Any harm hitting low compression balls with higher swing speed?
 

I started golfing seriously in '09 and now that I've learned more about the game, I'm trying to finalize my equipment. Last year I basically just went for low spin, cheap, distance type balls. I really had no clue about compression or my swing speed. I settled on the Srixon AD333, which is by most accounts a pretty good ball. I had my swing analyzed late last year and I averaged 117mph swing speed. My understanding is the AD333 is a fairly low compression, 75-80 ball.

Would I benefit from hitting something more in the 95-100 compression range?
Is there an issue (such as creating extra spin) with hitting a low compression ball with higher swing speed, maybe the extra compression allows the ball to "climb" the club face more?

My understanding is some of the "premium" balls like ProV1 and Srixon ZStar are high compression. I'm not losing balls so much anymore so I don't mind the price, but I'm a little concerned that these balls would have more spin than I would like, as they're designed for better players that want to work the ball. I still struggle with bad swings, the reason for the high handicap. I assume something like the ProV1x would be the ticket as it's basically targetd as the straighter ball flight option. Is there any resource that lists the compression of balls, I really haven't found that listed on any of the manufacturer's sites?

A tour level ball could make small mistakes seem bigger in my opinion. I would recommend going through a ball fitting. There are many options out there and you can find out what you should be playing that way you do not waste money going through trial and error. My motto has always been find the ball that fits your game rather than the ball that fits someone elses. Just my opinion of course, but I think a free ball fitting at a store or at a Bridgestone truck, could be the right answer.

I'm not even a fast swinger, but I tried some 50 compression balls and lost a lot of distance. My best distance seems to come from the ProV1x which has a higher compression core. Don't know why that is, maybe I need to take JB's advice and have a ball fitting.

Chilly-i don't have the swing speed like yours but I'm not too far behind, avg. 107 mph. I have been doing a thorough testing of Srixon's AD333 for THP and that ball is slowly but surely working its way into my bag. The funny thing is that it will more than likely replace the E6. I know the E6 isn't a premium ball but it does offer the straighter ball flight option. What I like about the AD333 (so far) is that it doesn't spin too much for me, but it also feels and performs softly.

Anyway, go through the ball fitting, it's your best bet. Just wanted to add my 2 cents.

Thanks guys. I actually checked into a fitting, the only local place that does it is Golf Galaxy and I have my doubts about them. Basically, they said they could just take the data from my swing analysis (quick driver fitting), and select a ball (I assume they've developed some type of general matrix). I don't see much value in a ball fitting that doesn't actually require me to hit a ball. I heard about a shop in Fredericksburg, an hour North of me, that does club and ball fittings on a Trackman, so I'll be looking into that.

Thanks for the advice.

Check to see if there is a Bridgestone Ball Fitting coming to your area.

Actually Chilly I think GG does a good job with their fitting. The manager at the GG near me said that their ball fitting software is updated 2-3x a year and is the same release as what Bridgestone, Titleist, etc use for their fittings. Mine may be a little different than yours but it might be worth checking out regardless.

50, why that low?You should be looking in the 70-80 range.

The Wilson Zips have a zero compression- they claim that compression is all about how a ball feels and really has no impact on distance no matter what your swing speed.

I bought a box just to try. Plus I think hitting them in cold weather would be a big plus. But I wonder- are they right in saying compression and swing speed have no correlation?

Here's one that's a couple of years old, but it does list some balls that are still being sold including the AD333 ('07 and '08).

http://www.golfballtest.org/wp-conte...GBTversion.pdf

I looked around the www.golfballtest.org site but I couldn't find a more current listing.

Just happened to find some on sale for almost nothing and tried a box to see how they worked. I am insulted by the 70-80 range reference. I know I can swing with the big boys and hit 110 compressions for the best results.http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...s/laughing.gif

anybody ever try this place? http://www.golfballselector.com I've been thinking about trying them, but they seem to be a little behind in testing the new balls. I'm using bridgestone b330s 2009 version and they are just now testing the 2008 version. Looks like they will be testing the Penta though.

I have them the selector before. it is quite sophisticated, but still does not do what an actual fitting does unfortunately. The reason being, is you are still the person entering the information.