By PAUL GIORDANO
Courier-Post Staff

Which ball really goes the farthest?

How can two, three, or even four manufacturers all claim to have the longest golf ball? The answer is that each manufacturer designs the test conditions to maximize the performance of its product. Tests are conducted with a certain club or combination of clubs, launching the ball at a certain trajectory, and hit at a set speed. It is not false advertising, but it can be interpreted in different ways.

The truth is that of the top 20 percent of balls tested by the United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.), the difference from first to last was approximately 10 yards. When comparing the "best" balls on the market, there is not much difference.

Connie DeMattia is a PGA Teaching Professional with Golf Digest Schools. He provides private lessons at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club (609) 965-1800, ext.‚203, or E-mail cdemattia@att.net