Wet golf balls, less spin: 48-ball test reveals losses as high as 41%

The news is new data, not a new ball launch

On October 22, 2026, independent equipment-testing outlet MyGolfSpy published a detailed look at how moisture changes golf-ball spin. This is a new analysis of 2026 testing, not a manufacturer product launch. Forty-eight ball models were assessed under dry and wet impact conditions. Its practical finding matters to golfers who play in morning dew: a shot can carry virtually the same distance while behaving differently after landing.

How the test was designed

The dataset came from more than 80 hours of testing in July near Scottsdale, Arizona. For the comparison, testers kept the wedge constant and used full sand-wedge shots at a 90 mph clubhead speed. The changing variable was the ball and whether impact occurred in dry or wet conditions. The sample comprised 38 urethane-cover balls and 10 balls in the ionomer category. That setup is useful for identifying trends between constructions, but it does not reproduce every course condition, clubhead speed or shot type.

What the numbers actually show

Average spin fell by approximately 11% for urethane and 30% for ionomer when moisture was introduced. Under wet conditions the groups averaged about 9,228 rpm and 5,410 rpm, respectively. Water at the impact interface reduces friction, making it harder for the wedge to impart backspin. Launch conditions also changed, with a generally higher launch and steeper descent. These are group averages, not predictions for every individual ball.

The variation within the urethane category is equally revealing. Eleven of 38 urethane models retained at least 95% of their dry-condition spin, including Titleist Pro V1, Bridgestone Tour B RX and Srixon Z-Star. Eleven others lost more than 15%; Snell PR4 lost around 32%. So material category is a useful starting point, not a universal promise that a premium ball will maintain its spin in rain or dew.

The difference between carry and stopping

Measured carry barely moved. Ionomer models averaged 98.8 yards dry versus 99.0 wet, while urethane models went from 100.2 to 99.3 yards. Yet calculated rollout increased from 5.6 to 7.7 yards for ionomer and 4.3 to 4.8 yards for urethane. Calculated rollout is a model-derived outcome, not a direct measurement on your particular putting surface, whose firmness and moisture may change the landing result.

Callaway Supersoft illustrates the contrast: MyGolfSpy measured 7,661 rpm dry and 4,501 rpm wet, a spin reduction of approximately 41%. Carry increased only 0.8 yards in that example. You can therefore make a familiar-length approach and still be surprised by the ball releasing farther toward the back of the green.

Checking the manufacturer's claims

Titleist describes Pro V1 as using a soft cast urethane elastomer cover together with a multi-layer performance construction. Bridgestone's 2026 TOUR B family, announced January 20, 2026, uses the company's REACTIV iQ injection-molded urethane cover formulation. Callaway identifies Supersoft's outer layer as a Hybrid Cover and specifies its HyperElastic SoftFast core. These are manufacturer-confirmed product characteristics. They do not constitute manufacturer verification of MyGolfSpy's measured wet-versus-dry percentages.

The limits also matter: the published comparison used a sand wedge at one test speed. It does not establish an equivalent effect on drivers, partial chips or every grass and moisture condition. Groove condition, debris, strike consistency, landing surface and measurement uncertainty all affect real-world outcomes. Tiny differences between products should not be treated as conclusive without error ranges.

What golfers can do with the findings

On a damp practice green, compare not only carry distance but first bounce and release using repeatable shots and safe, rules-compliant equipment preparation. If stopping distance changes while carry stays familiar, first consider impact moisture before assuming your swing has deteriorated. The lesson is about fit and predictability, not automatically replacing a perfectly serviceable ball with the most expensive one.

Sources and verification: MyGolfSpy report (October 22, 2026): https://mygolfspy.com/buyers-guide/which-golf-balls-hold-their-spin-in-wet-conditions-2026-test-data/; Titleist Pro V1 product specifications: https://www.titleist.com/product/pro-v1/T2029S-H47.html; Bridgestone 2026 TOUR B release: https://www.bridgestonegolf.com/en-us/press-releases/2025/bridgestone-and-tiger-woods-push-teh-limits-of-distance-with-new-tour-b-material-discovery; Callaway Supersoft product page: https://prd-sfcc.callawaygolf.com/golf-balls/supersoft/balls-2025-supersoft.html.