19th Hole Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrintThe funny Here For the 19th Hole unisex soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic fit […]
Arnold Parred Here Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrint The funny unisex Arnold Parred Here soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic fit with […]
Augusta Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrint The funny Unisex Rose Napped at Augusta soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic fit […]
Bad Lies Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrint The funny Unisex Bad Lies Have Been Told soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic […]
A soft golf ball refers to a ball with a low compression rating, usually 70 or less. The soft core and cover allow the ball to compress more at impact for better feel and added short game control.
Senior players and those with slower swing speeds generally benefit most from soft golf balls that maximize distance and playability.
What Makes Golf Balls Soft?
Two key factors determine a ball’s softness:
Core Compression
The core is the innermost layer of a golf ball. Softer rubber or urethane cores compress more when struck for velocity and feel.
Lower compression, softer cores require less energy to compress completely at impact. This helps many golfers generate higher ball speeds for longer shots.
Cover Material
The outer cover material also impacts softness. Ionomer, urethane or blended covers typically provide a soft, responsive feel.
Surlyn covers are firmer. Extremely soft urethane covers offer the gentlest feel and most control for pitches and chips around greens.
Significant Advantages of Softer Golf Balls
Additional Distance for Slower Swing Speeds
Low compression cores require less energy to fully compress at impact, so the ball springs off the clubface faster.
This helps golfers with swing speeds under 100 mph generate higher ball velocities and longer shots.
Enhanced Soft Feel and feedback
Greater compression of the core and cover at impact produces an extremely soft, plush sensation that many golfers prefer for control and responsiveness.
The buttery feel provides a touch for executing precise wedge shots and putts.
Improved Short Game Precision
Lower compression ratings mean less vibration is transmitted to a golfer’s hands during pitches, chips, and putts.
This enhanced feel makes it easier to dial in the correct distance and control on critical scoring shots.
Added Forgiveness
More compression translates into retaining ball speed even on off-center impacts. This effectively minimizes the loss of distance that typically results from mishits. Shots stay on target.
Physical Benefits
The minimal vibration of soft golf balls reduces strain for players with joint conditions or injuries.
The plush feel is easy on hands, arms, and shoulders. Callaway’s popular Supersoft golf ball line was actually conceived to provide extreme softness, as a substitute for hard-range balls that can aggravate injuries.
At a compression of just 38, Supersoft balls are Callaway’s softest and most forgiving.
Potential Downsides and Considerations with Softer Golf Balls
Greater Ball Deformation
The softer the core and cover materials, the more they deform over time with repeated impacts, losing shape and compression before firmer balls.
This shortens the effective lifespans of ultra-soft models.
More Susceptible to Damage
Very soft, thin covers are easier to cut, scuff, and shear compared to firm ionomer covers. Soft urethane covers especially show the damage the easiest. This can reduce the number of usable rounds.
Limited High-Speed Driver Performance
Although often improving distance for slower swing speeds, excessively soft balls typically limit the highest-speed players and pros due to too much ball deformation upon impact. Generating high spin to achieve lift becomes harder.
Increase in Sidespin (Hooks and Slices)
Low compression cores that compress too much can generate higher spin rates, which exacerbates hooks and slices, especially for average players. Matching soft balls to the proper swing speed, and potentially opening the driver face, helps eliminate excessive sidespin.
Popular Soft Golf Ball Models
Some popular and well-rated soft golf balls include:
- Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls – With an ultra-low compression of 38, Supersoft provides high launch, low spin, and a soft feel for swing speeds below 90 mph. The durable ionomer cover and high-energy core give distance and straight flight.
- Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls – Titleist’s softest ball has a low 65 compression for a responsive short-game feel. The fast core provides a command of iron shots and distance off the tee for swing speeds under 100 mph. It offers an excellent combination of soft feel and performance.
- Vice Golf Balls – Vice’s Tour model delivers premium performance for swings below 105 mph. It has a soft, cast urethane cover and 42 compression dual-core for distance and wedge spin. The optimized 328 dimple design reduces drag. Vice Balls provide quality at direct-to-consumer pricing.
- Bridgestone 2020 e6 Soft Golf Balls – Bridgestone’s e6 Soft was reformulated for 2020 to be extremely soft with a 38 compression, redesigned dimple pattern, and rubber core for maximum velocity and minimal driver spin. It provides sidespin reduction and playability for a wide range of players.
- Srixon Soft Feel Golf Ball – With a 61 compression core and soft ionomer cover, Srixon Soft Feel offers a truer flight and feel. The optimized dimple design suits swing up to 90 mph. Srixon’s proprietary core and cover technologies promote longer, straighter shots with wedge spin. It delivers performance and feel at an affordable price.
In summary, soft golf balls provide a combination of added distance, improved control, and enhanced feel that benefits players of all skill levels.
Selecting the right soft ball for you based on your abilities will certainly help lower your handicap and make the game more enjoyable. Let soft golf ball technology work for you!
19th Hole Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrint The funny Here For the 19th Hole unisex soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic […]
Arnold Parred Here Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrint The funny unisex Arnold Parred Here soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic fit with […]
Augusta Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrint The funny Unisex Rose Napped at Augusta soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic fit […]
Bad Lies Golf T-Shirt
$27.95 – $31.95FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmailPrint The funny Unisex Bad Lies Have Been Told soft-style t-shirt puts a new spin on casual comfort for golfers and as a gift for golf lovers. .: Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)), this unisex t-shirt feels like a bliss to wear all year round. .: The classic […]