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Wilson Ultra Golf Balls Review

Published: 05 October 2016 Last updated: 23 August 2017

At a glance

• TG Rating 4 out of 5
• Owner Rating 4 out of 5

Great for distance

Lacks greenside control

• RRP £11.99

What we say...

Ultra golf balls have always combined excellent value with outstanding performance the new Ultra Ultimate Distance ball continues that tradition.

Guaranteed cutproof cover for ultimate playability and high energy titanium core which generates maximum initial velocity, combining to give maximum distance allowed by the rules of golf.

The features of the Ultra Ultimate Distance ball from Wilson include a higher Spin rate and softer cover for feel and control, a high powered titanium core for maxim distance and optimum spin for maximum control.

Chris Ryan, PGA professional: “Ultra has a heritage of being long off the tee, and this Wilson Ultra is ideally suited to anyone who is more interested in distance than feel. As joint longest budget ball, it should be considered good value, especially when the price is for a 15 ball pack.”

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Product Information

Your reviews, wilson staff balls user reviews.

4 out of 5 My first golf balls 02 September 2010

By GolfGhoul

 These were my first balls and obviously they are great for a beginner. They go a long way and have a firm feel around the green. Not too expensive so you wouldn't worry if you lost many.

4 out of 5 Good value ball 09 March 2007

By Anonymous

Perfect ball for beginner or high handicapper who loses more balls than your average golfer

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Wilson Staff FG Tour Golf Ball Review

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50 Words or Less

The lowest compression tour ball on the market.  Soft feel with strong performance in every facet of the game.

Introduction

I make little secret of my disdain for the Golf Digest Hot List, but they do occasionally get things right.  One example of this is that they awarded a gold to the latest incarnation of the Wilson Staff FG Tour golf ball.

Though Wilson Staff has flown under the radar in terms of tour level golf balls, they’ve been making some of the best for the last few years.  This latest version continues in that tradition, minus the “under the radar” part.

With a compression rating of only 70, the Wilson Staff FG Tour ball is one of the softest tour balls that you’ll ever feel.  This is particularly noticeable in the long game, where the ball has more of that “compress and explode” feel than other tour balls.  With the putter,  the FG Tour is still very soft, but it avoids the pitfall of being a marshmallow on longer putts.  Short putts have just a soft “thud,” but longer putts have a slightly firmer click that I found helpful for distance control.

With its lower compression, I expected that the FG Tour would be a higher spinning golf ball in the long game, but I was proven incorrect.  Off the driver, the spin rates place it right in the middle of the pack for tour balls and the ball speed is very good.

The most noticeable characteristic on the course was that the ball played very well in the wind.  We’re having a fairly windy spring here in Chicago, but I didn’t need to give the wind any extra consideration with this ball.  The FG Tour held its lines well and flew on a strong trajectory into the breeze.

The Wilson Staff FG Tour is equally impressive in the short game.  As I mentioned, the feel of this ball is very helpful in terms of gauging distance on longer putts – it’s just firm enough that you don’t feel like you need to slam it to get it to the hole.

Around the green, the FG Tour provides plenty of spin .  Launch monitor testing confirmed my on-course impression that this ball is slightly above average for a tour ball when it comes to spin on full and half wedge shots.

Who This Ball is For

Good players who want a tour-level ball with softer feel.

If you want all the best attributes of a tour level ball, but don’t feel compelled to play the same ball that everyone else does, I’d recommend giving the Wilson Staff FG Tour serious consideration.  It delivers in all facets of the game and gives you some of the softest feel of any tour ball on the market.

Wilson Staff FG Tour Golf Ball (1)

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Wilson Staff FG Tour Golf Ball (5)

Wilson Staff FG Tour Golf Ball (6)

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Agree!! Just shot my lowest score in a decade (74) w/ the FG Tour ball. Previous ball of choice Pro V.

The FG tour ball rips through the wind and grabs the green like and old balata ball back in the day. Awesome ball.

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Wilson Golf Tour Velocity Distance, 15 Balls, White, Compression 70, Ionomer for Maximum Distance

About this item.

• Hard cover material generates optimal ball trajectory for maximum distance and roll
• Mid compression core for increased feel and playability on short game and approach shots
• Enhanced aerodynamic dimple pattern provides superior performance and increased power off the tee
• Product_Type: Recreation_Ball

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From the manufacturer.

For 100 years, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 62 major championships. The winning tradition continues today by delivering the high quality equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the course and overall enjoyment of the game.

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The 10 Best Wilson Golf Balls

Wilson possesses 7 decades of golf ball manufacturing experience, enabling them to build a diverse range of balls for slow, mid, and high swing speeds.

What’s the best Wilson golf ball for you in 2024?

• Wilson Triad  – Best for most golfers
• Wilson Staff Zip  – Best budget pick
• Tour Velocity Accuracy  – Most forgiving ball

After reading the best Wilson golf ball review below, you will know whether your swing is suited to the 4-piece Staff Model, 2-layer Duo Soft, or the 3-piece Triad.

My principal purpose is to guide you based on your swing speed, desired shot shape, and launch angle and spin preferences. You’ll learn which golf ball suits every clubhead speed and skill level.

At the end of this Wilson golf ball review, you will know the different constructions of their golf balls and how it impacts driver spin, ball speed, flight, and wedge spin.

Here is what we will cover:

• The Top 10 Wilson golf balls for 2024 with specs, pros, and cons
• How to choose the best Wilson golf ball for your swing
• Which Wilson golf ball is best for each swing speed
• Are Wilson golf balls any good?

Top 3 Wilson Golf Balls

Are wilson golf balls good.

• 1) Wilson Triad  – Overall Best Wilson Golf Ball
• 2) Wilson Staff Zip – Best Budget Wilson Balls
• 3) Tour Velocity Accuracy – Most Forgiving Best Wilson Golf Balls
• 4) Staff 50 Elite – Best Wilson Ball For Slow Swing Speed
• 5) Staff Duo Soft – Best Wilson Golf Ball For Ladies
• 6) Wilson Smart Core – Best Wilson For Moderate Swing Speed

7) Staff Model R – Best Wilson For Mid Handicappers

• 8) Staff Model – Best Wilson Golf Ball For Fast Swing Speed
• 9) Staff Duo Optix – Easiest Wilson Golf Ball To See
• 10) Ultra 500 Straight – Straightest Wilson Golf Ball

Why You Should Trust Us

Compression, cover material, who makes wilson golf balls, do any pros use wilson golf balls, are wilson golf balls any good.

With over 70 years of golf ball manufacturing, Wilson golf balls are good. The company has a robust portfolio of golf balls ranging from entry-level 2-piece distance balls to complex 4-layer tour balls.

In my experience, their distance golf balls  provide ample yardage, low driver spin, and accelerated ball speed.

In addition, their lower compression rating  makes it easier to launch high and long for slow swingers. However, they are rock-hard and provide limited mid and short-game spin.

Conversely, the company also manufactures Tour-level golf balls , which limit spin and blast your ball on long shots while increasing spin and control on short strikes. These golf balls consist of 3 or 4 layers and typically possess a soft urethane cover responsible for increased wedge spin.

Read more: The Best Golf Balls on the Market

The Best Wilson Golf Ball Reviews For 2024

1) wilson triad   – overall best wilson golf ball.

• More affordable than other urethane golf balls
• Lowers driver spin
• Accelerates ball speed
• Produces increased spin on mid and short shots
• Optimal balance in the air
• Only available in one color
• The higher compression rating is not suited to slow swing speeds.
• Construction:  3-layers
• Cover Material:  Urethane
• Compression:  85
• Colors: White

The Triad places at the top of our Wilson golf balls review for 2024 thanks to its low driver spin, accelerated pace, and increased wedge spin. In addition, it is priced well below the standard asking price of a urethane-covered golf ball.

The 3-piece design acquires its name from its triple balance core structure, which places the center of gravity (CG) exactly where it should be. As a result, I found the ball was more stable through the air and maintained forward momentum upon landing.

Besides its masterfully crafted core, the Triad restricted spin on high-impact shots and increased ball speed for a consistent launch and maximum distance. Conversely, the ultra-thin urethane cover caused the ball to stick on the face of my wedges and short irons for longer, prompting rampant spin.

Despite its positive qualities, the mid to high compression rating may cause challenges for slow swing speeds. As a result, I recommend lower-mid and low handicappers consider the tour white, 3-piece Wilson Triad.

Rating: 4.5

2) wilson staff zip  – best budget wilson balls.

• Entry-level price tag
• Low compression suits slow swing speed
• Restricts driver spin
• Drag-resistant dimple pattern
• Minimal short and mid-game spin
• Construction:  2-layers
• Cover Material:  Ionomer
• Compression:  50

When you are just starting out, you will probably lose golf balls, and as a result, require as many as possible for as affordable as you can find. The Wilson Staff Zip golf balls hold the answer to this challenge featuring a bulk two-dozen pack which is considerably cheaper than other distance golf balls.

The 50 compression rate Staff Zip balls are suited to moderate and low swing speeds requiring additional spring off the clubface.  In my experience, the low compression made it easy to boost ball velocity and generate an increased launch.

My yardage results were prompted by the advanced Zero Compression Core and velocity-initiating ionomer cover. While the ionomer is effective for distance, I struggled to produce meaningful spin levels around the green.

Wilson engineers employed a 302 Phd Dimple Technology around the ionomer, which created shallow dimples. I thought they were effective as they propelled my ball through the air eliminating drag on the go.

Read more: The Best Golf Balls for Average Golfers

3) tour velocity accuracy  – most forgiving best wilson golf balls.

• Promotes straighter shots
• Limits driver spin
• Increases ball speed
• Minimal greenside spin
• Not ideal for super slow swing speed.
• Cover Material:  Surlyn

A forgiving golf ball provides the average player consistent speed, low spin, and straighter flight. This year, the Tour Velocity Accuracy proved a highly merciful companion from tee to green, thanks to its spin-resisting solid cover.

The Tour Velocity is an affordable golf ball that appeals to slower swing speeds, such as beginners and senior golfers. During testing, the Surlyn cover proved effective in minimizing spin and exploding my ball off the clubface for a combination of accuracy and distance.

Although the ball provided more feel on shorter shots than its ionomer peers, it does not compare with the Staff Model or Triad. I produced restricted greenside spin, making it challenging to stop my ball rapidly on approach.

I enjoyed the 400 dimples on the Velocity Accuracy, which helped it fly uninterrupted for optimal carry distance and roll upon landing. Finally, the 85 compression rating makes this golf ball best suited to mid and high-handicappers with moderate to fast swing speed.

4) Staff 50 Elite  – Best Wilson Ball For Slow Swing Speed

• Restricts spin
• Elevates your launch
• Aerodynamic dimple pattern
• Produces optimal carry distance
• Higher swing speeds may balloon their shots
• Colors: White, Yellow, Pink, Orange

Golfers with slower swing speeds require a low-compression golf ball , which increases spring off the clubface for accelerated velocity. The Staff 50 Elite delivers in this department by promoting improved acceleration through impact for higher ball speed and an increased launch.

The innovative rubber core takes center stage to boost energy transfer on long shots for lower spin and improved zip. As a result, slower swing speeds produce a consistent pace at contact to send your ball high, straight, and long.

Admittedly, I enjoyed an element of feedback on greenside shots, which is unexpected from most distance golf balls. However, it is not enough to convince a superior golfer to stock them in the bag.

A 302 Phd dimple pattern works wonders in the air on your long game as it dexterously navigates through the sky, abolishing drag. Finally, the 50 compression golf ball is crafted in pink, yellow, orange, and white to suit all tastes.

5) Staff Duo Soft  – Best Wilson Golf Ball For Ladies

• Super soft compression rating makes it easy to launch
• Boosts ball speed
• Limits long game spin
• Promotes straighter ball flight
• Available in 5 colors
• Minimal spin on short game shots
• Higher swing speeds may sky shots due to the low compression
• Compression:  40
• Colors: White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Green

Ladies operating with slower swing speeds need a soft compression golf ball that springs off the clubface and boosts pace on long shots. The low, 40 compression-rated Staff Duo Soft packs all these features into a 2-piece golf ball with an ionomer cover.

I welcomed the enhanced energy transfer between the clubface and golf ball, which boosted the spring off the clubface. As a result, I imparted maximum zip on the golf ball to produce a high launch and ample distance.

Ladies are not the only ones who can benefit from the added speed and distance. Beginners and seniors should also give it a crack. My length was further improved by the hard, ionomer cover minimized spin and promoted improved ball speed.

The reduced spin also helped to reduce the damage of off-center strikes, which those with an erratic long game will appreciate. Finally, the 302 dimpled golf ball is crafted in 5 colors, ranging from white to yellow, green, orange, and red.

6) Wilson Smart Core  – Best Wilson For Moderate Swing Speed

• Adapts to your swing speed for optimal results
• Lowers long game spin
• Provides more feedback on short shots than other distance balls
• Durable ionomer cover
• It is only available in white
• Slower swing speeds may struggle with the higher compression-rating
• Compression:  90

A mid to high-compression golf ball that restricts long game spin and accelerates ball pace while maintaining an element of feedback. The Wilson Smart Core adapts to your swing speed and reacts accordingly to produce the desired ball flight and speed assistance.

The 90-compression Smart Core is designed to amplify energy transfer on high-impact shots to shoot your ball off the clubface. In my experience, that translated into 2 mph extra ball speed on these shots. Following Trackman findings, that means an extra 4 yards.

While the spin is nothing like the Staff Model or Triad, it was impressive for a distance ball.  The Smart Core and reactive Surlyn cover helped the ball spend more time on the clubface, improving feedback and generating a handful of spin.

Finally, the Surlyn cover on the Smart Core proved durable and able to withstand multiple trips to the bunker and deflections of tree trunks.

• Boosts energy transfer
• Lowers spin on long game shots
• Exceptional short-game spin
• Stable construction
• Premium price tag
• Not suited to slow swing speeds
• Construction:  4-layers
• Compression:  100

When you enter the ranks of a mid-handicapper, you get the urge to start acquiring and playing with premium equipment. The Staff Model R is a high-end 4-piece urethane golf ball that is not for everyone but produces stability, consistency, and forgiveness that mid-handicappers still require.

The cover makes this Wilson golf ball unique as it is an unpainted urethane construction, which ensures sensational stability through the air for straight flight. In addition, the balance helps maintain forward momentum to boost the roll upon landing.

I felt the impact of the V-COR Advanced Technology, which significantly improved energy transfer at contact. As a slower swinger, I typically struggle to launch 3 or 4-layer golf balls, but not the Model R.

Although the Staff Model R lowers spin and boosts ball speed in your long game, it increases spin on short shots. The ball remained on the clubface for longer and enjoyed increased revolutions per minute to stop rapidly and improve my greenside control.

8) Staff Model  – Best Wilson Golf Ball For Fast Swing Speed

• Superb wedge spin
• Generates a low trajectory for improved control
• Workable flight
• Low driver spin
• Consistent ball speed
• The average golfer will struggle to launch the high compression-rated Staff

The Staff Model carries several similar features to the Staff Model R, except this option, has a painted cover and flies low for faster swing speeds . My experience with the Model was largely positive as it traveled long and spun hard on the green. My only gripe is with myself because I wish I had the swing speed to frequently play this ball.

Wilson’s engineers opted for a 3SIX2 Seamless Urethane cover which is soft, spins hard, and features 362 dimples on the surface. Besides spin, the ball cover neutralizes the surrounding airflow to catapult the ball through the sky along a low trajectory for greater control.

In addition, the added spin abilities of the ball allowed for enhanced workability on approach shots, further boosting my control. Like the Staff Model R, this golf ball features V-COR Advanced Performance which raises the energy transfer at contact for greater power and ball pace.

The challenge I see for most golfers is the inflated compression score which the average golfer may struggle to launch, coupled with the premium price. Finally, Wilson kept it traditional and only released the Model in a classic Tour White.

9) Staff Duo Optix  – Easiest Wilson Golf Ball To See

• Available in 6 colors
• The yellow and orange are easy to follow mid-air
• Prompts low spin on long shots
• Produces a high launch
• The soft compression may cause higher swing speeds to balloon their strikes
• No short-game spin
• Compression:  29
• Colors: Red, Pink, Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green

f you suffer from visual impairments and find it tricky to follow your golf ball in the air, then the Staff Duo Optix is worth a look. Wilson constructs these in 6 easy to identify colors, including red, pink, orange, blue, yellow, and green.

Out of the 6 colors, I found yellow the easiest to spot, followed by orange. While the other colors are trendy, they are not as easy to locate and are better suited to fashionable golfers. Besides their looks, the Duo Optix boasts a low compression rating of 29, making it easy to launch.

The low compression rating saw me produce consistent energy transfer and blast the ball off the face with low spin and accelerated pace.  The result was a high launch, optimal carry distance, and a relatively soft landing on approach.

Where it fell apart for the Staff Duo Optix was on short game shots. While I enjoyed a soft landing on high strikes, the ball delivered minimal spin, eliminating my control and ability to successfully attack the flag.

10) Ultra 500 Straight  – Straightest Wilson Golf Ball

• Minimizes long-game spring
• Durable cover
• Enhances energy transfer
• No alternative color options
• Provides limited greenside control

Wrapping up our top Wilson golf balls comparison list for 2024 is the straightest construction for the average golfer. The Ultra 500 Straight is built to minimize spin on all fronts and fly uninterrupted, thanks to 432 dimples.

The 2-piece Ultra 500 Straight is a pure distance ball featuring a high-energy core to elevate the energy transfer at contact. This helps your golf ball spring off the clubface with limited spin and explosive zip for a high launch and maximum carry distance.

As I expect from a distance ball, the Ultra 500 Straight carries a hard, durable, ionomer cover. It worked wonders to minimize spin and preserve ball speed, and it survived sand, cart paths, and tree trunks to remain intact.

The downside of this 2-layer construction is its rock-hard feel and restricted greenside spin and control. However, the 90 compression golf ball works for high handicappers  with moderate speed seeking straighter shots and greater distance.

Golfspan is independent and not pressured by manufacturers to recommend products. We were not paid for the reviews in this article. Our team has over 100 years of golf experience, has spent thousands of hours reviewing golf equipment, and has hand-picked these balls. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase something through our retail links.

What To Consider When Purchasing A New Wilson Golf Ball

Although Wilson golf balls are mainly priced in the entry-level bracket, they also offer premium constructions. As a result, ponder your budget and whether you are willing to spend less than $20 for a dozen Ultra 500 Straight golf balls  or treat yourself to a high-end offering.

If you operate with a faster swing speed and have the budget, then a box of a dozen Staff Model balls  for under $50 is worth looking at.

The compression score of a golf ball refers to how much the ball compresses against the clubface at impact.

The lower the score, the greater the compression level. Golfers with slower swings demand more compression to enjoy increased ball speed and low-spin assistance. The lowest compression-rated golf ball by Wilson Golf is the squishy Staff Duo Optix , which scores 29.

Conversely, golfers with fast swing speeds prefer higher compression-rated golf balls that provide limited assistance and improve stability. Wilson’s best example is the Staff Model , which carries a 100 compression score.

Wilson constructs golf balls with 2, 3, and 4 layers, which increase the compression rating and enhance the performance the more pieces you add.

2-piece constructions  typically contain a High-Energy core and an ionomer cover, which lowers spin and boosts ball speed. However, these golf balls offer restricted short-game spin and control around the green.

3-layer golf balls  from Wilson possess higher compression ratings and consist of an energy core, an ionomer mantle, and a urethane cover. The ball’s core and mantle work together to explode ball speed and lower spin on long shots, while the soft urethane cover increases mid and short-game spin.

Arguably, Wilson’s most famous 3-piece golf ball is the Triad .  Finally, the Chicago business also manufactures 4-layer golf balls, which carry higher compression ratings and deliver Tour performance.

Like the 3-piece balls, they spin low off the tee and high around the green and are best suited to fast swing speeds. Their most popular 4-piece golf ball is the Staff Model .

Wilson golf balls consist of one of two covers. The most popular choice for entry-level 2-piece distance balls is ionomer. This cover is solid,  durable and helps you limit spin and boost ball speed. However, it struggles to provide the feel, control, and revolutions per minute found in urethane.

Urethane is a premium cover manufacturer used on Tour golf balls. The high-quality material prompts superior spin on low-impact shots and offers golfers a delicate feel. The downside is that urethane golf balls are priced at the top end of the market.

Although many Wilson golf ball ranges only offer traditional Tour White options, the brand does craft a handful of trendy, optic-friendly designs.  The Staff Duo Optix  range is sold in yellow, pink, orange, green, and blue.

I find the yellow and orange balls are easy to identify in the air and spot when sitting in the thick rough.

Wilson golf balls are produced by Wilson Staff, the golf division of Wilson Sporting Goods. Their headquarters are in Chicago, Illinois.

Yes, PGA Tour pros Brendan Steele  and Ricky Barnes  use the Wilson Staff Model golf balls, as does LPGA Tour player Sophia Schubert.

Yes, Wilson golf balls are solid because they are mostly affordable. This helps the average golfer achieve long-game spin, rapid ball speed, and optimal distance.

In addition, the company uses their 7 decades of experience to produce Tour golf balls that carry multiple layers, travel long off the tee, and spin superbly on the green.

Wilson is an experienced golf brand that continues to manufacture high-quality balls at affordable prices. While our list was dominated by low-spinning, rapid-distance golf balls, I was impressed with the spin, distance, feel, and control of the 3 and 4-piece Tour performance options.

The Wilson Triad claimed the title for the overall best Wilson golf ball in 2024 because of its affordability, all-around performance, and feel.  The core and mantle restricted spin off the tee and boosted my velocity to promote a higher, longer golf shot.

Conversely, the soft urethane cover bit into my ball on mid, short iron, and wedge shots prompting excellent spin on approach. As a result, I managed to attack the flag and stop the ball rapidly while enjoying distance in my long game.

I recommend mid to low-handicappers should test the Wilson Triad  and see how it goes. It is more affordable than a Pro V1 and better suited to the average golfer.

Matt Callcott-Stevens

Matt has played golf since he was 4 years old and has written over 150 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. Matt specializes in product reviews using his postgraduate degree in Sports Marketing from Johan Cruyff Institute. Matt has a handicap index of 10.8 and currently plays weekly at Pilar Golf Course near his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also loves his Callaway Odyssey Exo Rossie putter and likes a pepper steak pie with curry gravy at the turn. You can connect with him on LinkedIn . 

• Best score : 70
• Favorite club : Callaway Odyssey Exo Rossie
• Favorite ball : Srixon Q-Star Tour
• Favorite food at the turn : Pepper steak pie with curry gravy
• Matt Callcott-Stevens https://www.golfspan.com/author/matt-callcott-stevens Achievable Golf Goals To Lower Your Score in 2024
• Matt Callcott-Stevens https://www.golfspan.com/author/matt-callcott-stevens Titleist Pro V1 vs Pro V1x: Differences, Pros, Cons
• Matt Callcott-Stevens https://www.golfspan.com/author/matt-callcott-stevens 7 Best Golf Balls For Slow Swing Speeds: Pros, Cons, Reviews
• Matt Callcott-Stevens https://www.golfspan.com/author/matt-callcott-stevens 5 Best Golf Swing Analysis Apps: iPhone, Android, & Free

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IN PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT GOLF BALL

By N. R. Kleinfield

• Feb. 16, 1986

WHOOSH. A golf ball rockets off the tee in a perfect trajectory and then plunks down, skitters a bit, and comes to a stop 247 yards away, slightly down the right side of the 9th hole of the Kittansett Country Club in Marion, Mass.

Whoosh. This one, bounding down the center of the fairway, expires 266 yards away.

Some golfer. Fortunately, you'll never have to meet him in the finals of the club championship. He's a robot. This really isn't the 9th hole at Kittansett. This is inside a theater-like room in New Bedford, Mass., at a laboratory of the Acushnet Company, one of the dominant makers of golf balls. The robot - known as ''Iron Byron,'' since its swing mimicks the classic motion of the stellar professional, Byron Nelson - is firing balls at a net, behind which is a slide projection of Kittansett's 9th hole. Infrared cameras connected to a computer reveal precisely where - and how far -the balls went. The researchers have been studying the aerodynamics of a golf ball, in particular what happens when you change the little circular indentations known as dimples.

It is all part of Acushnet's quest to make a golf ball that goes farther and straighter than any other - satisfying the golfer's longing for a ball that will, undoubtedly, improve his game. ''The golf ball is very elusive,'' says Wally Uihlein, Acushnet's general manager. ''It's a very mysterious little white sphere.''

And Acushnet is hardly alone in trying to fathom the secrets of that little white sphere. A small group of sporting goods companies is in hot pursuit of the perfect golf ball, using the latest in high technology and aerodynamics -computers, simulated golf courses, wind tunnels and complicated mathematics - to create a better version of the little ball that's been used in one form of golf or another since the Roman Empire.

These companies are feisty competitors for a small but lucrative market. Last year, golfers bought 225 million golf balls, about two dozen per golfer, or $250 million worth. The business is a tough one. Since few new courses are being built, sales grow just 2 to 5 percent a year, so the only way to expand is to get golfers to switch balls - and that's why golf ball companies are bending over backward, using big research and development and marketing efforts, to convince players that their balls are best. Anytime someone comes up with a ''better'' ball, it quickly sells millions.

Acushnet, a subsidiary of American Brands, and Spalding, a division of Spalding-Evenflo Inc., a privately held Florida company, have ruled the ball world for years. Each now makes about 35 to 40 percent of all balls bought, far greater than third-place Wilson. The market shares have held fairly steady for years, but that is not grounds for complacency. More than 350 different ball models are sold - and market shares bob up and down like handicaps, each time some company manages to convince golfers that it has developed a ''better'' ball.

Evidently, improvement in the business is measured in small ways. Experts at the United States Golf Association do not think balls actually travel much farther now than they did 10 years ago - despite all the high-tech hoopla and advertising. Unlike football players, however, golfers inherently believe that the kind of equipment they use - particularly the kind of ball they use - can make them the next Jack Nicklaus. They'll try anything new.

''The golfer will never settle for anything,'' explains Dave Lumley, Wilson's marketing director. ''He's too insecure. The golfer is a crazy guy. This guy gets up at 5:30 in the morning. One stroke means more than his mother to him. If he thinks a new ball will go a 20th of an inch longer, that's his ball.''

''Longer'' is the operative word. Every duffer craves more yards, and so distance is the special fixation of golf ball companies. Balls hit by strong players these days can soar more than 300 yards, yet no one seems content. ''In golf ball marketing, there's one thing that counts - what is the longest ball,'' Mr. Lumley says. ''And all the manufacturers claim they have the longest ball.''

Ads for Acushnet, which makes Titleist and Pinnacle brands, insist that ''golfers agree no other ball comes close to the Titleist 384 DT for distance, feel and control.'' Its major rival, Spalding, disagrees: One of its ads for Top-Flites quotes Alan Shepard, the former astronaut, as saying, ''Look, no other golf ball on earth can beat 'em.''

Dunlop's new Master, for its part, is shown in commercials sailing across the Grand Canyon as other balls crash against the rocks. Hogan says its ball has ''unbeatable distance.'' Ram asserts that its Tour 400 ''carries consistently and controllably farther, on the fly, than any leading ball tested.'' And Wilson says that a computer confirmed its Wilson 432 as the best and longest ball.

Who's right, then? What is the longest ball in golf and how did it get there? THE first golf ball, created by the Romans for a game they called paganica, consisted of feathers wrapped in leather. If you really swatted it, it would go 150 yards. By the mid-15th century, golf as we now know it was being played in Scotland. But major changes in the ball did not come until 1848, with the development of a rubber ball, the gutta percha, which was cheaper and sturdier. It was replaced, in 1899, by much superior ''Bounding Billies'' - rubber bands wound around a small rubber core. At first they were covered with gutta-percha and later with a rubber called balata.

Then designers learned something odd. A new gutta percha didn't go as far as a feather ball. But once it got nicked and scratched, it soared 60 percent farther. This aerodynamics lesson led, at the turn of the century, to the bramble ball, which was covered with tiny bumps. In 1905, bumps gave way to dimples.

In the 1960's, Du Pont perfected a cover material called Surlyn, a thermo-plastic that, unlike balata, resisted cutting when the ball was struck improperly, the way most golfers hit it just before they throw their club at a tree. Nine out of 10 players now use Surlyn balls, although the finest golfers favor balata because the ball spins more and stops faster.

In 1968, Spalding, which counts on golf ball sales for 50 percent of all its sportings goods revenue, rocked the golf world when it created a two-piece ball consisting of a solid plastic center with a Surlyn cover. The ball shot off the tee at a higher angle and flew farther than the old balls. Today, more than half the balls sold are two-piece.

Things quieted down until, in the 1970's, ball companies went dimple crazy. Dimples, acting like wings on a plane, reduce drag resistance; the number, size, depth and alignment of dimples significantly affect the flight of a golf ball.

For decades, dimples were arranged in circular rows known as an Atti pattern. In 1973, as the fruit of development work done with M.I.T. scientists, Acushnet brought out a ball with the dimples arranged in 20 triangular regions, a so-called icosahedron pattern. This arrangement resulted in lower drag and more distance. Other ball makers quickly copied it, although Dunlop, in 1981, created a ''dodachahedral'' pattern of 12 pentagons intended to cancel the effect of the ball's seam on its flight.

Until 1983, most golf balls boasted dimple counts of 324 to 336. In the last few years, though, ball makers have begun suggesting that more dimples mean more distance, even though that is only sometimes true. In 1983, the Titleist 384 Tour ball arrived, named for the number of dimples. Pros said it was the hottest ball ever. MacGregor countered with a ball with 392 dimples. Hogan followed suit. In 1984, Spalding weighed in with the 492-dimple Top-Flite Plus. That may or may not be the world's most dimpled golf ball. Bridgestone, a Japanese company, makes the Altus, which it claims has 318 tiny dimples contained within 318 larger dimples. Acushnet people, however, say they've put the ball under a microscope and can't find any of the 318 tiny dimples.

The high-tech research continues. ''We could come out with a ball where every dimple is a different size,'' Mr. Uihlein says. ''We're looking at that. The limit to what you could do is only limited by your imagination.''

And the rules. The U.S.G.A., which governs golf in this country, sets limits on size, weight, initial velocity, overall distance and symmetry. Balls, for example, cannot be smaller than 1.68 inches in diameter or weigh more than 1.62 ounces. Under specified swing conditions, they cannot travel more than 296.8 yards, a limit that no balls have reached, though they've gotten close.

In 1983, Wilson, which had been losing sales, invested a couple of million dollars into computers and set out to find the perfect dimple arrangement. It looked at designs varying from 12 dimples to 1,212; the computer said to try somewhere between 280 and 590. Prototypes were built and Wilson, which became a division last year of the privately held Wesray Capital Corporation, determined that a dimple count of 432 was ideal. In Iron Byron tests, Wilson says the ball went farther than any other. A balata-covered version was introduced for pros and a Surlyn ball, the Ultra, came out last year for the weekend golfer.

Spalding, meanwhile, has spent the last five years and $5 million producing a cover material it calls Zinthane. It put it on a new ball, the Tour Edition, aimed at better players. It is being priced at $32 a dozen, highest on the market (balls usually sell for between $9.95 a dozen and $28), but Spalding says the ball outperforms balata while resisting cutting.

''It's always, 'Use this product and you'll hit the ball 20 yards longer,' '' says Frank Thomas, the U.S.G.A.'s technical director. ''Add all the claims up and I should be driving 400 yards. Boy would that be nice.''

The truth is, according to Mr. Thomas, the new balls don't go more than about eight yards farther than the models of 10 years ago. The dimple business, he says, is mostly a marketing gimmick. Many golfers are hitting 20 or 30 yards farther, he agrees, but that's because they're stronger, clubs are better, teaching is better and fairways are mown closer. Then aren't the ads misleading? ''Yes,'' he says, ''but that type of advertising and hype is just part of our life.''

The reason companies can all claim the longest ball is because they do their comparison tests differently. Most makers use Iron Byrons to hit the balls with wooden drivers. Spalding, though, employs human beings, pointing out that ''machines don't play golf.'' And a company tends to choose only competing balls that it knows it can beat. What's more, Iron Byrons can be set at countless loft angles that will affect the distance of competing balls in varying ways. Climate matters. As Spalding's Mr. Mayer, remarks, ''You give a technician time and a machine and he can design a test that any ball on the market can win.'' JOE TURNESA and Charlie Cook are hunkered over a list of professional golfers in the newly refurbished coffee shop of the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. The pros are straggling in to practice for the upcoming Shearson Lehman Brothers Andy Williams Open.

Mr. Turnesa, who is Titleist's tour director, and Mr. Cook, the company's salesman for the area, are deciding which pros will be getting Titleist balls to use in the competition.

''John Adams,'' Mr. Turnesa says. ''Give him 384's.'' ''Isao Aoki. He's Dunlop.''

''George Archer,'' Mr. Turnesa says. ''I'll tell you what's happening with Archer. He took Pinnacle last week. For some reason, he switched to Dunlop the next day. We'll give him balls. But if he plays Dunlop again, he's finished. No more balls.''

A primary marketing tool for golf equipment makers is the professional golf tour, the others being golf magazines and commercials on televised golf tournaments. If the weekend duffer sees Tom Watson winning with a particular ball, then he thinks, maybe that's the one for me. One of Mr. Turnesa's jobs is to see that lots of pros whack Titleist golf balls, a major contributor to Acushnet's more than $100 million a year in golf equipment sales.

But the reality is that the key factor determining what a pro plays is how much money a company will pay. If a company offered a tour player $100,000 to hit rocks, he might think about it. Wilson, Spalding, Ram and MacGregor each have stables of top pros who are paid, in some cases, more than $100,000 a year to use their equipment.

Titleist, which has about 80 percent of the players on tour using its ball, operates the ''money game.'' Each week, the 15 leading players using a Titleist ball get cash prizes. The top finisher gets $2,000, and if he also wins the tournament, he gets $10,000 more. Dunlop has a similar money game with a smaller purse.

How do the makers know the pros are using their balls? The Darrell Company checks. One of its representatives stands on the first tee during the first round of every tournament and asks the players what they're using. The Darrell people also periodically slip out onto the course with binoculars just to doublecheck.

Curtis Strange is changing into his golf spikes in the Torrey Pines locker room. Last year, he earned prize money of $542,321, making him No. 1 on the P.G.A. tour. He should know the best ball. ''I've always played Titleist,'' he says. ''I once changed and tried another ball and I didn't play very well and switched back. Now, that could have been between my ears.'' So how much difference does a ball really make? ''Not a lot of difference,'' he says.

Last year, according to tour statistics, Andy Bean averaged 279 yards off the tee, qualifying him as the longest hitter in golf. Mr. Bean is so strong that he would be long using a billiard ball, but since Wilson pays him more than $100,000 a year, he plays Wilson, which gets 10 percent of its revenue from golf ball sales. ''I think Wilson's the best ball,'' he says. Like many long-hitting pros, he says he's less interested in distance than in balls that consistently fly alike.

If anyone really knows what is the longest ball in golf, it ought to be the men who play the game the best.

Bob Murphy: ''The Dunlop. No question about it.''

Doug Tewell: ''Probably the Pinnacle 384 or the Top-Flite. I probably shouldn't say Top-Flite, since I play Titleist. But that's probably the longest.''

Cesar Sanudo: ''Titleist's got them by no less than five yards and maybe ten yards.''

Curtis Strange: ''Probably the Dunlop DDH.'' Bruce Lietzke: ''The 384 Titleist.'' Bill Rogers: ''Heck, I don't know.''

Nick Faldo: ''I wouldn't really know. All the companies say they have the longest ball.'' THIS story hasn't been fair. It should have pointed out a long time ago, probably right at the beginning, that there is a place that knows what is the longest golf ball. Out at its Far Hills, N.J., research center, the U.S.G.A. has tested every ball model on the market - 357 of them - all under the same conditions. The longest ball goes 288 yards, a whopping 45 yards farther than the shortest.

So, then, all that needs to be done is to ask Frank Thomas for the name of the ball. ''I can't tell you that,'' he says. ''Why not?''

''Because we don't want any commercial exploitation of the U.S.G.A. by a manufacturer.''

''Well, has it been the same ball that's been longest year after year?''

''Come on, now,'' he says. ''You're getting too close.'' ''What ball do you use?'' ''No way I'm telling you that.''

Mr. Thomas does allow, though, that on a good day, when the weather's nice and the course is lush, he sends his mystery ball about 240 yards. Not bad hitting, but maybe if he tried this other ball. . . OF 'PUMPKINS' ANDNIGHT BALLS

Although golf ball companies are mostly interested in making a ball that goes farther, a lot of gimmicks have been tried over the years to make a ball more attractive.

One of the most dramatic was Wilson's introduction of an orange-colored golf ball in 1982. The idea was that you could locate it easier than a white ball. The ''pumpkin,'' as golfers called it, rapidly caught on, and other makers copied the idea. Today, you can pick from orange, yellow, blue and pink golf balls. Ping, which is best known for its popular golf clubs, even has four two-color balls. Colored balls, though, have tailed off in sales recently and seem to have bottomed out at about 21 percent of the golf ball market.

Among the things golfers fear most are hitting a ''slice,'' a shot that veers wildly to the right of the intended target, or a bad ''hook'' that ends up far to the left. In the early 1980's, a company called Polara Enterprises came out with a ball in which the dimples got shallower toward the poles of the ball. It actually did reduce hooking and slicing. The United States Golf Association, however, thought it unfair. A new symmetry standard was introduced in 1981 that made the Polara illegal for competition. Polara sued the U.S.G.A. and ended up getting $1.4 million in an out-of-court settlement of the case.

A number of small companies ignore the U.S.G.A. stipulations and make illegal balls. Any golfer can use them, of course, except in U.S.G.A. competitions, though most golfers would give icy looks to anyone who played one. There is the Robin Hood, the Renegade 410 and the Hot One. Usually, they are smaller than legal size, and so they go farther. There's also the Night Ball, which the U.S.G.A. has not yet ruled on, which comes with a little illuminated tube that you slip into a hole in the ball. It's perfect for the golfer who wants to avoid crowds and play during the twilight hours.

Inside the World of Sports

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping professional, collegiate and amateur athletics..

Women’s Pro Hockey League: The fledgling league is booming — except in New York, where the team is in last place . But the players haven’t given up.

Aaron Rodgers’s Achilles’ Heel: The N.F.L. great was supposed to be the Jets’ savior. But since arriving in New York, he has spent more time voicing conspiracy theories  than playing quarterback.

A Key to Knicks’ Season: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo have been buddies since college , a situation that those who study the workplace say can foster success.

The Future of College Sports: A   National Labor Relations Board testimony, now in the hands of a judge, could have wide-ranging consequences  — positive and negative — for athletes and their institutions.

Voice of Problem Gambling: Craig Carton, the bombastic sports broadcaster, shows a different side on a weekly show  that focuses on the stories of gambling  addicts like himself.

American Pizazz Meets Sumo: At Madison Square Garden, New Yorkers got a rare look at an ancient Japanese sport , cheering and booing as though they were watching a Yankees game.

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