Ask Frank
Wilson Staff has the hottest new ball in golf right now – the DUO Soft. To bring you even more information about this new line, and the golf ball in general, we sat down with Wilson Staff’s golf ball expert Frank Simonutti.
You can find our review of the DUO Soft golf balls HERE
Compression
PIG: Higher compression balls have historically been tied to better players and players with faster swing speeds. Is this wrong? Why?
Frank: This is not true. It is likely that this is due to the perception that low compression balls are for low swing speed players. This is a myth. This was a true perception on wound balls but solid core low compression balls can be designed to perform well at both low and high swing speeds.
PIG: Are there any benefits to a higher compression ball?
Frank: Generally compression is feel, and it is based upon player preference. There are still players who preference harder golf ball. Urethane balls tend to be harder to overcome the poor resilience of the urethane cover material. Tour players tend to use harder urethane balls but I think it is likely more a factor of being familiar with the feel of harder compression balls.
PIG: What are the advantages of low compression? Is there a particular player it’s better suited for?
Frank: Compression defines the “feel” of the golf ball, and is a way to differentiate product that anyone can discern. Most players cannot tell if a ball is longer (as all balls generally have similar distance within the same category), and most players cannot tell if a ball spins more (and higher spin is a detriment to many players). But all players can generally perceive feel (sound). In our testing over the past 20 years – 67-75% of players prefer a softer ball in blind testing. Both low and high compression golf balls have be designed for all categories of players.
Covers & Cores
PIG: How do the core and the cover contribute to feel, respectively?
Frank: In a 2-piece golf ball the core and the cover both contribute to the performance of the ball. The core is generally significantly softer than the cover, and the primary contributor to the low compression (soft feel) of the golf ball. The cover is stiffer – which helps provide the velocity needed to achieve distance performance while maintaining low compression (soft feel).
In 3- and 4- piece balls, the core is still the primary factor in obtaining low compression/soft feel – but the outer layers can be better designed to impart distance and higher spin performance than a 2-piece ball.
PIG: What are the positives and negatives of a urethane covered golf ball?
Frank: The primary benefit of polyurethane is to provide greater spin rate on the golf ball – and the greatest benefit is from about 80 yards from the green and closer. The urethane provides much higher spin than an ionomer (Surlyn) cover which results in better spin around the green. Urethane balls also have significantly higher Driver spin rate than most Surlyn balls which allows a player to draw or fade a ball more than would be possible with a Surlyn covered golf ball. Urethane balls are designed for the best players – with the best workability off the tee and stopping power around the greens.
However, for many players (higher handicap players) higher spin rate of the tee is a detriment. If a player has a tendency to hook or slice the ball a urethane ball will increase the degree of hooks/slices, making it harder to hit the fairway. This results in more shots out of the rough, where increased spin rate is of no benefit.
It is Wilson’s belief that most players will benefit from a lower spin ball off the tee. Urethane balls are designed with professional golfers and the best players in mind.
Colors!
PIG: Why offer the rainbow of colors? Is there any concern that the colors make the ball seem less “serious” and high performing?
Frank: The reason for offering the Duo Soft in a variety of colors is that there are golfers who prefer color options. The high-visibility colors make the ball easier to see in flight and many players do like them. We decided to introduce the Duo Optix line to offer these high-visibility colors with great performance, specifically soft feel, long distance, and lower spin rate off the Driver for straighter flight. We believe that offering a Duo ball in the high-visibility colors will provide high performance to the players who prefer the higher visibility colors.
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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One Comment
Why don’t they show the all BLUE OPTIX as I purchased a Dozen in Edmonton Alberta about one (1) month ago