The options golfers have in the golf ball they play have grown dramatically in recent years. With all these options how is a golfer supposed to know exactly what ball is the best for their game? Unfortunately that selection was usually based on brand awareness or price. Some golfers do their own testing to come to a decision but even then that decision was based on perception and not scientific data.
Seeing a need for a more definitive way to know how a golf ball will perform for any particular golfer Advanced Golf Solutions embarked on this project, which led to the development of a Golf Ball Fitting Software Program to fill that void in the marketplace. Virtually every golf ball in the marketplace was acquired, then “floated” to find the center of gravity and then marked with six specific impact points. The goal was to limit the effect of imperfect manufacturing by testing each ball in the same orientation.
Testing then began with an air cannon and a robot. The air cannon propels the ball at a precise rate. As the ball leaves the barrel of the cannon, it emerges without spin. The balance and aerodynamics of the ball then determines how it will fly. If the balance and aerodynamics are good, the ball will fly straight and long. A group of six balls from the same manufacturer might end up down range 250 yards grouped in an area the size of a large blanket. If the aerodynamics are bad, the balls might never be found. The ball flight data is collected using multiple phased array radar systems that actually track the complete ball flight. Since the data is collected for the entire flight. The data collected during the air cannon testing and the robot testing is extremely accurate and the field measurements for distance and accuracy are taken to verify or adjust data. High speed photo is used as well for verification. This is real data with no mathematical guesses.
How it works, after a launch monitor session the TGA certified fitter will input the player’s current ball brand used in the session, the club used, spin and launch data, and the player’s personal preference for accuracy vs. distance. For instance, the player may weight the search 100% distance and 0% accuracy or 50% distance vs. 50% distance, or some other ratio.
The AGS software will then report the projected carry, total distance, dispersion, ball speed, launch angle, and spin for all of the balls in the data base ranked from best to worst with the ball used highlighted in the list. Results are displayed in a graph format.
When we test drivers we use up to six different driver models and the software will determine how each performs with all the balls in the database.
We can also test iron, wedge and putter performance. With a putter, the analysis will predict how each ball will roll in distance and accuracy when struck by a standard putter on a surface equivalent to a green speed of 10.5 on the Stimpmeter.
Getting fit for a golf ball is clearly the future for every serious player. With hundreds of balls to choose from, choice is good. Making the right choice is even better.