Golf Ball Compression Chart

[Chas]

GBS_CompressionHardness_Test_050112_v9.12.pdf 103.04K 34544

Older (2012) compression test results. Nevertheless, interesting to read.

 

[TEA Time]

Huh, ProV1's are only 90 compression.

 

[Chas]

Huh, ProV1's are only 90 compression.

Studying that chart can make you dizzy. I was told that the MPI column is the one to look at. But there are eyebrow raising surprises.

 

[eclark53520]

Wow, Penta TP 103 overall 76 cover. Seems I would like the newer TP5 as well.

Good to know.

 

[MattyB]

How's this meant to be read?
Higher numbers the better?

 

[eclark53520]

How's this meant to be read?
Higher numbers the better?

Lower numbers means it compresses more. So a 100lb weight sitting on top of the ball would compress the ball further than a ball with a higher number.

 

[limpalong]

When I took up this dastardly game, we seemed to all be "catagorized" into the correct compression ball. Pros played 100 compression. Hackers played 90 compression. Ladies played 80 compression. In the very early 2000's we heard of some club pros winning tourneys with the Lady Bridgestone ball. They were getting better distance than they could with the "pro" balls... and were able to work/spin the ball. Soon thereafter, we saw the "Laddie"... guys didn't want to play lady's balls... the SoLo, etc. Seemed especially the senior crowd migrated to the softer compression balls.

Today, it's all about core and cover. Measured compression can be all over the board, while distance and spin can be similar. Ball manufacturers are now recommending you have the ball "fit" to your swing. The technology has gone far beyond simple compression testing.

 

[eclark53520]

When I took up this dastardly game, we seemed to all be "catagorized" into the correct compression ball. Pros played 100 compression. Hackers played 90 compression. Ladies played 80 compression. In the very early 2000's we heard of some club pros winning tourneys with the Lady Bridgestone ball. They were getting better distance than they could with the "pro" balls... and were able to work/spin the ball. Soon thereafter, we saw the "Laddie"... guys didn't want to play lady's balls... the SoLo, etc. Seemed especially the senior crowd migrated to the softer compression balls.

Today, it's all about core and cover. Measured compression can be all over the board, while distance and spin can be similar. Ball manufacturers are now recommending you have the ball "fit" to your swing. The technology has gone far beyond simple compression testing.

True, since each layer of the ball has it's own compression rating, depending on how far you actually compress the ball, the compression rating changes. However, compression tests still hold value since they're all compressing the ball to the same specs and measuring the results. So they still give a good outlook on the differences between balls at that specific compression style.