Changing from a premium to mid range ball over the winter months

[One Planer]

I've heard it mentioned a few times on here over the time I've frequented the boards that people often change from a premium ball to a mid range ball over the winter.

I'm, for the first time, considering doing this. I usually play the same ball all year round (Pro V1) but I'm looking this year to move to a mid range ball over the winter.

The reason behind it is simple. I don't need the additionl spin control when the greens are so soft that you could stop a non-premium ball just as quickly.

A question for the folk on here that do switch balls over the winter. What ball do you move from and too?

Is there a specific reason why you move to that ball?

Any thoughts, as always, appreciated :thup:

 

[fundy]

Mainly use a Srizon Zstar XV in summer (sometimes a ProV1x depending on supplies), in the summer I will use any of AD333, E6 or NXTs, any of the mid range balls seem pretty similar in wet conditions to me

 

[GreiginFife]

Yep, last year I used DX3's in winter and was fairly impressed.
This year I will use Mizuno D201 as my non-premium ball (just because I have 2 dozen sitting).

There is no point in wellying around a premium ball in winter IMO. Soft greens, as you say, will take a pebble just as well as a Pro-V.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Like you say, you don't need the spin as much, as the greens are either soaked or rock hard. Also, I figure that any extra carry available will be more useful when the fairways and rough are wet.
Last year I bought some yellow AD333's and they were fine.
I normally use Pro V1Xs

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I don't usually change but I ran out of balls just before last winter so rather than buying premium I used the Callaway HX Diablo Tour which is a cracking ball for the price. I probably won't change this year but if I do and I can find some, that is what I will use.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I switched to my winter ball last weekend and shot 5 under my handicap midweek....this is what I'm rocking for the next few months



maybe I'm suited to rubbish balls.

 

[Alex1975]

I believe the best mid range balls money/performance wise are the Bridgestone E5 and the Mizuno D201.

Work just gave me 72 brand new Titleist NXT though....

 

[Stuey01]

I switch to a cheap ball because they are cheap. Can't be doing with losing expensive balls when I'm getting no discernible benefit anyway.
Bought a load of Wilson dx3 whites and ad333 yellows when they were 9.99 a dozen in AG. I'll use them, yellow if frosty, white otherwise.

My favoured premium balls at the moment are the srixon zstar and the Wilson FG tour.

Agree with Alex1975 about the Bridgestone e5, would happily use that all year. Has a urethane cover and spins like a premium ball (verified by independent test in golf digest).

 

[Snelly]

I can't really see the point. But I don't lose many balls I suppose.

I play with a Titleist pro V1 all year round, although my last 3 rounds have been with a TaylorMade Penta TP5 I found which I liked so carried on with it. It is looking a bit worn now though.

 

[BrizoH71]

I might just break out the Dunlop Tours that are sitting under my desk; then I won't mind them getting lost after they plug in wet turf and get sooked down into a muddy death.

 

[dotty001]

Esp if on winter greens , I hit a srixon distance crappy things lol

 

[Mungoscorner]

Golf is all about "consistency", so why change balls ?

 

[John_R7]

I change purely for cost.
If I could afford it I would play a brand new ProV on every hole, every day because I am so rich I don't work. Unfortunately until I win the lottery I will need to continue in a similar vein to the past

I appreciate Mungoscorner comment about consistency but the course and weather are far from consistent so factoring a different ball is not so critical in the winter. It is also a good opportunity to consider a different ball for the summer - if you find a suitable during your winter 'trials'.

When a well struck iron comes up 5 yards short and disappears 3" in to a bog I would rather it was not a £3 ProV but a £1 A.N. Other. Winter I also play 3 or 4 of a tee (if course empty). Even 4 decent shots are hard to locate if they stray a little, 2 left & 2 right into long winter rough and you 'forget' where they are. If cheap it is a shrug and walk on, if premium I am hunting like a ball raker and raging if I can't find.

 

[the smiling assassin]

I'll just dip into the bag of used pro v 1s that has been building up over the last couple of years that I use for short game practice. Used some ad333's last winter. They felt ok for full shots but odd for short game and putting.

 

[garyinderry]

I might use less than top grade balls during the winter but I don't resort to using rocks either. I do however smack any old ball when im hitting multiple balls off the tee.

you might not need a premium ball to make it stop on full approaches but you still want to chip with a soft ball.

 

[granters]

I stick to premiums, just older ones from the bag. Using anything else changes the way I play. Had a round with an nxt tour a few times but I find anything along those lines goes way higher than my usual, especially off the irons

 

[lyden]

I hate losing good balls and around my track with the mud and leaves if your off the fairway they often vanish. If any of our winter comps were qualifiers I'd use premium but as there not I'll use anything. Currently on Wilson tour velocity's....probably a small step up from a top flite.

 

[Coatsy79]

I used pinnicle gold yellow balls last winter I thought they were alright for £10 for 15

 

[Big-Dog]

AD333 sports direct great value as losing any ball in the fairway plugged always hurts just more when you can get 4 pro V for a full dozen box of AD333.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I generally change and have used a variety including the ever popular AD333 and Soft Feel. This winter I am going to give the Mizuno D201 a try.

I just feel the extra firmness helps with the course playing longer and I don't need the same spin or feel on and around the green. In fact when the greens are slower I think I can keep my putting stroke a bit more consistent with a firmer ball.

They generally stay a bit brighter too, especually when it's muddy.