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Golf purists are likely to scoff at Polara golf balls.
Why? Because they’re self-correcting and guarantee a 75% reduction in hooks and slices.
While this might seem too good to be true, Polara technology is based on science, and their balls have a reasonable reputation for doing precisely what they claim to.
As you might expect with a self-correcting golf ball, they’re only permitted to be used during ‘recreational’ rounds and can’t be played during any type of tournament.
But what’s the lowdown with Polara? Do their balls help you improve your game? Let’s take a look now.
Are These Self Correcting Balls Legit?
Now, you might be wondering, how on earth do you make a golf ball self-correcting?
The secret to Polara’s technology lies in the dimple pattern featured on each of their golf balls.
When compared to a regular golf ball, a Polara has shallower dimples around the equator, with deeper dimples at the poles.
When a Polara is lined up with its intended target [there’s a directional arrow on the ball] and hit cleanly, it exhibits both lower drag and lift, which results in a reduction of force.
Getting really technical, the Polara dimples enable what is known as a ‘moment of inertia’ asymmetry.
But for the Polara to face straight in the first place, you need to turn it so the arrow is pointing in the desired direction.
Obviously, if you’re playing pick and place rules, this would be fine, but if you’re adhering to strict golf club rules, you would have yourself a problem.
Still, you might not like the idea of having to rotate your ball before every shot, and it does seem a little pedantic, to say the least.
When you’ve correctly positioned your ball, the resulting shot will follow a near-perfectly straight trajectory, significantly reducing the chances of hitting a slice or hook.
It’s important to note here that using a Polara won’t suddenly turn a 28 handicapper into a pro.
To get the most out of the Polara technology, you need to be able to hit a relatively sweet shot in the first place.
Polara golf balls can’t rectify a fat shot or duff, for instance.
It’s for this reason that we’re a little surprised that Polara mentions that their balls are ideal for beginners.
We think that mid-teen handicappers would get more out of using a Polara, as they can consistently strike the ball well and can correct their accuracy as they do so.
There are six different balls within the Polara range for your consideration:
- Ultimate Straight
- Ultimate Straight XS
- Ultimate Straight Yellow
- Extra Distance
- Extra Distance Yellow
- Extra Distance & Spin
Polara’s ultimate straight balls are the originals, and they can correct a slice by up to 75%.
The others only correct slice by up to 50%, but ensure your distance isn’t compromised.
Each of the balls comes with the signature Polara dimple technology.
While it certainly sounds promising, at least from a straight-shooting perspective, do Polara balls actually work?
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of this undoubtedly unique golf ball.
Pros:
- A Polara eliminates slices by up to 75%.
- You can hit relatively long with a low trajectory.
- It can make recreational games of golf more fun, as you don’t need to worry as much about losing your ball.
- Using a Polara can boost your confidence and help you develop other aspects of your game.
Cons:
- They’re expensive – a dozen Polara ‘ultimate straight’ balls will cost you up to $44.95.
- Using a self-correcting golf ball is certainly not one for the purists. It takes a lot of the skill out of the game and makes the process of striking the ball more robotic.
- Polara is not a legal USGA golf ball and can only be used for recreational purposes.
- Unless you opt for one of their extra distance balls, you might not be able to hit as long as normal, as spin is difficult to achieve.
Overall Verdict – Are They Any Good?
Our view on Polara golf balls is that they’re certainly worth trying out if you can stomach the expense.
The technology is impressive, and they unquestionably help to eradicate those frustrating slices from your game.
But the fact that they can only be used recreationally makes them a little less appealing.
And although Polara claims that their balls are ideal for beginners, we would disagree.
They can lure you into a false sense of security and shouldn’t be used if you’re working hard to improve your game.
All in all, if you’re keen to impress your buddies with some straight drives and iron play during a friendly weekend round, grab yourself a sleeve of Polara’s and save yourself the hassle of scouring the rough for your tee shots.
Is Polara Golf Out of Business?
While you can still buy Polara golf balls from various online retailers, the company behind the balls no longer exists.
The balls first appeared back in the 1970s, and Polara famously clashed with the USGA on several occasions, who eventually offered Polara $1.4million just to take their ball off the market.
Despite an impressive resurgence in the early 2000s under a new company, they couldn’t survive their mounting debts and filed for bankruptcy in 2017.
You can read the entire report that details the company’s bankruptcy here via the Washington Business Journal.
Why are Polara Golf Balls Illegal?
Polara golf balls are only illegal if you’re playing in a competition. If you’re playing recreationally with your friends at the club, you’re permitted to use them.
However, out of common decency, we would advise you to tell your fellow players that you’re using a Polara, particularly if you’re having a little bet on the outcome of your round!
The main reason that they’re illegal is because of their self-correcting features.
You would understandably have an unfair advantage over your competitors if you used a Polara in a competition, so it’s little surprise that they’re deemed illegal by the USGA.
You can find out whether a golf ball is USGA legal by submitting it into their Conforming Golf Ball List.
How Far do Polara Golf Balls Go?
The vast majority of people who have used a Polara golf ball will tell you that they work pretty well.
While the Polara is designed to self-correct slice, there’s no such promise regarding distance.
Some players are convinced that Polara balls actually take off some distance from their shots, but it’s hard to generalize.
However, if you’re particularly concerned about your distance, you can opt to buy their XDS Extra Distance & Spin balls, which help to increase the height and distance of your shots.
When accompanied by the self-correcting technology that the Polara is famed for, the result is a ball that can carry well and achieve decent distances from the tee.
Where Can I Buy Polara Golf Balls?
Although Polara filed for bankruptcy in 2017, you can still buy their self-correcting golf balls on certain online marketplaces.
You can buy a dozen of each of Polara’s balls from Amazon, which is the ideal place to begin your search if you’re looking for new balls.
If you’d rather buy used balls, you can find a collection of Polara balls for sale on eBay, but be mindful that they might be in poor condition.
And given the fact that the dimples are crucial to their efficiency, be sure to ask the seller about the state of the balls before you buy them.
From our searches, Polara golf balls range significantly in price – you can pick up a used dozen for as little as $20.00, whereas a new dozen can cost up to $44.95.
Polara Balls – Fun to Play!
Regardless of your opinion about the morality of a self-correcting golf ball, Polara balls have been around for ages.
And despite the company filing for bankruptcy in 2017, you can still buy packs of Polara golf balls on the internet today.
While they’re a little on the expensive side, they undoubtedly help you improve your accuracy and provide you with the opportunity to enjoy your recreational games of golf more than you have done previously.
So, if you’re okay with the price and are hoping to spend less time trawling the rough looking for your tee shots, consider ordering yourself a pack of Polara balls and see if they can help you reach the green in regulation.