down the range you are likely to see less layers featured and a more generic design, which may well see distance affected, but will still see you achieve some significant spin.
