The majority of golfers will say that a golf ball is a golf ball but in terms of performance that can’t be further from the truth. From a design perspective, golf balls vary greatly, and playing with a golf ball that is designed for your swing speed will make a huge difference to your golf game.
The 5 Best Low Compression Golf Balls For Seniors:
Below we will take a closer look at 5 of the best low compression golf balls for senior players, and we will also delve deeper into the golf ball design aspects and type of golf ball senior players should play with.
1. Callaway Supersoft
| Compression | 38 |
| Construction | 2 piece |
| Cover | Trionomer |
| Color Options | Green, yellow, red, orange, pink & white |
Callaway is one of the most recognizable names in golf. From woods to irons, wedges, golf balls, and bags, Callaway designs and manufactures it all and they do it better than most.
Their Supersoft golf ball is one of the best low compression golf balls currently available on the market. The Supersoft features a low compression core which ensures exceptional distance for players with below-average swing speeds. Distance is further enhanced thanks to the aerodynamic HEX dimple design of the Supersoft.
Low compression golf balls tend to lack in terms of feel and greenside control but that isn’t the case with the Supersoft. The Supersoft features a soft yet durable trionomer cover that ensures an exceptionally soft feel on and around the greens.
The Supersoft with its low compression of 38 is ideal for senior players with slower swing speeds. Not only is the Supersoft great in terms of performance but it also retails at a very affordable price tag and it is available in a wide variety of color options.
2. Bridgestone e12 Soft
| Compression | 50 |
| Construction | 3 piece |
| Cover | Surlyn |
| Color Options | Green, yellow, red & white |
Bridgestone’s profile as a manufacturer in the golf industry continues to rise. Two of the best players in the world, Tiger Woods and Bryson Dechambeau, both play with Bridgestone golf balls and with good reason.
One of Bridgestone’s latest releases, the e12 soft, is a high-quality low compression golf ball that is ideal for players with slower than average swing speeds. The e12 soft features a new active polymer acceleration mantle layer that increases the initial velocity of the golf ball which in return delivers faster ball speeds and added distance.
The soft low compression core of the e12 soft produces exceptional forgiveness and feel on and around the greens. Additionally, this soft-core also reduces spin rates with the driver which leads to added distance and greater accuracy.
In terms of dimples the e12 soft features Bridgestone’s signature drag reduction delta wing dimple pattern. The e12 soft 3 piece golf ball is ideal for senior players for a variety of different reasons including added distance, greenside control and feel, and a high launching ball flight.
3. Srixon Soft Feel
| Compression | 90 |
| Construction | 2 piece |
| Cover | Ionomer |
| Color Options | White & yellow |
Srixon designs and manufactures some of the best golf balls that money can buy. Their Soft Feel model is one of the longest and straightest 2 piece golf balls currently available to purchase.
The Soft Feel features Srixon’s signature energetic gradient growth core, the design of this core delivers exceptional ball speeds and soft feel at impact. The soft yet durable ionomer cover of the Soft Feel further ensures exceptional greenside control and feel.
The Soft Feel has a low/mid compression which makes it the ideal golf ball for seniors with average swing speeds that are seeking added distance off the tee and with their irons. The accuracy of this golf ball is further aided by its aerodynamic 338 dimple pattern and these dimples perform exceptionally well in windy conditions.
The design of the Soft Feel is a simple yet effective design that has stood the test of time and golfers around the globe continue to trust the Soft Feel with every new model that hits the shelves.
4. TaylorMade Tour Response
| Compression | 40 |
| Construction | 3 piece |
| Cover | Cast urethane |
| Color Options | White & yellow |
TaylorMade is known for their driver designs but their golf ball designs can hold their own against the best of the best. One of Taylormade’s latest releases, the Tour Response, is one of the best 3 piece ultra-low compression golf balls currently available on the market.
The Tour Response features a urethane cover which gives it that premium, tour preferred feel on and around the green. This cover is also very durable which ensures that your golf ball looks like new after 18 holes.
The easy to compress low compression Hi-Spring core of the Tour Response ensures exceptional feel and distance through the bag. Furthermore, the Speedmantle layer of this golf ball further promotes added distance by ensuring that energy is transferred optimally at impact.
The Tour Response is packed with the same technology that TaylorMade utilizes in its premium golf balls. This high-quality low compression is sure to make a difference to the game of seniors and players of all ages.
5. Titleist DT TruSoft
| Compression | 60 |
| Construction | 2 piece |
| Cover | Proprietary Titleist TruFlex cover |
| Color Options | White & yellow |
Titleist, the number one ball in golf, is renowned for their Pro V1 and Pro V1X models. These two models dominate the ball counts on professional tours around the world and more often than not Titleist’s other golf ball models don’t get the attention that they deserve.
The DT TruSoft is the lowest compression Titleist golf ball currently available on the market. The DT TruSoft features Titleist’s new larger TruTouch core, the design of this cover focuses on delivering added distance and exceptional feel through the bag.
The proprietary TruFlex cover of the DT TruSoft provides an exceptional greenside feel and improved spin performance. The DT TruSoft with its exceptional aerodynamics further promotes added distance and a strong penetrating ball flight.
If you are a senior player that has played with a Pro V1 or Pro V1X it might be time to opt for a different Titleist, the DT TruSoft.
Factors To Consider When Buying A Golf Ball
The market is flooded with hundreds of different golf balls to choose from. Some golfers pick a golf ball based on their price tag and others just play with whatever they can find or whichever golf ball is on sale in their local pro shop.
Playing with the right golf ball for your game can make a massive difference. Below we are going to take a closer look at the factors that need to be considered when choosing a golf ball and we will also look at which golf balls are best for senior players.
Construction
Golf ball designs vary drastically depending on the type and design complexity of the golf ball. In comparison, premium golf balls feature designs that are a lot more complex than that of a low compression entry-level golf ball.
The majority of premium golf balls feature 4 and 5 piece designs compared to the 2 or 3 piece designs that are common for entry and mid-level golf balls. 2 and 3 piece golf balls don’t always feature all of the technology that can be found in the design of a premium golf ball but that doesn’t make them bad golf balls to play with.
From a design perspective, premium golf balls are designed for low handicap and professional players based on their high compression design and the fact that the player needs to have an above-average swing speed to maximize the performance of the golf ball.
2 and 3 piece golf balls with their low compression designs are best for players with slower swing speeds, seniors, and female golfers.
Dimples
There is a method to the madness when it comes to the dimple patterns on a golf ball. Different golf balls feature different patterns, different patterns feature different aerodynamics which in return affects distance and ball flight.
Unless your name is Bryson Dechambeau you shouldn’t be too worried about playing with a golf ball that has a certain dimple pattern but it is good to know that different dimple patterns do serve a purpose.
To learn more about dimple patterns and the importance of these patterns watch this video.
Cover
The golf ball cover is the outer layer of the golf ball. Different golf balls feature different covers, the majority of golf ball covers are made out of a strong and durable material namely Urethane.
The cover of a golf ball is important for a variety of reasons. Choosing a golf ball with a good durable cover will ensure that your golf ball maintains that new look throughout the round, the last thing any golfer wants is to play with a new ball that looks like a golf ball that they found in a water hazard after 3 holes.
Additionally, the cover of a golf ball is also very important in terms of feel. Softer covers will ensure exceptional feel and control with your short game and on the greens. The last thing you want is for it to feel like you are hitting a rock instead of a golf ball.
Compression
Golf ball compression is a very important factor to consider when choosing which golf ball to play with. Senior players, in particular, need to pay close attention to golf ball compression.
Just because you are a senior player doesn’t mean that you have to play with a low compression golf ball. The majority of seniors will be best suited with a low compression ball but there are a lot of senior players out there that swing the golf club faster than most.
Swing speed and golf ball compression is directly correlated. Slower swing speeds and low compression golf balls go hand in hand and vice versa for players with fast swing speeds. It is very important to play with a golf ball that has the correct compression for your swing speed. If players aren’t able to compress the golf ball adequately, performance in terms of distance and spin rates will be all over the show.
To learn more about the correlation between compression and distance watch this video.
Distance
In general senior players lose distance as they get older due to slower swing speeds. Some golf balls are designed with distance as the main driving force behind the design and others are more focussed on feel. For senior players opting for a golf ball that leans more towards the distance end of the spectrum will be ideal.
Workability
If you are a mid to low handicapper with good ball-striking capabilities then workability is a factor that you need to consider when deciding on which golf ball to play with. Some golf balls are designed to promote a lower penetrating ball flight whereas others promote height and workability.
Feel and Greenside Control
Feel and greenside control is vital, distance off the tee is great but good feel on the greens is equally as important. Two and three-piece low compression golf balls tend to be firmer than premium golf balls but that doesn’t mean that these golf balls shouldn’t offer any feel. A variety of low compression golf balls feature soft covers that offer exceptional feel and control on and around the green.
Colour
The majority of golf balls are white, but colored golf balls have become very popular over the last 5 – 10 years. Some golfers prefer the look of a colored golf ball given the fact that they are easy to track and identify.
Price
All of the factors explained above are important to consider but at the end of the day it boils down to price. Premium golf balls carry hefty price tags and if you tend to lose your fair share it can become very expensive very fast. Ultimately it comes down to playing with a golf ball that fits both your golf game and your budget.
FAQs
Do golf balls matter for senior players?
This might seem like a fairly straightforward answer but in reality, it isn’t. Senior player is a very broad term and no one senior golfer is the same. Some seniors swing the club faster than most players in their twenties and others battle with their swing speeds.
Golf balls matter based on your swing speed, make sure to play with a golf ball that is designed for the speed that you swing the club with to ensure optimal golf ball performance.
Do golf balls make a difference?
Yes, golf balls make a massive difference. For example, have you noticed that your 8 iron flies 10 – 15 yards further on the golf course than what it does on the driving range? Golf balls have been hit hundreds of times and they are very basic in terms of design which shines through in how these golf balls perform.
Are golf balls all the same?
A. If you read our buyers guide you will know that the answer to this question is a big no. Golf ball designs have similar features but each golf ball design has something that makes it unique to that brand and model.
What is a low compression golf ball?
A low compression golf ball is a golf ball that has a lower compression than a standard ball. This allows the ball to fly further and softer than other balls.
Why use a low compression golf ball?
A low compression golf ball is best for those with a slower swing speed. A lower compression helps the ball achieve a better launch and spin rate when struck.
Final Thoughts
Golf ball designs seem pretty basic but at the end of the day, there is more to it than what meets the eye. For all golfers and senior players, in particular, it is very important to play with a golf ball that is designed for your swing speed. By playing with the correct golf ball for your swing speed it will ensure that you can get optimal performance out of the golf ball on every shot.
This article was last updated on January 18, 2023 .
