New to golf? Then you may be wondering “should women play golf with ladies golf balls?”
Perhaps you thought that a golf ball is just a golf ball and they are all the same.
Not so.
Golf balls come in many different iterations and have specific purposes, and we’ll go into that a little later.
In the meantime, though, it’s important to realize that women should definitely play with different golf balls than men.
Many female players often overlook a crucial factor that can significantly affect their game – which golf ball they should be using.
Until I started doing this research, I always played with whatever golf balls Rick put in my golf bag. I don’t do that anymore because I now know better.
I’m currently playing with the Callaway Supersoft – you can read my review here.
While it’s a subject that doesn’t usually get much attention, selecting the right golf ball aligned with your playing style can make a world of difference to your game.
So, if you’re new to the game of golf, you can now discover why “ladies” golf balls might just be your secret weapon to success on the fairway.
What Is Compression In Golf Balls?
We’ve discussed this before in some of our other articles on this website. However, because it is so important we’ll also go into some detail here.
If you want to understand about compression ratings in golf balls, you need to first understand the composition of golf balls. We have written a full article on this topic – What Is In Golf Balls?
Briefly, golf balls comprise the core and the cover. The core is usually highly engineered by golf ball manufacturers to provide certain characteristics for golfers. The outer cover can be the only cover, mostly made of a substance known as surlyn, but sometimes there are two or three inner layers, known as mantles.
Golf balls are categorized as two-piece, three-piece or four-piece, depending upon the number of mantles incorporated beneath the outer cover.
Compression rating is aligned with the core of the golf ball and indicates the softness or hardness of the core material. Also, compression is related to how the golf ball reacts when struck by the golf club.
If a golf ball has a hard core it needs to be struck by a golfer with a fast swing speed. Of course, the opposite is true for soft core golf balls.
Because of the physiological differences between male and female golfers, it is generally accepted that men should play with harder golf balls and women should play with those with a softer core.
Compression ratings for men’s golf balls are generally between 80 and 110, while those for women range between 35 and 70.
Should Women Play Golf With “Ladies” Golf Balls?
I answer this question by saying YES, depending upon your swing speed.
Of course, it is important to understand that professional female golfers often have swing speeds to match their male counterparts.
Therefore, in the professional world of golf, women usually play with the same sorts of golf balls as men.
But if you are just beginning golf or are what is known as a weekend golfer, then you need to give careful consideration to what type of golf balls you have in your bag.
Most golf ball manufacturers who make golf balls with the “Lady” label will generally keep their compression ratings in the 35 to 70 range. This makes them an attractive option for those of us who do not swing the club very fast.
This is especially true of beginning golfers, who should seek out the softest, lower compression golf balls. I would certainly suggest taking a keen look at the Callaway REVA golf Ball. You can check out our Review right here.
The Callaway REVA golf ball has the lowest compression rating we have seen and the core is 9% larger than the average golf ball. Its higher center of gravity gives better contact with the club head and a higher launch angle.
Which Golf Ball Manufacturers Make “Lady” Specific Golf Balls?
We’ve already discussed Callaway and its REVA range.
Here are some other manufacturers and golf balls worth investigating:
- Srixon Soft Feel Lady.
- Bridgestone e6 Lady
- Bridgestone Precept Lady IQ Plus.
- TaylorMade Kalea.
- Wilson Staff Women’s Duo Soft.
There are other golf balls that are not specifically made for women, but have low compression ratings and soft cores. They are:
- Callaway Supersoft.
- Callaway Supersoft Magna.
- Titleist Velocity.
- TaylorMade Noodle Long Soft.
- Wilson Fifty Elite.
Finding just the right golf ball to give you your best game, may take you a little time of trial and error. But it will be well worthwhile.
Let’s Talk Briefly About Golf Clubs.
The clubs that you play golf with are just as important as the balls you choose for your golfing journey.
I probably don’t need to tell you this if you are an accomplished golfer. But if you are just starting out as a beginning golfer, you should take heed.
Do not start your golf journey with your spouse’s hand-me-downs, particularly if your spouse is a male. His clubs are probably totally wrong for you and will not give you the best experience.
By all means, start off with used golf clubs if you wish. But make sure that they are the right size and fit for you.
We’ve written an article about the best women’s beginner golf clubs, from which you can get some guidance.
It is worthwhile starting golf in the right way.
Final Thoughts On Should Women Play Golf With “Ladies” Golf Balls?
We’ve discussed the fact that not all golf balls are the same. In this vein, we’ve described the composition of golf balls and their compression ratings. Then, whether the answer to the question is yes or no. We’ve given you a list of low compression golf balls you can try out for yourself. And, we’ve briefly discussed the golf clubs you should use.
So, I hope you now feel equipped to go in search of the perfect golf balls to suit your game.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below and I will be sure to answer you.
In the meantime, have fun on your golfing journey.
! I never really thought about the differences in golf balls and how they can impact your game. It’s interesting to learn about compression ratings and how they relate to swing speed.
I do have a question, though. Are there any specific tips for women who are new to golf and want to improve their game by choosing the right golf balls? It seems like selecting the right equipment can make a big difference, especially for beginners.
Thanks for sharing this knowledge!
Thanks for commenting on my article about whether women should play golf with “ladies” golf balls.Not many people realize that there are differences in the composition of golf balls. They all look the same! I certainly didn’t when I first started playing golf. I don’t have any other specific tips for improving your golf game, other than the suggestions I make for choosing the right golf balls. Going in that direction can radically improve your game. Best wishes, Jenni.
When a person finds the swing that is right for them, the next logical step should be to use the golf ball that corresponds to that swing. Many women still find using a golf ball their male counterpart uses to be acceptable. That being said they may not have tried a golf ball designed for women. If they have a great swing then they would probably find using a golf ball designed for women would improve their game.
Jerry
What you say is so true, Jerry. In fact, when I first started playing golf, I usually played with whatever golf balls Rick put in my golf bag. No more, though. After I finished researching the best golf balls for women, I realized how much more beneficial it would be to play with the right golf balls. I’m now testing out the Callaway Supersoft. Thanks for commenting and best wishes, Jenni.