Not way back we obtained an e-mail from reader, Bobby J. asking about what might be realized from a golf ball drop take a look at.
“When cleansing and culling the balls that I discover and from put on and tear, I do a drop take a look at from shoulder top on my concrete storage flooring. I examine the rebound to those that bounce highest (Callaway Supersoft or comparable). A Professional V1x will come up 2 inches brief. I cull something that comes up wanting that right into a shag bag. These usually get used for warmup on the driving vary slightly than paying $15 for a bucket when I’ll solely hit 15–20.
“My query: Do you suppose a drop/rebound take a look at tells anybody something about the perfect ball to make use of?“
Let’s begin with the good things, Bobby J. The truth that you’re not simply selecting up discovered balls, however testing them, places you in a uncommon and commendable class: the “curious golfer.”
However let’s speak about that drop take a look at.
What a drop take a look at really measures
Dropping a golf ball from shoulder top (roughly 5 toes) produces an affect velocity of round 12 mph. That’s nothing in comparison with the collision velocity you see when a driver face meets a golf ball at your swing velocity (Bobby J. swings about 90 mph).
So what’s actually taking place while you drop a ball on a concrete flooring?
Not a lot … a minimum of not under the floor of the golf ball.
At these low speeds, you’re solely activating the quilt of the ball and possibly a sliver of the mantle (assuming a ball with three or extra layers). The core (which does many of the heavy lifting) barely flinches. Which means you’re actually simply measuring the low-speed COR (coefficient of restitution) of the quilt, not the high-speed vitality switch that occurs off the tee (or along with your irons).
Why some balls bounce increased
In your case, Bobby J., you famous {that a} Callaway Supersoft bounces increased than a Pro V1x. That checks out.
Supersoft, like many worth, distance or super-soft balls, makes use of an ionomer cowl. Ionomer is firmer than urethane. So, in a low-speed bounce take a look at, it rebounds extra. Urethane balls just like the Professional V1x have softer covers by design. It’s what helps ship spin, management and normal short-game efficiency. With the softer cowl, urethane balls are inclined to bounce slightly decrease in a drop take a look at.
What the drop take a look at is exhibiting you is that the balls are completely different however you’re solely seeing a sliver of that distinction.
What the drop take a look at doesn’t inform you
Right here’s what you received’t study from a bounce take a look at:
- Ball velocity potential (relies upon closely on full compression)
- Launch and spin traits (key for iron and wedge play)
- Flight consistency or aerodynamics
- Sturdiness beneath real-world contact
In brief: the drop take a look at just isn’t a predictor of precise on-course efficiency.
What you would possibly study
That stated, Bobby J., your technique isn’t fully with out worth.
A bounce take a look at might offer you some indication of how a ball would possibly really feel off a putter or wedge. As you’ve most likely seen, the Supersoft sounds duller (extra thud-y, much less click-y than the Pro V1x) while you drop it. I think that’s the results of the dearth of a agency mantle layer on the Supersoft. Whether or not you need to body that as figuring out really feel or offering a touch to the development of the ball, there may very well be one thing to it.
And, sure, if a ball rebounds considerably lower than all of the others, it is likely to be broken, useless or in any other case not price taking part in. Toss it within the shag bag and transfer on. You’re already doing that and it’s a sensible transfer.
The underside line
In the event you’re actually fascinated by golf ball efficiency, you would possibly need to try extra complete becoming approaches. We’re all the time going to suggest in-person fittings however PING’s Ballnamic is a good device for golfers who don’t have the chance (or want) to get fitted for a ball in particular person.
For the common golfer, the perfect strategy is likely to be to strive a couple of premium balls in precise taking part in circumstances, noting how they carry out off completely different golf equipment and in numerous conditions across the course. That’ll inform you excess of your storage or my basement flooring ever may.
Bought a query of your personal?
Electronic mail us at ask@mygolfspy.com and we’d simply reply it in a future piece.
The put up AskMyGolfSpy: What Does A Golf Ball Drop Test Actually Tell You? appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
