2 piece, 3 piece, 4 piece golf balls? What on Earth does it mean?
This is the number of layers or materials within a golf ball. I will use Srixon products as examples as I am now a stockist here in the UK.
The outer layer of a golf ball is normally Surlyn, Ionomer (2 piece balls) or Urethane (3/4 piece balls).
Ionomer covers are more durable. Srixon AD333, Soft Feel and Ulti Soft 2 piece balls.
Urethane is the very best way to get spin with your wedges. Srixon Z Star and Q Star Tour. 3 piece balls.
120mph Driver speed golfer: Hits the ball at 120, 100, 80, 60 during a round…The ball squashes differently for all of these shots. Best with 3/4 piece balls.
80mph Driver speed golfer: Hits the ball at 80, 70, 60 during a round… The ball squashes much less at this range of speed. Best with 2/3 piece balls.
The extra layers are designed to react to these varying speeds within a round of golf and the compression is the best way to match this to each golfer.
An 80mph Driver speed will not squash in to the 4 pieces of a Srixon Z Star XV. But the 3 piece Q Star Tour provides a better compression for 80mph and still has all the lovely grip you may want with the wedges.
Srixon Z Star XV 100+ mph 4 piece Urethane Compression 102 – £34.99 per dozen
Srixon Z Star 90+ mph 3 piece Urethane Compression 90 – £34.99 per dozen
Srixon Q Star Tour 75+ mph 3 piece Urethane Compression 72 – £29.99 per dozen
Srixon Q Star Tour Divide (like the old Ping) – JUNE STOCK – waiting list
Srixon AD333 75+ mph 2 piece Ionomer Compression 77 – £19.99 per dozen
Srixon Soft Feel All mph 2 piece Ionomer Compression 60 – £19.99 per dozen
Srixon Ulti-Soft All mph 2 piece Ionomer Compression 42 – £19.99 per dozen
The AD333 is the best selling 2 piece ball in the UK and has been for as long as I can remember!
I think the new Q Star Tour opens up a new level of short game control in comparison with very similar driver performance. Could be worth that extra spend for the Urethane cover for some golfers.