Can a ball be too soft?

[big_eck]

Since I started golfing just over a year ago I have always used decent balls for no reason other than I use decent equipment, I have been losing lots of balls recently and it's been getting really annoying so I went into my shag bag on Thursday and took out half a dozen pinnacles and top flite balls, played my round and lost 1 ball because I over shot a green. Is it possible I'm putting too much spin on a pro v1 and forcing a slice that these cheap balls aren't picking up?

 

[Foxholer]

Yes!

But Pro Vs are hardly 'soft'.

They are multi-cored with a better performing cover and a premium for being Titleist's best offering. They are 90 on the old compression scale. There are certainly softer ones - around 70 - that work well and even at least 1 at 40. And these aren't 'over-spinny'!

But certainly less (side-)spin means the ball goes straighter.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Yes!

But Pro Vs are hardly 'soft'.

They are multi-cored with a better performing cover and a premium for being Titleist's best offering. They are 90 on the old compression scale. There are certainly softer ones - around 70 - that work well and even at least 1 at 40. And these aren't 'over-spinny'!

But certainly less (side-)spin means the ball goes straighter.

I agree. I've used Wilson DX balls which are lower compression but I found them like blancmange off the putter so stopped using them. Lower spinning balls will help (to a degree) it go straighter

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Yes!

But Pro Vs are hardly 'soft'.

They are multi-cored with a better performing cover and a premium for being Titleist's best offering. They are 90 on the old compression scale. There are certainly softer ones - around 70 - that work well and even at least 1 at 40. And these aren't 'over-spinny'!

But certainly less (side-)spin means the ball goes straighter.

If they can, all I can say is I'm glad that all those people I watch slicing and hooking budget balls all over the course every weekend don't us ProV1s

 

[One Planer]

If they can, all I can say is I'm glad that all those people I watch slicing and hooking budget balls all over the course every weekend don't us ProV1s

I always thought the argument for a Pro V1 slicing more than a Pinnacle was a myth?

Obviously not

 

[big_eck]

The ones I used on Thursday feel like rocks to hit I can actually feel the sting through my hand but they mainly go straight, I was only using my irons as a test to see if my driver is costing me too much shots, could it be in my head I don't care about a pinnacle and therefore it comes back like a bad penny? I just hate everything about them, the colicky sound off a putter is horrific but if it's gonna lower my handicap I don't have any options

 

[palindromicbob]

It could be that you are actually benefiting from playing a "softer" ball.

Most Pinnacle and Top-Flight both have lower compression than Pro-V1.

You may find it worth trying some of the mid range balls.

Soft-Feel, AD333, Nike PD Soft, Wilson DX2 etc. All offer better "feel" without high cost.

 

[davemc1]

I also suffer from the dreaded slice, having tried all sorts. I liked the pd soft and the dx2 but would lose loads of them. the titleist nxt tour is the one for me. Never normally lose more than 1 a round. And with the irons they're pretty straight. Shame about the cost though
How do these fit in regarding spin?

 

[SocketRocket]

Premium balls have progressive cores and gripping covers that reduce spin on drivers but increase spin with wedges. I would hazard to say that a good premium ball would benefit most players.

 

[Foxholer]

I always thought the argument for a Pro V1 slicing more than a Pinnacle was a myth?

Obviously not

It's really a case of (that non-existent but simple concept) sidespin to backspin ratio and ball speed/distance. A fadey slice/slicey fade could well be 'reduced' by lower spinning balls but may/may not get user just as far into trouble as it goes further (so needs to be straighter to stay on the fairway).

There is, however, little hope that a change of ball will help either the 'carver' or the guy who starts off fading and adjusts by simply swinger further out to in!

 

[Fish]

Yes, I had a free sleeve of Callaway Super Soft, I suppose the clue was in the name but off the putter I really struggled to feel anything, my AD333 choice is spot on for me.

 

[ma_bass]

Talking of callaway...
I found a new SR-1 on the course last week, felt like chewing gum! Crazy sticky!