Do soft golf balls go further?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 08, 2026
Do Softer Golf Balls Go Further? As a general rule, soft low compression golf balls will travel further when you hit your driver and irons. With your wedges, soft and firm golf balls should travel the same distance.
Does a hard or soft golf ball go further?
soft golf ball? The harder the ball, the further it tends to go with less spin. Harder golf balls tend to be much cheaper than softer golf balls. If you lose balls regularly then harder golf balls could be ideal for you.
What is the advantage of soft golf balls?
A low compression ball helps to reduce the amount of ball speed lost on mis-hits and provides performance through the bag to help golfers get the most out of every shot they encounter on the course. Softer golf balls also allow the golfers to hit the ball higher which is beneficial to most golfers.
What happens if your golf ball is too soft?
Having control of shots around the green is very important but for some golfers, having a ball which feels too soft is going to become a hindrance and this can lead to loss of control on both chip shots and putts.
Do soft golf balls make a difference?
Lower compression balls tend to be softer and compress more to create more distance. Higher compression balls offer more control and are used by better players who can produce faster swing speeds to compress the ball. For more on softness and compression, please read our Guide To Soft Golf Balls.
20 related questions foundDo softer golf balls go straighter?
What are the characteristics of soft balls? It is generally agreed that soft golf balls spin less than firmer golf balls so from the tee they should be longer as well as straighter, having less back and sideward spin.
Is a softer golf ball more forgiving?
The softer ball offers more game control on poorly centered hits and offers increased distance on low impact shots. I've ranked them a bit lower because of cost. These Titleist Tour golf balls are ideal for beginner golfers who require plenty of forgiveness on their hits. What do golfers have to say?
Do warm golf balls go further?
Generally, a warmer golf ball travels farther. The rubber materials used to make golf balls respond better if they are more resilient. Warmth enhances resiliency. A warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball, encouraging loft.
What golf ball goes the farthest?
Analyzing the individual ball statistics we can see that the Titleist Pro V1x averaged the farthest distance as well at 266.7 yards. Meanwhile, the Callaway Chrome Soft X averaged the shortest distance at only 259.3 yards. This results in a difference between the average maximum and minimum of only 7.4 yards.
What is the best golf ball for distance?
Best Distance Golf Balls
- Srixon Distance Golf Ball. Our pick. ...
- Callaway Warbird Golf Ball. Best for speed off the face. ...
- Titleist Velocity 2022 Golf Ball. High launch. ...
- Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball. ...
- TaylorMade Distance + Golf Ball. ...
- Honma D1 Golf Ball. ...
- Wilson Tour Velocity Tour Distance Golf Ball. ...
- Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball.
Do distance golf balls go straighter?
There is a line on the golf ball that is designed to help players aim their shots a bit better. Essentially, you can get incredible distance off the tee, aim the ball better and also hit it straighter when you switch to the Vice.
Are soft balls hard?
Balls with a solid rubber core often feel hard and tend to primarily be two-piece balls. These will typically be more durable and generate better distance. Balls with a soft rubber core and soft urethane cover will feel soft and tend to be three, four or five-piece balls.
Do new golf balls go further than old ones?
It's highly unlikely that the average, or even high standard, amateur will notice any difference between the feel of a used and a new ball on impact. Nor will there be any appreciable loss of distance, height or spin.
Do golf balls lose distance with use?
Its results confirmed that in the absence of visible damage, repeated use had no effect on a ball's performance. However, it also found that even small scuffs led to a measurable loss in distance, reducing driver distance as much as 6 yards.
Do range balls go further?
Range balls, as a general rule, will travel up to 10 yards less in distance when struck with wedges or short irons. The longer the club, the less noticeable the drop in distance will be, with data showing drivers suffer almost no loss in distance when hitting either range balls or premium balls.
Will microwaving a golf ball make it go further?
Yes, you too can get greater distance on your shots in just seconds - The Microwave Way. Merely pop a golf ball into your microwave oven - and voila! This juiced-up dimpled dumpling surprisingly flies farther than the ball pros use.
Do frozen golf balls go further?
A golf ball will travel less distance in colder temperatures for two reasons. First, when the golf ball and golf club are colder, the transfer of energy is not as efficient, so the ball speed will be less. Second, colder air is more dense than warm air, so there is more friction and drag.
Do golf balls lose distance in cold weather?
According to Titleist research, a golfer will experience an approximately 1.5 percent drop in distance for every 20 degree drop in temperature. If you carry your driver 250 yards, that 1.5 percent drop equates to 3.75 yards.
Do matte golf balls go further?
Some golfers believe that matte finish golf balls spin fast in dry conditions but decrease their spinning capacity in wet conditions. However, the correct answer to whether matte golf balls spin more is that they do not.
What is the lifespan of a golf ball?
So keep your balls in a cool, dry place and they will last for awhile. The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."
Are good golf balls worth it?
Certainly, players will see no difference between a cheap ball and an expensive ball. If you can't see or feel the difference, there is no reason to spend the extra money. Generally speaking, the better a golfer is, the more it makes sense to use a higher quality golf ball.
What is considered a slow swing speed in golf?
With every passing decade, both male and female golfers are estimated to lose about 5 mph. Naturally, the average swing speed may depend on factors other than the individual golfer's age. The 75 to 90 mph range is typically considered a slow swing speed for men.
Do older golf balls lose distance?
A wound ball which is approximately 10 years old, stored at room temperatures and low humidity, will have lost about 0.5 to 1.0 % of its IV (Initial Velocity) which will affect its distance by a couple of yards.
What are overrun golf balls?
Overruns are balls of mixed years that are new and never played. The manufacturer sometimes over-produces for the market they are shipping to and they throw them in a huge bin until they are sold off to retail sellers like us. We sort them out by "with" and "without Logos", pack them up and sell them to you!
When should you throw away a golf ball?
Now, see if your ball is going to float. Drop it in, and walk away for a minute or two. If the cover is intact, then there should be absolutely no leakage to the internal area of your golf ball. If it starts to sink or you see any air bubbles coming up at all, it's a sign that the cover has a microfracture.