Ball fitting

[Deleted Member 1156]

Then why would companies bother to engineer feel into golf equipment? Why not just use ultra durable rubber for balls and reinforced steel for golf clubs? Every time a new ball or club comes out, it's always touted as the new level in feel and softer. Why would they bother to do that if the difference was not discernible and the choice was not open to personal preference? Has a ball ever been advertised on the basis of being "reassuringly rock hard"? The answer is no because there is difference and human beings are capable of selecting a golf ball based on feel even when it's on the club face for a fraction of a second. It's why companies have also dropped the compression rating (as a means for selection) for balls because the feel is a more important overall factor. I've yet to see a pro who put a ball into play that he or she didn't like the feel of. Feel is everything - and it's also a valid point in selecting a golf ball. And as for the original premise of this thread - fitting a golf ball to suit a driver isn't a sensible approach to golf ball selection.

I'm really starting to think your posts are some sort of windup.

I play the majority of my golf on links courses where spin control is everything. It affects the flight of the ball and the amount of check I get on the greens. Why would I choose a ball that 'feels' good off the putter face over these other factors?

 

[nemicu]

I'm really starting to think your posts are some sort of windup.

I play the majority of my golf on links courses where spin control is everything. It affects the flight of the ball and the amount of check I get on the greens. Why would I choose a ball that 'feels' good off the putter face over these other factors?

It's not possible to spin and control a ball that feels the way you want off the putter? Most skilled players can spin and control just about any golf ball with a receptive cover - but once that factor is negated, what makes one ball preferable over another?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

It's not possible to spin and control a ball that feels the way you want off the putter? Most skilled players can spin and control just about any golf ball with a receptive cover - but once that factor is negated, what makes one ball preferable over another?

Why would I want to spin the ball off my putter? All I want to do is get it rolling on my chosen line.

 

[nemicu]

Why would I want to spin the ball off my putter? All I want to do is get it rolling on my chosen line.

Who said anything about spinning a ball with a putter? I said (if you read it) pick a ball you like the feel of - spin and control is a matter of skill - regardless of how much of it is allegedly engineered into a golf ball construction by manufacturers. What IS engineered into the golf ball - and what transcends any skill level you may possess, is feel.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Who said anything about spinning a ball with a putter? I said (if you read it) pick a ball you like the feel of - spin and control is a matter of skill - regardless of how much of it is allegedly engineered into a golf ball construction by manufacturers. What IS engineered into the golf ball - and what transcends any skill level you may possess, is feel.

Sorry but I really can't see any sense in your argument. I'll leave you to your minority opinion. :thup:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have played a number of premium balls over the tears from most of the manufacturers (Pro V, Z Star, RX330, Is Tour etc) and to be honest they have all felt much of a muchness. There may have been times when I 've thought one performed better than another but that probably corresponded more to the quality of my ball striking in that period than any particular difference offered by the ball itself.

The only balls I really don't like are the Callaway. They really don't feel nice (and I've tried the Is and Ix) off the putter to me. They just feel "clicky" and its a feel that doesn't give me any confidence off the face. However I've recently found the AD333 Tour version which is a three piece and to be honest I can't really tell the difference between these and the four and five piece models. They come in under the top brand in pricing and do everything I need off my handicap.

Funnily enough I've been lucky enough to have been fitted for balls by Titleist, Srixon and Bridgestone over the years and guess what, they've all come out as the premium model. Personally I can't help thinking this is a coincidence to get players to buy the top end ball. I'm also lucky enough to have a large number of premium balls at home courtesy of presents and charity days so at the end of the day, I can play the top balls without any worry. Whether they are really the best for me is open to conjecture.

 

[hovis]

Sorry but I really can't see any sense in your argument. I'll leave you to your minority opinion. :thup:

That makes two of us. I play a nike 20xi 'x' because they don't spin up on my driver (as much as other manufacturers) and they stop on hard greens. However they sound horrible and have a kind of hollow feel about them off the putter. That said, who cares? If i read the green correct and put a good stroke on it then it will go in the hole. It could play a tune after I've hit it and i wouldnt care

Oh and im currently off 11 and still use pick ups such as pinnacle and top flight

 

[freddielong]

That's for you to discern. The simple fact is, you are more likely to hole putts that are:
(a) closer to the hole
(b) feel right off the putter
I don't know what that ball is for you - but it highlights the importance of fitting a ball around putting rather than driving.

I am with you on that I have tried to move away from Prov1x's a couple of times I really liked the Nike one when that came out loved the way it played but far to clicky off the putter so back to Prov1x's, there have been a few since but for me Prov1x's feel the best of the putter

 

[nemicu]

Sorry but I really can't see any sense in your argument. I'll leave you to your minority opinion. :thup:

That's cool. I'll leave my minority opinion open for others to discuss.

 

[hovis]

I am with you on that I have tried to move away from Prov1x's a couple of times I really liked the Nike one when that came out loved the way it played but far to clicky off the putter so back to Prov1x's, there have been a few since but for me Prov1x's feel the best of the putter

I can most certainly relate to the clicky/hollow feel with the nike. So if you where 10 feet away from the hole with your pro v1x and took your shot then are you saying the outcome would be different with the nike ball based on how it feels?

 

[freddielong]

Absolutely yes I would be more confident of holing a putt that came of the putter nicely, but the real difference is in distance putting or anything over 25 feet were you are trying to judge how the ball will come of the putter face and how it will roll out

 

[hovis]

Absolutely yes I would be more confident of holing a putt that came of the putter nicely, but the real difference is in distance putting or anything over 25 feet were you are trying to judge how the ball will come of the putter face and how it will roll out

If you got a iron byron to hit two identical putts with those two balls the outcome would be identical. however, you talk about confidence and i agree that if its in your head "i hate this ball, i hate this ball" then your not likely to hit a good putt. In which case thats the indian not the arrows! also, perhaps i hate pro v1s because im scared of the spin (side spin) i get. Maybe i should man up and get on with it

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Absolutely yes I would be more confident of holing a putt that came of the putter nicely, but the real difference is in distance putting or anything over 25 feet were you are trying to judge how the ball will come of the putter face and how it will roll out

The difference you describe is no different to playing on greens of a different pace than you are used to or playing with a different type of putter ie. a milled putter versus an insert one. You should be able to adapt to the different feel very quickly. Once you have done that, it will make no difference to the outcome of the putt. The ball doesn't come off the face any faster or slower between different types of ball, that is purely the subjective 'feel' of each individual. Hitting a ball with a putter at 10mph has no effect on the compression of the ball, that doesn't become a factor until you get up to much higher swing speeds.