Hit it Far, Stick it Tight, Lower Your Scores

by Bill Kliewer, The Golf Warehouse (TGW.com)

It’s no secret that technology has changed golf – some argue for the better, some for the worse. Unless you feel strongly the game should only be played with a gutta-percha ball, niblick and mashie, we suggest you begin evolving. While the arrival of 460cc drivers and fancy hybrids have certainly made an impact, perhaps the piece of equipment most affected by recent advancements is the golf ball. Here are a few which are certain to please.

Callaway Tour ix

Used by PGA Tour stars Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, among others, the new Callaway Tour ix is the most technologically advanced ball the company has produced to date. The ix’s dual core construction allows for great distance off the tee while still offering tremendous spin around the green. A mantle layer works with the dual core to produce high ball speed, while the new thermoset urethane cover provides soft feel and short-game spin for excellent control.

Taylor Made TP Black/Red

Used by more than 150 Tour professionals, including Fred Funk, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia, the Taylor Made TP series helps golfers with fast swings achieve greater distance and accuracy. These balls help reduce bad shots because of a dimple technology called “Low-Drag Performance” that maintains lift on off-center hits to minimize distance loss. The TP Red features a four-piece construction and is best for players who prefer more spin and higher trajectory, while the TP Black employs a three-piece construction for less spin and lower trajectory.

Titleist Pro V1/Pro V1x

The latest versions of the most popular balls among Tour players are perfect for advanced golfers who demand nothing less than the best. These balls improve anyone’s short game because of a super soft cover, giving them excellent feel around the green. Both models employ a “Staggered Wave Parting Line” where the two cover pieces meet, allowing for greater dimple surface coverage. This improves aerodynamics, resulting in more accurate shots with striking regularity. With 392 dimples, the Pro V1 produces a high trajectory while the Pro V1x has fewer dimples and creates less spin for golfers who prefer a lower trajectory.

Wilson Zip

One of the oldest and most reliable brands in golf, Wilson is responsible for some of the greatest equipment innovations of the past century. Its latest creation, the Zip, lives up to that lofty reputation by giving the world its first zero compression golf ball. The unique rubber blend in the core delivers incredibly soft feel, while a high velocity mantle layer and a resilient ionomer cover produce the ultimate combination of distance off the tee and spin around the green.

Nike Karma

The Karma features a 50-compression core and a softened two-piece cover which help make it the ideal ball for mid-to-high handicappers. The low compression means golfers with slower swings can optimize their distances, while the cover delivers a soft feel on approach shots. In addition, the 312 dimples on the surface help to build confidence by promoting a high trajectory so players can consistently get the ball in the air.

Bill Kliewer is Senior Equipment Advisor of The Golf Warehouse (TGW.com), the world’s largest online golf store.