Quick answer: Surlyn is an ionomer plastic developed by DuPont, giving golf ball covers that are durable, low-spin, long-flying, and reasonably priced. Urethane is softer, producing high spin and great feel around the green, but it's less durable and more expensive. Most recreational golfers do well with a Surlyn cover, while skilled golfers who can control their swing get the most out of urethane.
On a box of golf balls, the words "Surlyn" or "urethane" are usually printed pretty prominently. That's not just marketing language — cover material is the single biggest factor in how a ball reacts off the clubface. This article breaks down both materials so you can read a box of balls like an insider.
What is Surlyn?
Surlyn is the trade name for an ionomer resin developed by DuPont, the American materials company, back in the 1960s. It's hard, highly resilient, and virtually scratch-resistant under normal play. A Surlyn cover transfers energy efficiently, so the ball flies far, while also limiting sidespin, which keeps the ball flight straight and consistent. Thanks to its reasonable production cost, Surlyn has become the most widely used cover material on two-piece balls worldwide.
What is urethane?
Urethane is a softer, more elastic material, typically used to cover premium three-piece-and-up balls. Because it's soft, urethane lets the clubface "grip" the ball for an extra fraction of a second at impact — long enough for the club's grooves to generate significant backspin. The result is chip shots that stop quickly on the green and the distinctive soft feel on putts. The trade-off: a urethane cover scuffs more easily against rocks, trees, or pavement, and it costs noticeably more to produce.
Head-to-head comparison
| Criteria | Surlyn cover | Urethane cover |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Firm | Soft |
| Spin around the green | Low | High |
| Distance | Optimized, less sidespin | Good, but sensitive to swing errors |
| Cover durability | Very high | Moderate |
| Price | Affordable | Higher |
| Best suited for | Recreational players, frequent practice | Low handicaps, competitive play |
One thing many people miss: urethane's high spin is only an advantage when your swing is dialed in enough to control it. With a less consistent swing, high spin just means a curvier slice and a sharper hook. That's why coaches often advise new players to stick with a Surlyn cover for at least their first year.
The smart combination: getting the best of both
Modern manufacturers don't force you to pick one extreme or the other. The vola! three-piece ball is a good example: a rubber core for power, a urethane mantle layer for spin and soft feel, but an outer cover that's still DuPont Surlyn for lasting durability. This construction gives mid-level golfers an experience close to a premium tour ball without the fragility of a soft cover. You can see the full specs for both the two-piece and three-piece lines on the vola! golf product page, and if you want help choosing between the two by skill level, we covered that in two-piece vs. three-piece golf balls.
For golf shops and dealers, cover material is also a sales conversation: when a customer asks "what's the difference between this ball and that one," it's a chance to close the sale if you can explain Surlyn and urethane in three sentences. For genuine wholesale golf ball supply, check out the vola! dealer program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Surlyn on a golf ball cover?
Surlyn is the trade name for the ionomer resin developed by DuPont, used as a golf ball cover material since the 1960s. It's known for durability, good resilience, and low spin, helping the ball fly far and straight at an affordable price.
Is a urethane-cover ball worth the money?
It's worth it if you already have your swing under control and need the ball to stop quickly on the green. For beginners, urethane's high spin amplifies mishits and the soft cover wears out faster, so a Surlyn cover is the more economical choice.
Can a Surlyn cover be used for competition play?
Yes. Competition standards for golf balls cover size, weight, and performance limits — not cover material. Many popular competition-grade balls still use Surlyn or ionomer covers.
What cover does the vola! three-piece ball use?
The vola! three-piece ball uses a rubber core, a urethane mantle layer, and an outer DuPont Surlyn cover, combining spin and the soft feel of urethane with the durability of a Surlyn cover.