As golf balls are mass produced, all 3-piece balls and some 2-piece balls are measured by their compression and rated accordingly. In order to do so balls are pressured with a standard weight.
A ball which does not deform is rated Compression 200, a ball which lets itself be deformed by
0.2" or more is rated Compression 0. In-between these two extremes compression increases or decreases with every
0.001" of inch of deformation. Standard Compression rate of a golf ball is 90 or 100. The lower the Compression rate the softer the feel. Most balls are subject to a rating by compression. There are also compression rates of 80 and 110.
Unfortunately there is no official standard which manufacturers adhere to. Therefore a compression rate 90 of manufacturer A is not necessarily the same as compression rate 90 of manufacturer B. Furthermore not every ball has the imprinted compression rate either. The difference can easily amount up to 3.5 points in either direction.
Surveys have shown that low speed swing players should use a ball with a Compression rate of 80. Average speed swing players should use Compression 100 and high speed swing players Compression 110.
Also the influence compression can have in different types of weather is not to be underestimated. According to American surveys high compression balls show better performance in warm weather whereas low compression balls are more suitable for colder weather.
Driving
A distance ball is constructed to fly further with less error to either side of the intended path. This can easily make the difference between an approach from the fairway rather than from rough or even a hazard or out of bounds with attendant penalty. The problem with distance balls is that they are more difficult to stop on the green. Most mid to high handicappers should
favor a distance ball.
Approach
A spin ball is constructed with a covering than takes more spin when struck with a lofted or angled club face. It will thus bend further to left or right when struck to draw or fade around obstacles or hazards. More importantly, it can also be made to stop quickly on the green because it will take more backspin from a lofted club. In novice hands, spin balls are easier to accidentally hook or slice into trouble.
Historically, spin balls had more fragile coverings which damaged more easily. This is less of a constraint with new construction methods where spun balls with delicate balata covers are replaced with solid multilayer construction and durable synthetic casings.
Control
Control balls are distance balls constructed to stop quickly on the green with less of the risk of slice or hook into trouble that a pure spin ball brings. Recent advances in construction technology are spawning a new breed of balls that can do it all, such as
the Nike One and the Titleist ProV1.
Slow swing
Often called Ladies or Senior balls are designed to optimize driving distance for less powerful players with slower club head speeds.
Putting
Different makes and models of ball roll different distances on the putting green. Harder balls tend to roll further. The difference can be surprisingly substantial. To assist you to best feel, calibrate, learn and replicate the relationship between putting stroke strength and roll distance, teaching professionals advise that you always putt with the same kind of ball.
Most balls are imperfectly balanced and thus do not putt completely true. Premium quality balls may be manufactured to higher quality control standards and thus less likely to randomly wander off track.
Economics
It is better to play consistently with a ball you can afford than to play competitions with a premium ball that you cannot afford to practice with. Balls with cuts or used until no longer spherical add nothing to your game. Better to play an affordable ball and replace it regularly.
