Does ball choice make a difference?

KeefG

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When i first started playing golf a couple of years ago, the 2 lads i started with (both played off about 16 ish) both said to me not to bother buying decent balls as "ball choice will only make a difference to someone with a low handicap"

Now, these 2 both used Nike soft balls, and when i challenged them about their theory they said that it was because they like the soft feel around the greens etc which is fair enough.

So, on i plodded using pretty much balls i had found until i got my first proper set of clubs, at which point i decided i was to use Titleist balls and got myself some NXT Tours which i played with for yonks before switching to the NXT Xtreme's i use now. I switched becuase I can hit the Xtreme's a lot straighter however i have given up a bit of distance.

Now, about 6 months ago i ran out and borrowed some Pro V1's off my brother and played a round with them, at the end of the round i vowed never to use them again, every single short game shot i generated massive amounts of uncontrolable spin that i didnt trust any of my shots around the green.

I've also borrowed a couple of balata's off him before which were like hitting small lumps of brick.

Were my original golf partners lying through their teeth about needing a low handicap? I think so.
 

haplesshacker

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I think alot of it comes down to physcology. Yes, some balls go slightly further than others, some feel softer than others, etc. But if you're happy using whatever, then stick with it.

It does also depend if your ball stricking is consistent. I'm not and therefore I can't tell if one ball goes further than another.
 

AlchemyGolf

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Personally for me my ball choice is one of the most important decisions to be made.

I play ProV1s and am looking for spin and control around the greens which is why I use 1.

I think everyone should use a premium ball rather than a rock.If I have a chip over a bunker to a tight pin and play it properly with a premium ball I have a chance of executing it,if I hit the same shot with a harder compound or distance ball I could stand there till doomsday and not pull it off.The modern premium balls get good distance for all golfers these days unlike the old balata's of yesteryear

The right ball choice should not be underestimated by anyone,there are lots of premium balls out there to try and find one that you feel comfortable with.
 

CliveW

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My opinion is to always use the same ball. Which one you use is a personal choice. Personally I use Pro V1s. If you use the same ball all the time it gives consistency to your game. If you use soft one day and hard the next you will not know how the ball will react especially when putting and pitching.
 

bobmac

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I suspect their reason for giving you the advice they did was this
When you first start playing golf, you lose alot of balls.
Pro V1s are £11 for 3 ish
There is obviously more to it than that, but I suspect they didn't want to confuse you with crunch rate and spin rate and so on(if they knew about it).
Experienced golfers in general always try and help newbies with their game, although even some of the best intentioned advice can have the opposite effect
 

andiritchie

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I think the ball makes a lot of difference.

I spend last summer trying various sleeves on my course and when playing a campsite course in Scotland to come to find Bridgestone b330s works best overall.

Mainly came to that working from the greens back,if the ball didnt make a clicking noise off the putter its in.

Then if it feels soft enough to stop,then how bad do they cut up

I dont really care how far they go with the longer clubs
 

KeefG

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I'm firmly of the opinion that my original golf buddies either A) dont have a clue what they're talking about or B) too tight with their cash lol

I know ball choice makes a big difference!
 

forefortheday

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There's a ball for most ranges of handicaps.

A ProV1 generates too much spin for me (High 20's) so I will steer clear.

AD33's,PST's and other "mid range" balls always do well for me.

The simple difference is low handicappers strike the ball better than me so benefit from better spin on a ball I need distance at the moment.
 

EchtLoon

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My opinion is to always use the same ball. Which one you use is a personal choice. Personally I use Pro V1s. If you use the same ball all the time it gives consistency to your game. If you use soft one day and hard the next you will not know how the ball will react especially when putting and pitching.
Got to agree with this. I've always played bounce games with anything I find, and keep the ProV's (or whatever was flavour at the time) for the medals. However this winter I've invested in a ton of lake ProVs because I think I give up a lot by hitting randoms when playing practice rounds.

Short game is the most important part of the game, even more so when playing off single digits, and if you're hitting some old spud you've found on a Friday night, then breaking out brand new ProVs on the Saturday medal, you're asking for trouble, and I think it shows in my poor chipping; hence the new broom for this summer.
 

HomerJSimpson

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Alchemy

Not everyone has the desire or the pocket to play premium balls and I think your comment shows a certain narrow mindedness about what works best for lesser mortals than yourself. Do you really think a 24 handicapper is going to worry about getting spin chipping over a bunker to a tight pin. All they are concerned with is not chuinking it into the sand and if they get it over keeping it within 20 feet. They simply do not possess the overall game to justify that choice.

I'm not saying that above xx handicap thou shall not use a premium ball. I'm saying find one that suits what you can do of the tee and around the green. If you are erratic off the tee but have a solid short game a mid range (NXT AD333 etc) may be a compromise in terms of costs (lost balls from errant tee shots) and control.

My advice to the OP is to try as many different types as possible to suit your game and pocket. If you are not use to the levels of spin from a top range ball it may not be best suited to your game. However once the greens quicken up in the summer and the fairways roll you may want a slightly softer ball to give yourself more control on putts etc.

Horses for courses and really only a question that can be answered through personal preference
 

RGuk

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Do you really think a 24 handicapper is going to worry about getting spin chipping over a bunker to a tight pin. All they are concerned with is not chunking it into the sand and if they get it over keeping it within 20 feet. They simply do not possess the overall game to justify that choice.

:)

I've played with top-flites (50p balls) last two rounds, and can't complain. I hit one out of a bunker that span like Alastair Campbell's brain in overdrive. I'm saving my last 2 boxes of premium balls for the summer. (Px3 and Dx2 soft).

Oddly, I normally hate putting with cheap and hard 2 piece, but these were ok.
 

KeefG

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My advice to the OP is to try as many different types as possible to suit your game and pocket.

That was my point though, im still a relatively high handicapper and if my original golf buddies had their way i would still be using found dunlops and pinnacles!!! This time last year i was playing off 17 and its only due to the fact i havent been playing enough golf that i've dropped handicap.

However, if i was still using crappy balls, would i have got my handicap down to what it was? I very much doubt it.

I'm more than happy with my current ball now and wouldnt dream of changing it.
 

RGuk

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I've also borrowed a couple of balata's off him before which were like hitting small lumps of brick.

They must have gone off. Are you sure they weren't tesco (spalding?) Z balatas.....

I know a great story about Balatas.

Three pros playing in a regional pro comp at Moseley (Birmingham).

They'd reached this hole
http://www.moseleygolfclub.co.uk/holestour.html

6th hole, if it doesn't work.

and one of them said he was swapping to a titleist balata....he hit the back of the green, and it span (loads!) and came all the way back off the front.

He chipped up, past the hole :mad:, putted, back to the front :( putted past, back to the front. Made a 7. The other two pros laughed so much, they were reprimanded by the PGA rep.

I guess you had to be there, but real balatas, boy did they spin!!!
 

RGuk

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However, if i was still using crappy balls, would i have got my handicap down to what it was? I very much doubt it.

There's crappy balls and crappy balls. My best ever rounds were with Bay Hill Ti balls (£8.99 for 18 in 1996)....called Arnold Palmer ti distance then! Terrible.....but they went straight and a long way.
 

medwayjon

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I think it is imperative to find a ball that works for you.

I carry Titleist ProV1 balls and wilson staff dx2 softs.

The ProV is the only choice when I am driving well but when a little errant, the wilsons come out as a poor shot is less exaggerated by this lower spinning ball.
 

AlchemyGolf

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Alchemy

Not everyone has the desire or the pocket to play premium balls and I think your comment shows a certain narrow mindedness about what works best for lesser mortals than yourself.

Homer
I can only give my take on this and every other subject from my perspective,its not my fault that I am a lower handicapper but I am, so I am going to give a lower handicappers view on every subject.
IT IS THEN UP TO THAT PERSON TO TAKE ON WHICH ADVICE THEY WANT FROM WHOEVER!!
You seem to completly miss the point that this forum is for all abilitys and people can give opinions from there perspective and ability.

I saw someone post a thread about breaking 90 and playing well under there handicap.Congratulations were given ,by me as well and rightly so.

I then posted about one of my rounds which was equally well under my handicap at 3 under par gross but I get PMs saying stop showing off and posts about seeking attention.There was no difference in my post and the breaking 90 but because of my handicap it appears im showing off in some way and offended people which is wrong and totally unfair.

if you want to just have the views of mid-high handicappers then you are limiting this forum.
 

RGuk

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If they were top-flites and brand new, they weren't balata balls. They were most probably top-flite Z balata, not the same thing at all. No-one has made real balata balls for years.
Therefore you're right! Horrible things.
Real balata balls are like play doh. I have one or two in the garage....
 

bobmac

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if you want to just have the views of mid-high handicappers then you are limiting this forum.
Does that mean I cant post my views then? :(
 

HomerJSimpson

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Not sure I ever mentioned limiting any input from any handicap group!! I think my point, conveniently ignored in lieu of some cheap sarcasm was that a player of higher handicap may struggle to justify the useage and cost of a premium ball but that I could see no reason why they shouldn't use one if they wanted to.

It is a forum and opinions from everyone from a top touring pro to Mr first timer going out tomorrow are as welcome and valid as the next mans
 
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