What is a "moderate" swing speed?

[dgn]

I see a lot of companies advertise their mid-level balls (Callaway HX Chrome, Taylor Made TP3, Bridgestone B330RX) as for moderate club speeds. I certainly get the concept, but other than Bridgestone, they really don't elaborate on what defines "moderate".

 

My driver swing speed is 100-102 mph, and a good drive goes between 265-270 yards. Obviously not tour-level speed, but I would think higher than the average golfer.

 

Maybe it's just how they're marketed. I try to play what works best for me, anyway. Just wondering what "moderate" means...

 

Thanks...

[GHIN n Juice]

I've always taken moderate to mean anywhere between 95 and 105 mph driver SS. The Bridgestone RX series, Cally Chrome and TM TP3/ RBZ Urethane are all "suited" to these SS, however several WRX'rs with moderate driver SS find the B330 line and the TM Lethal to be just as good if not better than the moderate SS options.

Personally, I average 103 mph with the driver and will be testing the 20iX-X, TM Lethal and the Chrome+ when it comes out.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

It means whatever the person saying it means. Basically, there are two types of golf-ball marketing material. There's the ones that claim A Specific Ball For Every Type Of Player and others who claim The Best Ball For All Players. Bridgestone and Titleist, repectively, are the exemplars of the two oppostie marketing strategies.

If you are advertising the cheapest ball in a manufacturer's range (the $2 balls) you basically pitch it as being a really good ball at a really good price. And you hope golfers like your brand better than the others.

If you are advertising the most expensive "Tour" balls in a range (the $4 balls) you basically pitch it as being played by really good players. And you hope golfers like your brand better than the others.

For in-between models marketing approaches vary. But the idea is to attract the guys who think of themselves as too good for a cheap ball but not good enough for an expensive one. Over the last few years the proliferation of Trackman fittings and so forth has lodged this "compression vs. clubhead speed" [i]meme[/i] in the golfer's consciousness. That has been a stroke of marketing genius because they now a very technical-sounding framework on which to hang their product differentiation. Low clubhead speed players need Soft, Soft, Softer cheap balls. High clubhead speed player need High Compression, Low Driver Spin multipiece expensive balls. And those who consider themselves in between need these Soft But Not Too Soft balls for around $2.50-$3.00 a ball. It's genius.

[erock9174]

[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1363642163' post='6638637']
It means whatever the person saying it means. Basically, there are two types of golf-ball marketing material. There's the ones that claim A Specific Ball For Every Type Of Player and others who claim The Best Ball For All Players. Bridgestone and Titleist, repectively, are the exemplars of the two oppostie marketing strategies.

If you are advertising the cheapest ball in a manufacturer's range (the $2 balls) you basically pitch it as being a really good ball at a really good price. And you hope golfers like your brand better than the others.

If you are advertising the most expensive "Tour" balls in a range (the $4 balls) you basically pitch it as being played by really good players. And you hope golfers like your brand better than the others.

For in-between models marketing approaches vary. But the idea is to attract the guys who think of themselves as too good for a cheap ball but not good enough for an expensive one. Over the last few years the proliferation of Trackman fittings and so forth has lodged this "compression vs. clubhead speed" [i]meme[/i] in the golfer's consciousness. That has been a stroke of marketing genius because they now a very technical-sounding framework on which to hang their product differentiation. Low clubhead speed players need Soft, Soft, Softer cheap balls. High clubhead speed player need High Compression, Low Driver Spin multipiece expensive balls. And those who consider themselves in between need these Soft But Not Too Soft balls for around $2.50-$3.00 a ball. It's genius.
[/quote]

Well played sir !!

I guess I've always looked at " moderate" as under tour level speeds. I assume even Champions tour guys are using tour balls and they probably average better than 240 off the tee. So my view of moderate are golfers that fall under 240 yds off the tee down to say 200. Anything under that I'd consider a slower swinger.
I guess in terms of swing speed those in the 85-95 mph range give or take a little.