Ben Griffin on winning, golf balls and wanting an ace in Scottsdale

Ben Griffin has moved past the stage of trying to prove he belongs. Winning three times in a season, as Griffin did in 2025 (Zurich Classic, Charles Schwab Challenge, and World Wide Technology Championship), has a way of doing that. As his confidence has grown, so has his understanding of what actually matters at the highest level, from managing energy late on Sundays to trusting the golf ball he uses.

In a wide-ranging conversation as he strolled around TPC Scottsdale on Monday afternoon, Griffin reflected on how winning has changed his perspective, why golf ball testing is often overlooked, and why, even with trophies already on the shelf, there’s still room on the bucket list for a hole-in-one on the 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open.

Golfweek: Looking back to 2024, you became a three-time PGA Tour winner. How has your week-to-week preparation changed now compared to a couple of years ago, before that breakout season?

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Ben Griffin: I’d say I go through a very similar process, honestly. It’s nothing crazy. It’s not rocket science out here. You feel good about your game and go out there ready to compete. My confidence level has never been higher, so over time, that’s gotten better.

Obviously, walking around a tournament now, I have a lot more people shouting my name than I did before. There’s a little more name awareness, and I may have to designate a little more time to sign autographs. But those are good problems. It’s been really awesome to have that rise.

I’ve really tried not to do anything crazy or different. I just believe in the work I’ve put in and believe in my philosophy. I do a really good job of managing rest and play, and that’s something you can’t really teach. Every player is different. Some guys want to practice more, some want to rest more. I’ve found my recipe over time for what’s best for my body and my mind.

A lot of guys out here are so good physically. What separates winning from not winning is having energy down the stretch on Sunday and having that mental belief. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned since 2024.

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Golfweek: Coming off 2025, it feels fair to say you’ve proven to yourself and everyone that you belong out here. Does that change how you carry yourself when you show up on Monday or Tuesday?

Ben Griffin: No doubt. The recognition has definitely shifted. But again, it’s similar to the last question. I haven’t tried to change a lot. I just try to enjoy my time out here, continue to have fun, stay competitively sharp, rest, and be ready to go on Thursdays.

I definitely get more attention than I used to and it’s cool. It’s something you adapt to. I’m just trying to play my best golf and whatever happens, happens.

Golfweek: You recently extended your partnership with Maxfli. At this point in your career, when you’re evaluating golf balls, what are you actually looking for?

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Ben Griffin: If you look across the board, every golf ball manufacturer has a competitive product nowadays. There are different ways brands can separate themselves. For me, with Maxfli, I’ve developed a huge amount of trust in the product over the last couple of years.

The testing phase was significantly longer than with any other golf ball. I tried pretty much every golf ball from every manufacturer, and I was gaining about 2 miles per hour of ball speed. I really believed in the product.

Full Review: Maxfli Tour, Tour X, Tour S golf balls

At that point in the season, I was playing longer courses like Houston and getting into the PGA Championship. Having a shorter club into the greens is really important. I started testing the ball at the beginning of the 2024 season and signed after playing a couple of events with it. I wanted to do my due diligence.

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At that time, Maxfli didn’t have a tour player. But after testing, I knew it was a tour-level golf ball. I believed I could help put it on the map. That’s what I look for in partnerships. I’m at a point in my career where I can sign with a lot of companies, but I only want to align with products I truly believe in. It’s not about a dollar sign. That made the Maxfli partnership easy.

Golfweek: Can you think of a specific shot or moment where that trust in the ball really stood out?

Ben Griffin: There are several big moments. The one that comes to mind most recently was my win in Cabo. On the second shot on 18, I had 320 yards to the pin. I needed about 280 to reach the front. It was a little into the wind, going for a par-5 in two, with a one- or two-shot lead.

I hit a 3-wood right on the screws. It flew onto the green and chased back to about 25 or 30 feet. I know I’m playing one of the highest ball-speed golf balls on the market. I don’t know if I would’ve carried it to the front with a different product. That was a moment where I was really thankful to have that ball.

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There were others, too. Around the greens at Colonial, from a really awkward lie, I was able to put spin on it and get it close to save par. Even my first win with Andrew Novak, hitting big tee shots under pressure, those moments validate not only yourself but the product you’re using.

Golfweek: This week, you’re putting a new low-spin version of the ball in play. What problem does this ball solve for you?

Ben Griffin: I hit it higher and spin it more than most tour players. Over the last couple of years, I’ve gotten stronger, and my swing has evolved. I naturally launch it higher now, especially as we play more majors and longer courses where height helps.

With this ball, it brings the apex down a little on some of my higher-launching clubs. That’s really helpful in the wind. A club like a 7-wood is a good example. There’s only so much you can do to lower launch with that club without making it uncomfortable to hit.

Everyone talks about how great 7-woods are, and for most amateur players, they are. But on tour, guys can actually hit them too high. This ball helps bring flight down just a touch without changing feel. I’m not going to see a big difference with short irons. It’s more about slightly lower spin, slightly lower launch and better performance in windy conditions.

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Golfweek: At the WM Phoenix Open, does the atmosphere on the 16th hole change how you play it?

Ben Griffin: My first year playing it, I was pretty nervous. I almost went in with the mentality of just not getting booed. I’ve actually played the hole really well. I’ve made par every time and one birdie in three years.

Now, I want to make a splash. Making a hole-in-one on 16 would be a bucket-list moment, maybe even ahead of winning certain tournaments. I probably play it more aggressively than I should. I’ve gotten more comfortable in front of big crowds, and now it’s more about how pumped up you can get the fans.

Golfweek: For everyday golfers, what’s the first thing they should consider when choosing a golf ball?

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Ben Griffin: Ball testing is really underrated for amateur golfers. A lot of players think equipment will solve their problems, but a golf ball might do more than they realize.

Compression matters. Slower swing-speed players might struggle with balls built for higher speeds. Testing different models can solve issues before you even think about changing clubs.

On tour, players are hesitant to change because so much is at stake and you use the ball on every shot. For amateurs, you can experiment freely. Try different balls and see what saves you a shot or two. A golf ball might seem small, but it can make a big difference.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Ben Griffin Maxfli golf balls TPC Scottsdale WM Phoenix Open