What Makes a Golf Ball different from others?

I work at a sporting goods store and now since are golf pro is gone they put me in golf for a bit. The problem is I know the bare minimum about golf but really want to learn about it. I look at the whole wall of golf balls and I just wonder what makes one better than the other? Is it player preference?

I already know the comparison between 2, 3, 4, and so on layered balls. Is there a website that has performed testing on top named brands that clearly distinguishes one, or few as the longest hitting golf balls. If you don’t know of a site, how about your experience?

Although hard to believe, I compete in Professional MIni Golf tournaments around the country and was wondering what type of ball would perform best on the green (min golf course lol). I seem to like balls with a lower compression (Maxfli Noodle, Volvik Crystal) yet after reading up on the design of golf balls, I am not sure that this is the right decision. What type of balls (compression, three piece two piece etc.) would help increase my performance.