← All posts

Golf Ball Fundamentals

How golf balls actually work: compression, cover material, layers, spin, and what the data says about each.

Does Golf Ball Compression Matter? What the Number Tells You, and What It Doesn't

Compression sets feel, driver spin and a little speed. 2026 robot numbers for 48 balls, plus the box number for 12 of them against what a gauge read.

Nov 9, 2026

Can You Change Golf Balls During a Round? The Rule, and What Switching Costs You

Yes, between holes, under Rule 6.3a. Mid-hole only when a Rule allows it. What a found Supersoft costs a Pro V1 player, in 2026 robot-test spin numbers.

Oct 29, 2026

Soft vs Hard Golf Ball: Which Should You Play? (2026 Robot Data)

Soft vs hard golf balls on 2026 robot data: soft balls give up 4 carry yards at 86 mph and 10 at 116, what soft means for spin, and who should play which.

Sep 26, 2026

Golf Ball Spin Rate Chart (Just Updated): Driver, Iron and Wedge RPM

Spin rate charts for every club — TrackMan tour and amateur averages, 2026 robot-test ball numbers from driver to wedge, and the wet-spin numbers that split urethane from ionomer.

Sep 17, 2026

What's Inside a Golf Ball? Core, Mantle, Cover and Dimples, Explained

Cut a golf ball open and you find a rubber core, up to 3 mantle layers and a urethane or ionomer cover. What each part does and how many pieces you need.

Sep 17, 2026

Best Golf Ball Wholesale Options (2026): Bulk Prices Per Dozen

Where pro shops, leagues, and bulk buyers get golf balls cheapest: Vice and Snell volume tiers, used 5-dozen lots, Costco, and logo minimums, per ball.

Sep 16, 2026

The 2026 MyGolfSpy Ball Test: 7 Findings That Should Change Your Ball

MyGolfSpy put 48 balls through a robot at three swing speeds. Here are the findings that change which ball you should play, and the ones that don't.

Aug 12, 2026

How to Clean Golf Balls (and When Cleaning Won't Save One)

Warm water, mild dish soap, a soft brush. Robot data on what mud and scuffs cost you, the Rules on cleaning a ball mid-round, and the cleaning methods to skip.

Aug 5, 2026

Do Golf Balls Go Bad? How Long a Golf Ball Actually Lasts

Modern golf balls don't expire on a shelf. Heat, freezing, and cover damage do real harm. The storage data, the 21-yard freezer test, and when to retire a ball.

Aug 4, 2026

What Do the Numbers on a Golf Ball Mean?

The big number under the brand is your play number and nothing more. What 1-4, 00, three-digit stamps and the old 90/100 compression numbers actually mean.

Jul 29, 2026

The Most Expensive Golf Balls of 2026, Ranked

The most expensive golf balls of 2026, from $58 Pro V1 tour balls to the $249 Attomax and $70,000 gold collectibles — and what the price actually buys.

Jul 24, 2026

How Many Dimples Are on a Golf Ball?

Most golf balls have 300–500 dimples. The exact count by model, why the Rules of Golf don't regulate it, and why depth matters more than the number.

Jul 21, 2026

Used Golf Balls: Are They Worth It? Recycled vs Refurbished (2026)

Used golf balls can save 50%, but recycled and refurbished play very differently. The robot-test data, grading scale, and when a lake ball is worth teeing up.

Jul 7, 2026

Yellow and Colored Golf Balls: Do They Help, and Which to Play (2026)

Do yellow and colored golf balls help you see the ball, and do they cost you distance or spin? The vision science, the rules, and the balls worth playing.

Jun 3, 2026

Golf Ball Compression Chart 2026: What Rating Should You Play?

Compression for all 72 golf balls in our catalog, banded by 70/80/90 and matched to swing speed, plus why low compression isn't always right for slow swings.

Apr 20, 2026

Urethane vs Ionomer Golf Balls: Which Cover Material Is Right for You?

Urethane vs ionomer golf balls: in 2026 robot testing, urethane out-spun ionomer by about 2,600 rpm on a full wedge. When that gap changes your score.

Apr 20, 2026

Stop guessing your golf ball

Take the 90-second fitting quiz · matched from a 72-ball catalog · sign up to see your match

Take the quiz →