Golf balls come in many types to match various types of golfers. One aspect of a golf ball’s design is compression, which is a measurement of the density of the ball itself.
History
Over the years, the golf ball has been made from different materials. Early in golf’s history, the inside was made from feathers. Then in the mid-19th century, tree sap became a main ingredient for the ball’s core.
The measurement of “compression” came about in the 20th century, when manufacturers began using wound rubber cores.
The measurements generally range from 70 to 110, but may be as low as in the 30s, with the lower the number representing a much softer ball and thus easier to compress.
Function
The purpose of compression is to absorb energy from the golf swing and provide the best combination of distance and feel for the player. The force from the club face upon impact causes the ball to deform. A “softer” ball, one with a lower compression rating, will compress more easily than a “hard” ball with a higher compression rating.
Benefits
When a golfer’s swing type and speed are matched to the right compression rating, the greatest possible energy is transferred from the club head to the ball. Generally, a slower swing speed will necessitate a lower compression rating, so the ball will absorb as much of the swing’s energy as possible.
Alternately, a high swing speed (like that of a professional) will naturally create a great deal of energy, therefore necessitating a higher compression rating to ensure the ball does not overly compress and waste energy from the swing.
Combining Compression with COR
Coefficient of Restitution, or COR, is a measurement of how quickly the golf club’s face will rebound when striking the ball. This measurement, combined with the right compressions, will yield greater distance for the golfer. The measurement is determined by the percentage of the ball’s initial speed to the club head’s speed at impact.Misconceptions
Although conventional logic may state the more a golf ball compresses the greater energy it absorbs and therefore the farther it should fly, this is not the case.
A slower swing speed will need a ball that can absorb as much energy as possible, but if a player with a high swing speed hit the same low-compression ball, then too much energy would be spent compressing the ball and energy would be wasted.
In order to conserve as much as possible, balls with high compression ratings (those with ratings of about 80 and higher) are designed to absorb the higher amounts of energy from higher swing speeds.
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