Ball question!

[thecraw]

Its pretty widely acknowledged that Pro V1, Z-STAR, Bridgestone B330, etc are the best balls on the market for the "lower" player. They are aimed at people who want soft feel and good control and a ball they feel that they can control. There is no doubt that they play well and feel good off the face, whether you prefer the Titleist or the Srixon equivalent.

Anyway, the question I want to ask is do they actually offer us, the mere club golfer, anything extra from a mid range ball?

I am intrigued as to the answers that I will get from the forum. The reason I ask is that I played 14 holes the other night armed with a "left over winter ball", a Srixon Soft Feel. Its cheep as chips and for me it worked just as well as a Z-STAR. It stopped just as quickly, it actually felt softer off the club face then the Z-STAR and gave just as much if not more distance from the tee. Short game wise it also reacted well and I genuinely couldn't fault it. Granted it was wet but I get the impression that this ball would still perform well in the dry or when the ground is firmer!

To make me question this even further I have just tried the online Srixon ball fitting and it recommends that I try the Srixon Trispeed!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There are a lot of balls in the mid-price bracket like ths Softfeel that do perform really well. I like the NXT and the new Penta 3 (although pretty steep in price). I think if you look at any of the middle of the road three piece balls out there you won't go far wrong. I was a fan of the Burner TP but these starting to become harder to get as they are being replace by the Penta 3

 

[Captainron]

I won a dozen ProV1's (still not arrived though) asking this same question on the Titleist thread.

I think the premium balls are usually for people with higher swing speeds and compress accordingly. They fly straighter according to the bumf on the sleeve. I would like to see what difference a Softfeel would make to a professionals round though.

 

[Bucket92]

Titleist say that their premium balls (pro v1 + v1x) are for all levels of player and all swing speeds as a low speed amateur swing has the same speed as a pro's 8/9 iron, so they'll have to work for pro's at that swing speed too.

 

[patricks148]

Its pretty widely acknowledged that Pro V1, Z-STAR, Bridgestone B330, etc are the best balls on the market for the "lower" player. They are aimed at people who want soft feel and good control and a ball they feel that they can control. There is no doubt that they play well and feel good off the face, whether you prefer the Titleist or the Srixon equivalent.

Anyway, the question I want to ask is do they actually offer us, the mere club golfer, anything extra from a mid range ball?

I am intrigued as to the answers that I will get from the forum. The reason I ask is that I played 14 holes the other night armed with a "left over winter ball", a Srixon Soft Feel. Its cheep as chips and for me it worked just as well as a Z-STAR. It stopped just as quickly, it actually felt softer off the club face then the Z-STAR and gave just as much if not more distance from the tee. Short game wise it also reacted well and I genuinely couldn't fault it. Granted it was wet but I get the impression that this ball would still perform well in the dry or when the ground is firmer!

To make me question this even further I have just tried the online Srixon ball fitting and it recommends that I try the Srixon Trispeed!

I did tri a few Trispeeds last year and though they felt ok off the clubface, i didn't like them to putt with, very like the NXT a bit clicky.

Over the winter i use any old ball, even had a round with a Pinnacle lady for a laugh.

but i find i get better results with the pro v1 than any other ball i've tried, even gone off the Srixon which is a shame as i have two boxes of the yellow i won last year.

Pro V1 for me and the x for windy days despite me not having the 115mph swing speed you need for the x.

 

[SocketRocket]

A good premium ball will benefit players of all abilities. The problem is it can be a little expensive if you lose a lot of them.

 

[Shanks a lot!]

I use Pro V1's mainly, and I personally feel it's a psychological thing. I've played with all sorts, from Top Flites and Dunlops, to Bridgestone and Wilson DX3's, but I just feel more confident standing above a Pro V1. Can't explain it, but maybe it's the little thought demons in my head when i'm stood over another ball saying 'it's not a Pro V, it won't go as far, it's crap, it won't feel the same!'.

 

[Slime]

I'm not a good golfer by any means and I use the Srixon Z-Star Tour Tellow.............and I love it.
The main advantages, for me, are that it's easier to find than white balls, it doesn't seem to be affected by the wind as much as Pro V-1's that I've used and they are incredibly durable.
If I'm fortunate enought to go a whole round without losing one I'd happily use it over & over again because it looks as good as new.
Z-Star Tour Yellow for me then....................................every time.

Slime.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Titleist say that their premium balls (pro v1 + v1x) are for all levels of player and all swing speeds as a low speed amateur swing has the same speed as a pro's 8/9 iron, so they'll have to work for pro's at that swing speed too.

To be fair, they are trying to sell the things so they wouldn't exclude anyone would they?

 

[swanny32]

The fact of the matter is, with Pro V's and Z Stars etc they are £40 a dozen. I for one can't afford to buy them and lose them all in a couple of rounds.

Srixon AD333's are perfect for me, usually able to get a 3 for 2 on them, aren't massively expensive and have a great feel to them. I don't know why the average club golfer would play with anything else. If you're a single figure player and one of those people who buys a sleeve of 3 before playing knowing they'll come back with 3 maybe 2 balls then go for it, if not then don't bother with top of the range balls. Only my opinion of course.

 

[duncan mackie]

easy one - any ball that offers superb control to the better golfer will provide additional spin; this will work against the golfer who's imparting spin, but not necessarily as required! ie a slice with an NXT will be a big slice with a ProV1

that's the easy bit

then there's feel - again easy; if you like it hard play a hard ball - if you like it soft - go soft

finally there's marketing - the NXT is the same ball as the Pinacle Gold Precision; but very different from the PG Distance. If badges matter to you (are you Audi, Vx or Skoda?) then pay for the one that makes you feel happy.

finally, if I ever bought balls it would be Srixon Soft Feel; can't see any downside. However, I find 10 ProV's to every Srion SF so I generally play those. Why people play these for 1 or 2 shots and then leave them on the course defies my understanding......

 

[Lump]

I picked up a box of Nike Soft feels from the pro shop a few weeks ago. The main thing I notice is the spin off the driver. They really balloon and then fall out the sky. They feel nice off the iron face, but not such a huge fan of them with a putter. I play the B330 S during the summer and they do feel similar but feel off the putter is so much better.
Going to give the velocity's a try next. Should hopefully not balloon so much.

 

[Val]

I'm a 1x man normally but have been using the Titleist Velocity ball and other thanit felling a bit harder of the driver than the 1x personally I feel it's as good around the greens. It's way cheaper at £20 a dozen and it doesn't cut upas much.

People could do worse than giving them a go.

 

[Foxholer]

I play any Premium ball I find (though not keen on Pro V1x). Current preference is TM Penta. Have tried Callaway Hex Blacks and found them really really good - great distance off the tee and great bite on the greens. Not the usual Calllaway rock feel either. Just not popular enough for me to find lots yet though.

Tried the Srixon Soft Feel a few years ago. Strange ball for me. Seemed to lose 10-15 yards off the tee but definitely gained 15 yards off irons! Wasn't keen on the ultra soft feel on the putter, so not for me. Cheap as chips at times though. AD333 was too far the other way (hard and clicky).

 

[timchump]

i was a little worried the other week having a practice round on my own playing 2 balls
a srixon ad333 and a srixon lady, hole after hole the lady was going further off the tee than the ad333, im a bit concerned, anyway....

i do like a premium ball for approach shots, i feel l more confident knowing i have a bit more stopping power if i get lucky and hit the green

 

[Scottjd1]

finally there's marketing - the NXT is the same ball as the Pinacle Gold Precision;

Really.....:rofl:

 

[kid2]

Well i use Prov1's but they are used...The ones that you can buy 2 dozen in JJB for 22 euro....Most are in pretty decent nick as well which is a plus....
Iv used most mid priced balls and to tell the truth i find them very good...I prefer the softer feeling ones though....

I think the difference between the Tour balls for a pro and a club golfer comes down to the short game....Take for instance the likes of someone like Michelson....
He could probably spin a ball back from 6 yards off the green....
If i tried that it would go backwards alright.....Towards one of the greens or tee boxes on a previous hole after blading it .....

I get just as much stop from a mid range ball as i do with a tour ball but at just over a tenner a box they are still half the price of a mid range ball.

 

[Lanark_Golfer]

Really.....:rofl:

Have to say that I have heard these are exactly the same ball from various sources

 

[Scottjd1]

Have to say that I have heard these are exactly the same ball from various sources

Okay, well golf ball technology advances quickly and im pretty sure its safe to say that the current nxt tour is the same as a prov1, but probably a 2008/9 ProV1.

Is the Pinnacle similar/identical to a 3-4 year old NXT? Probably.

Is it the same as the 2011/12 NXT - I seriously doubt it, but if someone has some evidence I'll stand corrected.

:thup:

 

[Val]

Okay, well golf ball technology advances quickly and im pretty sure its safe to say that the current nxt tour is the same as a prov1, but probably a 2008/9 ProV1.

Is the Pinnacle similar/identical to a 3-4 year old NXT? Probably.

Is it the same as the 2011/12 NXT - I seriously doubt it, but if someone has some evidence I'll stand corrected.

:thup:

And to top it all the original Prov1 was a Bridgestone ball.