Golf Ball Compression Chart: Which Ball Is Best for You?

Welcome to our golf ball compression chart guide!

Golfers should not underestimate how much the golf ball you choose can affect your game. Selecting the right golf ball can help you achieve distance, accuracy and, ultimately help to lower your score.

In other words, playing the right golf ball optimizes your performance. The first key element of choosing the right ball? Golf ball compression.

What is golf ball compression?

Whenever a club hits a golf ball, the force of the impact causes the ball to change shape and compress against the face of the club before it ‘springs off’. This is golf ball compression, and can be seen if you watch a slow-motion replay.

Golf ball compression is the interaction of the clubface with the ball’s core, and in general, the softer the ball, the more it compresses.

The golf ball compression rating describes how hard or soft the ball is, and usually ranges between a score of 30 and 120. The softest is 30, while 120 is the hardest.

In other words, the lower the compression, the softer the ball, and the higher the compression rating, the harder the ball.

Got the idea? Now let’s examine what this means to you.

Golf ball compression chart featured image - a close-up shot of a pile of white golf balls.

Which golf ball Compression Chart Rating Is Right for You?

Just like choosing the right club, choosing the right golf ball is all about selecting the equipment best suited for your swing speed, handicap, and other such skills.

Faster swing speeds demand high-compression golf balls.

Why? These balls offer accuracy, control, responsiveness, trajectory, feel, and backspin – but only with a faster swing speed.

Swing speeds in the middle range, 85 – 105 mph have a choice.

If you want more distance, then opt for a lower compression ball within the range.

If you want more control then pick a higher compression ball – but keep within the range that is designed for your swing speed.

A club positioned just behind the ball on the green.

Slower swing speeds require a lower compression to boost distance. It’s that simple!

The higher compression golf ball for experienced and low-handicap golfers account for less than 5% of the golf market. What about us mere mortals and newer players?

Distance is king, so pick a ball that maximizes length – and for most of us, this will be a lower compression golf ball.

Golf ball Compression Chart: By Swing Speed

Time to dive into our golf ball compression chart to start the process of selecting the right golf ball.

But first, just one more thing to do.

First, you must find out your swing speed in order to match the choices of a golf ball to this speed – this is crucial.

If you play at a club, then your professional will likely have a swing monitor device to help you find out your swing speed. Many driving ranges now have this facility.

A club and several golf balls laying on the grass.

From this information, you can now make an informed decision to select the correct golf ball compression and gain maximum performance from your golf ball.

You can then find a ball that matches your budget.

This makes sense if your game is a little errant. Losing 3 balls a round can add $15 to your game every time you walk on the course playing a top-dollar golf ball. Painful!

Less expensive options are available within each swing speed parameter. To help, we have added a price guide. The prices for budget to high-quality golf balls range from $20 to $50+ for a box of a dozen balls, respectively.

The golf ball compression chart below lays out the balls in sections starting with fast swing speeds through to slower with each section listed in compression order from top to bottom.

Some balls do not offer the actual golf ball compression rating and just offer what swing speed bracket they fall into – high, medium, or slow.

Golf Ball Compression Chart

Golf BallLayersGolf Ball CompressionSwing SpeedPrice Bracket
FASTSWING SPEED
Mizuno RBX Tour X4 PieceHigh 110+ 105 mph$$$$
Cut DC4 PieceHigh 105+ 105 mph$$$
Taylormade TP5X Pix5 PieceHigh 100+ 105 mph$$$$
Titleist Pro V1 X4 PieceHigh 100+ 105 mph$$$$
Volvik S44 PieceHigh 95+ 95 mph$$$
Callaway Chrome Soft X4 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$$$$
Cut Blue 4 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$$
Mizuno RB Tour4 PieceHigh 90+ 85 mph$$$$
Vice Pro Plus 4 PieceHigh + 85 mph$$$
Volvik Crystal3 PieceHigh + 85 mph$$$
FASTERSWING SPEED
Srixon Z-Star XV4 PieceHigh 100+ 105 mph$$$
Taylormade TP5X5 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$$$$
Wilson Staff Tour4 PieceHigh (no figure)+ 95 mph$$$$
MIDSWING SPEED
Callaway Warbird2 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$
Snell MTB-X3 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$$$
Srixon Z Star3 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$$$
Titleist Pro V13 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$$$$
Volvik XT AMT3 PieceHigh 90+ 95 mph$$$$
Bridgestone Tour B X3 PieceMedium 85+ 85 mph$$$$
Bridgestone Tour B XS3 PieceMedium 85+ 85 mph$$$$
Taylormade TP5 Pix5 PieceMedium 85+ 85 mph$$$$
Volvik S33 PieceMedium 85+ 85 mph$$$
Cut Grey 3 PieceMedium 80+ 85 mph$$
Snell MTB – Black3 PieceMedium 80+ 85 mph$$$
Taylormade TP55 PieceMedium 80+ 85 mph$$$$
Titleist AVX3 PieceMedium 80+ 85 mph$$$$
Titleist Tour Speed3 PieceMedium 80+ 85 mph$$$
Volvik Vivid3 PieceMedium 80+ 85 mph$$$
Bridgestone e12 Speed3 PieceMedium 75+ 80 mph$$
Callaway Chrome Soft3 PieceMedium 75+ 80 mph$$$$
Srixon Q Star2 PieceMedium 75+ 80 mph$$$
Volvik Vi Max Soft2 PieceMedium 75+ 80 mph$$
Srixon Q-Star Tour3 PieceMedium 70+ 80 mph$$$
Taylormade Tour Response3 PieceMedium 70+ 80 mph$$$
Taylormade Project (a)3 PieceMedium 70+ 80 mph$$$
Volvik Power Soft2 PieceMedium 70+ 80 mph$$
Volvik XT Soft3 PieceMedium 70+ 80 mph$$$$
Callaway Strata Eagle3 PieceMedium + 80 mph$
Titleist Velocity2 PieceMedium + 80 mph$$
Volvik Solice3 PieceMedium + 80 mph$$$
Wilson Tour Velocity Distance2 PieceMedium + 80 mph$$
Wilson Tour Velocity Feel2 PieceMedium+ 80 mph$$
SLOWERSWING SPEED
Bridgestone Tour B RX3 PieceLow (65)< 80 mph$$$$
Bridgestone Tour B RXS3 PieceLow (65)< 80 mph$$$$
Cut Matte3 PieceLow (65)< 80 mph$$
Titleist Tour Soft2 PieceLow (65)< 80 mph$$$
Callaway ERC Soft2 PieceLow (60)< 80 mph$$$
Cut Red 2 PieceLow (60)< 80 mph$$$
Srixon Soft Feel2 PieceLow (60)< 80 mph$$
Wilson Duo Professional 3 PieceLow (60)< 80 mph$$
Bridgestone e12 Soft3 PieceLow (50)< 70 mph$$$
Wilson Fifty Elite2 PieceLow (50)< 70 mph$$
Callaway Superhot 3 PieceLow (50)< 70 mph$$
Bridgestone e62 PieceLow (45)< 70 mph$$
Callaway Supersoft2 PieceLow (40)< 70 mph$$
Callaway Supersoft Magna2 PieceLow (40)< 70 mph$$
Taylormade Noodle Long / Soft2 PieceLow (35)< 70 mph$$
Wilson Duo Soft+2 PieceLow (35)< 70 mph$$
Wilson Duo Optix2 PieceLow (30)< 70 mph$$
Mizuno RB 5662 PieceLow < 80 mph$
Mizuno RB 566 V3 PieceLow < 80 mph$
Snell Get Sum2 PieceLow < 80 mph$
Taylormade Soft Response3 PieceLow < 80 mph$$
Titleist TruFeel2 PieceLow < 80 mph$$$
Vice Pro 3 PieceLow < 80 mph$$$
Vice Tour 3 PieceLow < 80 mph$$
Vice Pro Soft3 PieceLow < 80 mph$$$
Vice Drive2 PieceLow < 80 mph$
Wilson Zip2 PieceLow < 80 mph$$
SPECIALIST LADIES GOLF BALLS
Srixon Soft Feel Lady2 PieceLow (60)< 80 mph$$
Bridgestone e6 Lady 2 PieceLow (45)< 70 mph$$
Callaway Reva2 PieceLow< 80 mph$$
Taylormade Kalea2 PieceLow< 80 mph$$
golf ball compression chart

stages to find the right Golf Ball Compression

You have found out your swing speed and should now be looking at options that match this speed.

The second factor is the type of golf ball suitable to your ability level in terms of the core constituent of the ball – 2, 3, 4, or 5 piece ball. The core of a golf ball is a fundamental factor in how a golf ball compresses.

Again, what does this mean?

Let’s keep it nice and simple. The number of pieces = the number of layers in the manufacturing process and the more layers mean more control. This comes at a cost – more layers also means a higher price.

2-Piece Golf Balls

The ideal ball for beginner and high handicap golfers with slow swing speeds. Not just on performance but also on price.

A close-up shot of four rows of golf balls, all white and one red.

3-Piece Golf Balls

The next step up the ladder offers great performance and control.

4 and 5-Piece Golf Balls

Designed for experienced golfers to optimize distance with control but will only perform well for golfers with higher swing speeds.

The manufacturers know what they are doing. Except for one ball, every option in the mid-slower swing speed range is either a 2 or 3-piece golf ball. The benefits in performance of a 4 and 5-piece ball only come to the fore with a faster swing speed.

Female golfers may think they are being short-changed with their options, however most manufacturers that don’t sell female-branded golf balls claim that all their balls are suitable for all genders.

As females tend to have slower swing speeds, a ball from within the lower compression range will likely be the most suitable.

A golfer wearing a glove about to place the ball on the tee.

Golf Ball Compression Chart: Conclusion

If there is one thing to learn from this golf ball compression chart guide it is this: do not neglect your golf ball selection.

It is not a price choice, the most expensive balls on the market just may not be suitable for your game. Fact. Cheaper doesn’t mean less quality.

Look at how much we invest in golf clubs, time to match the correct ball to your equipment and your game. This is of paramount importance for further success.

Try a few options and you’ll find the one that is the perfect match for your game.

Get it right and you will visibly see the results with more distance, greater control – and ultimately lower scores!

Let us know how you get on in the comments below. Happy golfing!

A golf ball on the edge of the hole.

Optimize tHis Knowledge by working on your game

Time to optimize what you’ve learnt from the golf ball compression chart by reading our guides below.

Photo of author
I have been in love with the game of golf for over 30 years and this passion propelled me to find work in the golf sector way back in 1997. In recent years I have worked as a full-time golf caddy in Scotland and Florida until Covid struck - hopefully my wonderful lifestyle will soon return. When not working, I like to keep fit, play golf and enjoy a nice glass of single malt!

8 thoughts on “Golf Ball Compression Chart: Which Ball Is Best for You?”

  1. Hi! Your driver swing is 10-15 mph faster than your iron swing. So are u choosing a ball compression rating based on your driver or iron swing speed I.e. since u hit your irons much more than your driver.
    Thanks and have a great day!

    Reply
    • The actual swing speed for most golfers remains constant for most golfers whatever club they may be using. What changes as you go through the bag is the ball speed; this increases with a driver as compared with a mid-short iron.

      This is, in effect, down to simple physics – the longer club is on a wider and longer swing path, in effect travelling for a greater distance that creates a faster ball speed off the clubface with the same swing speed.

      I hope this makes sense. Simon Lawrence

      Reply
    • Swing speeds change based on the length of the club. A male that swings a driver at 90 mph will swing a 7 iron at approximately 77 mph. However, ball speeds are not just determined by club speed. The more lofted a club, the lower the smash factor. Smash factor is a golf term that allows one to determine how efficient the contact was between the ball and club. A typical smash factor on a sand wedge is around 1.0. Swing it at 70 mph and watch the ball fly at 70 mph. The desired smash factor on a driver is 1.50. Swing a driver at 70 mph and the ball would leave the face at 105 mph. 50% faster than the club speed. A driver that is slightly mishit could have a smash factor of 1.40, (or any number between 1.0 and 1.5) which would mean the ball would then leave the club face at 98 mph. Less carry and less overall distance. Final note, I used 70 mph driver speed in this instance as a comparison to a 70 mph sand wedge swing speed only for math reasons. Obviously if you swung a sand wedge at 70 mph, your driver swing speed would be closer to 85 mph.

      Reply
    • Hi Dave, find your swing speed with your driver and 7 iron. Take 10 swings with each and the average of it should help you decide what to use. Again try different brands because they offer different options for the golfer, distance, spin, etc
      Have fun

      Reply
  2. I have been in the golf industry for more than 35 years, still am today and the most important aspect that the majority of golfers, aside from taking lessons is the close relationship between your swing speed and the ball you use.
    Always say to them:” Don’t let your ego deprive you from 20 more yards !”
    Thanks for your info… Great 👍🏻

    Reply

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