What golf ball did you use in your last fitting? It better be the golf ball you’re playing most often.
On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped, Bryan LaRoche, owner of Fleming Island, FL’s BryanGolf, explains where golf ball comes into his fitting process.
While he stated that players don’t normally show up to his shop looking to get fit into a new golf ball, LaRoche starts with the ball they are currently using and makes changes when he needs to.
For example, if he sees that a player needs more spin across the board, he may suggest playing a different golf ball.
How to find the perfect golf ball for your game, according to a Tour fitter
By:
Johnny Wunder
“That X ball from Callaway [Chrome Tour X], if somebody needs two or three hundred RPMs of extra spin throughout the bag, I’m just putting it in their bag immediately and saying, ‘This is the ball you need to buy, whether you do it or not. Like, that’s on you. But I’m telling you, this is perfect,’” LaRoche said.
That’s why it’s crucial to start with the ball you’ve been playing and planned on playing, because what ball you should play can depend on what your clubs are set up to do. Fully Equipped co-host Jake Morrow made this point later on in the discussion.
Callaway 2024 Chrome Tour X Golf Balls
Chrome Tour X is the new gold standard in Tour Balls. From core to cover, every detail in the new Chrome Tour X has been optimized for the best players seeking speed and the ultimate in control.
HYPER FAST SOFT CORE
New Hyper Fast Soft Core is designed to produce maximum ball speed for long distance.
SEAMLESS TOUR AERO
New Seamless Tour Aero delivers a consistent penetrating ball flight on every shot.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE TOUR URETHANE SOFT COVER
New High-Performance Tour Urethane Soft Cover consistently delivers maximum greenside control.
View Product
“I think everybody has a golf ball that works best for them, but I also think it’s based on the equipment that you’re playing,” Morrow said. “So you kind of have to make the decision of like, for example, the best thing to do if you’re going into Bryan’s bay is to bring in a sleeve of the ball that you use and then test with Bryan with your golf ball.
“And then if Bryan sees something wrong, he can’t get a number that he wants out of the fitting because of that golf ball, then he can make the opportunity to change.”
But there’s also a flipside to that when someone is committed to a certain golf ball based on feel, greenside performance or other factors.
“If you walk in there and somebody’s like, ‘Hey, I live and die by this golf ball,’” he added. “Well, that’s good to know. That’s amazing for your fitter to know so that you can build around the ball.”
