Surprising issue with soft balls going much longer.

[fromearth]

I have a GC3 that I hit on often. I play pro v1x and use single-length clubs. My swing speed is 100, with all irons at full swing. I do not take divots. I might miss-hit but I still don't take divots. (This is important because it can matter when hitting off of a mat.) 

Anyway so as to not wear my irons down I got a bunch of Wilson Zips @ 50 compression for hitting on the monitor. 

 

To my surprise, these balls are 10 -15 yards longer than the Pro V 1xs.

 

I cannot figure out why. Could this be some anomaly of the launch monitor?

 

I have tested this a good amount as I just can't wrap my head around it.

Is this a thing? For High swing speeds does a ball that compresses more go further?

[Flip4000]

I have used the wilson duo before, and I did find them to be a bit more jumpy than my standard golfball. Can't provide a reason, but they did jump for me occasionally

[Jeff58]

14 hours ago, fromearth said:

I cannot figure out why. Could this be some anomaly of the launch monitor?

It’s not an anomaly, rather it’s just how it works. Your LM data is launch angle, initial spin, and ball speed. From that, it must calculate distance. In order to calculate distance, it needs a parameter model. That model is typically a Titleist V1, usually the 2019 version.

 

When you hit your low spin / low compression ball, it thinks that you’re hitting your V1 higher and with less spin than “normal”, which in many cases would result in greater distance.

[ahenderX]

43 minutes ago, Jeff58 said:

It’s not an anomaly, rather it’s just how it works. Your LM data is launch angle, initial spin, and ball speed. From that, it must calculate distance. In order to calculate distance, it needs a parameter model. That model is typically a Titleist V1, usually the 2019 version.

 

When you hit your low spin / low compression ball, it thinks that you’re hitting your V1 higher and with less spin than “normal”, which in many cases would result in greater distance.

Well that’s interesting. Does this translate for any swing speed?

[Socrates]

I can hit certain balls farther than say a ProV1x.  For instance, the TM Soft Response is measurably further.  What I found was a lack of distance control around the green (chipping) and putting.  Especially putting from mid to long range.   Settled on the AVX which gives me some extra distance, but reliable on and around the green.  

[rd1959]

What is your swing speed? The Zip was my preferred ball. They are recommended for swing speeds below 85 mph. My ss is between 80-85 mph. They do initially come off the club face hotter than you would expect a 2 piece, low compression ball but, that "jump" for me, doesn't translate to more distance.
 I agree with Jeff58's comment about how distance is measured by a LM. If you took the Zip and ProV1x to a driving range and hit them both, you'll get a more accurate answer than what the LM is telling you.

[fromearth]

1 hour ago, rd1959 said:

What is your swing speed? The Zip was my preferred ball. They are recommended for swing speeds below 85 mph. My ss is between 80-85 mph. They do initially come off the club face hotter than you would expect a 2 piece, low compression ball but, that "jump" for me, doesn't translate to more distance.
 I agree with Jeff58's comment about how distance is measured by a LM. If you took the Zip and ProV1x to a driving range and hit them both, you'll get a more accurate answer than what the LM is telling you.

 

 

100 irons

110 woods

118 driver

[Jeff58]

23 hours ago, ahenderX said:

Well that’s interesting. Does this translate for any swing speed?

If I understand your question, Yes, but it’s not exactly linear. Here is a good link -

 

https://www.tutelman.com/golf/ballflight/spinDecay.php

 

Two things IMO -

 

LM’s are generally intended to compare or illustrate golf clubs, not golf balls. It can’t solve for two variables/unknowns, so it models the ball.
 

What matters most in terms of ball performance is what happens towards the end of the flight, not the beginning. Immediately after impact the ball begins to both decelerate and loose spin, and it continues to do so through the flight. Some radar LM’s can track the full flight, and this approach is essential if you want meaningful information.

[ahenderX]

56 minutes ago, Jeff58 said:

If I understand your question, Yes, but it’s not exactly linear. Here is a good link -

 

https://www.tutelman.com/golf/ballflight/spinDecay.php

 

Two things IMO -

 

LM’s are generally intended to compare or illustrate golf clubs, not golf balls. It can’t solve for two variables/unknowns, so it models the ball.
 

What matters most in terms of ball performance is what happens towards the end of the flight, not the beginning. Immediately after impact the ball begins to both decelerate and loose spin, and it continues to do so through the flight. Some radar LM’s can track the full flight, and this approach is essential if you want meaningful information.

Thank you very much.

[Fairways_and_Greens]

On 10/13/2023 at 8:04 AM, Jeff58 said:

It’s not an anomaly, rather it’s just how it works. Your LM data is launch angle, initial spin, and ball speed. From that, it must calculate distance. In order to calculate distance, it needs a parameter model. That model is typically a Titleist V1, usually the 2019 version.

 

When you hit your low spin / low compression ball, it thinks that you’re hitting your V1 higher and with less spin than “normal”, which in many cases would result in greater distance.

This is 100% the right answer. I have a 100 yard chipping range in my back yard with power lines overhead. I have a whole bunch of worn/found balls of various types.
 

Hitting a 50 yard pitch with a tour ball, it comes out low and spinny. Any of the soft balls with the same swing go about 10-15 yards further, and they are nearly impossible to keep below the power lines. They are completely different worlds, and shows how important it is to use the same ball as much as possible. 

[Pnwpingi210]

On 10/13/2023 at 11:04 AM, fromearth said:

 

 

100 irons

110 woods

118 driver

I’m similar to this.  What you’re experiencing is the soft ball spins way less with irons than a pro v1 x providing the extra distance.

 

off the driver your going to overcompress the soft ball and lose distance.

[fromearth]

5 hours ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

I’m similar to this.  What you’re experiencing is the soft ball spins way less with irons than a pro v1 x providing the extra distance.

 

off the driver your going to overcompress the soft ball and lose distance.

 

I have since tested this idea and it is correct.