High Swing Speed, Low Compression Ball

[colin007]

are there any drawbacks to hitting a lower compression ball with a higher swing speed?

specifically, im talking about the bridgestone e5 vs the e6. i have been playing the e6, and it feels nice, but i feel like i need more spin. i noticed that the e5, while not a 3 piece, has a urethane cover which gives it more spin than the surlyn covered e6 - the issue is that its designed for a player with a slow swing speed.

are there any issues with this? and no, i dont want to spend any more than $25 a dozen.

[Chief Broom]

specifically, im talking about the bridgestone e5 vs the e6.

It's my understanding that the e5+ is higher compression than the e6+, so you've actually been playing a low compression ball already. The e5+ is definitely Bridgestone's mid priced high spin offering, so if it's spin you're after then the e5+ may well be the ball for you.

[colin007]

It's my understanding that the e5+ is higher compression than the e6+, so you've actually been playing a low compression ball already. The e5+ is definitely Bridgestone's mid priced high spin offering, so if it's spin you're after then the e5+ may well be the ball for you.

so am i getting my terminology wrong? a softer ball is has a higher compression? my question still remains, are there any issues with performance in hitting a softer ball at a high swing speed?

[klaymon]

I was pretty sure the e6+ is the softer-core of the two balls. Feels pretty buttery to me anyway.

[colin007]

it feels soft to me too, but im pretty sure that the e5 is softer (for people who cant compress a firmer ball).

[klaymon]

e6+ is the softer ball. Check Bridgestones web site.

[Chief Broom]

so am i getting my terminology wrong? a softer ball is has a higher compression?

No you've got it right. A "softer" ball has lower compression. And the e6+ is Bridgestone's low compression mid priced ball. The only problem you'll have swinging fast on a low compression ball is that you would lose some distance. A harder ball will go farther with a higher swing speed. Inversely a slower speed will lose distance with a harder ball because they can't compress it enough for optimal launch conditions. Personally I imagine these differences are minor unless you're really swinging fast (say 120mph or more).

It also sounds like you believe the e5+ to feel softer than the e6+. I've never noticed any difference in feel between the two balls, but I don't notice much difference between any balls, so I'm not the guy to ask about that. Still Bridgestone maintains that the e5+ has higher compression than the e6+ or e7+.

[colin007]

It also sounds like you believe the e5+ to feel softer than the e6+. I've never noticed any difference in feel between the two balls, but I don't notice much difference between any balls, so I'm not the guy to ask about that. Still Bridgestone maintains that the e5+ has higher compression than the e6+ or e7+.

i havent felt much difference in the feel of the ball (i only played with the e5for about 2 holes) but i was thinking that with the urethane cover it would spin more. golf digest did some testing and it showed that the e5 spins significantly more than the e6

[MPforthewin]

I know in the past a lower compression ball would have a tendency to balloon a bit when used by a higher swing speed player, but I cant speak to whether or not that is the case with the Bridgestone. In any case, if you like the way the ball feels and performs, then that is all that matters.

[iWALK18]

While I don't know the technical answer to your question, I am playing the e5+, and I do have a high swing speed, and I don't see any real issues with using this ball. My distance has been fine using this ball. They are worth a try for sure.

I started using them because of the cover, and I'm happy with the decision. You get less spin than the higher end Bridgestone balls, and the Pro Vs, but its an improvement over surlyn balls IMHO.

[-Mini-]

so am i getting my terminology wrong? a softer ball is has a higher compression?

you won't be hitting the ball as far as you would if you used a harder ball. As at impact the ball absorbs the energy from the club and thats how it moves. With a softer ball it absorbs more of the energy than a firmer ball so it doesn't have that extra energy to go further.

Basically physics tells you it will go further if you have a high swing speed and use a harder ball.

[iacas]

Basically physics tells you it will go further if you have a high swing speed and use a harder ball.

To add to this, here's how it goes: a firmer ball will ALWAYS have more ball speed than a softer ball.

The only reason to use a softer ball for distance off the tee is if you don't generate enough spin with the firmer ball(s) - something that's highly unlikely with a high swing speed.

[TheNatural]

No you've got it right. A "softer" ball has lower compression. And the e6+ is Bridgestone's low compression mid priced ball. The only problem you'll have swinging fast on a low compression ball is that you would lose some distance. A harder ball will go farther with a higher swing speed. Inversely a slower speed will lose distance with a harder ball because they can't compress it enough for optimal launch conditions. Personally I imagine these differences are minor unless you're really swinging fast (say 120mph or more).

Good answer chief broom.