When I first started playing golf as a youngster my choice of golf balls was dictated by one thing. Price! At that time, I thought one golf ball was pretty much the same as the next, so with only a few bucks in my pocket, I'd opt for the cheapest ball I could find.

But to be fair to myself and to be fair to other golfers (especially younger golfs) I honestly didn't think there "was" a difference in golf balls. In fact, I felt I was paying more for the brand name than for any technological differences. Well, I was wrong. There are differences in golf balls and they can make a big difference, depending on the type of ball and how any particular ball is used on any given day.

Let's face it, most players (or at least the ones that I know) prefer to concentrate on their equipment rather than on the balls they use. They might have in their bag a Big Bertha driver, some space-age high-tech composite irons, or even a handheld GPS unit, but the fact is, if the golf ball does not suit the player or the circumstance (ie, weather), then the outcome of the intended shot may not be what the player expected.

In order to keep things simple and not bore you to death, let's just say, that there are essentially three types of golf balls: balata, two-piece, or a combination of both.

When you're choosing a ball, there are two things to consider (not including price, which would make it three):

In relation to your handicap, what do you need? If you are a low-handicap golfer and you're looking for the ultimate spin and control in a ball then you might want to consider using a balata ball. Essentially, this is just a softer ball, with a softer cover that allows for more spin. Because of this added control ability, this is what many pros play. They are not cheap though--but at this level of play, I doubt many balls are lost in the woods.

Now, if you play a higher handicap, you are probably more concerned with distance and durability. A good two-piece ball will be best in this case. These balls have a harder cover and will create less backspin, which allows you to hit it farther.

Keep in mind it's important to look at things like the weather and the course conditions when choosing a ball. When the course has been soaked with rain, you will need a ball that will travel farther and that produces less spin. On the other hand, if you are playing on a rock hard, sun-baked course, choose something softer that will land soft with increased spin to pull it up.

Temperature is important, too. When it's very cold out, the ball will not compress as much, so you would want to play a 90-compression. For reference, there are two compressions for men, 90 and 100. Use the 100 compression when it very hot out.

Using some savvy when picking the right ball for the right circumstances can help you shave a few strokes off your score as well as help keep the ball in play.