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Equipment and Fitting All clubs Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 8 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Premium golf balls for amateurs: Are they worth it?

At what point should you start paying more for your balls? In this excerpt from his podcast, Rick Shiels answers a listener’s question: as long as you can’t tell the difference between the balls, the more expensive ones won’t do you any good.

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Rick Shiels
Rick Shiels · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

11 minSame problemGolf Equipment for Beginners: The Complete ListKevin Faivre · Beginner5 minSame problemHalf-series or full series: When Should You Make the Leap?Ma Chun Teng Chan · Beginner / Intermediate3 minFrom the same proThree-Zone Pre-Shot Routine: Rick ShielsRick Shiels · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

For Rick Shiels and his guest, the ball becomes important when we begin to distinguish between sensations from one ball to the next. A true beginner who were given ten balls to try—ranging from the softest to the firmest—would likely not feel the difference when chipping or putting. They compare it to wine or coffee: at first, everything tastes the same. So paying for a premium ball only to lose it in the trees is therefore no interest.

Their advice: aim for the mid-range, a cheap but good-quality ball, and be wary of balls fished out of lakes, which can veer off course. Once you’re used to this ball, you can try others and move up in quality if you really prefer a certain feel. The rest of the discussion focuses on the market: several premium brands are in the same price range, while brands sold directly to consumers offer cheaper balls, and Rick says he played one of these balls without even thinking about it, noting that it had a slightly softer feel around the green. That, he says, is the best compliment he can give it.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Start with a ball that's inexpensive but good quality.
  2. Avoid lake balls that are in questionable condition.
  3. Always hit the same ball to learn how to recognize its feel.
  4. Around the green, try another ball and compare the results.
  5. If you definitely prefer a certain feel, switch to this ball.
  6. Save the premium balls for when you really see the value in them.

Key Takeaways

A premium ball is only worth it if you can feel the difference in feel.
A beginner rarely can tell the difference between a soft ball and a hard ball.
Losing expensive balls in the trees is pointless.
Be wary of balls retrieved from lakes, as they may veer off course.
A good-quality, mid-range ball is all you need to get started.
Once you've figured out which feel you prefer, you can move up to a higher-end model.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Buy premium balls right from the start.
  • Playing with damaged lacrosse balls.
  • Change the ball for every game and never get used to the feel of it.
  • Choosing a ball based solely on its name.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Just one mid-range ball for several games
  2. Comparison of Feel in Chipping and Putting
  3. Upgrade only if you can really tell the difference

Your Questions

At what level should you start buying premium balls?

Rick Shiels doesn't specify a specific handicap. For him, it all starts when you can tell the difference in the feel of different balls, especially around the green. Before that, a mid-range ball is sufficient.

Are lake balls a good idea?

He advises being wary of them: some can affect the game and cause the ball to veer off course. He prefers a good-quality, inexpensive new ball.

Is a lesser-known premium ball as good as the big brands?

Rick says he hit a premium ball sold during the live broadcast without even thinking about it, and it had a slightly softer feel around the green. For him, not thinking about it is the best sign.

Learn More

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