GREG NORMAN wears a laboratory white coat - along with a self denigrating "Kick Me" slogan pinned to the back of the garment - in his latest television advertisement extolling the virtues of the newest Maxfli golf ball.

Other men in white coats, the psychiatrists, have had their fair share of patients driven barmy by lugging a bag around a course in pursuit of just such balls.

The not so simple multidimpled ball may drive players to dementia or exultation, but it is nevertheless an essential part of any golfer's paraphernalia. Balls come in one familiar shape, yet there is a wide array of choice available, depending on a player's standard, each one promising to go further and straighter than the other.

Although golf's ruling bodies (the Royal & Ancient and the US Golf Association) keep tight controls on the development of the ball - only conforming balls on the R&A and USGA lists are allowed in competitions - the reality is that balls are changing, the latest innovation (within the rules) being the titanium ball, which apparently blends the best of both worlds, the twopiece and the three piece.

However, most amateurs remain unaffected by such advances and the secret is to remain underwhelmed by the choice of balls on the shelves.

Remember, while the new titanium is attempting to nudge into the market, there are three basic types - the one piece, two piece, and three piece - with various compressions: 80, 90 and 100 compressions are the most common, although some companies have developed 110 compression balls. The 80 compression ball is the softest and mainly used by women with slow swings, who advance to 90 compression as their game improves.

Basically, the cheap one piece ball should never be allowed leave the practice range. End of story.

The two piece is constructed with a hard inner core and a durable outer shell, usually Surlyn. Such wound balls are best suited to the beginner and mid to high handicap player, ideal for those who don't hit the ball too squarely, and, providing extra distance for those who don't hit the ball too far.

The three piece ball is usually used by better players because it feels softer and can be spun easier for different types of shots. It is made of an inner core with a rubber winding and soft outer shell called balata.

Technology has broken new ground in the design of golf balls, developing a multi layered construction (i.e. a hard core surrounded by a thin synthetic mantle like layer encased in a conventional outer cover) which allows the same ball to perform like a hard, two piece product and a soft, wound one depending on the type of club with which it is hit.

The manufacturers claim this ball will rebound aggressively off the new titanium drivers, but still nestle softly against the increasingly popular face insert putters!

Manufacturers have also developed balls with high or low trajectory, with more spin or less and ones which travel further. But the professional advice is not to experiment with these balls until you have reached a decent level and can assess whether or not they actually help your game.

When buying golf balls, the most important things to know are your own tendencies - and your own game.

The two piece ball is the one best suited to the majority of players. As Donabate club professional Hugh Jackson observes: "You shouldn't contemplate using a balata unless you're a single handicap player."