We've heard it time and again -- to play your best golf, you need to be playing with clubs that fit your game and your level of ability.
That's 100 percent true.
Often overlooked, though, is that many of us don't apply that same rule when it comes to the golf ball.
Sure, we all would like to play what the pros play, but should we? Maybe those golf balls you willingly spend over $50/dozen for aren't only costing you a fortune, but also strokes during your round.
Bridgestone Golf has come up with a way to see to it that casual golfers like you and me are playing the golf ball that will benefit our game most with a unique system you can experience on the company's website.
If you visit the ball fitting page at BridgestoneGolf.com, you can go through a free, live fitting from a Bridgestone golf ball expert.
You can either go through the fitting on your mobile device, call the Bridgestone hotline, or go through a live chat on your computer.
I recently tried out the live chat and spoke to B-fit online fitting technician Elliot.
Elliott did an outstanding job of explaining the science behind a golf ball.
The first question I asked Elliott in our chat was this: Why do casual golfers -- myself included -- think they need to be hitting a Tour-caliber golf ball?
"While we certainly do make golf balls that are successful at the Tour level, we find that many of the golfers who participate in our fitting sessions can benefit from a softer cored golf ball," Elliott said. "On that same note, the entire Bridgestone Golf Ball portfolio features gradation compression technology which allows the balls to work well at a wide range of swing speeds. Additionally we use the data and feedback from the live ball fitting events to keep our golf ball portfolio current with our customers needs."
After explaining the science behind the Bridgestone golf balls, Elliott then asked a series of questions including:
- What golf ball do you currently use?
- What is your swing speed and average driver distance?
- What is your typical ball flight?
- Does your ball check up or run when it hits the fairway?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of your game?
Once those and other questions were answered, Elliott then recommended what he beleived to be the best golf ball for my game.
In my case, Elliott suggested the B330-RX, which the Bridgestone site describes as:
Tour Performance optimized for amateur swing speeds under 105 mph with a preference for maximum TOUR DISTANCE.
The TOUR B330-RX offers a reformulated mantle layer and Dual Dimple Technology. The reformulated mantle reduces spin on full shots and promotes a higher launch, resulting in greater accuracy and distance. The Dual Dimple pattern offers superior aerodynamics and enhanced wind performance. The B330-RX continues to feature a soft core design that allows maximum compression for moderate swing speed players.
The entire chat was about 25-30 minutes long. While the science behind golf balls can seem intimidating, Elliott did a fantastic job of breaking it down and explaining in simple terms.
If nothing else, the chat is a fantastic tool to use to understand why you should be playing a partcular type of golf ball based on your ability -- the same way you should handle the clubs you play.
To check out Bridgestone Golf's line of golf balls, click here.
If you'd like to try out the free ball-fitting for yourself, click here.
Follow T.J. Auclair on Twitter, @tj_auclair.
