Abstract: A golf ball compression testing apparatus has a main body with a ball receiving chamber and pistons movably mounted in aligned bores in the body and extending into the chamber to engage opposite portions of the ball. The first piston is spring loaded into an advanced position engaging the ball, while the second piston is spring loaded away from the ball and urged by a handle operated actuator into an extended position engaging the ball. A pressure gauge associated with the first piston measures a compression rating of the ball when the second piston is moved into the advanced position. Rotation of the handle away from a test position retracts the actuator and allows the second piston to move away from the ball. In one embodiment, a clutch assembly associated with the actuator resists the tendency of the handle to snap back into the inoperative position under the action of the piston return spring.