Balls

These golf balls recorded the highest spin rates during our robot testing

By: Jonathan Wall
several golf balls on turf

Our robot testing shows which balls generate the highest spin rate with driver and wedge.

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Understanding spin rates is essential if you want to get the most out of your current gear setup. Too little spin throughout the bag can rob you of carry distance, while too much spin could have the opposite effect and send the ball into the stratosphere with a suboptimal launch and spin rate.

The goal is to search for a “Goldilocks” ball that has the ideal spin rate and launch angle for your game, so for the latest round of robot testing, we focused on models generating the highest spin rate with driver and wedge (50 yards) at 95 mph. If you’re in need of more spin to optimize carry, consider picking up a few of these balls to test on your own.

Methodology: Each ball model — 41 in all — was hit 10 times by the robot during driver and wedge testing, and the average of those hits was recorded.

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Driver Results (M < 95 mph)

Spin is necessary to achieve an optimal carry and peak height with the driver, so don’t assume low spin is the only way to gain more distance. It’s important to point out that half of the balls we tested had a driver spin rate that was within 280 RPMs or less of the five listed below.

Similar to ball speed — you’ll notice a trend here with drivers — there was much bunching going on in the spin department. The tight spin rate delta reinforce that you can use the ball to fine-tune spin characteristics with the driver.

1. TaylorMade TP5

TaylorMade TP5 Pix Golf Balls

$49.99
TOUR VALIDATED VISUAL TECHNOLOGY From the unmatched style and performance of Rickie Fowler comes the Tour-validated performance of pix with ClearPath Alignment™. INNOVATION YOU CAN SEE ClearPath Alignment™ is the most innovative visual technology in the game. Not only does it enhance visibility, but it also provides Tour-proven functionality to aid alignment on the green and help you gauge the quality of your putting stroke. The only way to see it is to play it. TOUR INSPIRATION We teamed with Rickie Fowler to develop a ball that reflects his swagger and delivers the performance he demands. Inspired by the results, fellow OSU Cowboy Matthew Wolff made the switch to pix™ and never looked back. INCREASED CARRY WITH NEW TOUR FLIGHT DIMPLE PATTERN The new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern unlocks the next level of aerodynamics while promoting maximum carry distances and a steep angle of descent for extra stopping power, especially on long irons.
 
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2. TaylorMade TP5x

TaylorMade TP5x Pix Golf Balls

$49.99
TOUR VALIDATED VISUAL TECHNOLOGY From the unmatched style and performance of Rickie Fowler comes the Tour-validated performance of pix with ClearPath Alignment™. INNOVATION YOU CAN SEE ClearPath Alignment™ is the most innovative visual technology in the game. Not only does it enhance visibility, but it also provides Tour-proven functionality to aid alignment on the green and help you gauge the quality of your putting stroke. The only way to see it is to play it. TOUR INSPIRATION We teamed with Rickie Fowler to develop a ball that reflects his swagger and delivers the performance he demands. Inspired by the results, fellow OSU Cowboy Matthew Wolff made the switch to pix™ and never looked back. INCREASED AERODYNAMICS WITH NEW TOUR FLIGHT DIMPLE PATTERN The all-new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern unlocks the next level of aerodynamics while still promoting maximum carry distances and a steep angle of descent for stopping power, especially on long irons. IMPROVED GREENSIDE SPIN & FEEL While maintaining the formula that makes TP5x a leader in speed and distance, we’ve added a softer cast urethane cover for increased groove interaction on greenside shots for more spin and improved feel.
 
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3. Titleist Pro V1x

Titleist 2023 Pro V1x Golf Balls

$54.99
  Pro V1x is the optimal premium performance choice for players looking for maximum distance, who need higher flight and more stopping power. Pro V1x is most frequently recommended for players with launch conditions that are naturally low in height and low in spin. Pro V1x is the choice of Justin Thomas, Danielle Kang, and Matt Fitzpatrick, to name a few. Available in White. High Optic Yellow coming soon. Features High Flight Trajectory Maximum Short Game Spin Firm Feel
 
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4. Wilson Staff Triad

Wilson Staff Triad

$39.99
Triad delivers powerful, precision performance that helps you find fairways, attack pins and sink putts. Triad is engineered for long, stable flight, tenacious control on approach shots and pinpoint accuracy for straighter putts.
 
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5. Mizuno RB Tour X

Mizuno RB Tour X Tour Golf Balls

$42.99
After 99 prototypes and the most exhaustive testing we’ve put a Mizuno ball through, we created the perfect duo for our next generation of tour players. Both the RB Tour and RB Tour X feel sensationally soft at impact, as you would expect from Mizuno. Both lower spinning and efficient from the driver. With an AXIALFLOW dimple that creates a high launch from the driver (compared to other tour-type balls) and a flatter flight from the short irons (compared to other tour-type balls). AXIALFLOW DIMPLE On full shots, the new dimple generates a higher driver flight and flatter wedge flight, when compared to other tour-level balls. JUST 272 DIMPLES FOR A MORE DEFINED LOOK A larger, more defined dimple creates a more precise outline and visual effect preferred by the majority of our testers. SENSATIONALLY SOFT FEEL IS NOT EVERYTHING A soft feel is always expected from Mizuno – but the new RB Tour cover was tested for over three years to ensure its durability is equally satisfying. OUR MOST EXHAUSTIVELY TESTED BALLS EVER Mizuno set 2 R&D teams the task of working in parallel for over three years to identify the ideal balance of construction, compression, dimple configuration and cover.  
 
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Wedge Results (50 yards)

Spin is necessary to hold the green. But before you assume the five listed here are the runaway winners, consider this: While the spin rate delta between the highest and lowest spinning balls was a staggering 3,300 RPMs, only 800 RPMs separated 31 balls on the list. That’s our way of saying not to sweat the results too much if you aren’t playing one of the five balls below.

In the end, urethane balls, or those with a cover modifier that helps induce spin, bring the zip, while surlyn tends to do what it does best — improve distance with a slight downtick in greenside spin.

1. TaylorMade TP5

TaylorMade TP5 Pix Golf Balls

$49.99
TOUR VALIDATED VISUAL TECHNOLOGY From the unmatched style and performance of Rickie Fowler comes the Tour-validated performance of pix with ClearPath Alignment™. INNOVATION YOU CAN SEE ClearPath Alignment™ is the most innovative visual technology in the game. Not only does it enhance visibility, but it also provides Tour-proven functionality to aid alignment on the green and help you gauge the quality of your putting stroke. The only way to see it is to play it. TOUR INSPIRATION We teamed with Rickie Fowler to develop a ball that reflects his swagger and delivers the performance he demands. Inspired by the results, fellow OSU Cowboy Matthew Wolff made the switch to pix™ and never looked back. INCREASED CARRY WITH NEW TOUR FLIGHT DIMPLE PATTERN The new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern unlocks the next level of aerodynamics while promoting maximum carry distances and a steep angle of descent for extra stopping power, especially on long irons.
 
View Product

2. Mizuno RB Tour X

Mizuno RB Tour X Tour Golf Balls

$42.99
After 99 prototypes and the most exhaustive testing we’ve put a Mizuno ball through, we created the perfect duo for our next generation of tour players. Both the RB Tour and RB Tour X feel sensationally soft at impact, as you would expect from Mizuno. Both lower spinning and efficient from the driver. With an AXIALFLOW dimple that creates a high launch from the driver (compared to other tour-type balls) and a flatter flight from the short irons (compared to other tour-type balls). AXIALFLOW DIMPLE On full shots, the new dimple generates a higher driver flight and flatter wedge flight, when compared to other tour-level balls. JUST 272 DIMPLES FOR A MORE DEFINED LOOK A larger, more defined dimple creates a more precise outline and visual effect preferred by the majority of our testers. SENSATIONALLY SOFT FEEL IS NOT EVERYTHING A soft feel is always expected from Mizuno – but the new RB Tour cover was tested for over three years to ensure its durability is equally satisfying. OUR MOST EXHAUSTIVELY TESTED BALLS EVER Mizuno set 2 R&D teams the task of working in parallel for over three years to identify the ideal balance of construction, compression, dimple configuration and cover.  
 
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3. Oncore Vero X2

OnCore Vero X2

 
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4. Srixon Z Star

Srixon Z-Star White

$39.99
Now in its sixth generation, the Srixon Z-STAR provides maximum greenside spin for unmatched control and stopping power, while also being longer than other mid-compression tour balls. Its premium three-piece construction gives skilled player complete tour performance, tee to green. *Shipping charges on all golf balls. See final total at checkout
 
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5. TaylorMade TP5x

TaylorMade TP5x Pix Golf Balls

$49.99
TOUR VALIDATED VISUAL TECHNOLOGY From the unmatched style and performance of Rickie Fowler comes the Tour-validated performance of pix with ClearPath Alignment™. INNOVATION YOU CAN SEE ClearPath Alignment™ is the most innovative visual technology in the game. Not only does it enhance visibility, but it also provides Tour-proven functionality to aid alignment on the green and help you gauge the quality of your putting stroke. The only way to see it is to play it. TOUR INSPIRATION We teamed with Rickie Fowler to develop a ball that reflects his swagger and delivers the performance he demands. Inspired by the results, fellow OSU Cowboy Matthew Wolff made the switch to pix™ and never looked back. INCREASED AERODYNAMICS WITH NEW TOUR FLIGHT DIMPLE PATTERN The all-new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern unlocks the next level of aerodynamics while still promoting maximum carry distances and a steep angle of descent for stopping power, especially on long irons. IMPROVED GREENSIDE SPIN & FEEL While maintaining the formula that makes TP5x a leader in speed and distance, we’ve added a softer cast urethane cover for increased groove interaction on greenside shots for more spin and improved feel.
 
View Product

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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