Golf Ball Fitting: The Steps, from Wedge to Driver
People usually get fitted for their clubs, and less often for their ball. Sam De’Ath, a ball tester for Golf Monthly, undergoes a complete fitting at a manufacturer’s facility: a questionnaire, about fifteen measured shots, and a blind test around the green.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
The fitting begins with a questionnaire: the shot currently being played and why, the surface (grass or artificial turf), the firmness of the usual greens, the desired trajectory, and the preferred feel, with each factor rated on a scale of 1 to 5. Next come 12 to 15 shots Shots from the green back to the tee: half-wedge, full pitching wedge, 7-iron, driver. Three measurements matter: the spin, height, and angle of descent. With a 7-iron, Sam lands at 46.8°, while the PGA Tour average is 51°, with 6,800 revolutions of spin and a height of 83 feet. The software estimates for each shot how other balls would have performed and provides a match percentage.
The most informative part takes place around the green, blind shot: Without knowing which ball he's hitting, Sam only notices a difference when his shot changes. According to the fitter, The sensation comes mainly from the sound, and the sound depends on the ball, the club, and the swing; our preconceived notions of a “firm” or “soft” ball also play a role. The final choice is a personal one: Sam goes with the ball that gives him a little more height and spin to stop his irons on the greens. Note: This fitting compares only balls from the same brand, as several comments point out.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Write down the shot you're playing and what you like about it.
- Describe the conditions: grass or turf, firm or soft greens.
- Describe the path and the touch you want, and how important they are to you.
- Hit a few half-wedges, then full wedges, 7 irons, and drives.
- Pay attention to the spin, height, and landing angle of your irons.
- Try hitting the balls that are lying around the green without knowing which one you're hitting.
- Choose based on your gaming needs, not just on the percentage shown.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Try to make your best shots instead of your usual ones.
- Assessing the feel of a ball based on its brand.
- Give the ball a feel that comes from a different swing.
- Forget that a brand-specific fitting only compares balls from that brand.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Blind Test of Two Balls Around the Green
- Same move, same club, to compare shots of equal strength
- Observing where the ball came to rest on the 7th iron on the green
Your Questions
What measurements are taken during a ball fitting?
Spin, height, and landing angle—especially with irons. Together, these factors determine whether the ball stops well on the green.
Do you have to be a good player to get a ball fitting?
No. The fitter says it in the video: it's not about being the best player, but about playing the shots you play on the course.
Why take the blind test for the short game?
Because our perception of a ball influences how it feels. In a blind test, Sam only noticed a difference when his swing changed.
Does the fitting compare all brands?
Not the one in the video, which was filmed at a manufacturer's facility: it only compares bullets from its own product line. Several comments express disappointment about this.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator. Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.