Balls

[jack1]

Does anyone really think that using particular balls makes a difference? My guess is that really chaep ones might give less reliable service and that there are ones with softer coats that mark more easily but a ball that cost over a £1 to the next one? I can't.

 

[slugger]

imo, balls make a huge difference.

if you have a fade with a slice creeping in, then a ball like a pro v1 or tp black will accentuate your swing flaws as they spin more than harder balls which are designed more for distance than anything.

It took me a while, and i've tried a lot, but i now know that i need a ball somewhere between the really spinny ones and the really hard ones.

My favorite is the Taylormade Burner TP but i also like the Pro V1x. I also quite like the old Nike One Platinum.

I made the mistake of buying 2 dozen Nike SFT things because they were so cheap, but they're so hard they offer little feel with the short irons and putter. Once they're done, it's back to the Burner TP for me... unless of course these new Callaway things that we're getting to try for free are a revelation.

Short answer: yes, balls do make a difference.

 

[CliveW]

Using a particular type of ball is a constant. You know how the ball will react on all shots, but putting and pitching in particular. If you use different balls you will lose the feel as to how the ball comes off the club. By sticking to a specific ball I know how hard to hit it with the putter and how far it will go. If I can save a couple of putts a round it makes a difference.

 

[drawboy]

I agree with CliveW using the same ball is like using the same clubs,you get a feel for what they will do. You dont have to use Pro v1's even if you use cheaper balls try and find the brand and model you like and stick to them.

 

[Redwood]

Agree with the above. I find if I change ball mid round, say if it is a provisional that is a different make, it totally throws me off when putting.

I tried a Pinnacle Gold FX Long a few weeks back before the kidney stones and was quite impressed. I wasn't expecting much but just picked one up in the pro shop for a quick round in the wind and rain, and the ball is long, and not too bad to putt with.

I picked up 15 for a £10 and will probably play them over the winter.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There is an argument that most balls will stop on the wet greens at the moment so I guess it would be how it feels off the putter head. The cheaper two piece balls tend to have a firmer feel off most types of putter so if thats important (the feel and the noise) then something like an AD333 would be a good starting point.

If however you want an element of control with the short game and a softer feel that is where the premiuim balls come into their own although some of the mid price range (TM Burner TP) are nearly as good. As with most things its horses for courses. I know a single figure handicapper who uses Pinnacles. Where posible try as many as you can and then stick to the one you like and suits your game so that you build up a level of consistancy and know how the ball will react especially with wedges and the putter

 

[DMC]

I always use the same ball,i find that the more things i can keep the same the better.

 

[freddielong]

Same ball Titleist prov1x only even numbers in the following order of preference 8, 6, 2, 4

Yes I know im weird woooooh

 

[David_L]

Been trying NXT Extreme and then the other w/e tried TM Black (?) and just didn't feel as good (could just be my imagination tho) and so I swapped back to the Titleists as I seemed to get less slice and more feel (on what were vv wet greens).

So I would agree with the others that they do make a difference and it is the one constant.

 

[Imurg]

I'm sure I read somehwere that the difference in spin rates between,say, a Pro-V and a Nike SFT is not sufficient to turn a fade into a slice. There is a difference but not enough to make a difference - if you've put a "slice-swing" on the ball then its going to slice about the same regardless of the ball used. Generally.....

Perfectly willing to be shot down in flames but I'm sure I read it.

 

[Yerman]

Definitely find more control and feel with softer ball but not a great difference between brands, best advice I've heard is whether its a rock or a marshmallow, pick one and stick to it.

 

[Fyldewhite]

As above, short answer is "Yes" for all the reasons stated.

In addition though I'd say a lot of it is in the head and although the balls are very different in playing characteristics the difference is very small in practice so long as you play the shot accordingly and don't expect a DDH to stop and spin etc. However, playing like that just introduces another variable that you can do without. So it's best to stick to one type rather than brand (I've heard people say "I only play with Titliest" and then replace a pro v with an NXT and later with a PTS etc which just makes me laugh every time).

 

[Doh]

For me it's about feel, I cannot play with a hard ball so yes agree with what has been said there is a difference.

 

[GB72]

For me I use an inbetween ball, not too much spin but not too hard. Wilson Staff DX2 or PX3 suit me but have been going back to the Ad333 of late as I seem to putt better with them

 

[compton77]

I played 18 round Richmond Park GC on saturday afternoon and on one hole i found a Pro V1 in the rough. On the next hole i decided to give it a go, the difference between it and the E6+ i had been using was huge. I have a touch of, ehm, fade on my driver and whilst this didn't seem to be accentuated (i didn't miss a fairway) on the mid and short irons the difference was massive. On one par 3 i hit a seven iron which pitched and hopped back a foot (that had never happened to me before and luckily i hit past the pin) and i hit a 100 yard PW and the ball was just fizzing with spin in the air and bit and spun on the green. I can't wait to try these new Callaway things the postman is bringing!

 

[TonyN]

I play srixon Z-star but will now be looking to move to the ad333 for winter.

The Z-star no doubt peforms as good as the Prov1's and I find more distance with them too, but now that the greens are softening and there are leaves all over the place, there is no point playing a premium ball. The 333 still feels great off the putter and club face but is a 3rd of the price if I loose them!

 

[Doh]

Hey Tony

How you doing have you seen the thread about Boxing Day

 

[bernix]

I tried different balls every year

2005: STRATA Tour Ace (satisfaction ++)
2006: Titeleist NXT Tour (=)
2007: Hogan The Hawk (+)
2008: Bridgestone e5 (++)
2009: Callaway HX Hot (=)

Not yet decided which ball to use in 2010. Any suggestions

 

[TonyN]

I havn't rick, I'll check it out now! Trying to drop everyone pms