The compression rating of a golf ball plays a part in which golf ball is best for your game. Often, golfers can overlook the importance of using the right golf ball for their swings, but choosing the correct compression ball can help your game.
Knowing about golf ball compression is crucial if you want to select the right ball. That can help you maximize distance, accuracy, and control around the greens.
Our golf ball compression chart will offer a comprehensive rundown of popular golf balls on the market.
What is Golf Ball Compression?
Golf ball compression refers to the degree to which a golf ball compresses (or squishes) when struck by a golf club. It’s typically measured on a scale from 30 to 120, with lower numbers indicating a lower compression rating and higher numbers indicating a higher one.
Balls with a low compression rating are softer and easier to compress. Players need to generate less energy in their swings to compress these balls.
So, low-compression golf balls suit players with slower swing speeds.
Balls with a high compression rating are firmer and harder to compress. Golfers need to create more energy in their swings to compress these balls.
So, high-compression golf balls suit players with faster swing speeds.
It’s important to note that the compression of a golf ball is just one factor that can affect its performance. Other factors, such as the cover material, dimple pattern, and core design, can also impact the ball’s flight, feel, and distance.
Related: Low Compression Golf Balls (A Complete Guide)
Choosing the Right Compression Rating
Swing speed is the main factor to consider when choosing a golf ball based on compression rating. But feel also comes into play because compression affects how soft or firm a ball is.
Some players like how a soft golf ball feels, while others prefer a firmer one. That often comes down to a personal choice.
We can use swing speed to choose a compression rating that will give you the best performance. So, we’ll consider fast, mid, and slow swing speeds when comparing compression ratings.
Fast Swing (Over 105 mph)
You have a fast swing if you can get a clubhead speed of over 105 mph with a driver. Players who can generate these speeds are in the minority and are usually lower handicappers.
These golfers need golf balls with a high compression rating for the best performance. It allows them to maximize distance because the higher compression offers the optimal energy transfer when they hit the ball.
They have too much power to use a low-compression golf ball. It’ll compress too much, which results in less distance and accuracy.
Related: 6 Best Golf Balls For High Swing Speeds
Mid Swing (85-105 mph)
Most golfers fall under this category and have a wide selection when choosing golf balls. You should use a lower-compression golf ball if your swing speed is closer to 85 mph.
Players with faster swings can go for a higher-compression golf ball. These choices will help you to maximize distance off the tee.
Slow Swing (Under 85 mph)
Many high handicappers and seniors will have a slow swing. They’ll benefit from playing with a low-compression golf ball, which is a softer ball.
It helps them to maximize distance because you need less energy to compress the ball. So, you’ll get the optimal compression even with a slower swing.
These players don’t have enough power to use a high-compression golf ball. They can’t generate enough energy to compress the firmer ball, resulting in less distance.
Related: 5 Best Golf Balls for Slow Swing Speeds
Knowing Your Swing Speed
Knowing your swing speed helps you choose a golf ball with the best compression rating. These three options allow you to work out your swing speed.
- Professional Facility – you can use technology like a Trackman on a simulator or driving range to measure your swing speed. This is super accurate and allows you to calculate your average swing speed from a full session.
- Personal Launch Monitor – you can measure your swing speed on a personal launch monitor. You can take it to the range, use it on a hitting net, or link it to a simulator in your garage. These are excellent for finding out your swing speed and other metrics.
- Estimate Using an Equation – this is the least accurate option but gives you a rough idea of your swing speed. You still need to know your carry distance with the driver to make the estimate. Divide your carry distance by 2.3. Say you carry your driver 220 yards, so you divide 220 by 2.3 for an estimated swing speed of 95 mph.
Golf Ball Compression Chart
| Golf Ball | Layers | Golf Ball Compression | Swing Speed | Swing Type |
| Mizuno RBX Tour X | 4 Piece | High 110 | + 105 mph | Fast |
| Cut DC | 4 Piece | High 105 | + 105 mph | Fast |
| Taylormade TP5X Pix | 5 Piece | High 100 | + 105 mph | Fast |
| Titleist Pro V1 X | 4 Piece | High 100 | + 105 mph | Fast |
| Srixon Z-Star XV | 4 Piece | High 100 | + 105 mph | Fast |
| Volvik S4 | 4 Piece | High 95 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Callaway Chrome Soft X | 4 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Cut Blue | 4 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Mizuno RB Tour | 4 Piece | High 90 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Vice Pro Plus | 4 Piece | High | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Volvik Crystal | 3 Piece | High | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Taylormade TP5X | 5 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Wilson Staff Tour | 4 Piece | High (no figure) | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Callaway Warbird | 2 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Snell MTB-X | 3 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Srixon Z Star | 3 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Titleist Pro V1 | 3 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Volvik XT AMT | 3 Piece | High 90 | + 95 mph | Mid |
| Bridgestone Tour B X | 3 Piece | Medium 85 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Bridgestone Tour B XS | 3 Piece | Medium 85 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Taylormade TP5 Pix | 5 Piece | Medium 85 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Volvik S3 | 3 Piece | Medium 85 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Cut Grey | 3 Piece | Medium 80 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Snell MTB – Black | 3 Piece | Medium 80 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Taylormade TP5 | 5 Piece | Medium 80 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Titleist AVX | 3 Piece | Medium 80 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Titleist Tour Speed | 3 Piece | Medium 80 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Volvik Vivid | 3 Piece | Medium 80 | + 85 mph | Mid |
| Bridgestone e12 Speed | 3 Piece | Medium 75 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Callaway Chrome Soft | 3 Piece | Medium 75 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Srixon Q Star | 2 Piece | Medium 75 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Volvik Vi Max Soft | 2 Piece | Medium 75 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Srixon Q-Star Tour | 3 Piece | Medium 70 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Taylormade Tour Response | 3 Piece | Medium 70 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Taylormade Project (a) | 3 Piece | Medium 70 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Volvik Power Soft | 2 Piece | Medium 70 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Volvik XT Soft | 3 Piece | Medium 70 | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Callaway Strata Eagle | 3 Piece | Medium | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Titleist Velocity | 2 Piece | Medium | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Volvik Solice | 3 Piece | Medium | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Wilson Tour Velocity Distance | 2 Piece | Medium | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Wilson Tour Velocity Feel | 2 Piece | Medium | + 80 mph | Mid |
| Bridgestone Tour B RX | 3 Piece | Low (65) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Bridgestone Tour B RXS | 3 Piece | Low (65) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Cut Matte | 3 Piece | Low (65) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Titleist Tour Soft | 2 Piece | Low (65) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Callaway ERC Soft | 2 Piece | Low (60) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Cut Red | 2 Piece | Low (60) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Srixon Soft Feel | 2 Piece | Low (60) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Wilson Duo Professional | 3 Piece | Low (60) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Bridgestone e12 Soft | 3 Piece | Low (50) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Wilson Fifty Elite | 2 Piece | Low (50) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Callaway Superhot | 3 Piece | Low (50) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Bridgestone e6 | 2 Piece | Low (45) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Callaway Supersoft | 2 Piece | Low (40) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Callaway Supersoft Magna | 2 Piece | Low (40) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Taylormade Noodle Long / Soft | 2 Piece | Low (35) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Wilson Duo Soft+ | 2 Piece | Low (35) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Wilson Duo Optix | 2 Piece | Low (30) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Mizuno RB 566 | 2 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Mizuno RB 566 V | 3 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Snell Get Sum | 2 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Taylormade Soft Response | 3 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Titleist TruFeel | 2 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Vice Pro | 3 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Vice Tour | 3 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Vice Pro Soft | 3 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Vice Drive | 2 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Wilson Zip | 2 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| SPECIALIST LADIES GOLF BALLS | ||||
| Srixon Soft Feel Lady | 2 Piece | Low (60) | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Bridgestone e6 Lady | 2 Piece | Low (45) | < 70 mph | Slow |
| Callaway Reva | 2 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
| Taylormade Kalea | 2 Piece | Low | < 80 mph | Slow |
Other Factors to Consider
Considering the layers of a golf ball can also help you narrow down your decision. Generally, balls with more layers help you fine-tune your performance.
So, we can take a player’s ability and get an idea of how many layers in a golf ball will suit them. Better players get better performance from balls with more layers, while higher handicappers with slow swings will get the most from fewer layers. These players won’t strike the ball well enough to make a 5-layer ball work for them.
2-Piece Golf Balls
These golf balls are more basic and suit beginners and high handicappers with slower swing speeds. A 2-piece golf ball is typically geared toward distance, making it a good option for these players.
This type of ball also offers excellent value for money. You can get them at a reasonable price, which is often perfect for beginners and high handicappers.
Related: 6 Best Golf Balls For Distance
3-Piece Golf Balls
A 3-piece golf ball offers better all-around performance. These balls give players great distance and excellent control around the greens.
The Titleist Pro V1 is by far the most popular 3-piece golf ball on the market. It suits players of various abilities with a wide range of swing speeds.
4 and 5-Piece Golf Balls
These golf balls perform best for better players with fast swings. They allow elite players to fine-tune their games from tee to green.
The TaylorMade TP5 range offers the most popular 5-piece golf balls on the market. They help players with fast swings maximize distance while giving them exceptional spin control around the greens.
Lowest Compression Golf Balls
Golf balls with the lowest compression have a rating near 30. The Wilson DUO Soft has a compression rating of 35, which makes it a very soft golf ball.
The Callaway Supersoft isn’t far behind with a compression rating of 38. It’s probably the most popular soft golf ball on the market.
The Bridgestone e6 is another soft golf ball and has a compression rating of 45. It’s excellent for seniors and high handicappers with slow swings who want to maximize distance.
Best 70 Compression Golf Balls
The Srixon Soft Feel golf ball is the best ball with a compression rating of 70. It’s one of the most popular soft golf balls on the market.
Many senior golfers use this ball to great effect. It helps them maximize distance off the tee while offering a soft feel around the greens.
Best 80 Compression Golf Balls
There are many excellent golf balls in this category, but the Titleist AVX is one of our favorites. This premium golf ball gives you exceptional all-around performance. It flies true and is fantastic in windy conditions.
Best 90 Compression Golf Balls
The Titleist Pro V1 is the best golf ball in this range. It’s the most popular golf ball on the planet for a reason.
Elite golfers and average golfers can use it and get excellent results. Just make sure it suits your swing speed.
Conclusion
Choosing a golf ball with the right compression rating for your swing is super important. It helps you to maximize your performance on the golf course.
You can get a suboptimal performance if you get it wrong, potentially losing distance. Players with slow swings who choose a high-compression ball will lose distance because they don’t have the power to compress the ball properly.
Those who swing fast and use a low-compression ball also lose yards. They’re too powerful and compress the ball too much, getting suboptimal performance in the process.
Our golf ball compression chart will help you choose the best ball for your swing speed. That ensures you can perform your best on the course.
