High launch and low spin is a common recipe for generating distance off the tee. For our latest test with Golf Laboratories’ swing robot, we put 41 golf balls to the test to see how they performed with the driver.
As you’ll notice from the models listed below, there was some overlap in the low spin and high launch categories. Does that mean these balls are the perfect option for high launch and low spin? It depends on your game. The robot was swinging at 95 mph for this test — a common speed for most amateur golfers — so anything significantly above or below that number could see different results.
It’s also important to note balls in these categories are designed for distance, meaning you’re usually giving up some semblance of greenside control for more pop. That doesn’t mean greenside spin is non-existent, but it’s certainly something to consider if you’re chasing high launch and low spin.
(Methodology: Each ball model — 41 in all — was hit 10 times by the robot during driver testing, and the average of those hits was recorded.)
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Low Spin
Several golf balls designed for distance produced high launch and low spin numbers with the driver, which checks out with what we’ve seen in the past from these models. That being said, the difference in spin rate between the highest and lowest spinning balls tested was roughly 600 RPMs.
1. Callaway ERC Soft
2. Vice Drive
Vice Drive Golf Balls
3. Bridgestone e6
Bridgestone e6 Golf Balls
4. Mizuno RB 566
Mizuno RB 566 Golf Balls
5. Bridgestone Tour B RX
High Launch
Launch varied by less than 1 degree from the highest launching to the lowest launching at 95 mph. The tight launch delta is a reminder that you might see minor changes from one ball to the next with the same driver settings, but if you want to make meaningful changes, focus first on an adjustable driver head or shaft if you’re an average swing speed golfer.
1. Callaway ERC Soft
2. Titleist Tour Soft
3. Srixon Q Star Tour
4. Vice Drive
Vice Drive Golf Balls
5. Bridgestone e6
Bridgestone e6 Golf Balls
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