Why you should give this juiced (and illegal) golf ball to your kids

ORLANDO, Fla. — It looks like an ordinary golf ball. There’s nothing to the eye that would suggest otherwise. It’s only when you pick it up that things begin to feel slightly off. The ball itself feels like nothing. Like it’s about to float up out of your hand and away, like a golf ball with some balloon qualities.

But it turns out, that’s by design.

The ball is Lynx Golf’s forthcoming Hi-Fly AI golf ball. It’s slightly smaller than regulation-sized golf balls, and about 20 percent lighter. It doesn’t conform to USGA rules as a result, but that’s OK.

Lynx Golf is making junior golf sets a priority in 2020. The company is launching six color-coded sets of clubs along with matching apparel, and this AI golf ball is part of it. On display at the 2020 PGA Show, the idea is simple: Golf is really hard for new players, especially juniors. It may be a while before their swing speed gets up over 70 mph with a driver, and the prospect of watching your shots — even your good ones — dive quickly into the ground can be deeply discouraging.

Which explains the golf ball. The lighter, smaller ball is easier to get in the air and is designed to spin more. It’s a starter ball, effectively, one designed to be transitioned out as your game begins to improve.

But if you’re a seasoned golfer and wondering if you should invest in one yourself, try again. Any golfer with a swing speed over about 70 mph will experience an uncontrollable ball flight. The ball will spin greatly off the face56 and end up flying shorter than your regular golf ball.

That’s because this ball is not for you. It’s for your son or daughter, to help boost their confidence early in a game that can be hugely unwelcoming for newcomers.

The balls are officially launching in 2020 and will be available for purchase later this year.