Just how important is playing the right golf ball?
Well, if you’re a mid-to-high handicapper playing a premium golf ball, you’re probably costing yourself distance with every shot. Not to mention the extra pounds every time you dunk your new Pro V1 in the drink.
“But wait”, you say. “I like the spin and feel that I get from a top-market ball.”
Premium or “tour-level” balls are made with three or more layers. They typically have a soft cover and a firm core, and offer a greater amount of spin from lofted shots. And to be honest, who doesn’t want to expertly stop their ball around the greens?
There is just one catch; these types of balls require greater golf swing speeds in order to achieve optimum compression at impact.
What is optimum compression? According to an article on www.the-best-golf-tips.com: “If the compression of the ball doesn’t match the golfer’s swing speed, either over-compression or under-compression will occur, causing a loss of distance. “
So what if you don’t possess the booming swing of a pro, but are still looking for tour-standard performance from your ball?
Srixon have addressed this popular desire among golfers with the upcoming launch of a brand new model for 2014: the AD333 Tour golf ball.
The AD333 Tour is designed for amateurs who want the feel and precision of a Tour level ball but don’t produce Tour level swing speeds (a driver swing speed in excess of 95mph is considered as Tour level).
You are probably familiar with the AD333 brand – it’s been the UK’s number-one selling two-piece golf ball since 2007 – but where the standard AD333 is just two-piece, the AD333 Tour is made of three: an outer layer, a soft mid layer and a core.
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Graeme McDowell says the new Srixon AD333 Tour ball is a ” good, all-round alternative for the club golfer”.
The outer layer of the ball is covered with Srixon’s proprietary Spin Skin Technology. The soft coating helps increase the amount of friction between the clubface and the ball. Srixon’s research found an improvement of friction of up to 20%, which they say helps players spin the ball more and allows for greater control around the greens.
Spin Skin was first developed for Srixon’s popular Z-Star line, the ball used by the likes of Graeme McDowell and Keegan Bradley.
The soft mid-layer and Srixon AD333 Tour’s advanced 344 dimple pattern are designed to promote both low driver spin and high iron spin, which helps to generate a consistent and penetrating ball flight, particularly in the wind.
Finally, to the core… Here we are introduced to Srixon’s Energetic Gradient Growth Core technology. What makes a core energetic you ask? According to Srixon, the core is firmer in the outer region and becomes progressively softer towards the centre – which creates “explosive distance” off the tee with reduced spin.
If all this golf ball technology jargon has got you in a spin, check out our guide to finding the ball that best suits you…
WHICH SRIXON BALL SUITS MY GAME?
I’m still fairly new to golf; my handicap is around 25 or above; I’m looking for greater distance from my shots and I want a ball that won’t hurt my wallet if I lose a few each round = Srixon Distance
I’m a lady golfer with a swing speed of less than 90mph and I’m looking to hit longer and straighter shots = Srixon Soft Feel Lady
I’m a higher handicap golfer with a lower swing speed; I’m looking for a ball that is easy to hit, that feels great but still gives me maximum distance = Srixon Soft Feel
I’m a mid-handicap golfer with a reasonable swing in excess of 80mph; I want a combination of distance off the tee, great feel and the ability to spin the ball around the greens = Srixon AD333
I’m a consistent and fairly accomplished golfer with a swing speed of less than 95mph; I’m looking for maximum control and spin on my approach shots, with a soft feel = Srixon AD333 Tour
I’m a skilled golfer with a swing speed of 95mph or more; I hit the ball with consistency and authority and am looking for a ball designed to meet the needs of the pros = Srixon Z-Star
I’m a serious golfer with a swing speed of more than 105mph; I hit the ball a long way and am looking for a slightly firmer ball than the Z-Star that will spin less as a result = Srixon Z-Star XV
Use Srixon’s Online Ball Selector to find your perfect ball match: http://www.srixon.co.uk/make-the-switch/