By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Jan 10, 2024
[toc]
Key Takeaways – The Best Golf Ball for Higher Swing Speeds
- Multi-piece designs restrict spin off the tee for maximum distance
- High compression rating is optimal for high swing speeds
- A responsive core will transfer energy from the club to the ball for max distance
- Piercing ball flight increases control
- Soft urethane cover will increase green side spin
We often focus on equipment for mid and high-handicappers, who make up the bulk of golf competitors. However, in this post, I turn the spotlight on superior players and unveil the best golf balls for high swing speed in 2024.
You’ll notice that every option on this list is a complex, multi-piece design that restricts spin off the tee and accelerates the ball pace for maximum distance.
Conversely, these golf balls are equipped with urethane covers which are built to deliver exceptional spin, feel, and control around the green.
(if you’re looking for high HANDICAP balls, check out our test results of those over here)
6 Best Golf Balls for High Swing Speed – Test Results and Rankings
#1. Titleist Pro V1
Cover Material: Urethane
Type: Tour
Feel/Compression: Soft/ High (90)
Dimples: Tetrahedral
Forgiveness: Low
Spin: Low Driver, High Wedge
Color Options: White, Yellow, Pink
Pros:
- Low spin off the tee
- Rapid long game ball speed
- Elevated greenside spin
- Penetrating ball flight
Cons:
- Premium price tag
- The cover scuffs quickly
My Experience (with pictures):
Titleist Pro V1 is arguably the most famous golf ball in the 21st Century. From my experience, this premium golf ball provides faster swingers with maximum distance off the tee and elevated greenside spin.
The centerpiece of the ball is a 2.0 ZG Process Core tasked with boosting energy transfer at impact for accelerated ball speed.
The second piece of the Pro V1 is the outer High-Flex ionomer casing which I found accelerates velocity and restricts long-game spin. The combination of low spin and explosive pace leads to optimal yardage off the tee.
Contrary to its distance qualities, Titleist applied a soft urethane cover to increase spin around the green. The soft cover bites into your short iron and wedge grooves, escalating revolutions per minute.
Finally, you’ll spot 388 tetrahedral dimples on the golf ball, built to deliver a penetrating trajectory for superior distance.
(check this article out to see where the Pro V1 ranked on our best golf balls overall list)
The Bottom Line
The Titleist Pro V1 is an ideal option for low handicap golfers with high swing speeds, searching for optimal results from tee to green.
I appreciated the low long game spin and rapid ball speed combined with the enhanced short game spin. It’s definitely one of the best golf ball for higher swing speeds in today’s market.
The only downside is its premium price which may rule it out for some golfers, it’s one you’ll want to use a ball retriever next time you hit it in the water!
#2. Srixon Z-Star
Cover Material: Urethane
Type: Tour
Feel/Compression: Soft/ High (90)
Dimples: Speed
Forgiveness: Moderate
Spin: Low Driver, High Wedge
Color Options: White, Yellow
Pros:
- Soft feel
- Low long game spin
- Explosive ball speed
- Exceptional spin
Cons:
- The Speed Dimples reduce workability
- Expensive
My Experience (with pictures):
The Srixon Z-Star highlights the manufacturer’s ability to construct golf balls for the average golfer and tour players with faster swing speeds. The Fast Layer Core and SeRM Spin Skin stood out for me as the key feature.
I found the softer inner Fast Layer Core exploded ball speed, while the firm outer casing minimized long game spin, resulting in impressive distance with my driver, fairway woods, and long irons. Around the green, the ball’s performance changes to boost spin for superior short-game control.
The Srixon SeRM Spin Skin causes the thermoplastic urethane cover to grip into the grooves of your wedges for a rampant spin. Furthermore, you’ll notice the presence of 338 Speed Dimples which escalates your ball and encourages straighter flight.
The Bottom Line
Although the Z-Star is still expensive, it is priced lower than its average urethane competitor. You’ll notice that this is a suitable golf ball for low handicap amateurs because it accelerates velocity and lowers spin for maximum distance while enhancing short game spin.
#3. Bridgestone Tour BX
Cover Material: Urethane
Type: Tour
Feel/Compression: Soft/ Moderate (75)
Dimples: Dual Dimple
Forgiveness: High
Spin: Low Driver, High Wedge
Color Options: White
Pros:
- Customized for fast swing speed above 105 mph
- The hybrid cover restricts spin on long shots and elevates it around the green
- Encourages rapid velocity
- Enhanced aerodynamics
Cons:
- Expensive
- It is only available in white
My Experience (with pictures):
Tiger Woods played his hand in producing the Bridgestone Tour BX, and I was impressed with its level of speed, spin, and aerodynamics. My favorite feature was the innovative Reactiv IQ Urethane cover which delivers a hybrid performance depending on the intensity of the contact.
I found that the urethane cover immediately rebounds off the face on a driver swing, prompting outlandish ball speed. Conversely, the dimples stay on the grooves longer on low-impact shots, generating elevated spin for improved control around the green.
In addition, I noticed that the Gradational Compression core assisted the cover in boosting velocity and restricting spin on long shots. Finally, I found that the Bridgestone Tour B X increases lift and provides consistent ball flight to achieve farther carry distance and roll.
The Bottom Line
I found that the Bridgestone Tour BX is not a one size fits all golf ball because it is customized for golfers with fast swing speeds like yourself. From my experience, these golf balls explode off your driver and fairway wood face for added length, while spinning exceptionally in your short game.
#4. TaylorMade TP5
Cover Material: Urethane
Type: Tour
Feel/Compression: Softer/ Moderate (85)
Dimples: Seamless Tour Flight
Forgiveness: Moderate
Spin: Low Driver, High Wedge
Color Options: White
Pros:
- High wedge spin
- Low driver spin
- Accelerated velocity
- Maximizes energy transfer at impact
Cons:
- Expensive
- I found I produce farther distances with the TP5X
My Experience (with pictures):
Personally, I enjoy striking the TP5X because it delivers a higher launch than the TP5, which suits my game. However, when I put a few golfers with higher swing speeds through the paces, they preferred the lower launch and higher wedge spin of the TP5.
You’ll notice that the TaylorMade TP5 is a complex golf ball with five layers, which lengthen your wood and long iron shots while enhancing your spin around the dancefloor. The Large Reactive Core efficiently stores energy before releasing it at impact for accelerated velocity.
I found the HFM Speed Layer system controlled spin-off of the tee and long approach shots to lengthen yardage. Conversely, a soft, tough urethane cover delivers the highest wedge spin in the TP5 family for a shot-stopping spin around the green.
Finally, I found a Seamless Tour Flight dimple pattern which eradicates drag and keeps your ball airborne for longer.
The Bottom Line
The TP5 premium balls are a complex construction (what is a golf ball made out of) that produces favorable outcomes from tee to green. I found it boosts energy transfer at impact for exceptional ball speed and lowers spin for adequate yardage. Finally, the soft urethane cover enhances spin on wedge shots to help you achieve a superior up and down record.
#5. Callaway Chrome Soft X
Cover Material: Urethane
Type: Tour
Feel/Compression: Medium/ High (95)
Dimples: Tour Aero
Forgiveness: Mid-High
Spin: Low-Mid Driver, High Wedge
Color Options: White, Yellow
Pros:
- Workable ball flight
- Fastest ball speed
- Highest wedge spin
- High launch
Cons:
- Expensive
- It generates more driver spin than the Chrome Soft and X LS edition
My Experience (with pictures):
The Callaway Chrome Soft X is the lowest launching and highest spinning golf ball in the series. Once more, I roped in the services of golfers with higher swing speeds to give me their feedback, and they enjoyed the consistency of these tour balls.
A golf ball compression rating enhances the ball’s firmness for limited spring assistance into contact. My guinea pigs reported that the Hyper-Elastic SoftFast core produced tour-level pace and spin control on all shots.
In addition, Precision Technology minimizes revolutions per minute in your long game, combining with explosive speed for yardage gain.
I found that the urethane cover enables the ball to grip into your short iron and wedge grooves to produce escalated greenside spin. Finally, we found that the Chrome Soft X delivered workable flight to enable draws and fades around the golf course.
The Bottom Line
The Callaway Chrome Soft X LS is a tour ball that suits high swing speeds searching for all-around performance. It launches lower off the tee than any other Chrome Soft ball for a controlled trajectory and promotes workable ball flight.
Lastly, I found that it produces impressive wedge spin for consistency around the dancefloor.
#6. Vice Pro Plus
Cover Material: Urethane
Type: Tour
Feel/Compression: Soft / High (95)
Dimples: Durable
Forgiveness: Moderate
Spin: Low Driver, High Wedge
Color Options: White, Neon Lime, Red
Pros:
- Stick to green technology
- Super affordable for a premium ball
- Low driver spin
- Explosive ball speed
Cons:
- The firm feel is not pleasant on long shots
- Not the longest golf ball on the market
My Experience (with pictures):
The Vice Pro Plus is the brand’s best golf ball for swing speeds exceeding 110 mph, which is why I retained the services of our test subjects. But before I detail its performance, you’ll see the affordable price of these golf balls, which are unbeatable for urethane constructions.
First off, the High-Speed Energy Core provided elevated velocity to our fast-swing-speed golfers, and the Elastic Dual Mantle lowered the spin rate. Together, this prompted a low launch for controlled flight and maximum roll upon landing.
Furthermore, the Stick to Green Technology (S2TG) impressed, as it helped the players generate robust short game spin. Lastly, you’ll find the Keep In Line alignment aid, which helps aim at your target for improved accuracy on the green.
The Bottom Line
As far as value for money goes, you cannot beat the Vice Pro Plus. The golf ball is significantly cheaper than its urethane counterparts and delivers adequate length in your long game and enhanced control around the green.
Plus, they offer these tour-quality golf balls in funky colors, including neon lime and red.
And the Winner of 6 Best Golf Balls for High Swing Speed is…
To provide accurate feedback, I called in the assistance of faster-swinging golfers for some of the tests. The aim was to compare apples with apples for a clearer picture of the optimal performance of each.
I searched for high-compression golf balls with low driver spin, explosive ball speed, and enhanced greenside spin. After all of our work, here are the top three performers.
Note – if you’re playing during the colder months, you may need to look for the best golf ball for cold weather instead.
Best Overall Golf Ball for High Swing Speed
The Titleist Pro V1 claimed the title of the best golf ball for high swing speeds in 2024. Its penetrating ball flight, rapid velocity, and low long game spin deliver exceptional distance. Conversely, its superior wedge spin generates drop and stop game control.
Longest High Swing Speed Golf Balls
Bridgestone continues to show why the longest players in golf play their golf balls. The Tour BX is the longest golf ball for a high swing speed exceeding 105 mph with a driver. During testing these golf balls boosted ball zip and lowered spin off the tee to become the longest among its peers.
Best Value Balls for Fast Swing Speed
There was only one clear contender for this title, and that is the Vice Pro Plus. It is priced significantly lower than its competitors, as Vice operates a direct-to-consumer model. They manage to cut out intermediary transactions and then pass the savings on to you. It doesn’t harm that it generates low driver spin, fast ball speed, and amplified greenside control.
Guide to Buying the Best Golf Balls for Fast Swing Speeds
#1 High Compression Rating
Golfers with a faster swing speed best suit a firmer, high-compression golf ball that offers limited spring off the clubface and a reduced launch. High-compression golf balls typically feature multiple layers to accelerate ball speed, lower driver spin, and enhance your short-game results.
If a high-speed golfer strikes a low compression ball, you’ll produce excess spin off the face leading to a ballooned strike and a loss of distance. The firmer, higher compression rating caters to high swing speeds and offers enhanced control over lower compression balls.
And if you simply need help compressing the golf ball, give this post a quick read.
#2 Low Long Game Spin
If you want to add yards to your game, you need a combination of rapid ball speed and low spin. Generating excess spin in your long game causes the ball to fly higher, leading to a loss of carry and total distance. Faster swing speeds suit multi-layered golf balls with an ionomer mantle to reduce your driver spin.
#3 Rapid Ball Speed
You’ll notice that you require a golf ball with an innovative core to boost energy transfer at impact for increased long-game yardage. The core stores energy and releases it efficiently at contact to explode off the clubface for rampant zip and adequate length.
#4 Ball Flight
Ball flight boils down to personal preference – some faster-swinging golfers may prefer golf balls that fly straight and pierce through the air, while others prefer workable flight.
Piercing ball flight increases your control of the shot by preventing it from ballooning out of control. Workable flight increases your ability to induce draws and fades around the golf course.
#5 Enhanced Greenside Spin
I mentioned the importance of low driver spins to gain extra yards in your long game, but the opposite is required around the green.
High-swing speed golfers should search for soft urethane golf balls that help them grip into the grooves and generate exceptional short-game spin. As a result, you produce optimal long-game distance and control around the green.
FAQ – 6 Best Golf Balls for Faster Swing Speeds
My first golf ball recommendation for a high swing speed is the Titleist Pro V1. It features high compression and generates low long-game spin and ball speed while maintaining control around the green. The reality is that any golf ball found on this list is a suitable pick for faster-swinging golfers.
A swing speed exceeding 105 mph is needed for optimal results. The high compression rating, coupled with the complex multi-layer structure, provides limited spring at impact, requiring rapid swing speed and power for a long golf shot.
Soft golf balls are not ideal for high swing speeds, as you generate excess spin at impact and sky your shot. As a result, you lose total distance and control of the situation.
A high swing speed in golf is around 100 mph with a driver. Any swing speed exceeding 105 mph is considered really high. Trackman suggests that the average swing speed of a male golfer is 93.4 mph, and anything over 105 mph is usually produced by tour players and long-drive competitors.