Ball Compression And Putting

Toulon · 2021-02-10T02:29:10+00:00

As I start to get a little more fever to get back to playing after a 7 year layoff, I'm starting to think about golf-related issues. As a youngster, I was...

Toulon

Eguller

I want to test my theory. Need to find some 90 compression balls and see. It was strange to see the balls I've been playing, Srixon AD333 and Wilson FG Tour are 70-75 compression balls. I played a Callaway Hex Chrome ball for a time and that was 65 compression. Putted all of them poorly. Didn't know they were sub-90 compression until just the other night.

Wish I had some of my old golf balls. I have my favorite Uncle's old golf bag in the garage. That has to have some balls from 30-40 years ago in there.

Maybe, it's cover? If I remember right, surlyn was what the balls I used to play with back in the day were made out of.

wishbone

I was a very good putter as a youth, but it went down as I got older. Took forever to figure out out, the more I tried to get better, the worse I was.

Then it occurred to me when I was young, I didn't think when I putted. I just grabbed the putter, got my line, and stroked it. No thoughts, didn't think putt with big muscles, didn't think about arc or straight back, straight thru, I just...putted. started thinking of just find my line, step up with a prescribe stroke or two as I eyeballed the line, step up and putt. It is back to being a stronger part of my game...

Toulon

wishbone

Good advice. Glad you got your groove back.

I used to just know what the ball was going to do when I lined up to putt it. In my older days, I haven't a clue what's going to happen. Back then, I never wore sunglasses while golfing. I now wear polarized lenses. Read they're bad for golf.

The real truth is I probably just suck at it now and am trying to find excuses for my ineptitude. I guess it makes it fun or more maddening? The holy grail for me will be finding the magic wih the flat stick once again. By the time I figure that out, I'll probably hit it 100 yards off the tee.

wishbone

Toulon When I figure that out, I'll probably hit it 100 yards off the tee.

Yeah, I didn't cover that part.... Lol. I can't drive or hit an iron to save my life. Fairway woods and putting is all I have right now 🤣

Rickochet

Toulon Does ball compression matter to you when putting?

Yes, If I get my stance too narrow and start squeezing the lads a bit it detracts from my concentration.

Toulon

Rickochet

Ooh, I thought this might be coming. 😂 #Yips

wishbone

Rickochet

That's the key to putting without over thinking it!

sdandrea1

It might matter, but I don't know if the cover material # of layers matters more. I can't imagine we're compressing the ball on a putt. I find some balls to be crispy and jump off the putter, others, not so much. I try to find a ball whose distance and feel on full shots is right for me and then adapt to the ball's characteristics for short game.

raggmann54

Do we actually strike the ball with enough force to compress it with a putter??? Maybe it's just the "sound" off the putter surface you are missing???

KCee

I'm more about how they work from under 100 yds and in. I can really tell the difference when hit a pitch or chip. I can tell the difference sometimes when putting, but I feel like that's easier to adjust for and get used to.

Also I think many mfrs give the compression rating for the core, but then the other layer(s) can change the feel. Some cores are low compression < 50, but then the ball overall can be a lot higher. Someone (maybe MGS?) had a chart where they measured total compression, but then also had the mfr's stated compression.

SMT

Toulon No.

Toulon

SMT

I do know that back in the day there was a difference in rolling a Wilson Blue Ridge vs. a Pinnacle or Wilson Pro Staff. Feel was completely different. Wilson Blue Ridge was like putting a rubber ball and I hated it.

Typhoon

No. Let's not get nuts here.

Par4QC

The cover of a golf ball should be the only factor in how a ball putts. You never 'use' the actual core on a putt. What the cover is made of, urethane/Surlyn/ionomer, etc., will determine the sound/feel. The different materials will have varying shore hardness ratings, affecting those sounds & feel. And from those ratings you would be able to determine what ball would leave the face fastest, sound muted or clicky. Your putting stroke should be affected by the cover material, not compression.

George Costanza would know exactly what I'm talking about.

If you would use the same putter, but change ball types often, you are going to notice a difference on the greens more so than any other shot.

Par4QC

https://www.aeromarineproducts.com/durometer-shore-hardness-scale/

azgreg

Doesn't putter head swing speed come into play here?

sdandrea1

azgreg Doesn't putter head swing speed come into play here?

Sure, if you're putting from 40 yards off the green.

Par4QC

azgreg You won't even compress the mantle layer in a 3 pc. ball.

Ball manufacturers are missing a huge marketing area. They brag about their balls from tests with drivers; max of 14 strokes per round.

SMT

azgreg Doesn't putter head swing speed come into play here?

Yes.

If you are hitting putts 100 yards or more.

KCee

sdandrea1 Sure, if you're putting from 40 yards off the green.

He is in AZ right? I throws me off completely, but putting is the play from 40 yards off the green lol. Those fairway lies are tight!

rsvman2

They may and do feel a blt different off the putter face, but the results should not be significantly different. I would hypothesize that one of the most important components to good putting is confidence.
When you were a kid you knew you could putt, you expected good results, and you got them. Over the years you missed a few more, began to feel less confident, which led to missing even more, which reinforced your lack of confidence. It's a downward spiral.
If you could putt when you were younger, you can putt now. Your subconscious mind just has to believe that you can do it.

fatshot

rsvman2 Good point! I also think you can "get used to" the sound and feel of a golf ball off the
wedges and putter. I've had plenty of rounds when I've lost my share of golf balls for the day, and
just said "screw it....I'll play whatever I grab out of the bag." If that happens to be a Top Flite distance ball,
I just get used to the sound and feel for the rest of the round. If I can do that over the course of a few holes,
I suppose I could get used to play a "rock" if I thought it would get me a few extra yards from tee to green.