I bet you have seen professional golfers hit their golf ball few yards past the hole and then voila! it magically goes back closer to the hole! What did you just see? Magic? How do I do that?
I'm going to try to explain what golf ball spin is, how and why a golf ball spins, how to choose the best ball to improve your game.
Spin is basically what makes your golf ball go up in the air. When the air hits the dimples on a golf ball, it create a low pressure area which makes the golf ball go up in the air - lift. The faster the spin, the higher it will go!
Golf ball spin rate is the rate of rotation of the golf ball immediately after impact from the club face. Spin rate has such a big influence on the height and distance of a shot.
Definition: Spin Rate – The rate of rotation of the golf ball around the resulting rotational axis of the golf ball immediately after the golf ball separates from the club face.
There are two types of golf ball spin: Backspin and Sidespin.
Golf ball backspin is the backwards rotation of a golf ball.
Backspin on a golf ball causes the ball to lift into the air and rotate backwards.
To get backspin, you will need to strike your wedge with a downward blow and make a clean contact.
Backspin gives the golf ball it's trajectory:
More backspin causes the ball to have a higher trajectory.
Less backspin creates a lower trajectory.
Golf Ball Sidespin is the spinning that happens sideways. Yes, it's that easy to understand.
Sidespin CAN be good for some golfers but most of the time, it doesn't end well for most of us. However, it's almost impossible to hit a perfectly straight shot as any player will have some degree of sidespin with every shot.
Too much sidespin - slice or hook
Little sidespin - fade or draw
Left Sidespin (hook) – the spin that makes your golf ball spin to the left.
Right Sidespin (slice) – the spin that makes your golf ball spin to the right.
Shorter clubs are designed to give you more loft and shorter distances. Examples of shorter clubs are the sand wedge, pitching wedge, lob, and gap wedges. These give you more control over where the ball lands with high lofts.
Loft is the angle that the club will launch the ball into the air.
Higher launch angle - higher ball flight and more back spin.
Longer clubs are designed to give you less back spin and some forward spin as the clubs get longer.
Longer club - shorter loft angle
Shorter clubs can have a 60 degree angle where as a longer club (driver) will have much less of an angle with 10 degrees.
Having less loft will make your ball go farther but you will have much less control over your distance.
A closed club face is when the face of the club is aligned to the left of the target. This will give a left sidespin making the golf ball go to the left, called a Draw or a Hook.
An open club face is when the face of the club is aligned to the right of the target. This will give a right sidespin making the golf ball go to the right, called a Fade or a Slice.
A square club face is when the face of the club is aligned perfectly straight to the target. This will have the maximum backspin giving you the perfect shot.
Just like the club face has an impact on how a golf ball spins, the club path has an impact as well.
It's the direction of the club head is moving at impact, relative to the target line. Most players know this as 'in-to-out' or 'out-to-in'.
Definition of Club Path – The horizontal direction of the club head’s geometric center movement at the time of maximum compression
In-to-out is when the club face approaches and strikes the golf ball from inside the target line. This is the preferable path.
In-square-in is when the club face approaches and strikes the golf ball square to the target.
Out-to-in is when the club face approaches and strikes the golf ball from outside the target line.
Attack Angle is the up or down movement of the club head at the time of maximum impact. Attack angle is measured relative to the horizon.
Definition of Attack Angle – The vertical direction of the club head’s geometric center movement at maximum compression of the golf ball.
Hitting UP – When your angle of attack goes up at impact, the club head shifts back and raises the loft angle of the club. This will get you less distance and less spin because the loft is now more than what the golf club is actually designed for.
Hitting DOWN – When your angle of attack goes down at impact, the club head shifts forward and lowers the loft angle of the golf club. This will get you more distance and more spin because the loft is now less than what the club is actually designed for.
This one's fairly easy to understand. Higher club head speed will increase spin and lower club head speed will decrease spin.
It is important to note that we have looked at factors that impact spin in isolation to help illustrate the impact of each factor. What matters is when you swing that club how much the ball actually spins based on the combination of the above (and other) factors and if that amount of spin is what is required for the shot that you are playing.
Now that you understand the technical parts of what makes a golf ball spin, it's time to use that knowledge to improve your own golf game.
Before we jump to picking a ball, let's talk a little bit about the clubs you'd typically use on a hole. For the purpose of explaining this concept, picture a 500 yard par 5... you tee off with your driver, right down the middle of the fairway with a good roll 275 yards. Next using a 4 or 5 iron another great shot for 175 yards. You pick up your wedge for your 50-60 yard approach shot and land the ball 5 feet from the flag. It does not spin back like when the pros do it, but the ball stops and rolls a bit to get you a little close. Finally a gentle tap for BIRDIE! Nicely done! So what role did spin play here?
With your driver in your hands, ready to tee off, what's going through your mind? You want to DeChambeau this thing as far as you can right? The way you get maximum distance is to get the ball in the air (and we learnt we need spin to do that), keep the ball in the air (again we need spin and ball speed), then you want the ball to land and keep rolling (less backspin will help here) to maximize total carry distance.
Don't mean to send you down rabbit hole, but while we're talking about spin and drivers, it might be a good idea to also review our blog on golf ball compression.
With the driver, most of us want to hit that ball as far as we can (in a straight line, not into the woods). As we get into the irons, control of distance becomes more important. You still want some carry and roll, but you want more control especially as you start getting into the higher lofted irons such as the 7, 8 and 9 irons.
The way we have control is using spin. Unlike the driver, as we get into the irons (especially the short irons), more spin is our friend. The combination of spin and land angle will give us better control.
For example, a 5 iron will have low land angle and less spin which will give the ball some roll (but not too much), whereas a 9 iron will give a higher land angle, more backspin which will help stop that ball where you want it to stop (i.e. on the green close to the pin). This is why knowing your yardage for each club is important, but let's not go down that rabbit hole now.
With these high lofted clubs you are typically less than a 100 yards from the green so you want the ball to land and stop, so what do you need? Yep, you guessed it, more backspin.
The biggest factor is the ball, but it isn't the only factor. We want to briefly mention here to make sure your wedges are clean and the grooves are not worn out. The grass on the fairway (or rough) will also have a say here. Grass between the ball and club face at impact will reduce the amount of spin you can impart on the ball, so keep these factors in mind as well.
So what's the bottom line with clubs and spin?
With the driver you want low spin or just enough back spin on the ball to keep it in the air and then roll when it lands.
With your irons you want a moderate amount of spin so you have some distance control.
With wedges you want high backspin, if not that ball is going to bounce and roll right off the green (hello double bogey).
Next we need to pick a golf ball that suits you.
Low, Medium, High
Higher handicapped golfers are more likely to have a flaw in their swing which creates an imperfect ball strike at impact. They will most likely have an open or closed club face at impact or an incorrect club path. They might also have a angle of attack that is too high or too low. We've now learnt that all these will mean that you will end up with sidespin, which leads to a hook or a slice!
These low spin golf balls are best for high handicap golfers to get have better control of the shot. Some of the best low spin golf balls are Titleist DT TruSoft, Callaway Warbird, Bridgestone e6 Soft, and TaylorMade Aeroburner Pro used golf balls. You can try them out here for half the price of retail.
These golf balls are best for medium handicap golfers to have a better shot with medium spin.
These golf balls are best for low handicap golfers who are experienced.
| Golf Ball Model | Spin Rate | Read More |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone e5, e6, e7 models | Mid | Buy Now |
| Bridgestone e6 Soft, e6 Speed | Low | Buy Now |
| Bridgestone Tour BRX, BX, BXS, BRXS | High | Buy Now |
| Bridgestone B330, B330S, B330RX, B330RXS | High | Buy Now |
| Callaway Chrome Soft | High | Buy Now |
| Callaway Chrome Soft X | High | Buy Now |
| Callaway Chrome Soft Truvis models | High | Buy Now |
| Callaway HEX Tour Soft | Low | Buy Now |
| Callaway Diablo | Mid | Buy Now |
| Callaway Superhot 55 | Low | Buy Now |
| Callaway Supersoft | High | Buy Now |
| Callaway Warbird | Low | Buy Now |
| Maxfli U/6 | High | Buy Now |
| Snell MTB Black, X | High | Buy Now |
| Srixon Q-Star, Q-Star Tour | High | Buy Now |
| Srixon Soft Feel | Mid | Buy Now |
| Srixon Z-Star, Z-Star XV | High | Buy Now |
| TaylorMade Burner | Low | Buy Now |
| TaylorMade Project (a) | High | Buy Now |
| TaylorMade Tour Preferred, Preferred X | High | Buy Now |
| TaylorMade TP5 & TP5x | High | Buy Now |
| Titleist AVX | Mid | Buy Now |
| Titleist DT SoLo | Mid | Buy Now |
| Titleist DT TruSoft | Low | Buy Now |
| Titleist NXT Tour, NXT Tour S | High | Buy Now |
| Titleist NXT Tour S | Mid | Buy Now |
| Titleist Pro V1 & V1x | High | Buy Now |
| Titleist Tour Soft | High | Buy Now |
| Titleist TruFeel | Mid | Buy Now |
| Titleist Velocity | Mid | Buy Now |
| Vice Pro, Vice Pro Soft | High | Buy Now |
| Vice Pro Plus | Mid | Buy Now |
| Wilson Staff Duo Professional | High | Buy Now |
| Wilson Staff FG Tour | High | Buy Now |
Is your head spinning yet? See what I did there, this blog is about spin, I asked you about your head spinning, get it? Anyway, if you are confused, that's understandable, so let me try to put it together for you.
We said we want different spin rates depending on the club and shot that we are playing. Then we said that the characteristics of the ball will determine spin rates. So the obvious answer here is to pick a low spinning ball when teeing off with your driver and a high spinning ball when hitting wedges right? WRONG!! You can't tee off with a Callaway Warbird and hit your approach shot with Titleist Pro V1! It would make life easier but it's against rules.
The general rule of thumb that we advise most golfers, as we had alluded to above, is pick your ball based on your handicap. For example, if you are a high handicapper, picking a low spin ball will help (to a certain extent) to eliminate the undesirable side spin off the tee and keep the ball in play.
You will not be able to do the Phil Mickelson flop shot 30 yards from the green, but what you could try instead is the bump and run with an 8 or 9 iron. You are a high handicapper now, but as you continue to play this great game and improve, you will change the ball that you play with along with other aspects of your game such as your strategy for approach shots.
This is called backspin. You will need to strike your wedge with a downward blow and make a clean contact. More backspin causes the ball to have a higher trajectory. Less backspin creates a lower trajectory.
Golf ball spin is good AND bad. It depends on what type of spin we are talking about and what club you are hitting. For example, when hitting a driver the right amount of backspin is needed to get the ball in the air. Excessive backspin will make the ball balloon up and not get enough distance. Sidespin is almost always bad since it will result in a hook or slice. I say almost always since you need side spin to play a fade or draw, however, it requires a decent amount of skill and experience.
To get backspin on a golf ball make sure your wedges are clean and the grooves are not worn out. Conventional wisdom states to hit down (i.e. negative attack angle) on the ball, however, keep in mind that that your lie will have a big impact (fairway or fringe will get you better backspin than the rough). Position the golf ball toward your back foot, rather than the center of your stance. That will force you to hit down on the ball, which will create backspin. Swing down hard and hit the ball first, taking a divot after the ball is struck.
2,685 rpm
An average PGA Tour professional is able to get a golf ball spin rate of 2,685 rpm. An average male golfer has a spin rate of 3275 rpm.
The short answer is yes. A low spin ball such as the Titleist DT TruSoft will go straighter than a Titleist Pro V1 when you don't hit that perfect shot. Too much side spin is what causes a slice or hook and low spin ball will be more forgiving, thus can fly straighter. Should you go for a low spin ball just to have it fly straighter at the expense of greenside control? If you are a high handicapper the answer is maybe, however, as you improve your game you may want to rethink this.
Ball such as Titelist Pro V1, Bridgestone B XS, Callaway Chrome Soft, Taylormade TP5 will have a higher spin rate. It's hard to pin point any single ball as having the most spin, however, most tour level balls will generally have more spin. Click here to see all our high spin balls.
This question generally applies when using a driver. If too much spin is a problem for you, you may want to consider a low spin golf ball. Other tips are to make sure you are not teeing the ball too low, not hitting down on the ball and making sure the ball position is left of center. Check this blog by Golf Tips Mag for more details.
The Titleist Pro V1 golf ball has the most backspin.
Titleist Pro V1 & V1x, TaylorMade TP5 & TP5x, Callaway Chrome Soft & Chrome Soft X, Srixon Z-Star & Z-Star XV, Bridgestone Tour B X, B XS & B RXS
The best low spin golf balls are Titleist DT TruSoft, Callaway Warbird, Bridgestone e6, and TaylorMade Aeroburner Pro golf balls.
Got any questions or comments? Let us know below...
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Golf ball compression has always been a fascinating topic within golf ball discussions. Frankly, it’s confusing and unless you spend hours and hours understanding, testing, and applying it is virtually impossible for you to keep up on it nor truly understand it.
The great news is that I will explain EVERYTHING that you need to know regarding golf ball compression but more importantly, give you the answers in whether or not you need to worry about it or not when it comes to choosing your golf ball.
First let’s start with the straight up definition.
Compression is “the action of compressing or being compressed.”
Alright good, that’s pretty straightforward. Think of it as compression is the act of squeezing something. Squeezing an orange, a baby squeezing a toy, a dog chewing on a tennis ball, squeezing a stress ball, compressing data on your computer to free up space and make your computer run faster (wait...does this really work?? I’m not so sure, I think it maybe a way for technical support to get us off the phone when something isn’t working...just saying).
More importantly and the reason why you are reading this is...YES, a golf ball compresses and when and how much DOES matter to you!
If you grab any golf ball and try to squeeze it I’d be willing to bet that you will not be able to, not even a little bit. Even if you stepped on it you will not be able to. Even if you put your golfing buddy on your shoulders and stepped on it you wouldn’t be able to. (If you can, send us videos and I will retract this statement...I’m still waiting...)
So when does it compress? Quite simply a golf ball compresses, at impact, between your golf club face and your golf ball.
(Wow that’s pretty cool – there is no way that I would have ever thought this happened at impact, did you?)
We now know that a golf ball compresses at impact with your club and it means “something” important for you but what exactly does that mean? Every golf ball has a different compression level which is many times measured down to the hundredths BUT I am telling you it is not necessary to drill down to that level of detail, PLUS it would literally make you fall asleep. (I fell asleep twice researching this topic.)
What I do want you to understand is that every golf ball has number associated with its compression level and it usually ranges from 30 – 100. Years ago, manufacturers actually printed the golf ball compression rating on the covers and/or denoted different compression ratings with the red/black numbers. Today, golf ball manufacturers stopped advertising compression levels of their balls because there was a negative stigma associated with a lower compression golf ball. To me that is a bunch of garbage, if a lower compression golf ball helps your ball go farther then how awesome is that!
Your swing speed and golf ball core (not cover)
Swing Speed – higher the swing speed, more force at impact, more a golf ball will compress.
Golf ball core – harder golf ball core will compress less vs softer golf ball core will compress more. On this one I will dig a bit farther – If, at impact, a golf ball compresses more there will be a GREATER amount of energy transfer from the club head to the golf ball causing the golf ball to SPRING off the club face resulting in maximum distance. If a golf ball compresses less at impact then you will have much less energy transfer from the club head will be lost in that additional compression.
A big misconception exists around golf ball compression and golf ball cover hardness. Often times they are referred to interchangeably BUT the truth is they are very different. Compression refers to the inner core whereas cover hardness refers to how hard the golf ball cover actually is.
Hard Cover – creates less spin, less feel, and stop ability around the green
Soft Cover – creates more spin, more feel, and more storability around the green
There is a point at which almost everything will either explode, break, or crumble based on the amount of force exerted on that object. On the other hand, just before the point of explosion, that object would be at maximum energy generation. This is the key to achieving maximum distance from a golf ball. If you pick a golf ball that matches perfectly to your swing speed then you will get maximum distance. The problem is we amateurs don’t have the time or money to spend on figuring this out.
Let’s try keep it simple and break it into 3 different groups - Low Compression, Medium Compression, High Compression golf balls.
When you golf in extreme heat (90+ degrees) the higher compression balls will have a lower compression rating vs the lower compression balls will have a higher compression rating
Vs
When you golf in extreme cold (under 50 degrees) the higher compression balls will have a lower compression rating and the lower compression balls will have a higher compression rating.
Compression is just one of many factors that you need to consider when picking a golf ball. That said, use the quick guide below to narrow down your golf ball choices.
Low swing speed (<85 mph) - Pick a low compression ball
Medium swing speed (85 - 104 mph) - Most golfers will fall into this categoy. Pick mid compression ball, however, if you are toward the higher end of the spectrum you may want look at a higher compression ball and vice versa.
High swing speed (>105 mph) - Pick a high compression ball
In order help you make your choices, we'd done our best to tag our our balls based on factors such as compression, spin, construction etc.
Almost all manufactures, most notably Bridgestone has put more emphasis on compression and fitting golf balls based on swing speed. The idea, as we had explained above is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will find it easier compressing a lower compression (soft) ball, thus getting better distance than with a high compression tour ball.
Who doesn't subscribe to this philosophy? Only the world's no. 1 golf ball manufacturer (it's Titleist in case you are wondering). Titleist insists that there is no significant difference in how much a tour pro and your average weekend hack compress the ball regardless of the ball's compression rating. Instead when fitting the ball they say to put the most emphasis on what balls works best for shots around and into the green.
So who's right and who's wrong? I have no idea! My guess is everybody is a little bit right and a little bit wrong. We think you should consider compression based on your swing speed, BUT, don't over analyze this one factor. If you have not done so already, also check out our blog on golf ball spin.
There you have it - everything you need to know about golf ball compression. Hopefully, this will help you in that never-ending quest to pick the correct golf ball for YOUR game. Remember that each and every one of you has a unique swing, style, and approach to this amazing game. Continue to try to do whatever you can to maximize, but do not go overboard to the point where you forget to buy your golf balls or forget to book your tee times! If you need any help with picking the right ball drop us a message and we'll do our best to help.
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Many years ago when we started our quest to help lower the price of golf balls, we too, like I’m sure many of you, were confused on what those words mean. These terms continue to muddy an already cloudy golf ball buying experience. Well lucky for you, I will filter the mud and make it crystal clear. We will explore the definitions, applications, and most importantly performance of these different kinds of golf balls.
First let’s go with straight up definitions:
A golf ball that has already been used. It’s that easy. Once you take the golf ball out of the package putt, chip, or drive with it ONCE it is now a “Used Golf Ball.” Just like buying a new or used car – pretty self-explanatory right?!
Hint: A recycled, refinished, or refurbished golf ball is a USED golf ball no matter what anyone says!!
See above “Used golf balls.” Nothing special is done to “recycled” golf balls. Some people use recycled as a marketing ploy but they are used golf balls cleaned and sorted.
During this process, only golf balls that aren’t scuffed or had their cover compromised are used. The golf ball cover is usually wet blasted that removes the logo, number, and any other marking on the golf ball. Assuming all markings are able to be removed, the golf ball gets a new clear coat, it’s re-painted, then a final clear coat. There are many companies who do this and the majority stamp “refinished” on the ball.
Refurbished golf balls are very similar to refinished golf ball with a little twist. These golf balls are restored in a quicker less invasive way. Instead of blasting the cover clean and then re-coat and re-paint, these balls are improved cosmetically based on need. Basically, if there is an arrow that needs painting or a logo that’s fading the refurbished process will make them look as good as new.
Now let’s talk about performance. There are many golfers out there who will not even consider using one of the above mentioned types of golf balls because they are not “NEW” golf balls. I totally understand that standpoint, in fact I also had that same sentiment before I actually did research on the topic.
So the key question is, will there be any loss in performance if you play used golf balls instead of new? To answer this question we sent some of our used balls of different grades to our friends at Practical Golf for an independent and unbiased testing. Check out their used golf ball test where they tested our used balls and compared performance with new golf balls.
Spoiler alert: to the average golfer it makes absolutely no difference whether you play a new or used ball!
At Two Guys with Balls, we have a very simple grading scale.
Eagle is our highest quality level, Birdie is the mid-range quality level and finally, Par is the lowest quality level (see our grading scale for the details). If you have shopped around you will see that everybody seems to have a different scales and definitions. With that said (for the most part) you can follow the guideline below.
Eagle = Mint = 5A = AAAAA = A Quality = Best
Birdie = Near Mint = 4A = AAAA = B Quality = 2nd Best
Par = Good = 3A = AAA = C Quality = 3rd Best
Here's what USGA Rule 5-1/4 states:
5-1/4 Status of 'X-out,' 'Refurbished' and 'Practice' Balls
Q. What is the status of 'X-out,' 'refurbished' and 'practice' balls?
A.'X-out' is the common name used for a golf ball that a manufacturer considers to be imperfect (usually for aesthetic reasons, e.g., paint or printing errors, but it can also be for construction deficiencies) and, therefore, has crossed out the brand name.
A 'refurbished' golf ball is a second-hand ball that has been cleaned and stamped as 'refurbished.' In the absence of strong evidence to suggest that an 'X-out' or 'refurbished' ball does not conform to the Rules, it is permissible for such a ball to be used.
However, in a competition where the Committee has adopted the condition that the ball the player plays must be named on the List of Conforming Golf Balls (see Note to Rule 5-1), such a ball may not be used, even if the ball in question (without the X's or without the 'refurbished' stamp) does appear on the List.
In most cases, 'practice' balls are simply listed, conforming golf balls that have been stamped "Practice," in the same way that golf balls often feature a club or company logo. Such balls may be used even where the Committee has adopted the condition that the ball the player plays must be named on the List of Conforming Golf Balls.
As we all have, I’m sure you've experienced a time in your golfing career where you pulled that brand new $4.00 plus ball out of the sleeve, teed it up, and shanked your drive into the woods. You are probably upset, will bogey the hole, and won’t be able to buy your favorite beverage when the cart girl comes by. As you can see these types of golf balls WILL perform nearly as good as that brand new $4.00 ball and after a few rounds you will have saved enough cash to pay for your next green fee!
Regardless of which ball you decide to play, you now are fully informed about what these terms mean. You have the ability to play whatever quality of ball you prefer without paying an exorbitant price. Yeah you may lose a few yards but they will NOT affect your scores! The emotion of losing that $4.00 ball will cost you more strokes than that!
Have any questions, comments or opinions on used golf balls? Are you someone who will never consider playing used? Let us know in the comments below.
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Well, it's that time of year again where we take ALL the guess work out of shopping for your golfer. We have traveled across the globe to find the best golf gifts of 2018 just for you (or your spouse.) Shopping for the people we care is sometimes crazy hard. The good news is TwoGuysWithBalls.com have taken the pain out of shopping for your Golfer; man or woman, young or old, 1 handicap or a 20 handicap. Our golf experts have exhaustively researched, tested, and evaluated the most “popular” golf gifts of 2018 and have come up with our annual list!
By the way – TwoGuysWithBalls.com was not paid for these endorsements nor will receive any royalties from this review...just pure old fashioned gift review for our loyal readers!
You have all heard about Yeti coolers right? Well Yet has quickly become one of the most talked about brands as of late and they have created some great golf gifts. This Yeti golf bag gives you all the portability you need with a slick modern design.
Yeti.com - $299
Anyone like to enjoy a bit of Whisky after your last round? We do (Bourbon is preferred) but we now are adding these handcrafted golf ball chillers to our routine. We love the fact that we get the perfect chill without the chance or watering it down. Made in Minneapolis, Minnesota and cooled in your freezer. You even get a little pouch for your chilled Whisky balls!
We all need to spend more time polishing our putting stroke but many times we default to the driving range rather than the short game practice area. BirdieBall is a high quality putting mat which reflects the speed of typical golf course greens, you are also able to putt against the grain with this putting mat to get a feel of the differences. We think that's a great enhancement over other similar products. Now let's shoot for replicating morning putting to afternoon putting next!
We've all seen the traditional low quality money clips or the guy who uses a rubber band for his cash. We have finally found a high quality secure money clip which just so happens to have a golf ball inlet. The patented silver-level mechanism allows you to securely carry your cash and your credit cards without the bulk you find in the majority of clips. Crafted from stainless steal this clip will give you the durability which lacks in others similar. This item made the top ten because it's reasonable, practical, and just plain cool!
Last year we highlighted a great Bushnell range finder which is still a great product but technology has advanced and we now are falling in love with the Garmin range finder. Who remembers Garmin? If I remember correctly it was one of the first GPS units on the market. Either way this little baby is significantly smaller, lighter, and still has up to 15 hours of battery life. Over 41,000 course maps as well as hazard, lay-ups, and automatic green views. Distance to the front or back of the green, par information for each hole, and even a pin pointer for lining up blind shots. Although the price tag is a bit steep, the new advances will surely reduce strokes in your game.
Two drivers in your bag?? That will be the question the first time you use this amazing gadget. At first we thought this may be a bit corny but we stand corrected! This hidden gem has a 48oz insulated tank which will keep any drink hot or cold. It will fit in any golf bag, looks like a driver, and has a easy pump dispenser. Comes with a long handled brush and has a wide mouth for easy cleaning or throwing in a few ice cubes. You will be the most popular member of your group, no matter what your score is!
This is one of my favs this year because it just makes way too much sense. How many of your garages have "golf stuff" scattered everywhere, I mean everywhere. I've personally opened my garage and had golf balls roll out and now I'm seen chasing them down the driveway. How many times have you tried to park in the garage and golf bags are in the way. We've all tried new and creative ways to store our golf equipment but create no more. This chrome-plated steel frame with stainless panels can hold up to 175lbs and cleans up very easy. Designed to hold golf shoes, extra clubs, towels, plus boxes of balls. Optional casters will make your life so much easier the next time you organize your garage. What a great idea!
As an avid reader of Golf Digest, I can tell you that this magazine has helped lower my golf scores. In the current age where magazines are all but dead Golf Digest is getting better and better. Their in depth coverage of the world of golf, from every angle, gives ALL golfers the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and understanding of this great game. I still can't believe this is only $10/year! You also get their exclusive golf bag and an instant download of the 100 best courses guide.
Zepp Golf is the NEW advanced version in the swing analyzer technology. Prior to Zepp the majority of all these devices were a bulky, awkward, and expensive. Zepp Golf has changed all of that. This tiny non-evasive sensor attaches to your golf glove, yep that's it. No need to attach multiple devices to all of your clubs or add some kind of sensor tape which never really works. Connect via Bluetooth to the Zepp app through your favorite smart phone. This little genius measures your club speed, club plane, hand plane, backswing position, and much much more. Zepp even has a smart coach feature which personalizes your training! We are very impressed with Zepp and what it has done to change this technology.
Do you know why golf pro shops sell golf balls above retail prices? Because they can, so many golfers forget to make sure they have ample golf balls for their next round, then get to the course, look in their bag, and realize they are completely out or have a few old ones that have cart path marks everywhere. Once again we have a solution. Our “Balls of the month” subscription ensures the above scenario does NOT happen plus will offer you significant saving over pro shop balls as well as retail! It’s very simple and is very customizable to your golfers specific preferences. Remember an average golfer loses about 5 balls per round so playing just two rounds a month means they need another dozen! We will send you a dozen balls (of your choice) by the 1st of every month. You can choose the same exact balls each month, or a category of Balls and quality. We have 3 subscription options to fit your need and budget.
Whatever you choose it can be monthly, every 2 months or quarterly. You pay when when the balls ship and of course you can cancel or pause at anytime.
PS: Yeah, yeah… I know what you are thinking… shameless plug for your own product. BUT, we really do feel that this is the best golf gift you can get for 2018, even if we didn't own the place 🙂 TwoGuysWithBalls.com
If you still have no idea what to get, every golfer needs balls. get a Two Guys with Balls Gift Card! That’s it for this years top ten gift list stay tuned to our blog for our next edition!
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Soft
Firm
Long game
Short game
Spin rating
Cover
Core
Pieces
The above mentioned terms are commonly used when manufacturers try to “sell” you their golf ball. Many of these terms are consistent will all balls and then modified to create a competitive advantage but more importantly SELL YOU MORE BALLS. I am in full agreement that each year technologies advance, innovations are realized and our golf equipment advances. As we approach the 2018 US Open and the midpoint of the season I think it’s appropriate to review the Best Golf Balls of 2018
I bet many of you are surprised to see this ball on the list, but I call this the “sleeper” of the bunch. This ball is absolutely perfect for that mid-handicapper who wants performance, but occasionally experiences a chili pepper (email me if you need clarification what that means). The 3rd generation Project (a) golf ball is the best one they have produced yet (I would certainly hope so…) TaylorMade tweaked the core just a bit to make the center softer and the outer layer firmer which improves speed and creates additional energy which is retained by it’s outer core. It is still a 3-piece ball and a 322 dimple, urethane cover which gives tour technology and a soft feel.
A newcomer to the list at #9 is the 2018 Vice Pro Plus boasts 4 layers which provides lower driver launch and spin for longer drives (Remember: Low spin on drives and High spin on low irons and wedges.) These balls are perfect for golfers with a medium to high swing speed. The Vice Pro Plus has the exact same urethane cover which is a must with any premium “x” ball. The Vice Pro Plus will be slightly longer that the “x” balls out there but you will lose the control around the green. These balls are hot, VERY hot.
Srixon is getting close, very close, to the top of this list as every year they learn and get better. They are creating a great all-round golf ball that has been made with 13% softer core than other generations of Srixon balls which gives great spin and control on the green. They have gone back and forth on number of dimples but have decided on 338 for this version. This reduces drag and creates a bit more glide in the second part of the flight to keep the ball in the air a bit longer. Srixon has also added a DOUBLE urethane cover which gives additional friction and spin. Double urethane cover?? The second cover is a urethane “coating” that creates even more control, balance, and reliability. Really like this ball, just don’t LOVE it yet! Also, do you know Srixon owns Cleveland??
Huh? Is that a typo? No it’s not. Bridgestone has dropped it’s “330” and just went with the “BX.” I figure you are going to ask me why, so I’ll just tell you. Marketing. Yes, Marketing, although Bridgestone claims that have softened the urethane cover of the tour balls which provides lower driver spin and increased feel and accuracy. Which adds velocity for more distance. This ball is basically the same ball it’s ever been which is good news to myself and Tiger who really like this ball. I was a bit worried that Bridgestone was going to alter an already great ball but I am happy to report that it is the same that it has always been and I am fine with that.
Over the years I have been impressed and disappointed with Callaway, but I am happy to say that I am impressed with their advancements with their Chrome Soft line of golf balls. Callaway has made a larger inner core which gives more speed and control. Using a new material called “Graphene” the outer layer of this great ball gives more strength than the previous versions. The performance of this ball is very similar than previous generations which shows that Callaway is keeping up, not disappointing, but keeps me waiting to be impressed.
I still like the Chrome Soft over the Chrome Soft X, not because I’m an “x” guy but because Callaway really hasn’t proved that their ball deserves the “x” designation. The Chrome Soft was about to take off as the SINGLE ball solution not needing an “x” or a “1” or whatever BUT they gave in to pressure and have joined the ranks as an “x.” Well….now they need to back it up and I think they will but not this year. The current and (original) Chrome Soft is a great ball!
TaylorMade has done a great job with the TP5/TPX golf balls. TaylorMade has made a big deal of having 5 layers in this golf ball which is fine but do you realize that it’s predecessor the Tour Preferred also has 5 layers? The five layers enable the ball to preform differently with short irons and driver as it has a higher ball flight and lower spin. The durability of the cover is about average for the premium ball sector and I like the fact that every ball looked exactly the same 360 degrees around the cover. The TP5X shows to go farther and keeps a more consistent launch angle.
Are you shocked? I’m not. Do you ever wonder why the ProV1/X balls feel and look different from other balls? They use laser etching which creates a precisely unique ball different from every other ball. That’s great and all but where is the actual difference? Enough of this technical talk and give me the answer! Well, it’s pretty simple….start at the green and work yourself back to the tee box. Where you will notice the biggest difference is on the green as the ProV1x is softer and gives additional spin compared to the ProV1 is a bit harder and gives less spin around the green. The ProV1 will give you a few more yards off the tee as the harder cover will allow for greater distance.
Golf in 2018 is exciting. I love watching progression in the players, equipment, and the courses. Above I have outlined everything you need to know for golf balls in 2018 and I look forward to receiving your feedback and comments.
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Last updated Feb 8, 2020
Over the last year or so there have been rumors about Titleist discontinuing production of their NXT Tour balls. In the blog below, we will address this as well as the differences in both NXT versions.
As we are doing these reviews of golf balls we will always remind our wonderful readers the make-up of a golf ball as mentioned below.
Generally made of synthetic rubber which range from 1 layer – 4 layers. A standard driving range ball has only 1 solid layer whereas Titleist uses an anomeric casing layer to cover their inner core.
The outer cover of the golf ball (what you can visually see) usually made from Surlyn or Urethane materials.
Surlyn is hard and extremely durable which produces less spin and feel but does not scuff very easily (unless of course you hit a tree, cart path, your fellow golfer, etc.)
Urethane is much softer and less durable which will produce more spin and is less durable – after a round of 18 holes you will see minor blemishes or scuffs. (That is if you use the same ball the entire round)
Dimples are actually a very sophisticated part of the ball. They are critical in reducing wind resistance or aerodynamic drag. Less drag means more distance and more birdies. Dimples almost double the distance compared to a smooth golf ball
Image credit: Titleist.com
The NXT Tour golf balls have three pieces and NXT Tour S golf balls have two pieces. The NXT Tour ball deliver longer drives, longer distance, and great stopping short game control. The soft core and cover ensure optimal feel and unmatched performance on the tee and the green. The NXT Tour ball has a lower compression which is great for lower swing speeds because the ball compresses quicker than a high compression ball.
Core: The center of the new dual core is 66% larger, decreasing spin on long game shots and providing longer distance on tee shots and with irons.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Cover System: The Fusablend cover used on NXT Tour provides soft feel and excellent shot stopping control.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Dimple Design: The dimple placement and design depth maximize distance for golfers on every shot. The dimple pattern provides consistent ball flight for golfers in all conditions.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Image credit: Titleist.com
The NXT Tour golf balls have three pieces and NXT Tour S golf balls have two pieces. The NXT Tour S is a high-performance ball which delivers low driver and iron spin which creates outstanding distance but gives excellent shot stopping ability. The NXT Tour S ball has a lower compression which is great for lower swing speeds because the ball compresses quicker than a high compression ball.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Core: The new core is the softest ever created for NXT Tour S, providing noticeably softer feel and very low spin on your long game shots for great distance.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Cover System: The new Fusablend cover is softer to enhance feel around the green and provide excellent shot stopping control.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Dimple Design: The aerodynamics package on NXT Tour S now has deeper dimple depths to slightly lower the trajectory for maximized distance.
The chart below is a side-by-side summary of the above, for those who like seeing pictures to help make those decisions.
Image credit: Titleist.com
So there you have it. NXT Tour/Tour S are great golf balls and will perform perfectly under pressure (as long as you do) no matter which ball you pick.
Good or bad - Titleist did indeed DISCONTINUE their production of the NXT brand (don't worry we have plenty of inventory for you).
So why would they discontinue these balls and what did they replace them with? We would never leave you hanging, see below for a review of the new ball.
Let's dig in to the details about this new ball. Titleist has always tried to create golf balls that cater to all different types of golfers, handicaps, swing speed, etc. This new ball is no different. They have replaced two top performing balls (NXT/NXT Tour S) with this one ball. Titleist Tour Soft balls are looking to satisfy the golfers' need through just two layers. With the newly designed ionomer soft cover, which more golfers are asking for, the Titleist Tour Soft ball aims at producing more distance off the tee while still giving soft feel around the green. The previous urethane-cover limits distance off the tee for golfers with lower swing speeds.
Core: Titleist has produced their largest core ever in this ball which gives a responsive feel and high ball speed. Because the ball compresses at lower swing speeds this ball will produce maximum distance for the majority of golfers.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Cover System: The new cover formulation is made of ultra-thin 4CE grafted cover made with propriety Titleist technology. The cover creates advanced short game control and leading soft feel.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Dimple Design: The spherically-tiled 342 cuboctahedron dimple design delivers penetrating trajectory and consistent ball flight.
Image credit: Titleist.com
Well, there you have it, a full review of Titleist NXT Tour golf balls and the NEW Titleist Tour Soft golf ball. Remember the golf ball is the only piece of equipment that you use on EVERY hole and it is critical that you play with a golf ball that suits your game. But do me a favor, don't pay FULL price for new golf balls – give our amazing recovered golf balls a chance and we GUARANTEE you will love them or your money back!
If you have any questions or have tried out the new Titleist Tour Soft, sound off in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Why is it that so many people are nearly impossible to shop for during the holiday season? You’d think that being a loved one, significant other, sibling, mom or dad, grandma or grandpa, etc. we would know exactly what they want every year right? I don’t know - maybe it’s because we know them so well or we’ve given them so many gifts over the years that we are running out of options? Or we care about them so much, we want to find the absolute PERFECT gift every time! Either way shopping for the people we care about most tends to be a very difficult task. But…don’t worry because here at TwoGuysWithBalls.com we have taken the pain out of shopping for your Golfer; man or woman, young or old, 1 handicap or a 20 handicap. Our golf experts have exhaustively researched, tested, and evaluated the most “popular” golf gifts of 2017 and have come up with a top ten list! (Top ten, how original I know but it’s easy and who doesn’t like easy!)
By the way – TwoGuysWithBalls.com was not paid for these endorsements nor will receive any royalties from this review…just pure old fashioned gift review for our loyal readers!
Have you ever heard of Jack Grace? Me either until recently a colleague opened my eyes to Jack. These shoes are some of the most comfortable golf shoes around with their classic to modern look and the comfort of the latest shoe technologies Jack Grace will not disappoint.
This one may need to be done with a little “snooping” around your loved ones golf bag, trunk, or wherever they stash their club but chances are they aren’t sporting a golf towel like this. A few years ago this Microfiber golf towel was released and it is pretty cool. It’a made from microfiber material which many late night TV infomercials promote in car squeegees, you know the orange ones that you just NEED and will solve all your problems!! Yes, that’s the one…but this time your Golfer really does need one. They are inexpensive and very useful, many versions come with a hole in the middle so they fit directly over a club. No need to find a clip or figure out how to attach it to your golf back. Simple but practical.
Another simple but very practical gift. So many times on the course a golf searches for the particular golf tool that the situation calls upon. Whether it’s a divot repair tool, removable pen, club cleaning brush, pocket knife this tool covers it all. It can be used as a key chain or just a stand alone in the bag, either way it’s an all encompassing solution for any golfer (and it’s very inexpensive.)
We all need to spend more time polishing our putting stroke but many times we default to the driving range rather than the short game practice area. That big dog calling our name just can’ the ignored! With this putting green you bring the short game home or to the office. What I particularly love about this product is that is has alignment lines to verify where exactly your putter head is coming through the ball at impact (critical for draining puts) it also folds up in a very small unintrusive box and can be hidden quickly behind the desk when the boss comes in or behind the lazy boy chair when company is over. This little baby, will help you sink more putts and lower your scores!
Rangefinders are crazy useful on the course for knowing EXACTLY the distance you are from the flag stick but also give much more detail that assist in course Managemrnt. Like almost anything there are multiple variations of you can buy. Like the watch that will tells you basic distance to the front, middle, and back of the putting area to the advanced model that takes in account of elevation, pin location, green undulation to give you the most accurate yardage. Whatever you choose for your Golfer you can’t go wrong!
We know golf is considered to be a game of etiquette, honor, and integrity BUT we have to realize that once and awhile golfers may consume a drink or two on the golf course (hopefully not 10?!). For the serious golfer who can control themselves on course and just have one or two than this gift is perfect for them, PLUS you can personalize it!
You may be thinking “how in the heck are these a golf gift?” Stay with me here – as we all know much business is conducted on the golf course. Whether it’s with the four-some you’re playing with or taking a call while on the practice range. The fact of the matter is that technology and the ability to “stay connected” while on the road is critical to any business’ success. These Bluetooth WIRELESS headset/headphones and now with Siri added you can stay 100% connected while on the golf course. You can answer the phone, listen to music, and even have Siri update you on your inbox, the last text message you got, the time of your next calendar appointment all while not even looking at your phone.
But now I bet some of you are thinking “sure but taking those things in and out of your ears will be a bigger pain than it’s worth” and the answer is you don’t have to. That’s right these amazing little pods do NOT fall out while you are swinging your club, nope not even close, they don’t even budge. Better yet, the background noise canceling technology drowns out to your caller what exactly you are doing. I’ve been on the course, on the phone (AirPods connectedn), and still able to play my round without the caller asking “what are you doing??”
A golf club that can fit in your bag and is a speaker?! 15 hours of playtime, waterproof, and charge! You can remove the grip and use the stake to stick it in the turf on the course. You can unscrew the head and take the speaker anywhere without the shaft. You can charge multiple phones, staying "productive" if you decided to golf without letting your boss know.
There's a reason that this was the 2017 Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Award winner for “Best Game Analyzer,” Arccos 360 automatically records and analyzes every shot you hit. This is one of the best performance analyzers out there in the market and one of our favorites.
Do you know why golf pro shops sell golf balls above retail prices? Because they can, so many golfers forget to make sure they have ample golf balls for their next round, then get to the course, look in their bag, and realize they are completely out or have a few old ones that have cart path marks everywhere. Once again we have a solution. Our Tee Box subscription ensures the above scenario does NOT happen plus will offer you significant saving over pro shop balls as well as retail! It’s very simple and is very customizable to your golfers specific preferences. Remember an average golfer loses about 5 balls per round so playing just two rounds a month means they need another dozen!
Whatever you choose it can be monthly, every 2 months or quarterly. You pay when the balls ship and of course you can cancel or pause at anytime.
PS: Yeah, yeah… I know what you are thinking… shameless plug for your own product. BUT, we really do feel that this is the best golf gift you can get for 2017, even if we didn't own the place 🙂
If you still have no idea what to get, every golfer needs balls, get a Two Guys with Balls Gift Card! That’s it for this years top ten gift list stay tuned to our blog for our next edition, where we cover all aspects of the game of Golf not just the sexy ones!
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Have any of you ever thought to yourselves, “Man...Golf is really complicated, there are so many little things that I need to keep track of in order to play well. How could someone come up with such a game?”
As you know for any beginning has an explanation, many explanations some of them accurate and some of them fantasies. Similar to the claims of a certain person who invented the internet... Potato or is it Potatoe?? Although Al Gore doesn’t claim he invented golf there are numerous “claims” of how golf started, many of which are pure fantasies. The good news is that I have been able to cut through the fantasies and get to the bottom of who we need to thank for bringing us this great game!
Around 100 BC, people in ancient Rome started playing a game called Paganica where players hit a stuffed leather ball with a bent stick.
In China a game called Chuiwan (which means ball-hitting) was played, where numerous different sticks were used to drive a ball into various holes, between 960 AD to 1279 AD.
In 1261 a Flemish poet named Jacob Van Maerlant referred to a game called mit ener coluen" (with a colf/kolf [club] where four players hit a ball to certain distances and the winner was who reached the other players starting point first.
The 1300’s brought an actual ban of golf where those who were found playing would be fined a significant amount, if caught. Supposedly, the players would be drinking and gambling too much while playing which was not up to par with the European rulers.
Scotland lays final claim (and I agree) as the founders of golf. Like the 1300’s, the first mention of golf, in Scotland, was in 1457 when King James II prohibited the games of gowf (and futball) as these games were a distraction from archery practice necessary for the “defense of the country.” By early 1500’s, Scotland lifted all bans and King James IV actually started playing the game himself thus is credited (by some) as the “father of golf.”
After King James IV started hitting balls in the woods (no actual reference but I figure as much) many other royalty in Europe started playing the game where you hit a leather ball with a stick trying to get it in a hole.
Mary Queen of Scots, introduced the game while studying in France and is credited with the inception of the “caddy.” The term caddie comes from her French military aides referred as “cadets.”
The original rules of golf were established in 1744 by The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers where “The Gentleman Golfers” thought there should be some proper rules for golf where the 13 rules of play were introduced.
First record of golf in the United States was in 1739 where there was a shipment of golf equipment to William Wallace in South Carolina. South Carolina Golf Course is argued to be the first Golf Club in the United States. By the late 19th century golf had been firmly established.
In 1894 delegates from the Newport Country Club, Saint Andrew's Golf Club, Yonkers, New York, The Country Club, Chicago Golf Club, and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club met in New York City to form what was to become the United States Golf Association and by 1932 there were over 1,100 clubs affiliated with the USGA.
Over 60 million golfers play on over 576,000 courses world wide. Over the last 50 years golf has gained incredible popularity and has become a major player in terms of pro sports. No longer are the top golfers in the world “unknown.” Golf’s four majors The Masters, US Open, The Open Championship, and The PGA Championship have become major sporting events attracting millions of golf fans every year.
Whether you are a serious golfer or a weekend warrior, I think we all can agree that there is something so infectious about this game. It gives us a feeling that we can’t describe. It is obvious why we have seen traces of this games pretty much since the beginning of time. From a leather ball and a wood stick to a 4 piece ball and a metal driver golf will continue to grow and advance as well or better than any other sport!
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
How many of you have heard of Erin, Wisconsin? I'd be willing to bet that until the USGA announced 117th United States Golfers Association Championship will be held at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, that you have never heard of such a place. I'm sure most of you know Wisconsin as the home of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and maybe the setting of Happy Days. But Wisconsin has become a Golfer's paradise including Golf Digest's Top 100 Ranked Courses - Erin Hills. Erin Hills is only one of six public courses to be selected to hold a U.S. Open. Let's start by digging into the Course.
Erin Hills is laid out on top of the Kettle Moraine area which was created by glaciers, surrounded by wetlands, and a river, with ground that consists of glacial till of varied composition of sand and small rock.
The course was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten to accommodate the US Open in terms of both the challenge to the players and the logistics of the spectators. Walking down the middle of the fairway from Hole 1 to Hole 18 is 9 miles long; that's just down the middle! Imagine dealing with that occasional hook or slice! It is long, very long, ridiculously long at 8,348 yards although for the U.S. Open will officially be 7,693 yards. Elevated greens, fairways, and tee boxes all accompanied by rough fescue and strong wind. The wind reflects the character of Erin Hills which blows whenever and in any direction it pleases. Flat lies will be at a premium which will likely prove to be the greatest of U.S. Open challenges. The greens are pure bent grass which points to numerous birdies being made or at least attempted.
U.S. Open is unique to all of the PGA Tour events as any amateur has a chance to qualify and actually play in the event. You have to carry a handicap index of 1.4 or lower and qualify. The USGA accepted 9485 entries for the elite field where only 51 are fully exempt. The entrants represented all 50 states, District of Columbia, and 66 countries world wide.
Qualifying rounds start in early spring and continue up until the week of the start of the tournament. We will also see the top golfers in the world highlighted by last year's winner Dustin Johnson. Dustin is looking to continue his U.S. Open Glory with a back to back win. Master's winner Sergio Garcia will also be in the field looking to continue his quest of the grand slam.
U.S. Open is played at iconic venues around the country, with 51 courses to date holding the distinction of being a U.S. Open site. Erin Hills will be the sixth public-access course to host the championship (joining Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Bethpage, Torrey Pines and Chambers Bay).
More than 35,000 spectators are expected to attend each day. More than 5,000 volunteers will assist during championship week. Historically, the U.S. Open generates more than $120 million in positive economic impact to the host communities, as well as the region in which it is held. The spectators will have a once in a life time experience both in person and on TV. If you are lucky enough to attend in person let us know what you think. We'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and experience from the open.
Amazing Course!
What a Field!
The U.S. Open Championship!
I have been very fortunate to have played this AMAZING course and cannot wait to watch the 117th US Open in Wisconsin. It will be long, challenging, frustrating, but exhilarating all the same. I can't begin to describe the AWESOMENESS (I don't care if it's not a word) of Erin Hills nor will I even try. I assure you that Erin Hills is like non other and the USGA made the perfect decision by selecting Erin Hills as the site for the 117th US Open. I'm assuming you are like me and want every year to be bigger, faster, more challenging then the next, then Erin Hills will not disappoint!
Thank you USGA for thinking out of the box and taking the U.S. Open to the next level!
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
Anyone who takes the game of golf seriously has questioned a rule of golf at one time or another. Some of the rules certainly seem strange, but let’s be fair about this. The rules of golf evolved over many years and are designed to be uniform and consistent. Actually the R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf Club) published the first rules in 1744. Having said that, there are many rules that seem to scream for a change the USGA (United States Golf Association) and the R&A are well aware of the issue and have actually made some rule changes in the recent years.
Now the two governing bodies of golf have joined forces and want to overhaul the rules of golf. The two groups announced on February 28 a proposal to make sweeping changes to a complicated rule system. First and foremost, the intent is to simplify the game, make it more fun, and make it faster!
Stop right there. We, at Two Guys With Balls, heartily agree with this thinking. Simpler, more enjoyable golf is better golf. We urge every golfer to read everything available on this subject. If you play tournament golf, you really need to pay attention.
Of course, there will be debate. “Why change the rules?” Or “they are changing the wrong rules.” Still, the initial responses that we have seen are very favorable towards the idea.
The strongest statement that we read came from PGA tour player, Kevin Kisner. Word for word, he said “Anything that makes the game faster and more fun and less difficult, I’m all for. That’s the problem with the game. The game is going to die because it’s too slow, too difficult, and there are too many rules. Our generation wants to instant everything. You can pull out a phone and Google anything, but you have to pull out a rule book that’s got 700 pages to figure out what rule infraction you broke.”
Quite a statement. He’s on to something. The game will be better if it is less complicated.
So, what are the proposed changes? You’ll have to do some reading, but let’s take a quick look at several of the more interesting ideas. It’s no surprise that most of these are in the “silly rule” category.
There are plenty more but one thing is clear. Much of this is common sense. Actually, Ian Poulter, another tour player, tweeted the common notion recently.
Some of you are no doubt screaming that you already do much of this when you play with your friends. Well, so do we. Unfortunately, if you play any tournament golf, many of these silly rules are a nightmare. Raise your hand if an opponent has questioned a ball drop, accused you of (heaven forbid) fixing a spike mark, or really believed that you caused your ball to move. Enough already.
Should this ship sail all the way through, there would be ample time for comment, discussion, and adjustments. A new set of rules would most likely go into effect in early 2019. Can’t wait.
Yes, we know; there was no mention of bunker rules. Well, that is a subject all by itself and deserves a few moments of our time. Pay attention, George. If approved, you can move loose impediments in a bunker, and you can even touch the sand with your hand or a club. Two Guys With Balls (and probably Ian Poulter) will love this. It’s common sense to the max.
Now, you can’t tee it up in the bunker and the proposed change will still leave you shaking in your shoes as you hit your bunker shot. You won’t be able to set the club down behind the ball. There will be plenty of challenge left in hitting a quality bunker shot. That’s one more very sound idea in rule changes.
We at Two Guys With Balls play a lot of golf and have a healthy respect for the rules. There are many golfers who already play common sense golf and have adopted many of these changes on their own. So, we find it refreshing that the governing bodies of this great game understand what needs to be done to keep it healthy. Embrace the changes!
Got any comments or questions on the new rules, let us know in the comments below!
Kent Evans is a passionate golfer and Sr Golf Writer at Two Guys with Balls. Kent blogs about various golf topics that interest him.
