"Farther and More Precise"...The Golf Ball That Suits Me

Understanding Dimple Pattern and Principles
Must Identify Characteristics by 2-4 Piece Structures

Golf balls are consistently used as a single product during rounds, regardless of distance or direction. To reach the target point farther and more accurately, it is important to understand the characteristics of the ball and choose the type that suits you.

According to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee on the 10th, golf is fundamentally a battle against 'air resistance.' Manufacturers incorporate various technologies into a spherical ball with a diameter of at least 42.67 mm and a weight of no more than 45.93 g to help the golf ball overcome air resistance and fly.

The dimples, which are indentations on the surface of the golf ball, are a representative example. When hitting a shot with a club, the golf ball spins backward as it flies. At this time, the air below the spinning ball increases in pressure due to friction, while the air above decreases in pressure. Following the airflow moving from high pressure to low pressure, the golf ball rises upward. Dimples increase friction and pressure, thereby extending the distance and hang time of the golf ball. It is known that without dimples, the distance decreases by about 20%. Typically, there are around 350 dimples per ball. Manufacturers seek to differentiate dimples with various designs such as circular or polygonal shapes. According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, patents related to golf balls were filed about 20 times annually from 2002 to 2010, but increased significantly to an average of 42 per year (a total of 415) over the following 10 years starting in 2011.

The structure of the golf ball is also an important factor when selecting a suitable product. They are generally classified into 2 to 4 pieces depending on the type. The term 'piece' refers to the number of layers of materials composing the golf ball. A 2-piece ball mainly consists of a core made of synthetic rubber (the core of the ball) and a hard surlyn outer cover, making two layers. Its simple structure and strong repulsion make it suitable for women, senior golfers, and beginners.

A 3-piece ball has a urethane cover and a middle layer called the mantle between the core and the cover. Compared to 2-piece balls, it has less repulsion but more spin, which helps stop the ball at the targeted spot. It is suitable for golfers who want a balance of distance and spin and is mainly used by advanced players and professionals. A 4-piece ball has two mantle layers between the core and cover or contains two cores. It delivers the highest levels of both distance and spin. It is suitable for top-level players with fast head speeds and precise shots.

The screen golf and golf lesson platform 'KimCaddy' guided golfers to choose golf balls that match their skill level by considering the characteristics of major products. Titleist’s flagship Pro V1 is a 3-piece ball, recommended for golfers who prioritize performance, highlighting its ease of control. The 4-piece Pro V1x was introduced as suitable for advanced players. The 2022 model, Pro V1x Left Dash, was noted for having 328 dimples, which is relatively high compared to other balls, and for its durability, emphasizing its recommendation for golfers seeking a solid hitting feel.

Additionally, Srixon’s Z-Star was said to be suitable for golfers with good swing speed, and Volvik’s 4-piece ball VS4 was recommended for golfers aiming to achieve both spin and distance simultaneously. For golfers who desire a soft hitting feel and delicate spin control around the green, Callaway’s ERC Soft Triple Track was suggested.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.