Ball Swapping - Titleist to Srixon? Others?

[Piece]

I've recently swapped balls from Titleist NXT Tours to Srixon Z Star XVs. I did try Pro V1 and V1xs but they always seem to end up in the drink! I switched as I liked the XV performance and more importantly, the feel.

A local pro, backed by Cleveland/Srixon, told me that Srixon are severely pushing to become the No 1 ball supplier. The AD333 is highly rated and now the new Z Stars.

Anyone else switched from one to another? And why?

 

[fundy]

have gone from Pro V1 Xs to Z Star X or XVs. Think there is little to choose between them nowadays exccept for the price, go through too many balls each year so Srixons the better option

 

[Imurg]

I'll play whatever I can get cheap. Got a doz each ProV1 and ProV1x to lose then any from Z-stars to B-330's to ProV's etc etc
I doubt anyone of us could tell the difference.

 

[G1BB0]

Region3's mate Andy hit a pinnacle he found for the long drive hole, he scored on the next 3 holes using it!!! too much emphasis is made on the balls, unless your single digit and able to spin at will etc then I doubt it makes a huge amount of difference, more golf hype imho to create more sales

 

[CliveW]

Why is it that we seem to spend a fortune on clubs but are not prepared to buy a premium ball?
If you stick to the same ball you will have one less variable in your game. If on the other hand you use whatever you find or is cheapest then you will not be getting the best out of your game.
As for those who claim that only low handicappers will be able to tell the difference that just isn't true. Perhaps higher handicappers won't be able to get the best out of a premium ball, but then the same could be said about clubs, yet that still won't stop high handicappers buying the latest driver/irons in the hope it will improve their scores.

 

[pokerjoke]

Why is it that we seem to spend a fortune on clubs but are not prepared to buy a premium ball?
If you stick to the same ball you will have one less variable in your game. If on the other hand you use whatever you find or is cheapest then you will not be getting the best out of your game.
As for those who claim that only low handicappers will be able to tell the difference that just isn't true. Perhaps higher handicappers won't be able to get the best out of a premium ball, but then the same could be said about clubs, yet that still won't stop high handicappers buying the latest driver/irons in the hope it will improve their scores.

You dont buy a club then two minutes later hit it in the trees or rough never to be found again.Buying brand new titleist provs at £3.50 each is like throwing money down the drain.

 

[G1BB0]

I agree on all counts, was just an observation from yesterday that a budget ball can still do the job.

to the OP, I use zstars and ad333, I do find zstars nicer to putt with but got the 333 as they are quite cheap at 12.50 ish a dozen

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess it is all about your game and your budget. If you are fortunate enough not to worry too much about losing 3+ balls per round then I definitely think a top end ball will give even higher handicappers more control especially off the putter face. I switch between a soft insert putter (odyssey white ice #9) and a solid face (Ping Anser or TM Rossa) and with both types, a hard ball (Pinnacle etc) flies off the face and is really hard to control on long putts. Even mid price balls (AD333, NXT etc) still seem fiery on quicker summer greens.

There is little doubt that premium balls do give more spin and control around the greens but on the other hand you have to have a modicum of skill in the first place. If you are losing balls too regularly to afford the Pro V's of this world then I would always recommend buying the best quality ball you can afford but I would never use lake balls (or refurbs) as there is no guarantee of their quality and no two ever perform in quite the same way. Its hard enough as it is without adding the ball performance as another variable

 

[BROOKIE]

I've recently swapped my usual Srixon soft feel for the
Wilson dx2,they were reccomended by a few people on the this
forum,and I can say they are a superior ball, especially,
with the wedges,it gives you that bit more confidence around
the greens

 

[SharkAttack]

I changed from Titleist ProV1 to Taylormade TP Red as the ProV's spun way to much. Changed to Penta's last season as the Red's were becoming scarce on the ground. Penta's #1 in my opinion.

Shark

 

[HRC99]

Region3's mate Andy hit a pinnacle he found for the long drive hole, he scored on the next 3 holes using it!!!

Which proves? Precisely nothing.

too much emphasis is made on the balls, unless your single digit and able to spin at will etc then I doubt it makes a huge amount of difference, more golf hype imho to create more sales

There is huge variation between balls. For me, the feel of the ball with regard to chipping and putting is the key. I can use a harder ball in the winter on slower greens but, in the summer, I won't putt with a distance-type ball as I just don't like the feel of them on quicker greens.

Yes, you can play with anything but are you doing to play your best with a ball that you don't like the feel of?

The problem is that golfers often play with too "good" a ball from them which can often have an adverse effect on their game not to mention being bloody expensive.

 

[G1BB0]

it doesnt prove anything, was merely an observation that even an el cheapo ball will get the same result if hit correctly. It wasnt an endorsement for pinnacles

 

[SatchFan]

I really like the Pro V1x. Doesn't spin as much off the tee as the Pro V1 so more likely to stay on the fairway. Also has a nice feel on the greens. To be fair they aren't cheap so I will swap for an AD333 if I'm on a nasty hole or just having a bad day. I find a lot of balls on my course (lots of pay and play hackers) so I get to try most brands out. As HRC99 says they do vary a lot and must admit that the cheap distance balls like Pinnacle and Dunlop are pretty horrible on the green compared to the posh ones but ultimately it's down to personal taste.

 

[USER1999]

Pinnacle exception is not a bad ball at all, once you get past the name.

Not keen on srixon stars, rate them about the same as the pinnacle exception. Ha.

Trying bridgestone b330rx next. Have got a load of them, so if I don't get on, expect a post in the for sale section.

 

[Soco11]

B330 rx-s are the ones to try, spin more than the kid rx ball as I struggle with this. Or even the Bridgestone e6's.

Otherwise I've tried the Nike Power Distance Ball Soft (Green box) which are a good ball for the money!

Never really been a fan of NXT Tour mainly because you are paying premium prices for a mediocre balls!

 

[AuburnWarrior]

The best ball out there is the Pro V1 - no question.

But.......

At £3.50 a ball - that's too expensive for me.

I get all nervous when I use a Pro V1. All I can think is "don't lose it!". What do I then do? Yep, lose it.

I used the Srixon Z stars recently - a very good ball - too expensive for me still though.

Wilson Dx3 soft all day long. I hear the Wilson FG Tours are good as well. You can get them NUFF cheap on the interwebnet.

 

[Swinger]

Only Srixon ball I would use is the Tour Yellow Z Star in the winter. Really does stick out well on grey back grounds and you can see it on a fairway (or rough) from a long way away. The softer green make up for the lack of responsivness from the Z - Stars.

I highly rate Callaway tours, Pro V1's and Pentas. I can often change between these depending on mood.

 

[RGDave]

Wife swapping - Blond or Brunette? Others?

Now we're talking.

(whoops, got a bit carried away there)....

(what was the question?)

oh yeh, I swap quite often.....

 

[kid2]

Its like anything....If you use it often enough then you will get accustomed to how it reacts off all the clubs...Rather than firing hard balls at pins you'd probably be used to dropping a club and letting it run in....

That being said im not going to be clearing the shelfs of my local golf shop of Top Flites and Pinnicles....


But knowing that my Wilsonstaff DX2's take a bounce and stop on summer greens is plenty good enough for me....They are sweet off the putter and the wedges too.
And there cheap as chips.Win Win.

 

[drawboy]

If I play away I like to use a Z star but for normal play I stick to the Wilson DX2 soft. When playing away I am usually playing much better greens so the Z star gives me more spin. I have never given a DX2 to anyone who hasn't liked them. Titleists at £35 per doz are not for me at my handicap.