The golf ball industry is ever-changing, and new developments and technologies just make selecting the correct ball to put in play a bit confusing for amateurs. Playing with a leading brand ball because your hero professional plays it on the tour, is the first mistake. The choice of the ball can be simplified by applying a basic principle, today we focus on the best golf balls for high swing speed…
Contents
Things to be Considered Before Buying High Swing Speeds Golf Balls
Swing Speed
Understanding how a golf ball reacts to a golf club at impact may appear complicated, but is not. The first step to selecting a ball is to have your swing speed checked at a golf retail outlet or with a PGA professional. Once this is established, many options can be eliminated from your list. Understanding that your iron swing speed is about 75% of the driver’s speed, also helps.
Compression
Golf balls have varying types of construction and material within them and range from the popular 2-piece to Taylormade’s 5-piece. They all have different compression built into them, and the ability to compress the ball through impact will determine the flight and distance the ball travels. Put simply, if you do not compress the ball sufficiently, it will not perform at its best.
Cover
There are two main outer covers that are used in golf ball construction, and each has its characteristics. Urethane is softer than Surlyn and will deliver more spin around the green for golfers who like control with their short irons. Surlyn is harder, more durable, and will produce more distance, with less spin capability. They are generally slightly cheaper than Urethane.
Construction
Golf balls have 2 main construction types, and choosing the correct one for a high swing speed will enhance the performance out on the course.
A 2-piece ball has become very popular with amateur golfers for reasons of cost and durability. The cover can be urethane or ionomer, and the core is often made from elastic or rubber. Compressions vary by manufacturer, but the low spin and hardcover, are ideal for swing speeds around 100mph.
The 3 to 5-piece golf ball is possibly the best ball for high swing speed golfers and the different layers are the key to the ball performance.
At a glance: Our Top 8 Best Golf Balls for High Swing Speeds
What Swing Speed is Deemed Fast or High?
Anything above 95 mph will fall into the fast speed category. PGA professionals will obtain anything from 110 mph to 125 mph through impact with the driver. Their average speed is about 113 mph. Top amateurs or scratch golfers will swing the driver at about 105 mph to 110 mph, and the mid handicap anywhere around 95 mph and less. With these swing speeds, they are able to launch tee shots of over 300 meters plus.
Read more: Best Golf Balls For Amateurs
Now that we have established the range for a high swing speed, selecting the golf ball becomes much simpler. Listed below are 8 of the best golf balls available for this category of golfers, in random order.
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for 8 Best Golf Balls for High Swing Speeds
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
OUR RATING: 4.9/5 | Titleist ProV1 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.9/5 | Titleist Pro V1x |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.9/5 | TaylorMade TP5x |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.8/5  | TaylorMade TP5 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.8/5  | Bridgestone Golf Tour B XS |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.8/5  | Callaway Chrome Soft X |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.7/5  | Srixon Z-Star XV |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
OUR RATING: 4.7/5  | Srixon Z-Star |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
Best Golf Balls for High Swing Speeds
1. Titleist ProV1
Pros
- Very low long game spin and a penetrating trajectory
- Long and consistent
- Increased greenside spin for stop and drop
- Soft feel
Cons
- Not a ball for slow swing speeds
- Price
Titleist has been at the forefront of ball technology and is the No1 golf ball of choice on the PGA Tour. The latest ProV1 has a compression of 100 and will suit golfers that swing the driver at 95 mph and above. The problem with most amateurs is they get duped by the advertising campaigns to sell the ball, in the hope that it will improve their game. Played by the right player with a high swing speed, the ball will deliver on all the manufacturer’s promises.
Features
The new ProV1 offers total performance and will please players with high swing speeds. It delivers a longer distance, penetrating flight with very low long game spin, soft feel off the club, and stopping power on the green.
The ProV1 is a 3-piece ball with a solid core and the reformulated 2.0 ZG Process Core delivers extra distance. Titleist has added a high flex casing layer that propels the ball faster and lowers the spin rate on the ball with the longer clubs. This ionomer layer is highly resilient and was developed initially specifically for tour professionals.
A softer cast urethane elastomer cover is the softest formulation ever used on the ProV range and adds extra spin and control around the green.
The New Spherically-Tiled 388 Tetrahedral Dimple Design offers penetrating ball flight, longer distance, and consistency, through the bag.
Read also: Comparison between Titleist PRO V1 vs PRO V1x.
2. Titleist Prov1x
Pros
- Firmer feel for the high swing speed golfer
- Higher Launch trajectory and long
- Consistency through the bag
Cons
- Not for slow swing speed golfers
- Price
The Titleist ProV1x is the firmer of the ProV range and is designed for swing speeds of 110 to 130mph. It has a few new updates over the previous model and will provide consistency and total performance on every shot. Players seeking a higher launch trajectory, with controllable spin and a firmer feel, will enjoy this ball. It is fast and long off the club.
Features
Higher launch trajectory for those wanting to add hang time on their shots and better spin around the greens. The ProV1x is the highest-flying Titleist ball in their range.
With the softer urethane cover and the faster high flex casing, this ball will deliver quality performance and durability. A firmer feel will suit the high swing speed golfer who wants to feel the ball leave the club at impact
A reformulated 2.0 ZG Process Core is responsible for distance increase in the dual-core Pro V1x, which is a 4-piece ball. A new Spherically-Tiled Tetrahedral Dimple Design with 348 dimples on the ProV1x optimizes flight consistency and distance.
3. TaylorMade TP5x
Pros
- TaylorMade’s longest tour ball
- Perfect for high swing speeds to match the 90 compressions.
- Lower spin offers better control in the wind
Cons
- Feels fairly hard off the face
- Not for slow swing speeds
The TaylorMade TP5x was developed for faster swing speeds and the 90 compression will suit these players perfectly. The TP5x spins less on longer shots and has a more solid feel than the TP5. It is TaylorMades premium golf ball and played by many top PGA Tour players. The biggest difference between the two balls is the exterior softness, and with the firmer TP5x, more distance is achieved.
Features
TaylorMade’s 5-layer construction achieves more speed without any effects on spin. A Tri-Fast Core delivers maximum carry with low drag. The Dual-Spin, ultra-soft, highly durable cast urethane cover, offers complete performance tee to green.
Ball speed is enhanced by the new Speed-Layer System, with four increasingly stiff layers in the construction. This creates more control in the wind, more spin around the greens, and more carry distance off the tee.
High-Flex Material (HFM) creates a rebound effect and performs like a coiled spring, propelling the ball at increased speed off the face.
4. TaylorMade TP5
Pros
- Impressive speed off the clubface for long tee shots
- The new dimple pattern enhances ball flight distance and carry
- Stopping power on the green
- Soft feel
Cons
- Price
- The 83 compression will entice slower swing speeds to put it in play.
TaylorMade has developed the TP5 golf ball for the serious golfer, with a high swing speed. It is and can be put into play by slower swing speeds, but will not deliver maximum performance. Ball compression is 83.
Features
New Tour Flight Dimple Pattern increases the flight and carry distance due to improved aerodynamics. The steep angle of descent promotes stopping power with long irons.
Tour control capabilities are advanced with the optimal launch and spin provided by the 5-layer construction. Ball speed is increased with the HFM Speed Layer.
The Tp5 is TayloMades highest spinning and softest tour ball, with enhanced stopping power close to the green. The Soft Cast Urethane Cover provides control and precision.
The centerpiece of the TP5 is the enlarged and more reactive core. It stores and releases energy, delivering faster ball speed and distance, with its spring-like effect. The New TP5 is longer than its predecessor.
What is the difference between TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x golf balls?
In simple terms, the TP5 is a softer tour ball with maximum greenside spin.
TP5x has a lower spin rate but is faster and longer off the tee.
5. Bridgestone Tour B XS
Pros
- Perfect for very fast swing speeds
- Delivers spin and distance consistently
- Gradual compression adds feel to every shot
Cons
- Not for swing speeds below 100mph
- Price
The Bridgestone Tour B XS is the ball Tiger Woods plays and helped Bridgestone with the development. That tells its own story! Bridgestone has reinvented the Tour B XS ball to feature new REACTIV Cover Technology. Previously the Bridgestone balls either offered distance or spin, but not both in one ball. Now with REACTIV, one ball will deliver both spin and distance for high swing speed golfers. Speeds in excess of 105mph will obtain the true value out of the ball. The new Tour B XS has a softer feel and delivers maximum spin for greenside and approach shots into the green.
Features
The smart REACTIV Urethane is an impact modifier and delivers a type of shock-absorbing cover. The cover reaction at impact performs differently depending on the power of the shot. Slow speed shots played with the wedge or approach irons benefit with plenty of control and spin while the high resilience of the cover, delivers distance on full power shots with the driver.
The Tour B XS has a GRADATIONAL COMPRESSION CORE, adding distance and forgiveness. Lower sidespin and higher initial ball speed are great advantages.
The DUAL DIMPLE Technology enhances aerodynamics with less drag and produces
extra distance. Players in the wind will welcome a more efficient trajectory.
Bridgestone has developed a SEAMLESS COVER that provides consistent performance and ball flight. A perfectly balanced dimple pattern manufacturing process creates stability when the ball is in the air.
6. Callaway Chrome Soft X
Pros
- Built for Speed and Distance
- 90 Compression for the fast swing speeds
- Spin Control greenside
Cons
- Price
- Borderline for swing speeds
Callaway introduced the Chrome Soft X ball in response to some tour players’ input and the new ball has been totally re-engineered to deliver maximum distance for the better player. Chrome Soft X is firmer, yet still very soft for a urethane cover. However, the Callaway Chrome Soft X was not designed to be a better performer than the Chrome Soft, as both golf balls are equally good.
Features
A new High-Speed Dual-Mantle System delivers maximum ball speed. The Soft Inner Mantle and a Resilient Firm Outer Mantle work together to generate fast ball speed off the clubface, through the bag. Specifically created for distance.
The Larger High-Speed Core Design is much larger for increased distance and ball speed. The core works with the mantle system for greater speed.
A new, Thinner Urethane Cover creates Spin Control and Better Feel. It is resilient and durable, increases ball speed, and produces lower spin on full shots while maintaining high spin greenside.
A New Optimized Aero Design reduces drag, with a penetrating trajectory for more distance. The 4-piece construction has a 90 compression, with a Hex Dimple Pattern.
Which Chrome Soft Ball to Play?
The Chrome Soft has a 75 compression, great feel, and control, with a consistent ball flight. The Chrome Soft X has a Fast Ball Speed and Distance, is more workable with Spin Control, and has a slightly harder feel.
7. Srixon Z-Star XV
Pros
- Extremely long and accurate in windy conditions
- Fast swing speeds will get the most out of the 100 compression
- Srixon’s longest ball in their range
- Good greenside control
Cons
- Not for slow swing speeds
- Price
The Z-Star XV is a premium Tour ball that delivers distance over greenside spin. It has a lower spin rate off the driver, but still produces stopping power on approach shots.
This 6th generation model is a 4-piece ball, extremely long, and offers skilled players tour performance on every shot.
Features
A new FastLayer Core and 4th generation Spin Skin with SeRM offers a great feel for the player who enjoys a slightly harder ball through contact. At 100 compression it is ideal for high swing speeds and the SeRM coating has flexible molecular bonds that dig into the iron and wedge grooves producing amazing spin. Stopping power and control is increased. A 338 Speed Dimple Pattern creates less drag but more lift to boost accuracy and distance in tough windy conditions.
The resilient inner core provides increased energy off the clubface that translates into fantastic distance with the driver, and a mid to high ball flight.
8. Srixon Z-Star
Pros
- Soft feel through impact
- High greenside spin
- Ideal for the golfer with a varying swing speed around 95kph
Cons
- May spin too much for some very high-speed swings
- Price
The Z-STAR is Srixon’s premier tour golf ball and was developed for the PGA professional player or the low handicap golfer. The 3-layer construction with a Urethane Cover delivers a high approach shot spin, controllable trajectory, and low driver spin for maximum distance.
Features
3-piece construction ball with a Urethane cover with SeRM offers a soft feel off all clubs, including the driver. Low driver spin increases distance through the air and the mid trajectory is ideal for windy conditions.
90 compression puts this ball on the borderline for slightly slower swing speeds, but ideally suited to fast speeds. It has a softer feel off the club than the XV, and delivers incredible spin and stopping power on approach shots.
Final Thoughts
Matching swing speed to the ball put in play is critical to achieving the best results with the ball. Manufacturers have specifically designed certain golf balls for the High, Fast swing speed golfer. Don’t force the issue about the ball if you have a moderate swing speed. There are plenty of models that will deliver great performance for the moderate to slower swinger.
It does not make economic sense to pay a high price for a ball if you cannot control your game and lose a few balls every round, or take out a used ball when confronted by water. Get your swing speed checked and see the good results when you match the ball to it.
- Best Golf Balls for Slower Swing Speed
- Wilson Staff 50 Elite Review
- The Most Forgiving Callaway Irons
- Difference Between Chrome Soft And Supersoft
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
