If wedge kicks refuse to be controlled, it may not be your technique. It could be your golf ball.
At MyGolfSpy’s 2025 golf ball testthe biggest differences weren’t outside the driver. They were in the shortest of throws. At just 35 yards, the spin rate varied by nearly 4,000 rpm top to bottom, proving that cover material and construction have a massive impact on control.
Two quick truths
- Ionomer covers cost you the spin. Most budget balls with Surlyn or ionomer covers lost 1500–3000 rpm of greenside spin compared to urethane.
- Soft feel is not the same as high spin. Low compression balls often launch higher and slide off the clubface instead of hitting grooves.
For context, the highest-spinning ball, the TaylorMade TP5, averaged 6,026 rpm in the 35-yard wedge test. The five balls below were nowhere close.
Heading speed – 2058 rpm
Speed ​​is built to fly far, not to stop fast. Its hard ionomer putter produced the lowest greenside spin in the entire test, barely a third of the top model. On chip shots and fairways, it launches high and releases quickly, making it one of the most difficult balls to control on firm greens.
Try instead:
- Titleist Pro V1x — Higher flight with true wedge spin and a firmer urethane feel.
- Maxfli Tour X — Urethane value that maintains high driver distance while adding short game control.
TaylorMade SpeedSoft – 3,176 rpm
SpeedSoft lives up to its name, but the extremely low compression dampens groove friction on partial swings. The result is a ball that is easy to release, but pops up a lot more than most players expect. It may have a softer feel, but it lacks the stopping power needed to score shots.
Try instead:
- TaylorMade TP5 — The highest short game spin on the 2025 test, offering much better control around the greens.
- Deputy Pro — Lower cost urethane pattern that delivers consistent spin through irons and wedges.
Pinnacle Rush – 3,227 rpm
Rush is a classic distance ball. It’s fast, strong and cheap, but its Surlyn cover gives up a lot of control. At just over 3,200rpm, it was revving barely half as fast as the test driver. For barrel chasing players, this is good. If you’re looking to keep a green, it’s a challenge.
Try instead:
- Callaway Chrome Tour X — Tournament-grade ball that maintains distance while adding meaningful wedge spin.
- PXG Xtreme Tour X — One of the best urethane options in 2025, offering a solid bite without a premium price.
Titleist TruFeel – 4200 rpm
The soft TruFeel core makes it easy to release, but the ionomer coating limits the friction needed for control. Golfers who like the soft feel of the tee will need to move up to urethane to gain true stopping power on the green side.
Try instead:
- Titleist Pro V1 — Balanced flight and spin profile that works at all swing speeds.
- Wilson Triad — Mid-priced urethane with predictable spin and distance control.
Srixon Q-STAR Ultispeed – 4,364 rpm
The Ultispeed is Srixon’s distance-focused ionomer designed to deliver easy launches and lots of speed throughout the swing speeds. In our wedge test, however, it couldn’t match its urethane siblings for greenside spin. At just over 4300 rpm, the shots were launched high and released rather than caught.
Try instead:
- Srixon Z-STAR DIAMOND — Tour-level spin and flight control with stronger feel through impact.
- Vice Pro Plus — Compact, fast urethane ball with mid-flight trajectory and reliable bite.
end
If you can’t catch the ball when you want to, the problem may not be your technique. It could be your ball. Every ball listed here is well below the 6,000 rpm of top performers like the TP5, TOUR B XS, and Chrome Tour X. Try some of the alternatives we suggest and see the difference.
Post Can’t swing around the Greens? The reason may be these 5 golf balls appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
