Are you aware that golf balls also fine-tune your performance in the game? Well, many do not know about this fact, especially beginners and amateurs. But selecting the correct golf ball could enhance your accuracy, and distance and step up your performance.
One of the golf ball’s characteristics is its rate of compression: Manufacturers have them in charts as guides for players. This guide will help you find the ball that suits your needs.
We will show the different golf ball compression charts from every ball manufacturer. This way, you can decide on what golf ball fits your skills.
What Is Golf Ball Compression?
Golf ball compression (compression rating) is the condition in which the ball changes shape when struck by the club face. It is measured by how much the golf ball compresses under pressure created by the golf club. The circumstances occur when the golf club passes on the energy to the ball upon contact.
However, there is no specific standard for compression rating. Also, every golfer has a varied ball compression depending on swing speed and the type of club and ball used.
Manufacturers assigned compression ratings for every golf ball they make to inform golfers of distinction from other models and brands.
Golf balls have low (65 or less), mid (66-89), and high-compression (90 and above) ratings. The rating depends on the material (especially the cover), plies (or layers, usually 2- to 5-piece), and the feel.
Also, golf balls are rated according to their degree of softness or hardness: such as soft (low-compression), mid (mid-compression), and firm (high-compression).
The golf ball’s compression factor runs between 30 and 120 rates of compression. The softest is 30 (low compression), while the hardest is 120 (high compression rating). The number in-between them is the medium (mid) compression rate.
However, other brands do the ratings between 60 and 200.
How Does Golf Ball Compression Matter?
The ball compression in many ball sports like rugby, soccer, baseball, football, etc., matters a lot. Players can manipulate the ball (by hands or feet) where they can strike it to give them the best results. It is also similar to golf.
The ball compression is one of the variables that determine a golf ball’s performance: and your golf swing speed will enhance this performance.
Golf Ball Compression Chart
Here are the individual golf ball compression charts provided by different manufacturers. The charts will give you an idea of what type of balls you should use depending on your skill.
1. Callaway Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Callaway Brand Model | Layers | Material/Cover | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Restriction (Handicap) |
| Chrome Soft | 3 | Urethane | Medium (75) | Soft | Under 100 | Low (Advanced) |
| Chrome Soft X | 4 | Urethane | High (95) | Mid | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| Chrome Soft X LS | 4 | Urethane | High (100) | Mid | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| ERC Soft | 3 | Hybrid | Low (60) | Soft | Under | Mid |
| Supersoft | 2 | Hybrid | Low (40) | Soft | Under 90 MPH | High (Beginner) |
| Supersoft Max | 2 | Hybrid | Low (30) | Soft | Under 85 | High (Beginner) |
| Superfast | 2 | Hybrid | Low (70) | Soft | Under 95 | High (Beginner) |
| Superhot | 3 | Ionomer | Low (70) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Warbird | 2 | Ionomer | High (90) | Mid | Under 95 | Mid (Beginner) |
| Strata Eagle | 2 | Ionomer | Low | Mid | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Reva | 2 | Ionomer | Low (30) | Soft | Under 85 | High (Beginner) |
2. Cut Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Cut Golf Brand Model | Layers | Material/Cover | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Restriction (Handicap) |
| Cut DC | 4 | Urethane | High (105) | Firm | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| Cut Blue | 4 | Urethane | High (90) | Mid | Under 105 | Low (Advanced) |
| Cut Grey | 3 | Urethane | Medium (80) | Soft | Under 100 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Cut Red | 2 | Ionomer | Low (60) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Cut Matte | 3 | Ionomer | Low (65) | Mid | Under 100 | Mid (Intermediate) |
3. Mizuno Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Mizuno Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| RB Tour | 4 | High (90) | Soft | 95-105 | Low (Advanced) |
| RB Tour X | 4 | High (110) | Soft | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| RB 566 | 2 | Low (70) | Soft | 85-95 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| RB 566V | 3 | Low (75) | Soft | 90-95 | Mid (Intermediate) |
4. Snell Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Snell Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| MTB-X | 3 | High (90) | Firm | 90-105 | Low (Advanced) |
| MTB-Black | 3 | Medium (80) | Mid | 90-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Get Sum | 2 | Low (60) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
5. Taylormade Golf Ball Compression Chart
| TaylorMade Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| Distance+ | 2 | Medium (77) | Soft | 80-90 | High (Beginner) |
| TP5 | 5 | Medium (80) | Soft | 90-105 | Low (Advanced) |
| TP5X | 5 | High (90) | Soft | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| TP5 Pix | 5 | Medium (85) | Soft | 90-105 | Low (Advanced) |
| TP5X Pix | 5 | High (100) | Soft | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| Tour Response | 3 | Medium (70) | Soft | 90-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Project (a) | 3 | Medium (70) | Mid | 90-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Project (s) | 2 | Low (60) | Soft | Under 80 | High (Beginner) |
| Soft Response | 3 | Low (35) | Soft | 90-105 MPH | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Noodle Long And Soft | 2 | Low (35) | Soft | Under 90 MPH | High (Beginner) |
| Kalea | 2 | Low (60) | Soft | Under 90 MPH | High (Beginner) |
6. Titleist Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Titleist Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin Compression | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| Pro V1 | 3 | High (90) | Soft | 95-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Pro V1X | 4 | High (100) | Mid | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| AVX | 3 | Medium (80) | Soft | 90-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Tour Speed | 3 | Medium (80) | Mid | 90-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Tour Soft | 2 | Low (65) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Velocity | 2 | Low (65) | Mid | Under 100 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| TruFeel | 2 | Low (60) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
7. Vice Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Vice Golf Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| Pro | 3 | High (95) | Mid | 95-110 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Pro Soft | 3 | Low (35) | Soft | Under 95 | High (Beginner) |
| Pro Plus | 4 | Medium (85) | Mid | 90-100 | Low (Advanced) |
| Pro Zero | 3 | High (95) | Mid | 95-110 | Mid (Intermedia) |
| Tour | 3 | High (90) | Mid | 90-100 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Drive | 2 | High (90) | Soft | 90-100 | High (Beginner) |
8. Volvik Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Volvik Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| Vivid | 3 | Medium (80) | Mid | Under 90 MPH | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Vivid Lite | 3 | Medium (75) | Mid | Under 90 MPH | High (Beginner) |
| S3 | 3 | Medium (85) | Mid | 95-105 MPH | Mid (Intermediate) |
| S4 | 4 | High (95) | Mid | 105+ MPH | Low (Advanced) |
| Crystal | 3 | Medium (77) | Firm | Under 90 MPH | High (Beginner) |
| Magma | 3 | High (90) | Soft | 85-95 MPG | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Power Soft | 2 | Medium (75) | Soft | Under 90 MPH | High (Beginner) |
| Solice | 3 | High (90) | Mid | Under 95 MPH | Mid (Intermediate) |
| ViMax Soft | 2 | Medium (75) | Soft | Under 90 MPH | High (Beginner) |
| XT Soft | 3 | Medium (70) | Mid | Under 90 MPH | Mid (Intermediate) |
| VXT AMT | 3 | High (90) | Firm | Under 95 MPH | Mid (Intermediate) |
9. Wilson Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Wilson Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| Staff | 4 | High (99) | Mid | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| Duo Professional | 3 | Low (60) | Mid | Under 90 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Duo Soft+ | 2 | Low (35) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Duo Optix | 2 | Low (30) | Mid | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Fifty Elite | 2 | Low (50) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Zip | 2 | Low (65) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Smart Core | 2 | Medium (85) | Mid | 90-100 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Tour Velocity Distance | 2 | Medium (70) | Firm | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Tour Velocity Feel | 2 | Medium (70) | Firm | Under 90 | High (Beginner) |
| Triad | 3 | Medium (85) | Mid | 90-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
10. Srixon Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Srixon Model Brand | Layers | Covers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| Z-Star | 3 | Urethane | High (90) | Soft | Under 105 | Low (Advanced) |
| Z-Star XV | 4 | Urethane | High (95) | Mid | 100+ | Low (Advanced) |
| Z-Star Diamond | 3 | Urethane | High (100) | Mid | 105+ | Low (Advanced) |
| Q-Star | 2 | Ionomer | Low (72) | Mid | Under 95 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Q-Star Tour | 3 | Urethane | Mid (75) | Soft | Under 95 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Soft Feel | 2 | Ionomer | Low (60) | Soft | Under 90 | High (Intermediate) |
11. Trust Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Trust Brand Model | Layers | Short Game Spin (Compression) | Feel | Swing Speed (mph) | Handicap (Restriction) |
| Bison Soft/Rosa | 3 | Low (70) | Soft | 80-95 | High (Beginner) |
| Bison V/Aurora | 3 | Medium (80) | Medium | 95-105 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Bison X | 3 | High (90) | Medium | 105-115 | Mid (Intermediate) |
| Bison XL | 3 | High (100) | Firm | 115 | Low (Advanced) |
Which Golf Ball Compression Rating Is Right for You?
As we said, one of the ways to determine what ball compression you should depend on your swing speed. Also, knowing your handicap will lead you to the right ball.
Remember that a high-compression golf ball requires high-speed swingers. In boosting distance, especially for beginners, a lower ball compression is what you need. But you can control your swing speed if you are already an experienced player.
Stages To Find The Correct Golf Ball Compression
Once you know your swing speed, here are the golf ball types that will match this skill.
2-Piece Golf Balls
The 2-piece layer golf balls are the perfect starter for high handicap (usually beginner) players. These balls are cheaper and are ideal for slow swingers.
3-Piece Golf Balls
The 3-piece golf balls offer more control and better performance, especially for mid-handicappers.
4 and 5-Piece Golf Balls
The 4- and 5-piece golf balls are ideal for low handicap players. Golfers with higher swing speed will benefit the most from these high compression balls to optimize their performance. These balls offer optimized control and distance.
How Does Golf Ball Compression Affect Your Game?
1. Golfing Skills
Beginners usually have a low level of ability in the game. It is better that they start on low ball compression (60 and below): and go with the next level of compression factor (mid-compression) as they learn more.
2. Swing Speed
The club speed plays a pivotal role in choosing the best golf ball for a golfer. Players with high swing speed compress the ball higher degree delivering a longer distance. However, if a high-swing speed golfer uses a low or mid-compression ball, he may not achieve the range he wants.
3. Weather Conditions
Chilling weather may have an impact on golf ball performance. During cold days, a ball with a 70 rating may feel like an 80: It is better to choose a golf ball that suits cold weather (preferably low compression with a soft feel).
FAQ’s
1. What golf ball is 75-compression?
Some of the most popular golf balls with 75-compression are the Srixon Q-Star and the Callaway Chrome Soft. The Q-Star has a 75 compression rating but with a recommended swing speed of less than 95mph and is cheaper than Callaway.
The Callaway Chrome Soft has a large core ideal for seniors and players with low swing speed.
2. What golf ball is 60-compression?
The Wilson Staff Duo Professional comes as one of the best golf balls with a 60-compression rating. It is also the cheapest in its category.
3. What compression of the golf ball should I use?
Starters or beginners should use low compression golf balls as they begin to play the game. It is because you are more likely to have a slow swing speed. The best decision is to pick a 70 or below compression rating.
Becoming more experienced in the game but not as skillful as others, you can switch to mid-compression balls (above 70). Consequently, if you feel you are suited for a firmer ball, choose the high compression balls to boost your performance.
4. How does compression impact feel?
High-compression golf balls feel more solid than mid-compression balls. Golf balls with low compression tend to feel softer on impact than the mid-compression.
5. How does golf ball compression affect ball speed?
Soft golf balls have minimal compression translates to a significant loss of speed. The decrease in speed, in turn, leads to distance loss.
6. How does compression impact spin on full shots?
Low compression balls provide low spin in an entire range of shots.
7. How ball compression influences ball flight?
Many golf enthusiasts believe ball compression has minimal effect on flight.The dimple pattern has the usual impact on the ball trajectory.
8. Do soft or low compression balls enhance spin within the green?
No. Firm and high compression golf balls give more spin.
9. I swing “x”, what compression golf ball should I play?
As a rule of thumb, a low-compression ball is for golfers swinging the club less than 85mph. A mid-compression golf ball is for swing speed between 85 and 100mph. Finally, a high-compression ball is for players swinging above 100mph.
Conclusion
One of the best ways to select the right golf ball for you is to know your swing speed. From there, it is a quick journey to choose the accurate ball for your skill.
So, knowing the golf ball compression chart helps you determine the perfect ball for you. It will also save you time and money.
Read more:
- Golf Club Distance Charts
- Ball Speed To Swing Speed Calculator
- Srixon Z Star vs. Pro V1 – Which Golf Ball Is Best For You ?
Matt Stevens is the founder of Golfrough.com. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf since he was four years old. Having experienced every high and low golf has to offer, his writing helps the average golfer avoid the mistakes he has made in 28-years on the course.