Various factors affect the behavior of the ball, and the changes that may take place have effects on the cover, the dimples and the core.
The most common factor to take into account when choosing a ball is the number of layers. There are balls with one, two or three layers, as well as the so-called multilayer ball. Nowadays, one-piece balls are used for practice. Two-piece balls are used by amateurs for their durability and distance. They are hard and generate little spin. Three-piece balls aim to give the player more feel and spin. They are less resistant to cuts. Multilayer balls attempt to combine durability, feel and distance.
The Cover
Golf ball covers are made mainly of Balata, Surlyn, Zylin and Elastomer.
SURLYN
It is the most popular cover material because it lasts longer. Surlyn is the trade name of a group of thermoplastic resins developed by the DuPont Corporation. Softer versions of Surlyn are available today.
BALATA
It is a gum extracted from the ficus tree. It has extraordinary feel and elasticity. Synthetic balata is used nowadays. Balata-covered balls are used by players looking for more feel, in exchange for a shorter ball life and a greater risk of cutting it with a mishit shot.
THE FINISH
The ball's paint is mixed with the Surlyn during manufacturing. Then two clear coats of polyurethane are applied. The final finish is given by an optical brightener.
Types of Ball
THE TWO-PIECE BALL
Traditionally it was considered a ball for distance. Today's technology has produced softer designs that are even used by professionals.
THE THREE-PIECE BALL
Traditionally it was used by players willing to give up a few meters in exchange for feel and spin. New designs have eliminated that trade-off.
THE MULTILAYER BALL
Each layer is designed to improve a type of shot: a core for distance with the driver, intermediate layers for iron shots and outer covers for maximum feel and spin.
Types of Ball
WIND
A tailwind affects the ball less than a headwind. If we add two clubs to hit into the wind, we should only take off one to play with that same wind behind us.
A headwind exaggerates hooks and slices.
A low-blowing wind doubles its speed 30 meters above the ground, so it will affect a low ball less.
COMPRESSION
Only a low-handicap player will be able to tell the difference between a 90 and a 100 compression ball.
Low-handicap players and professionals know that the harder they hit the ball, the more they compress and deform it on impact. So big hitters need higher-compression balls. Other players (mid and high handicaps) need not worry about compression, but if they have to choose, a 90 compression ball will usually be better.
Keep in mind too that compression only matters in three-piece balls, since two-piece balls barely deform, even when hit with the driver.