The Science, Spin, and Secrets Behind Modern Golf Balls with TaylorMade’s Mike Fox
From Golf Underground with Wardo, Sully and George Brett by golfunderground
February 2, 2026 · 1h 1m
About this episode
Mike Fox discusses the importance of golf balls and their impact on performance in this episode of Golf Underground.
Does the golf ball you play actually matter more than the clubs in your bag? In this episode of Golf Underground , Sully, George, and Wardo welcome Mike Fox, Senior Category Director of Golf Balls at TaylorMade, for a deep dive into the science, strategy, and surprising truths behind modern golf ball performance. With over 20 years in the industry, Mike breaks down why compression myths won’t die, how tour players influence innovation, and why amateurs often choose the exact opposite ball they should be playing. From Rory McIlroy and Nelly Korda switching balls to the millions spent on R&D, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how performance, feel, and personality collide in today’s game—all with plenty of laughs, rapid fire takes, and real-world insights you can actually use on your next round. Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments Mike Fox explains the moment he realized golf balls were the most important piece of equipment in the bag. The crew unpacks why lower swing speed golfers should not automatically play low-compression balls. Mike reveals how Rory McIlroy’s golf ball switch impacted performance at Augusta. George Brett shares firsthand stories about feeling…
People in this episode
Hosts: Sully, Wardo, George Brett
Guest: Mike Fox
Topics covered
- golf
- sports equipment
- golf ball technology
- performance analysis
- amateur golf
Keywords
- golf ball performance
- compression myths
- tour players
- Rory McIlroy
- TaylorMade
- DART testing system
Mentioned in this episode
Products: TrackMan, TP5, TP5x, TaylorMade
Books & works: This Episode, Golf Underground
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