Editorial Policy

The Right Golf Ball aims to publish accurate, useful and independent information about golf-ball fitting, construction, performance and selection.

This policy explains how topics are chosen, how sources are evaluated, how commercial relationships are handled and what readers should expect from our editorial content.

Editorial Mission

Our purpose is to help golfers make better-informed golf-ball decisions.

We aim to produce content that is:

Accurate
Current
Practical
Clear about evidence
Clear about uncertainty
Independent of commercial pressure
Honest about testing limitations
Relevant to the golfer’s actual problem

We prioritise the complete fitting picture:

launch + spin + trajectory + feel + short-game control + dispersion + value

We do not support rigid rules based solely on speed, compression, handicap, age or gender.

Editorial Independence

Editorial conclusions are made by The Right Golf Ball.

Manufacturers, retailers, advertisers and affiliate partners do not receive the right to:

Select article conclusions
Choose comparison winners
Remove legitimate criticism
Approve independent editorial content before publication
Purchase favourable coverage
Alter ratings in exchange for payment

Factual questions may be sent to a manufacturer before or after publication, but the final editorial decision remains ours.

Topic Selection

Topics may be selected using:

Reader questions
Search demand
Product launches
Model updates
Gaps in existing coverage
Changes to official specifications
Fitting problems golfers regularly experience
Editorial judgement

Search demand may influence what we cover, but it does not determine the answer we publish.

Sources

We prioritise:

USGA, R&A and official rules sources
Current manufacturer documentation
Independent testing and measurement
Reputable specialist publications
Current retail information
Community reports used as anecdotal context

We link or name material sources where doing so helps readers verify a claim.

Anonymous claims, copied product descriptions and unattributed numerical data should not form the basis of important conclusions.

Manufacturer Claims

Claims such as:

Longer
Faster
Straighter
Higher spinning
More consistent

are attributed to the manufacturer unless independent evidence supports them.

A product’s intended design is not treated as a guaranteed outcome for every golfer.

Independent Data

When using independent data, we consider:

Who conducted the test
Test date
Model generation
Player or robot speed
Club used
Sample size
Test conditions
Methodology
Potential conflicts

Results are presented within their test conditions rather than universalised.

First-Hand Testing

We state when a product has been used or tested directly.

We do not use phrases such as:

“We tested”
“Our launch-monitor data”
“During our review”

unless direct testing occurred.

Research-led articles are described as research and analysis.

Product Recommendations

Recommendations should explain:

Who the product suits
Which problem it may solve
Important advantages
Important disadvantages
Who should avoid it
Suitable alternatives
What needs to be tested

We do not assume the same ball is best for every golfer.

Product Availability and Prices

Prices and availability can change quickly.

Prices should be:

Dated where important
Identified by currency or market
Treated as current snapshots
Updated when practical

A product being unavailable from one retailer does not necessarily mean it has been discontinued.

Model status should be checked against current manufacturer information.

Affiliate Relationships

The Right Golf Ball uses affiliate links.

If affiliate links are used, we may earn a commission when readers make qualifying purchases. This does not increase the reader’s price.

Affiliate earning potential does not determine editorial conclusions.

Relevant pages should contain an appropriate disclosure.

Free Products and Samples

Products supplied free of charge will be disclosed in the relevant article.

A supplied product does not guarantee favourable coverage.

The Right Golf Ball retains the right to:

Decline coverage
Report disadvantages
Compare the product with competitors
Publish an unfavourable conclusion
Update the article later

Conflicts of Interest

Writers and editors should disclose material relationships that could reasonably affect perceived independence, including:

Employment
Consulting
Financial interests
Gifts
Paid travel
Brand contracts
Family or business relationships

Where a meaningful conflict exists, it should be disclosed or the writer should not make the final editorial judgement.

Artificial Intelligence

The Right Golf Ball may use artificial intelligence as an editorial assistance tool.

Possible uses include:

Organising research
Comparing product information
Producing outlines
Editing and readability
Identifying missing questions
Supporting maintenance work

AI output is not treated as authoritative evidence.

A human editor is responsible for reviewing, fact-checking and approving published content.

We do not knowingly publish fabricated testing, invented quotations or nonexistent sources.

Updating Content

Articles may be updated when:

A new model is released
Specifications change
Better evidence becomes available
A product is discontinued
A price or availability statement becomes misleading
An error is found
Reader intent changes materially

Substantial updates may include an “Updated” date or editorial note.

Minor spelling, formatting and link repairs may be made without a formal change notice.

Corrections

Material factual errors are handled under our Corrections Policy.

We do not remove accurate criticism merely because a company or individual dislikes it.

Reader Feedback

Readers may challenge a claim or suggest an update by emailing:

hello@TheRightGolfBall.com

Please provide:

Article URL
Exact statement
Reason for concern
Supporting evidence
Your name and relevant affiliation

Submissions are evaluated on evidence, not status or commercial importance.

Ownership and Responsibility

The Right Golf Ball is owned and edited by:

Paul Haughney

Editor: