Do different balls make much difference

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louise_a

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I usually play with a Srixon Soft Feel, if I hit a good drive I get about 160-170 yds, yesterday we used my partners ball a Srixon Distance, I really nailed one drive and it went 180-190yds.
Does the ball make that much difference or did I just hit it much sweeter than I have before?
 
Theoretically I don't think it should make much difference to distance - more about greater "feel" and spin around the green.

However, having said that, I tend to play with a z-star, penta or NXT and I reckon I hit the NXT slightly further. It's hard to say though - too many other factors like quality of the strike, wind etc.
 
The difference between the top balls against other top balls is not much
same with the cheaper vs cheaper ball
But the top balls Vs the cheaper balls i found theres a big difference in distance spin feel

So for me as long as your using a good ball, Which theres quite a few now, ull be fine
 
It's actually a bit of a fallacy all this stuff about 'distance' balls etc. Sure, there will be a few yards difference between different brands but as FD says above, at our level of the game there are just too many variables for it to be noticeable. A decent golfer will hit a 7 iron typically 140-160 yards depending on how good a contact they make but will average about 150. With that kind of variation, a ball that is a couple of yards longer or shorter isn't really going to make much difference.

What is more important though is how they react on the greens. It really doesn't matter if you play a ball that spins a lot or hardly at all, the important thing is that you know what it will do so you can execute your shots taking that into account. No point throwing a low spinning ball right up to the flag expecting it to stop or a landing a high spin ball at the front of the green expecting it to run out.
 
drive4show said:
What is more important though is how they react on the greens. It really doesn't matter if you play a ball that spins a lot or hardly at all, the important thing is that you know what it will do so you can execute your shots taking that into account. No point throwing a low spinning ball right up to the flag expecting it to stop or a landing a high spin ball at the front of the green expecting it to run out.
Click to expand...
I agree about using a ball you like on the greens, but IMO its not how they react to wedges/irons but more so my putter. I find soft feel balls awful to putt with and distance balls too "clicky".
At our (my) level thinking about tossing a ball at the flag doesnt even enter my mind. Chip and runs are far more predictable for my liking. :)
 
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i agree with lump. i only really notice the difference in balls when i'm putting. hard distance balls seem to leap off the face and i find it very difficult to lag them effectively as i can with a softer ball. the nxt / nxt tour seem ideal to me.
 
On the Titlist web site. They say. There is only 5/10 yards difference in distance across all their balls. Its just different feel/price. I guess it will be more or less the same with all makers. If its that little with the top maker (probably).
 
I have been switching between TM Burner TP and Brisgestone e6 balls, the two balls feel very different off the driver and my irons with the e6 do seem straighter than with the Burners.
Putting is where the e6 is let down, too clunky off the face - although that is a statement made with my old putter. Proof will be Sunday.
 
GreiginFife said:
I have been switching between TM Burner TP and Bridgestone e6 balls, the two balls feel very different off the driver and my irons with the e6 do seem straighter than with the Burners.
Putting is where the e6 is let down, too clunky off the face - although that is a statement made with my old putter. Proof will be Sunday.
Click to expand...

This is what I love about the game. Nobody does it exactly the same way.
I use the E6 because I like how they feel off the putter and how they don't balloon off the driver face.
 
Lump said:
This is what I love about the game. Nobody does it exactly the same way.
I use the E6 because I like how they feel off the putter and how they don't balloon off the driver face.
Click to expand...

Love the off the driver flight and distance. just felt that with the old blade putter they clunked a bit. I could be totally wrong with the mallet though. Bought another dozen just in case :D
 
I pick my ball carefully and consider it to be as important as any of my clubs. I have about 100 balls in a basket at the bottom of my garden and use them every night, its very clear what ball is good with a full shot just on the feel off the face. You can pick a Bridgestone or Titleist out of the bunch without even looking.

On course I use the Titleist NXT Tour as its long, feels good, and does not spin too much off the tee. Greenside its acceptable and they last longer than I can keep them.
 
Comes down to feel for me. I don't notice any distance variation except for the Penta 5 which seems to be 5/10 yards shorter than other brands. It comes down to what feels good off a wedge and the putter. Callaway balls for me are good for distance but just way too hard. Titleist and Srixon are about equidistant and feel good off the putter. Currently using up the remains of my TM TP blacks which have good length and are soft off the short clubs and putter and the best ball I've played in the wind
 
I normally lose too many balls, so at the moment I'm using Sportsdirect £5 for 15 specials, can't warrant spending £30 on a dozen balls, that will last me 3 or 4 rounds at the most. So for now, cheap and cheerful, when I get better (when not if lol) I'll consider paying out a bit more for a ball.
 
There is a definite difference as i have used Srixon distance balls and added 10 yds approx to my drives compared to AD333 etc

They have a harder feel and seem to reflect this in distance especially in colder weather


For short game the feel of a softer ball is preferred so warmer weather = DX3 or AD333
 
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