Why is Smash Factor Important For Golf Ball Fitting?

Golf Ball Fitting: A Different Perspective

Most golfers have the perception "The faster you swing, the further the ball will travel." While that is partly true. Without talking efficiency into the equation, swing speed should never be used as the sole determining factor for ball fitting.

You must have seen 2 golfers with matching swing speeds whose driving distances could differ 20-30 meters. Well, that's not uncommon amongst any random groups of players you'll encounter at any golf course. The crucial determining factor is their smash factor!

Smash Factor = Ball Speed / Swing Speed

Without over-complicating the situation, in general, the higher the smash factor, the more suitable your style is for playing with a multilayered golf ball! The PGA Tour average smash factor for drivers is 1.48, while most top-tier tour players will reach the highest possible smash factor under current COR regulation at 1.52. Numbers close to or higher than the PGA tour average are considered highly efficient.

Golfers should look at lower compression balls, like Tour Performance S---which provides maximum compression for most relatively-low smash factors, plus maximum spin control from its Cast Urethane Cover---or SS2, for even straighter ball flight.

For those with a highly-efficient smash factor close to or above 1.48---which will equate to better core compression and will produce lower metal woods spin rate---even at lower swing speeds, FORTE6 will still work wonders for those players.

Do not constrain yourself by the guidance from other manufacturers, who say that what kind of ball you should play us based solely on your swing speed!