Matte golf balls are slowly becoming more popular in the golfing world.
While there is no significant difference between matte and regular golf balls, some people say that they feel like they hit the ball farther when playing with them.
Which type of golf ball should you use?
In this article, we’ll have a look at the common questions golfers have when it comes to matte golf balls vs regular golf balls.
Last update on 2024-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Matte golf balls vs regular golf balls
Regular golf balls have a shiny, smooth finish. Matte golf balls are the same in every aspect, even when it comes to the surface. Theoretically, this should make them ideal for controlling your shots.
The difference is the outer layer finish. Matte golf balls have a textured finish and come in bright colors.
They are designed to help with visibility.
Matte golf balls are slightly more expensive than regular ones.
Do matte finish golf balls make a difference?
They do, but not as much as you might think.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that a matte finish affects how far a ball will travel or whether it offers any advantage to a golfer.
So what’s the point of a matte golf ball?
The biggest advantage matte golf balls over is the visibility they offer.
The matte finish on golf balls is designed to reduce the amount of glare reflected by the sun making it easier to track as they fly through the air.
Matte golf balls are slightly easier to spot against sky or tree backgrounds.
Do matte finish golf balls spin more?
There is a debate in the golfing world going on at the moment where players try to determine whether matte finish golf balls spin more.
Some golfers believe that matte balls spin faster in the dry but slow down in wet conditions.
However, they are wrong.
The results of tests with high-speed cameras show that both types of golf ball (matte and regular) lose almost the same amount of speed when playing under
Do matte golf balls go further?
Some golfers claim that the main reason they prefer to use matte balls is that they go further than regular balls.
Again, there is no evidence to back this statement.
Many other factors have a much bigger effect on the performance of the golf ball.
The type of core, compression rating, and even the swing speed of the player will all have a much bigger impact on how far a golf ball will travel.
What is the easiest golf ball color to see?
There is a popular belief among recreational golfers that bright yellow and orange colored golf balls are the easiest to see.
However, this is not the case.
The bright yellow ball is slightly easier to see than orange, but they are both far less effective at being spotted in the long grass.
The best color to play with if you want to make sure that your ball stands out is white.
White balls are extremely easy to see, but they do sometimes become hard to see in the sky when it’s bright and sunny or overcast.
For days like this, a yellow golf ball is a good substitute.
Why don’t pro golfers use colored balls?
The golf balls pro golfers use are often not available in a colored option. This means they don’t have the option of using a colored ball.
And the reason most recreational golfers use colored balls is to help with visibility if they struggle to see the white golf ball.
Professional golfers don’t have this issue. They have spotters to help them find any stray balls.
They, therefore, don’t need to worry about losing sight of balls in the air.
How do you clean a matte golf ball?
To clean a matte golf ball, you should apply some dishwashing liquid and warm water to the ball.
Rinse and then dry it with a towel or cloth.
Do this at least once per week to stop your matte balls from becoming discolored.
Final Thoughts
Do matte finish golf balls make a difference? They do, but not as much as you might think.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that a matte finish affects how far a ball will travel or whether it offers any advantage to a golfer.
The biggest advantage of matte balls over regular ones is their visibility in the air – they are easier to spot against sky or tree backgrounds than regular finishing clubs.
If you don’t struggle with white balls, then there’s no need to change to matte golf balls.