Stopping power has to do with the angle of descent of the golf ball, the spin rate, and the course conditions you’re playing in. If you're not generating enough spin on an iron approach shot, it's going to release out more than you like. And too much spin on a full pitching wedge or a full gap wedge could cause the ball to spin back too much when it lands on the green making for a much longer putt. Michael Rich, Director of Golf Ball Sales U.S., adds, “Ultimately, you’re looking for predictable stopping power, enough spin where your golf ball has one bounce and stop."

“Ultimately, you’re looking for predictable stopping power, enough spin where your golf ball has one bounce and stop."

The amount of stopping power that a golf ball has can be a function of the materials that are chosen and how the ball comes into the green. A high angle of descent gives you a better stopping power opportunity and high spin with high angle of descent, even greater stopping ability. High spin can come from your club selection, the amount of club head speed they provide, and from the golf ball that you choose.   

Says Matt Hogge, Director Product Development, Acushnet Company, “If you choose a golf ball that has a very soft urethane cover and stiff casing layer underneath it, then you have a scenario of soft over hard to create high spin that when combined with the appropriate amount of wedge spin and speed, and angle of descent, you can create stopping power.”