Page 3: Explaining golf ball compression

Compression is a measure of how much the ball compresses or squashes against the clubface when struck. The amount of deformation affects the energy transfer from the club to the ball. The more a ball is compressed, the further it will travel as it rebounds off the club.

Most golf balls range between 40 and 100 in compression.

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Low-compression balls tend to be softer and compress more easily to help beginners and higher handicap players with slower swing speeds create more distance.

Higher-compression balls are harder and are used by better players who can produce faster swing speeds to still achieve the distance while gaining better control.

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If someone with a high swing speed uses a low compression ball they will compress it more than is ideal and it will not perform as well. 

In colder weather a higher-compression ball will feel more like a rock and players may opt for a lower-compression ball to achieve more feel.

Manufacturers rarely advertise the compression rating, preferring to categorise through feel.