Soft vs Hard Golf Balls

Once you know your performance and your swing speed, you can start worrying about optimizing your resources to make sure you get the best results. Part of that optimization might be switching from a softer to a firm or hard golf ball. But why? What’s the key difference between the two.

I have answered all that in this article.

In general, most golfers will see virtually identical results with both firm and soft golf balls. The distances between them and the launch angles will be quite comparable, but the key distinction is that longer clubs have enhanced spin rates on hard golf balls.

Should You Use Soft Or Hard Golf Balls?

The simple answer is that it depends on your swing speed. If you have a slower swing speed, you will want to use a softer golf ball because it will be easier to compress. Conversely, if you have a faster swing speed, you should use a harder golf ball because it will result in straighter shots.

The compression of a golf ball is how much the ball deforms when it is hit by a club. Softer golf balls have lower compression ratings and will therefore deform more upon impact than harder golf balls.

Generally speaking, most amateurs have swing speeds that are below 90 miles per hour. If your swing speed falls into this range, you should use a softer golf ball. As you might expect, professional golfers have swing speeds that are well above 90 miles per hour. For these players, it is recommended to use a harder ball.

There are other factors to consider as well when choosing between soft and hard golf balls. Softer golf balls typically have more spin than their harder counterparts.

This spin can be helpful for players who hit the ball high and want to control their shots. However, the added spin might also cause your ball to slice or hook more if you are not careful. Harder golf balls typically have less spin, which can be helpful for players who tend to hit the ball low.

Why do some golfers with fast swing speeds still prefer soft golf balls or why are normal swing speeds golfers going for hard golf balls? 3 Reasons

1. The way it feels: A softball will seem like a sponge if your swing speed is greater than 100 miles per hour, but a firm ball will appear to be battering a rock if you hit the club less than 90 miles per hour. The way the club feels on impact with the ball also affects clubhead speed and accuracy.
2. Cost: Softer golf balls are cheaper to produce, so they generally cost less than their firmer counterparts. If you are on a budget, you might want to consider using a softer ball.
3. Spin rates:The higher spin rates of firmer balls make it simpler to strike draws and fades, which is advantageous for scratch golfers and experts.

Jon did further tests to compare how soft and hard ball performs with the driver, irons, and wedge. He compared soft  Chrome Soft and hard  Chrome Soft X – all by Callaway and below are his findings;

The softer ball launched higher with the drivers:

Jon found that the ball tends to fly higher with the soft balls. The hard golf balls flew lower by up to 2 degrees. If you have a faster swing speed, you may want to consider using a lower-flying ball. For regular swing speed, a higher launching ball might allow you to hit straighter and longer golf balls.

With iron, Jon found the launch angle to be similar. The lauch angle was also similar when using a wedge on both the 3 Wood and 5 Wood.

The firm ball had more side-to-side spin with the driver:

In his test and comparison of soft and hard golf balls, Jon found that hard golf balls created more sidespin with the driver. If you have a natural draw or fade, this could help you to hit your ball straighter. If you tend to slice or hook the ball, you might want to use a softer ball to help reduce sidespin.

With iron, Jon found the spin rates for 3 Wood and 5 Wood to be similar. With a wedge, a softer ball had more spins

The distance for both balls was similar with driver and iron:

In his testing, Jon found that the distance for both the soft and hard golf balls was similar to the driver and iron. It’s not what I expected Jon’s results to be as I thought the harder ball would fly further with the driver.

In addition, Jon also got the same distance when using a wedge.

Weight transfer – 3 Wood vs 5 Wood:

The weight transfer is the distribution of weight from the club head to the golf ball during the swing. With a 3 wood, most of the weight is in the club head, whereas with a 5 wood, the weight is more evenly distributed between the club head and the shaft.

It can be difficult to hit the 3 Wood off the ground, as the weight is primarily in the club head. You might want to consider using a 5 Wood for more forgiveness.

5 woods are also easier to control in the wind, as the weight is more evenly distributed.

Selecting the right fairway:

If you are willing to put the effort and not take the shortcut of going with a hybrid club, you’ll need to do good research on the fairway woods that are available in the market and make a decision on what will work best for you. The three main criteria you’ll want to consider are:

Loft:

The loft angle of the clubface will determine how high or low the ball will fly. Higher loft angles will result in a higher ball flight, while lower loft angles will produce a lower ball flight.

The loft of a 3-wood is between 9 and 12 degrees, the loft of a 3-hybrid is between 15 and 18 degrees, and the loft of a 5-wood is between 20 and 22 degrees. A 3-iron’s loft angle is usually around 23 degrees.

What this means: If you want a club that will help you get the ball in the air more easily, you should choose a club with a higher loft angle. If you want more distance and don’t mind sacrificing some height, then a lower lofted club is for you.

Shaft length:

The length of the shaft will determine how far the ball will travel. Longer shafts will result in more distance, while shorter shafts will be more accurate but have less distance.

The standard length for a 3-wood is 43 inches, the standard length for a 3-hybrid is 42 inches, and the standard length for a 5-wood is 41.5 inches. A 3-iron is typically around 39.5 inches long.

What this means: If you want more distance, you should choose a club with a longer shaft. If you want more accuracy, then a shorter shafted club is for you.

Head size:

The size of the club head will also affect the trajectory and distance of your shots. Larger club heads mean more forgiveness on off-center hits and typically more distance.

The head size of a 3-wood is usually between 160 and 200cc, the head size of a 3-hybrid is usually between 155 and 185cc, and the head size of a 5-wood is usually between 145 and 175cc. A 3-iron typically has a head size around 140cc.

What this means: If you want more distance and forgiveness, you should choose a club with a larger head size. If you want more accuracy, then a smaller headed club is for you.

Shaft Weight And Material:

The weight and material of the shaft will affect the feel and control of your shots. Lighter shafts are typically easier to swing and generate more club head speed, resulting in more distance. Heavier shafts are typically more accurate but have less distance.

The shaft weight of a 3-wood is usually between 60 and 70 grams, the shaft weight of a 3-hybrid is usually between 50 and 60 grams, and the shaft weight of a 5-wood is usually between 40 and 50 grams. A 3-iron typically has a shaft weight around 115 grams.

What this means: If you want an easier to swing club that will generate more distance, you should choose a club with a lighter shaft. If you want more accuracy, then a heavier shafted club is for you.

The material of the shaft will also affect the feel and control of your shots. Graphite shafts are typically lighter and easier to swing, resulting in more distance. Steel shafts are typically more accurate but have less distance.

Most 3-woods have a graphite shaft, most 3-hybrids have a graphite or steel shaft, and most 5-woods have a steel shaft. A 3-iron typically has a steel shaft.

What this means: If you want an easier to swing club that will generate more distance, you should choose a club with a graphite shaft. If you want more accuracy, then a steel shafted club is for you.

Shaft flex:

The flex of the shaft will also affect the feel and control of your shots. Softer shafts are typically more accurate but have less distance. Stiffer shafts are typically easier to swing and generate more club head speed, resulting in more distance.

The flex of a 3-wood is usually between Regular and Stiff, the flex of a 3-hybrid is usually between Regular and Stiff, and the flex of a 5-wood is usually between Stiff and X-Stiff. A 3-iron typically has a flex between Regular and Stiff.

What this means: If you want an easier to swing club that will generate more distance, you should choose a club with a stiffer shaft. If you want more accuracy, then a softer shafted club is for you.

Off the tee:

When you are teeing off, you want to generate as much club head speed as possible to get the most distance out of your shot. A 3-wood is a good option for teeing off because it has a longer shaft which will result in more distance.

If you are looking for accuracy, then a 3-hybrid or 5-wood is a better option because they have shorter shafts which will result in more accuracy.

From the fairway:

If you are hitting from the fairway, you want to choose a club that will give you the most distance while still being accurate. A 3-wood is a good option because it has a longer shaft which will result in more distance.

If you are looking for accuracy, then a 3-hybrid is a better option because it has a shorter shaft which will result in more accuracy.

Now that we’ve gone over the different features of woods and hybrids, let’s take a look at when you should use each type of club.

If you’re looking for a versatile club that can be used for a variety of shots, then a 3-wood is a good option. A 3-wood can be used for tee shots, fairway shots, and even some approach shots.

If you’re looking for a club that will help you get out of tough lies or hit longer shots from the fairway, then a 3-hybrid is a good option. A 3-hybrid can be used for tee shots, fairway shots, and approach shots.

If you’re looking for a club that will give you extra distance from the tee or fairway, then a 5-wood is a good option. A 5-wood can be used for tee shots and fairway shots.