Do bigger golf balls help?
Mia Smith
Updated on July 07, 2026
If you are a player searching for as much distance as possible off the tee, then look elsewhere. However if you are a player that is struggling to hit fairways and struggle to keep the ball in play, then a larger ball could be for you. Higher handicappers in particular may find this very useful in their games.
Do oversize golf balls make a difference?
Yes, it's a larger, more forgiving golf ball that still conforms to the Rules of Golf, and it's designed for players who struggle with consistent solid contact, and those looking for more distance and easy launch.
Do golf balls really make a difference?
Do Golf Balls Make a Difference? Yes, different golf balls do make a difference in how you play. An experienced golfer may be able to control any golf ball, depending on how long they've been playing, meaning the type of golf ball matters less and less with growing, active experience.
Do smaller golf balls go further?
A 0.06-inch difference in golf ball diameter doesn't sound like much. But according to golfers who played the two different golf balls back then, the smaller ball provided a bit more distance and was more workable in the wind.
How many golf balls can fit in a hole?
Two golf balls can fit in a golf hole. This is important to know for a few reasons. For starters, it is a good mental image to think about the fact that you can fit your golf ball and one more in the hole. This helps eliminate the thought that the golf hole is too small and that it is hard to get the ball in the hole.
16 related questions foundWhen did the 1.62 golf ball become illegal?
In 1974, The R&A took a significant step toward uniformity when they made the larger 1.68-inch ball mandatory in their Open Championship. However, it was not until Jan. 1, 1990, just 27 years ago, that The R&A officially outlawed the smaller golf ball.
Do expensive golf balls go further?
Do the less-expensive balls travel a little farther and straighter off the tee? They can, but when we tested both types of balls at average-golfer swing speeds, the difference was almost negligible: six yards, usually less.
Is it worth buying good golf balls?
The average golfer won't get enough benefit to justify paying the higher price and would be better off using that money to work on their swing. The only benefit to an expensive golf ball would be the increased spin around the green and the nice soft feel at impact.
Do some golf balls go further than others?
A harder or low compression golf ball travels further than a softer or high compression golf ball. This is due to less compression at the point of impact, resulting in more energy transfer from golf club to ball.
Are Callaway max balls legal?
And yes, it's legal. Per the rules of golf, a ball cannot be smaller than 1.68 inches. But it can be bigger as long as the ball does not exceed 1.62 ounces. Callaway accomplished this with their Supersoft Max.
Are Callaway Big balls legal?
Turns out there isn't a rule on how LARGE a golf ball can be, there is only a rule about how SMALL it can be - so as long as a golf ball is at least 1.68 inches in diameter, it is legal.
Are Callaway supersoft balls legal?
First, they are legal for play and conform with the U.S. Golf Association and R&A Rules of Golf. Second, these balls are not for everyone. For pros, serious amateurs and traditionalists, Callaway offers the Chrome Soft, Chrome Soft X and the new ERC Soft.
Are Callaway max balls bigger?
The Max has an oversized design (three per cent larger than a standard ball), which Callaway say promotes distance, straight ball flight, and super soft characteristics in an easy-to-hit construction that conforms to the rules of golf.
Why are Callaway golf balls bigger?
The oversized design is engineered for increased consistency and high launch while conforming to the rules of golf. All of this forgiveness is designed to promote more consistent contact for increased distance. Our Tri-Blend Ionomer Cover is specifically built to increase ball speed.
Is there a bigger golf ball?
Callaway Supersoft Magna is an oversized golf ball with a super easy-to-hit construction for increased distance and high, consistent launch. Magna is larger, yes larger, than a standard golf ball while still conforming to the rules of golf.
Do cheap golf balls make a difference?
Certainly, players will see no difference between a cheap ball and an expensive ball. If you can't see or feel the difference, there is no reason to spend the extra money. Generally speaking, the better a golfer is, the more it makes sense to use a higher quality golf ball.
Do golf balls matter for beginners?
If a beginner is still learning how to make the correct contact with the ball, as well as how to chip and leave it relatively close to the hole, the ball won't make a massive difference. 2-piece golf balls are ideal golf balls for a high-handicapper. Two-piece golf balls have harder shells and a sturdy core.
Do golf balls lose distance with age?
A wound ball which is approximately 10 years old, stored at room temperatures and low humidity, will have lost about 0.5 to 1.0 % of its IV (Initial Velocity) which will affect its distance by a couple of yards.
What golf ball travels the farthest?
Analyzing the individual ball statistics we can see that the Titleist Pro V1x averaged the farthest distance as well at 266.7 yards. Meanwhile, the Callaway Chrome Soft X averaged the shortest distance at only 259.3 yards.
Do golf balls matter for high handicappers?
Ionomer cover golf balls are usually less expensive, more durable, and produce less spin overall. Most importantly, most ionomer balls will produce less side spin off the clubface, which should help high handicap players keep the ball in play. The inside of the golf ball may be just as important.
Why are Titleist balls so expensive?
The economics is simple, more layers mean more research, which means more money, and therefore a higher retail price. All golf balls start life as a core, made from a synthetic compound, and as a minimum also feature a cover. It's the materials used in these which play some part in the price.
Do golf balls go further in America?
According to the folks at TrackMan, for every 10 degrees of increase in temperature, the golf ball flies approximately 1.33 to 1.66 yards farther, depending on the club being used.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball's surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.
What is the correct size for a golf ball?
Under the rules of golf, a golf ball has a mass no more than 1.620 oz (45.9 g), has a diameter not less than 1.680 inches (42.7 mm), and performs within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits.