Power Links, LLC

By Michael Fosses

Golf is a game where the technology seems to be changing each and every day.  New clubs, training gadgets, and accessories all promise to improve your game.  Seemingly, the only constant is that dimpled white ball you spend four hours chasing right?  Think again, my friend.  Golf ball technology has been constantly evolving since the game's inception.   Make no mistake, the ball can make a difference to your game.  It's the only piece of equipment that you are going to use on every stroke.  Something that is so integral, yet so oft overlooked,  deserves some thought and effort.

Skill Level

Beginner/Intermediate
Like a lot of decisions on the golf course, where you are skill-wise has a bearing on what kind of golf ball you should be playing.  If you are a beginner, any ball will do.  I don't mean to sound condescending, but when you start out you are going to lose a lot of balls.  On a positive note,  there are always fantastic deals (see point 2) to found for bulk or recycled golf balls.  After you get a feel for the game and want to buy new balls, you should be looking for  a two piece ball.  These will give you better distance as you build up some swing speed.  I also think that this is the best time to try out a lot of different brands.  There are a lot of options and maybe you'll find one that gives you the best chance at shooting low.

Intermediate
When your game has progressed to where you have a solid skill set, you have to ask yourself more questions about what you need your ball to do for you.  If you are getting good distance, but struggle with accuracy, you may want to look into a ball with minimum spin.  If it feels like your putting a rock, you might want to get a ball with a soft cover to improve the feel at impact.  The important part is that you take a long look at your game and think about where you can benefit the most from your ball's performance.

Advanced
You have finally attained the skills that make you a force to be reckoned with on the course.  Between blasting mile long drives and draining thirty foot, double breaker putts, you should take some time and think about if you are getting what you need from your golf ball.  At this stage in your game, you really have the pick of the litter.  One choice that you will have to make is sticking with a two piece ball or moving on to the new three piece construction.  There are some very good high performance two piece balls (Bridgestone e5, Titleist NXT Tour), but if you have to have the last and the greatest in golf technology than the three piece is for you.  For intermediate players, I advocated taking a look at how you play and choosing the ball that fit accordingly.  As an advanced player, you now have the luxury of choosing the ball and making it fit into your game.  You may need a ball with a large core for more distance or a softer cover for more spin.  The choices for you at this level are all about what you need it to do for you.

Price

I remember a round a few years back when a member of my regular foursome loaded up his bag with a twelve brand new Pro V1s (retail $45).  After asking what he planned to do with those, he told me they were the best and he was going to play better with them.  After five holes he had lost one into woods, one into the water, and one into someone's yard.  He was begging me to borrow a sleeve of balls so he wouldn't lose anymore of his prized Pro V1s.  The point I am making is that while price does matter, more expensive does not equal better.  My friend is a good intermediate player, but his game is not suited for that kind of ball.  You need to stay within your means, skill wise and financially.  Finding a deal for golf balls is much like finding a deal for anything else, all it takes is a little time and effort.  The internet is a phenomenal tool to find all kinds of golf equipment.  Make sure you remember though, there will be a shipping cost tacked on and you should order early enough to so you have them when you need them.  If you live in a cold weather state as I do, check out sporting goods stores at the end of the season.  Sometimes you can find great discounts or "buy one, get one" deals.

The Intangibles

Sometimes we do things for reasons that aren't based on cold hard logic.  We do things that can't be explained with a comprehensive chart of distances relative to the brand X ball.   I put this in the intangibles category.  A friend I often play with only plays Callaway balls because he likes that work that Callaway Golf Foundation does for charities.  Am I to begrudge him because he would get more distance with a different ball?  Another friend likes to play Nike Power Distance just because he likes Nike.  It's actually a good ball for him, so why should I care?  We all have little reasons for making the choices that we make.  I think it is perfectly fine to choose a ball based on brand, only after you choose one based on your level of play.