Balls

[scottie77]

So.....

Do balls really make a difference ? I am a sucker for a pro V1 and will tell anyone that it makes me hit the ball further or gives me better control. But am I kidding myself ? I used Callaway warbirds and done equally as well!

I guess the question is.... Does the type of ball you use only really become a factor if you are a single figure handicaper ??

 

[Fyldewhite]

In short....... Yes. That said. I think it's more important to play with a similar type of ball (not necessarily the same brand). Touch/feel does come into it more the better your short game gets and how the ball will react first and second bounce needs to be consistent if your chipping/pitching is ever going to be consistent!!

 

[srixon 1]

I think it is all in the mind, like a lot of things in golf. If you think a certain brand of ball will make you play better then you probably will.

 

[philly169]

i think confidence has a lot to do with it as well.. If you use a ProV1 and string a great round together then play another day using a different ball you'll end up saying its the balls fault.

I've always played around with my balls... I mean, chopped and changed... doesn't sound good. I enjoy using Prov's, but I have confidence with Srixon AD333's, I can't pin point what it is, but if you gave me a Bridgestone and I hit a bad shot I'd blame the ball, put a Srixon back in play and even if I hit it badly I'd still use it.

I'm looking forward to grabbing a box of AD333 tours to check them out, but buying a both of ProV's is a luxury for me, so happy playing a 333.

 

[scottie77]

Great points chaps.... It would be interested to hit say 50 of each and see if there is a real difference for the mere mortal golfer.

I'm loving the Srixon AD333's as well, but still reserve a special place for the Pro v1 ;-)

 

[Birchy]

There is a difference in balls but none will make you better, its just all about preference. Some of the better players will aim right at the pin and stop the ball where others may drop it a bit shorter and let the ball roll up more as an example.

 

[evahakool]

In short....... Yes. That said. I think it's more important to play with a similar type of ball (not necessarily the same brand). Touch/feel does come into it more the better your short game gets and how the ball will react first and second bounce needs to be consistent if your chipping/pitching is ever going to be consistent!!

Agree with all this.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

There are definitely some balls I just don't like for one reason or another and you can notice the difference around the greens between premium and budget balls. Whether it makes a difference is debatable.

 

[Slab]

My local range offers a ball fitting service so I guess the pro believes he can improve a players game through it

When i asked about benefits for the high handicap he replied it would be beneficial because it would establish a type of ball to be matched to a players swing speed, spin rate etc rather than a specific brand or model of ball

I've never taken up his offer though

 

[Dave B]

For me it's all down to how they putt. If they feel good off the putter and I can judge distance accurately I'll use it, however some balls such as Srixon Soft Feel come off the putter like a power ball. Others like the Nike Vapors and 20xi feel like a block of plastic and I find them difficult to judge.

 

[Sybez]

****Nicked from a marketing email from Duncan Lambert Golf.****

Have you ever really considered which piece of equipment it is that you use the most? It’s quite an interesting exercise to record each shot for a round and then to have a look at which equipment you were making extensive use of.

I can promise you that the golf ball is likely to be the most used piece of your golf equipment. Even your range finder (if you use one) gets less use!

So how much care goes into the golf ball you use?



Now compare the usage of each category in a round to the likelihood of a golfer consulting an expert to see what fits them best and what will deliver the best results.

We’re here to help you have the most fun playing golf. Your ball finding the short grass from the tee box, landing and stopping on approach and pitch shots and providing you with the feel and touch you need on the green, will not only improve your performance, it will increase your enjoyment. Your golf ball matters.

 

[Westy3469]

There are definitely some balls I just don't like for one reason or another and you can notice the difference around the greens between premium and budget balls. Whether it makes a difference is debatable.

I agree, the feel of some budget balls is akin to hitting a small rock. I suppose where it makes a difference is mentally (as with most things in this game). I find that if I like that feeling of club on ball, I am more confident on my chipping and putting

 

[G.U.R]

I play with a ball that's in my price range that I don't mind losing. The Srixon AD333 or Soft Feel reasonably prices and feel good off the club face.

 

[One Planer]

So.....

Do balls really make a difference ? I am a sucker for a pro V1 and will tell anyone that it makes me hit the ball further or gives me better control. But am I kidding myself ? I used Callaway warbirds and done equally as well!

I guess the question is.... Does the type of ball you use only really become a factor if you are a single figure handicaper ??

I believe they do.

I did my own non-scientific ball fitting a few years back. The ball that gave me everything I was looking for was the Titleist Pro V1.

Since last Autumn however, I have been using the Pro V1x.

Simply because of how the ball feels to me when struck. I prefer the firmer feel of the V1x to the V1 and also the lower long game spin. The ball goe just as far, stops just as well, just feels a little better to me being a little firmer.

As I say, completely non-scientific. Just results based around testing numerous premium balls over a prolonged period of time.

 

[Hammertoe]

I bought 2 boxes of the Nike 20X1s over the summer, i hated them, I seemed to be able to lose them like no ones business, they are a really nice ball, great feel and go a long way but I just had it in my head that I didnt like them, I also have the same opinion of Titleists, for some reason I just dont like using them, but I can't give you a reason why. I stick now to the Wilson FG Tours, a great ball that for some reason I just 'like'. I totally believe that what ball you use is purely down to likeability.

 

[mikepops]

It's all about consistency for me. I use Nike 20Xi-x balls, as I feel they perform well, and they're clean to look at. Most importantly though, I know that I'm removing a variable from the game.

It's a hard enough game as it is, so the more things I can try and keep the same the better. This applies to big things like my clubs (I've managed to give up rash eBaying), to little things like taking to same food and drink out on the course with me.

That said, I'm sure I'd benefit from a ball fitting at some point to make sure I was using the correct ball all the time.

 

[GB72]

I have a budget for golf balls and never pay more than £15.00 a dozen. That, to my mind, allows me to buy a ball that is plenty good enough for my game. Wilson Staff DX2/DX3, Srixon AD333, Titleist Velocity (sometimes) and a few others that come on offer. I am more confident with the Wilson Staff as I have played them the most but really anything in that price bracket will pretty much do for me. I can be a bit superstitious in that if I have a really bad round the first time I use a type of ball it gets a mental black mark. I stayed away from AD333s for years due to that but have played quite well recently with them. I suppose that if I had the cash to buy premium balls all the time then I would give it a go but I really do not think that they would add much to my game at this stage.

 

[evahakool]

My local range offers a ball fitting service so I guess the pro believes he can improve a players game through it

When i asked about benefits for the high handicap he replied it would be beneficial because it would establish a type of ball to be matched to a players swing speed, spin rate etc rather than a specific brand or model of ball

I've never taken up his offer though

Not surprised you've not taken up his offer,ball fitting for a high H/C crazy, if someone can't try a few different balls and find the one they like well they might as well try a different game.

 

[USER1999]

I find the Nike 20x1 and 20x1x to be very hard and clicky. Also any Callaway ball.

Dx2 and soft feel are two soft.

Ad333 and titleist nxt wear out too quickly.

Other than those, any premium ball is fine, but usually prov1.

 

[JCW]

I play with the Prov1 ball as I have done for years now so have got used to it , in windy conditions I used the Prov1x if I have it as its harder and spins less in the wind then the normal Prov1 , you want a ball that spins less in the wind and the Prov1x is that ball , I also find its longer but you lose a little control around the greens ...................................EYG