Balls

[Lucifer MorningStar]

That's not accidental. It's poor journalism trying to push their agenda.

Also, I have 100mph swing speed and I do not hit driver anywhere near 290 yards. Obviously not as good a swing as the robot, but the people I know who hit it 280+ have much faster swing speeds.

Swing speed is only part of the equation though. Hugely Depends on your Smash factor so that Swing speed x smash factor will equate to ball speed, that will then give you your carry distance, then add in roll for total distance.

You’re not wrong though it’s absolutely poor journalism, with your swing speed even if you had a smash factor of say 1.5! You’d get a ball speed of 150mph so total carry around 250yds say you get 15 yds of roll you’d still be 25yds short of their tests. They test in perfect hot conditions so will likely get a bit more carry and a lot more roll but it’s still questionable !

I average 104-105mpg with a driver and I’m not getting it out at 290!

 

[sunshine]

It's supposed to be medium swing speed but driver distance of 290 is good enough to be on tour.

I think American yards are smaller than British yards.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

It's supposed to be medium swing speed but driver distance of 290 is good enough to be on tour.

I think American yards are smaller than British yards.

Whenever I see these tests I always question how they have a medium swing speed in 3 figures.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

That’s why the ProV1 and ProV1x were ruled out for me today. They were the longest I hit but with the irons and wedges they just weren’t on par with the others so sacrificed a couple of yards for accuracy and control.

What was not on par with them? Did the fitter mention anything about spin retention or was everything judged purely on launch conditions on the quad?

Did you get to do anything on an actual green or off turf with wedges?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

What was not on par with them? Did the fitter mention anything about spin retention or was everything judged purely on launch conditions on the quad?

Did you get to do anything on an actual green or off turf with wedges?

Wasn’t getting the same stopping power with the irons and wedges as previously mentioned. Plenty was mentioned about spin retention, unfortunately don’t have time to give the full low down on what was said as I’m literally about to drive to Gatwick to board a plane for sunnier clime’s

I’ve got the data all emailaes through so when I get chance I’ll respond properly

But we did head onto the green. The ProV was just not for me.

 

[Klimski]

Altitude and air temperature are going to be the major factors here. MGS uses robot testing so they’re guaranteed perfect Smash factor x swing speed to get optimum ball speed and spin every time, plus they even state when testing the location they use will often give optimal numbers due to the weather being perfect.

Today’s golfer tends to be a dude hitting balls indoors on a GCQuad or similar so what they’re getting is optimal numbers for that person hitting it only compared to MGS. I’d be more inclined to take MGS numbers as it’s usually a far more controlled scientific test.

Does make for interesting reading though. I’ve got my fitting tomorrow so I’m interested in seeing how that goes.

Today's Golfer is robot testing too

 

[The Squirrel]

Whenever I see these tests I always question how they have a medium swing speed in 3 figures.

This.
Especially as ‘all golfers’ includes men, women, children; and means golfers of all ages.
I don’t think the swing speed of any golf club’s median swing-speed member is going to be anywhere near 105

 

[rulie]

Extract of the applicable rule is

In addition, the design of the golf ball may not include parts or components that move with respect to each other

I first noticed it in the 2020 changes (it may have been in there earlier)

The original concept of the mantle ball was that the mantle was not fixed to the outer cover. In that way when a wedge was used the outer layer would slip against the mantle allowing for much higher levels of spin compared to a straight face club hitting the ball which would just compress the ball.

Here's what it said in 2012. I doubt that the "traditional and customary form and make" would have prevented construction which included any moving parts (much like clubs). The wording may have been updated, but I don't think the Rules changed.

1. General
The ball must not be substantially different from the traditional and customary form and make.The material and construction of the ball must not be contrary to the purpose and intent of the Rules.

Prior to 2008, all of the Rules on the golf ball were precise and quantitative in comparison to the generally more descriptive Rules that relate to clubs. However, in 2008, new language was introduced to protect
against any new technology which may be developed in the future which circumvents the intent of the existing Rules.Therefore, along with the specifications listed below,The R&A may conduct additional testing and
inspections to identify whether golf balls contain unusual material, construction and/or performance characteristics which might be considered substantially different from the traditional and customary form
and make and/or contrary to the purpose and intent of the Rules.

 

[timd77]

The srixon zstar XV balls I ordered from eBay arrived and weren’t the ones pictured in the advert! The photo was of the latest variation, they sent the 2023 model, so I sent them back. Naughty buggers.

After reading all the stuff about Wilson staff on here, but still wanting to play something similar to the prov1x, I decided to take the plunge on the Wilson staff model x, which is apparently quite similar. Managed to find them on a 3for2 and also a 5% discount code, so they’ve ended up costing just over £27 per dozen. Looking forward to giving them a try.

Wilson Staff Model X Golf Balls - White - 3 For 2 Offer

3 FOR 2 OFFER - BUY 2 DOZEN AND RECEIVE 1 FREE The Fastest Urethane Golf Ball on the Planet The Wilson Staff Model® X golf ball is a tour-caliber, four-piece urethane golf ball that delivers unmatched precision, speed and consistency. Made for players who want a firm, fast ball, the Staff Model...

www.majorgolfdirect.com

Played with a Wilson staff model x for the first time today. No stats for it of course, but I really liked it. Felt/sounded very similar to the prov1x on the putting green before (holed the very first putt with it straight out the gate, 20 footer!), and then out on the course I didn’t notice any difference in the flight, distance or spin compared to the prov1x I’ve been using for the last year or so.

Very pleased so far.

Oh, and despite hitting it into some cabbage a few times, I never lost it!

 

[jim8flog]

Here's what it said in 2012. I doubt that the "traditional and customary form and make" would have prevented construction which included any moving parts (much like clubs). The wording may have been updated, but I don't think the Rules changed.

1. General
The ball must not be substantially different from the traditional and customary form and make.The material and construction of the ball must not be contrary to the purpose and intent of the Rules.

Prior to 2008, all of the Rules on the golf ball were precise and quantitative in comparison to the generally more descriptive Rules that relate to clubs. However, in 2008, new language was introduced to protect
against any new technology which may be developed in the future which circumvents the intent of the existing Rules.Therefore, along with the specifications listed below,The R&A may conduct additional testing and
inspections to identify whether golf balls contain unusual material, construction and/or performance characteristics which might be considered substantially different from the traditional and customary form
and make and/or contrary to the purpose and intent of the Rules.

Given that most mantle balls made their 'appearance' around the mid 1990s to 2000 with the first being the Strata in 1995/96 and the Prov1 in 2000 (with others in between) I think that in 2008 they would have been considered 'customary' in form and make as by then they dominated the premium end of the range of balls.

 

[Robster59]

Soooo buckle in this is gonna take a while….. just back from my Ball fitting in time for the RC. All I can say is what an experience, was allowed a little warm up to get myself loose and swinging freely before kicking off the fitting.

I tried many different balls using GC Quad including ones I hadn’t even considered as I was told keep an open mind and don’t look for confirmation bias let the stats do the talking.

We tried:

Wilson Staff Tour and Tour X
Prov 1 & ProV1X
Chromesoft and Chrome Tour
TP5
Mizuno ProX
Vice Pro, Pro air and Tour
PXG Tour and Tour X

We started with the ChromeSoft as that’s what I’ve been playing recently and numbers were decent, then we moved on to the other balls and started weeding the results right down to what was giving me optimal performance and eventually ended up with the preferred recommendation essentially of a top 4 balls I could use and not see any real differences to my game with so essentially balls that are interchangeable depending on personal preference.

I have to say I was shocked by some of the numbers and what I thought would be recommended wasn’t. Pro V1 and 1X just scraped in as the 5th best ball for me, they were good off the tee but with the irons just weren’t giving enough stopping power compared to others, TP5 was a waste of time so much lost distance off the tee and to much roll on the shorter irons.

In the end the recommended balls were:
Callaway Chrome Tour
Wilson Staff Tour Model X
Vice Pro ( Was giving me similar distance to Pro V1 but the stopping power and spin numbers for me were far better.
PXG Tour X

I was really surprised as the only real what I’d call top premium brand amongst the recommended balls was the Callaway. After the GC quad we ventured out to the putting green and was allowed to try the top 4 to see how I felt with them and the flat stick. Gonna be honest they all felt pretty much the same but I was erring toward the Vice and PXG purely because the differences in Spin and distance were negligible across all 4 balls so price then becomes a factor especially with the PXG as I get 20% off any order with them as they do Heroes discount for serving and ex military .

I couldn’t make a decision there and then so thought I was going to walk away and to think about it. But I had so much fun I stayed longer as he offered me a Club gapping session with both the Vice and PXG back on GC quad for £15 (usually £25). So spent another 30mins doing that with every club in the bag with both balls. Absolutely superb thing to do and at the end of it decided I’m going with the PXG Tour X as the distance differences was 1-2 yds but spin and stop on short irons was good and got a dozen for £32

He’s going to email me over all the data later on today with Spin numbers etc and the Gapping data I’m really pleased with and where my games at even got some good compliments and couple of nice tips for free.

What a fun morning was only meant to be there around 45 mins but ended nearer 2hrs and I’m now happy with the ball of choice and it’s something a little different and saves pennies in the long run. Thought today didn’t good job of saving me money but I’m going away soon to recoup that money

All high end balls. Did you try any mid range to see if there was any discernable difference?

 

[Orikoru]

Just some anecdotal ball-related stuff. On Friday I played a greensomes match, I went back to my Vice Air ball (in case my partner lost one for me ), and of course I was playing several shots with his ball, which was some kind of soft TaylorMade one - either Tour Response or Soft Response, I can't remember now.

Firstly, my driving wasn't as good as it has been in recent weeks, which really convinced me further that the Wilson Triads do move a little bit less in the air off driver - yesterday playing with the Triads again my driving was back to being very good. Confirmation bias I'm sure, but I'm convinced.

Secondly, when I was pitching and chipping with his ball it was very noticeable how much more it released out, a few of my chips went a good 15 feet past the flag unexpectedly.

Was talking to someone over the Ryder Cup as well about foursomes and how matching up two players who play the same ball is so important, and I can see why.

 

[MACM85]

Just some anecdotal ball-related stuff. On Friday I played a greensomes match, I went back to my Vice Air ball (in case my partner lost one for me ), and of course I was playing several shots with his ball, which was some kind of soft TaylorMade one - either Tour Response or Soft Response, I can't remember now.

Firstly, my driving wasn't as good as it has been in recent weeks, which really convinced me further that the Wilson Triads do move a little bit less in the air off driver - yesterday playing with the Triads again my driving was back to being very good. Confirmation bias I'm sure, but I'm convinced.

Secondly, when I was pitching and chipping with his ball it was very noticeable how much more it released out, a few of my chips went a good 15 feet past the flag unexpectedly.

Was talking to someone over the Ryder Cup as well about foursomes and how matching up two players who play the same ball is so important, and I can see why.

Think I heard them on commentary mention that due to the pick and place being in operation they were able to swap balls mid hole to each others perferred ball. Personally I didn't think this was allowed in the format, Perhaps a local rule within the Ryder Cup on this occasion?

 

[Orikoru]

Think I heard them on commentary mention that due to the pick and place being in operation they were able to swap balls mid hole to each others perferred ball. Personally I didn't think this was allowed in the format, Perhaps a local rule within the Ryder Cup on this occasion?

Surely that's not allowed? I didn't think you were allowed to change ball in foursomes like that. Certainly not allowed to change ball on the green either are you?

 

[MACM85]

Surely that's not allowed? I didn't think you were allowed to change ball in foursomes like that. Certainly not allowed to change ball on the green either are you?

That was my thought. They were saying that the positive about the pick and place is that the players can swap over their balls. Think is was the JT & BDC pairing when it was said.

 

[Imurg]

That was my thought. They were saying that the positive about the pick and place is that the players can swap over their balls. Think is was the JT & BDC pairing when it was said.

The PL rule states " a ball " not "the ball" when placing within y inches or whatever distance they allow.
So you can swap the balls...

 

[sunshine]

This.
Especially as ‘all golfers’ includes men, women, children; and means golfers of all ages.
I don’t think the swing speed of any golf club’s median swing-speed member is going to be anywhere near 105

Maybe not in the UK. But the MGS testing is in the US, where the average golfer drives it 280-290.

 

[D-S]

For the past thirty years I have played BDGL League golf for my club, it is all scratch foursomes and I also play in a couple of 3 or 4 day scratch foursomes tournaments every year. Over this time I have never heard any comments, disagreements or even any reference to which ball a team is playing and whether it might influence or create any sort of issue or conflict/difficulty within a side.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

All high end balls. Did you try any mid range to see if there was any discernable difference?

Did try a couple at the start but quickly ruled them out due to not getting enough spin and was losing distance due to softer compression. Even the Chromesoft which I’ve been using recently and to good effect I ruled out as loss of distance compared to the tour model balls was quite noticeable. That was a big surprise to be fair as I like I say I put them in play last month and they’ve performed well for me but the other balls were just outperforming them.

Though I’ve still got a few left so will carry on with them in knockabouts over the next few weeks until they’re either all gone or or have to put the clubs away in November when I go away for work for a bit.

 

[Bucktaylor64]

Seed SD-01