More than half of the players in this year’s Ryder Cup will win with a championship ball. Seven out of 13 will use Pro V1X balls (higher flights and more spins than the Pro V1), while one player will use balls that others even use on the tour.
In a team game, the most misunderstood thinking behind the ball is that players don’t have to use one model throughout the game.
So in the foursome, A can open the game with the ball on odd holes and B can do the same ball on even holes, but then they have to finish the holes, pop up alternative shots, and hit the ball with them.
The rule has actually been running since 2006, although few people explain it. So, in this aspect of strategy, there is less responsibility, but, for example, you wouldn’t expect Rory McIlroy to pair with Jon Rahm, who plays Callaway ball.
Of course, today, senior balls are excellent and the difference is small outside the serving area. But, like any golfer, you do want to be familiar with the ball flying, feeling and spinning when hitting an approach or chip so that it is still a factor.
So, who plays what?
The choice of American team ball
Titleist Pro V1
Harris English
Scottie Scheffler
Titleist Pro V1X
Patrick Cantlay
Russell Henley
Justin Thomas
Titleist Pro V1X Double Point
Cameron Young
Bryson Devanmo
Callaway Chrome Tour
Xander Schauffele
Callaway Chrome Tour X
Sam Burning
Srixon Z-Star Diamond
JJ Spaun
Taylormade TP5
Collin Morikawa
Maxfli Tour X
Ben Griffin
Clues of the Ryder Cup
The simple assumption is that Ben Griffin won’t play tetrahedron, which may be the case anyway. With Lexi Thompson, the Americans who participated in the Maxfli Tour X golf entered the ball.
“I saw her playing it, and my caddie used to play for Lexi’s brother Curtis, thinking I should at least test Maxfli to see how it performed. There were about eight extra five yards for the initial test. Around the green, I didn’t see a lot of differences across the ball.
“That was when the distance between one side really started to attract me. Having a week away here became a priority.”
Additionally, DeChambeau has been using the Titleist Pro V1X dual point, which is designed for players who need lower flights and reduced rotation. So he and Cam Young are probably another rather explosive, paired with other shots.
Another interesting sub-picture is who partner Schefller? For all the topics of his good friend Sam Burns, it is probably more likely that Russell Henley is.
European teams’ ball selection
Taylormade TP5
Rory McIlroy
Taylormade TP5X
Tommy Fleetwood
Titleist Prov1
Viktor Hovland
Bob McIntyre
Titleist prov1x
Ludvig Aberg
Matt Fitzpatrick
Tyrrell Hatton
Justin Rose
Srixon Z-Star XV
Shane Lowry
Sepp Straka
Callaway Chrome Tour X
Rasmus Hojgaard
Jon Rahm
Clues of the Ryder Cup
Luke Donald records that the ball is a big factor in alignment with his four-man combination. Review of the Rome and Lowry/Straca axis, which was built on the Play Srixon Z-Star XV.
McIlroy and Fleetwood both play Taylormade and will definitely line up. One option for Fleetwood is to switch to McIlroy’s TP5 ball, and Aberg and Hovland seem to have determined what works best for them. Similarly, Hatton and Ram.
Two years ago, the four-man beat Europe 7-1, and all four pairs are back, so at least in the opening ceremony, we’ll see that it’s a repetition.
Lowry and Straka may have a subtle question mark on them, while Rose/MacIntyre is in a better form and unbeaten as a partnership.
Read the next article: In the meticulous preparations for the Ryder Cup in Europe
