Our best golf balls for high swing speeds 2021-2022 ranking list takes a look at the balls best suited for those golfers who pack a knockout punch when making contact. We only considered the results from our ball testing data for the max swing speeds per club. To translate…. the drive swing speed is 115+ mph the relative 7 iron is around 90 mph.
Our high swing speed ball review is part our core set of golf ball rankings that we are introducing this year. This is a format that we use for all of our new gear articles limiting our comparisons to two seasons. We have found that aligns with the manufacturers life cycles given that products are generally not upgraded every year. We have also seen that release dates for new gear at time pre-dates the calendar year. So by crossing over periods we don’t risk losing anything in the margins.
Like all of our 2021-2022 golf ball rankings we have introduced a new methodology and basis for our rankings. Now standard deviations are calculated and analyzed as a means of ranking of all of our key metrics. By doing so we have removed tendencies to incorporate any personal biases we may have. Now more than ever the numbers do the talking. By using the standard deviations, we also see a clear representation of how the ball is performing in relation to the others. We have done a similar exercise with this year’s golf bag reviews and found it extremely useful.
Manufacturers market their various ball models to optimally perform under specific conditions. We have seen with our testing results that sometimes this is less true than more. Maybe that is being a little pessimistic but at times there is so little difference in performance that for an average golfer one wonders is they would really feel it. The differences are a little more pronounced at the extremes.
For example, a golfer with a low swing speed generally would not get the performance benefits with a 3+ layered ball. They actually may not be able to compress the core to the point where they outperform a 2-piece ball. And more so when you factor in the price differentials there is more often than not a diminishing return in the “higher performing” marketed ball. This is why standard deviations are so helpful. Do you want to pay for a ball that is in the 99th percentile in cost and the 60th in performance?
We implemented the following filters to our data set to short list the best golf balls for high swing speeds 2021-2022:
- Results for 115+ mph driver swing speeds and correlating iron speeds only considered.
- Only above average ball speeds considered
- Only above average wedge spin considered
- Only above average carry distance considered
- Only above average total distance considered
Once filtered our current data of approximately 60 balls was reduced to only 5 options. We then included some of our other metrics in our analysis to come up with our top 3 options. Here they are…..
Titleist Pro V1
It is possible that as many golfers ask should they play a Pro V1 or a Pro V1x as they do ask about playing another golf ball. With somewhere close to half of the retail market behind it the Pro V1 series well equips Titleist the means to stay at the forefront of ball technology. The fact is the rest of the market chases Titleist.
The latest iteration of the Pro V1 sporting a new 338-spherical dimple pattern does not disappoint. Add on a new urethane cover formulation that makes the greenside feel incredibly pleasant to work with and you have the best ball Titleist has made. Oooopppsss now I have got the Pro V1x fans in an uproar!
This is actually a coin toss. Too close to call. With the ProV1 you are getting a lower flatter trajectory in comparison to its near identical twin. Also, less driver spin but in the end both balls are virtually identical in their distance yields and ability to optimize higher end swing speeds.
Our results and remarks:
- 85th percentile carry yards (115+ driver)
- 85th percentile total yards (115+ driver)
- 70th percentile ball speeds (115+ driver)
- 90th percentile launch (115+ driver)
- 16th percentile spin (115+ driver)
- 85th percentile wedge spin
- Well thought out and conceived golf ball
- Optimal results across all swing speeds
Manufacturers remarks:
The Engine
A 2.0 ZG Process solid core increases distance.
More Speed. Optimized Spin.
The high-flex casing layer adds speed and lowers long game spin. This highly-resilient, high-speed ionomer was initially developed for and validated by Pro V1x Left Dash.
Soft Cover for Increased Short Game Control
A soft cast urethane elastomer cover – the softest cover formulation ever used on a Pro V1 – increases greenside spin for more control in the short game
Aerodynamic Package
A spherically-tiled 388 tetrahedral dimple design has been optimized for the Pro V1 to maximize distance while delivering a penetrating and consistent flight.
- Longer Distance With Consistent Flight
- Very Low Long Game Spin And Penetrating Trajectory
- Increased Drop-And-Stop Short Game Control
- Softer Feel
Bridgestone Tour B X
Bridgestone’s Tour B X is the other half of the Bridgestone’s tour grade balls set up for big swingers. Unlike its sister ball, the Tour B XS, the B X is a much harder compression at just under 100.
The three-piece, injection-molded urethane cover is decked out with a 330 dual-dimple pattern that meets its target characteristics of low launch and penetrating flight. This is a ball meant for faster club speeds. While the driver performance for lower swing speeds did not fall off too much the performance in the irons was more pronounced. There are easier balls to navigate for the mid to low swing golfer that also won’t set you back quite as much.
Our results and remarks:
- 93rd percentile carry yards (115+ driver)
- 85th percentile total yards (115+ driver)
- 93rd percentile ball speeds (115+ driver)
- 30th percentile launch (115+ driver)
- Well above average distances for all clubs with high swing speeds
- Lower than average in peak height and launch across all testing
Manufacturers remarks:
- The NEW TOUR B with REACTIV iQ is THE SMARTER TOUR BALL
- Proprietary NEW REACTIV iQ is a SMART cover technology that reacts to the force of impact
- MORE DISTANCE: REACTIV iQ rebounds quickly on tee shots, delivering explosive velocity and increased distance
- MORE CONTROL: REACTIV iQ stays on the face longer on approach shots, providing more spin and soft feel around the green
- Dual Dimple technology provides efficient trajectory and reduced drag through enhanced aerodynamics
- The TOUR B X with REACTIV iQ delivers increased ball speed for MAXIMUM DISTANCE off the tee and HIT & SIT performance on approach shots
- Bridgestone Golf is the #1 BALL FITTER IN GOLF: The TOUR B X is ideal for players with swing speeds OVER 105 MPH who want additional distance
- BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU assisted in the development of the NEW TOUR B X and he and MATT KUCHAR play it in professional competition
- The NEW TOUR B with REACTIV iQ is THE SMARTER TOUR BALL
- Proprietary NEW REACTIV iQ is a SMART cover technology that reacts to the force of impact
- MORE DISTANCE: REACTIV iQ rebounds quickly on tee shots, delivering explosive velocity and increased distance
- MORE CONTROL: REACTIV iQ stays on the face longer on approach shots, providing more spin and soft feel around the green
- Dual Dimple technology provides efficient trajectory and reduced drag through enhanced aerodynamics
- The TOUR B X with REACTIV iQ delivers increased ball speed for MAXIMUM DISTANCE off the tee and HIT & SIT performance on approach shots
Srixon Z-Star XV
The Srixon Z-Star XV is a high speed distance ball geared up to handle high end swing speeds. Its 4 layered dual core structure is coated with a spin-enhancing “super polymer” coating that digs-in to the grooves of your wedges for super green bites 🙂
The new 338 dimple pattern showed commendable flight even in gusty conditions, especially considering that it is not a low launch ball. Also, despite its slightly above 100 compressions, it still did not leave you longing for a softer ball on and around the green. On the “slightly less” expensive premium ball offerings the Srixon Z-Star XV will find many golfers happy to be teeing it up.
Our results and remarks:
- 85th percentile carry yards (115+ driver)
- 85th percentile total yards (115+ driver)
- 90th percentile ball speeds (115+ driver)
- Mid launch driver results across most swing speeds
- High peak height and descent angle for optimal approach
Manufacturers remarks:
FASTLAYER CORE
Soft at its center yet firm around its edge, FastLayer Core gives you speed and great feel so you can play with confidence and big distance. A special heat treatment bakes speed into the outer portions of the core yet leaves the center satisfyingly soft. And the transition from soft to firm happens gradually, giving you consistent performance shot-to-shot, club-to-club.
URETHANE COVER & SPIN SKIN WITH SERM
Every Z-STAR Series golf ball features an extra thin, thermoplastic urethane cover. For even more spin and control, we add our Spin Skin coating. This additional layer of urethane is only a few microns thick, but it uses Slide-Ring Material (SeRM) to increase friction and maximize spin on chips and pitches.
338 SPEED DIMPLE PATTERN
With their new, deeper dimensions, the redesigned 338 Speed Dimples on each Z-STAR Series golf ball punch through air for a penetrating launch. After launch, the dimples generate lift, driving the ball upward and maximizing glide distance during descent.
- NEW FastLayer Core Starts soft in the center and gradually becomes firm around its edge, giving high-speed players exceptional feel and plenty of ball speed for maximum distance. A newly formulated inner core adds resiliency for even more ball speed
- NEW Spin Skin with SeRM A soft, thermoplastic urethane cover features Spin Skin with SeRM, a durable coating with flexible molecular bonds. It digs deep into wedge and iron grooves, maximizing spin for more control and more stopping power
- NEW 338 Speed Dimple Pattern Less drag and more lift boosts overall distance and flies straight, even in the toughest wind conditions.
- 4 pc Premium Golf Ball
