Understanding Layers on Golf Balls

When it comes to golf ball construction, there are three important things to keep in mind. The first is the dimples on the cover of the golf balls, which help to provide added distance as it improves the aerodynamics of the ball flight.  The second is the cover material, which generally is made of either urethane or surlyn.  Last but not least are the layers within the golf ball, also known as pieces.

What are golf ball layers and why are they important?

Golf balls have historically contained two layers: a cover and an inner core.  However, at the turn of the millennium came about the creation of additional layers within the golf ball.  As recently as 2009, Taylormade came out with the Taylormade TP5, consisting of five total layers.  Why are additional layers important to a golf ball?  In essence, the additional layers make the golf ball softer and thus can provide added spin.  The most popular golf ball in the world today, the Titleist ProV1, is a three layer/three-piece golf ball that is known for providing fantastic spin control on fairway golf approach shots and around the greens as well.  Fairway Golf offers its own premium golf ball with 3-layers with 105 compression in the Fairway Eagle Pro which enables golfers to create more spin than almost any other golf balls on the market.

Two-piece vs. three-piece

The main difference between a two-piece golf ball and a three-piece golf ball is the amount of compression needed to reach the core of each type.  Two-piece golf balls do not require much compression in order to reach the core, and as a result they are more durable and provide less spin.  This is ideal for mid-to-high handicap golfers who are looking for more distance and straighter drives, while also recognizing that there will be less spin on fairway golf approach shots.  Three-piece golf balls require a higher swing speed in order to reach the innermost core but having the additional layer in-between creates more spin as a result.  This is why you see PGA Tour golfers being able to hit high iron shots from the fairway golf that stop as soon as they hit the green, whereas most amateur golfers will see their high iron fairway golf approach shots roll off the greens.  

What about four and five-piece golf balls?  

Golf balls that have more than four layers are a bit more difficult to understand.  What it boils down to is this: if you have a high swing speed and are looking for more forgiveness off the tee, give four and five-piece golf balls a shot.  In essence, having the extra layers will require higher swing speeds to reach the innermost core to achieve optimal results, but when it does happen it leads to less spin on drives and more spin on fairway golf approach shots.  The science hasn’t been overwhelmingly conclusive, however, and most PGA Tour players (those with higher swing speeds) still stick with three-layer golf balls instead.  

Fairway Golf Balls

Whether you are looking for two-piece golf balls or three-piece, Fairway Golf Balls has you covered, providing high quality golf balls at prices anyone can afford.  It doesn’t stop at golf balls either, as Fairway Golf Balls offers apparel and accessories without the use of middlemen!