One question on many fans’ lips during the Ryder Cup is always whose ball is used in foursomes?
It’s a big deal as players are so meticulous with their golf ball choice to the extent that it is always the first thing that goes in the bag.
Some players prefer a softer ball or perhaps a more-spinny option, so does that mean that golfers who use the same ball normally play together in the foursomes? Players’ ball choice can influence foursomes pairings, but not always.
Well, just because players use the same manufacturer and type of golf ball doesn’t necessarily mean that they will work well together.
Players may prefer to be paired with someone using a different manufacturer’s golf ball in the Ryder Cup because although they are different manufacturers, the balls themselves may have similar characteristics.
This used to be a bigger issue pre-2006, because in 2006Â foursomes partners were allowed to change to a different golf ball, and crucially a different compression, on each hole.
This means that in foursomes a player uses their partner’s ball off the tee on par-4s to ensure that their partner gets to hit their own ball into the green, because there isn’t as much difference seen in tee shots compared to how the ball flies on iron shots and reacts when it lands.
Rory McIlroy spoke about this ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup.
“I think all these golf balls react pretty similar with a driver. It’s more the iron shots and around the greens,” he said.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“If I’m playing with a guy that uses a different golf ball, I can just hit his golf ball off the tee. He’s able to hit it into the green and we go from there. Vice versa; he can hit my golf ball off the tee, and I can hit my ball into the green and do that.
“Yeah, it can get a little tricky and you’re chipping and putting and different feels of balls. I think a couple of days, hitting some, getting numbers with that golf ball. Spin rates is a big thing. Especially in the wind gets up in some of these elevations. Just if you’re into the wind, and, say, the other golf ball minutes 200 or 300 more RPMs more than your golf ball, that makes a huge difference into the wind.
“So just trying to get…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly RSS Feed…