Dont forget folks that that there are some rich hackers and poor single digit golfers out there.
Does ball choice make a difference?
- Thread starter KeefG
- Start date
bobmac
Major Champion
....and poor pros 
nicksampo
Assistant Pro
I have just started using one make/model of ball after my first few months of using lake balls. I'm using pinnacle platinum feels. I bought a sleeve of a couple of different balls AD333s, DX2, NXT, pinnacles etc and just picked the one that I felt was working for me. It also helped that the pinnacles were nice and cheap
Just after I decided on the pinnacles and splashed out on 4 dozen, the TG balls issue came out and they got a pretty good write up so I'm chuffed.
I also don't think it all comes down to handicap. I for one am a high handicaper but I rarely (touch wood) loose more than 1-2 balls a round, if that. However, I couldn't justify spending ProV1 amounts.
Just after I decided on the pinnacles and splashed out on 4 dozen, the TG balls issue came out and they got a pretty good write up so I'm chuffed.
I also don't think it all comes down to handicap. I for one am a high handicaper but I rarely (touch wood
) loose more than 1-2 balls a round, if that. However, I couldn't justify spending ProV1 amounts.
CliveW
Tour Winner
A friend of mine used to spend a fortune on equipmet, clubs etc. but never spent a penny on golf balls. He played with anything he found and had no consistency. After talking to the local pro, he started to use the same ball all the time and his handicap tumbled!
HartleyHare
Assistant Pro
from my POV it's got to be important to use the same ball every time you go out hasn't it?
My swings inconsistent, the lie varies on almost every single shot you'll play, so it stands to reason to me that you should try and keep as many things static as you can, any balls i find are popped into the practice bag.
When i started playing regularly i bought a box of new balls, Dunlop LoCos and I thought were okay, weighing up cost versus amount of losses.
these vanished over time and have been replaced with Wilson Titaniums, these are lasting a lot longer as i lose them less (don't know if i'm getting better or just better at finding 'em).
Towards the end of last year they had a golf day (bigwigs and important customers only) from my work.
anyway the GF works in the advertising dept and got me half a dozen Callaway HX hot bites and they were by far the best ball i've hit and once the wilsons have gone i will be investing in some of these.
My swings inconsistent, the lie varies on almost every single shot you'll play, so it stands to reason to me that you should try and keep as many things static as you can, any balls i find are popped into the practice bag.
When i started playing regularly i bought a box of new balls, Dunlop LoCos and I thought were okay, weighing up cost versus amount of losses.
these vanished over time and have been replaced with Wilson Titaniums, these are lasting a lot longer as i lose them less (don't know if i'm getting better or just better at finding 'em).
Towards the end of last year they had a golf day (bigwigs and important customers only) from my work.
anyway the GF works in the advertising dept and got me half a dozen Callaway HX hot bites and they were by far the best ball i've hit and once the wilsons have gone i will be investing in some of these.
andiritchie
Journeyman Pro
On the cheap balls side my girlfriend uses some slazenger distance balls,she likes the hardess of them to give her a nice contact but they feel light too
They do work for her even on the greens where she uses a soft face Odyssey xg putter mixed with a hard ball works nice.
She is more concerned with getting the ball to the green than touch round the green
48 balls for £20 new,no tears are shed when she puts a few in the water
They do work for her even on the greens where she uses a soft face Odyssey xg putter mixed with a hard ball works nice.
She is more concerned with getting the ball to the green than touch round the green
48 balls for £20 new,no tears are shed when she puts a few in the water
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
In answer to the OP yes ball choice does make a difference....
In answer to other posters, and to agree with Alchemy, if you want to use the best then Pro V1 would probably be the best ball for MOST people to use - others will obviously have there own choices that suit THEIR games...
There are 2 key factors to consider:
1 - try as many balls as you can in practice and see what one you like best - I self custom fit if you like...
2 - whatever one you decide to use, then stick with is as golf is about consistency and if you can keep as many things the same as possible then it reduces the variants...
Personally, I would recommend Pro V1 or any similar 'expensive' ball. If you keep losing them then you'll soon find a way to stop losing them!!
In answer to other posters, and to agree with Alchemy, if you want to use the best then Pro V1 would probably be the best ball for MOST people to use - others will obviously have there own choices that suit THEIR games...
There are 2 key factors to consider:
1 - try as many balls as you can in practice and see what one you like best - I self custom fit if you like...
2 - whatever one you decide to use, then stick with is as golf is about consistency and if you can keep as many things the same as possible then it reduces the variants...
Personally, I would recommend Pro V1 or any similar 'expensive' ball. If you keep losing them then you'll soon find a way to stop losing them!!
Nikki
Head Pro
I agree with homer, but i do advise people to play with the same ball.
I personally use the srixon soft feel or ad 333, and if the bank allows it i will use the srixon ZurS (wich i wont in the future due to change of name).
I agree that rocks are not fun to play with, but i find, that in the winter (with winter greens, and other less ideal circumstances so that feel and spin become irrelevant) rock or not, if they fly further than they are better.
I personally use the srixon soft feel or ad 333, and if the bank allows it i will use the srixon ZurS (wich i wont in the future due to change of name).
I agree that rocks are not fun to play with, but i find, that in the winter (with winter greens, and other less ideal circumstances so that feel and spin become irrelevant) rock or not, if they fly further than they are better.
Herbie
Tour Winner
General rule for me with those new to the game is that the ball (so long as its half decent)makes little difference.
When you start to get the idea how to play and get a feel for things, especially short game then the ball can make a difference.
The real difference in my view is only ever fully exploited by golfers with a particular single skill like chipping or pitching for example, or by very skillful golfers of low h/c with all their clubs.
A quality ball with a reputation can offer a mysterious air of confidence to golfers of all h/caps, but that is usually all it is and for the majority, rarely improves their score.
But if it makes them feel good and they can afford the best, well who could blame them?
The only other thing I would add, is that I believe great golfers can make any half decent ball work for them.
When you start to get the idea how to play and get a feel for things, especially short game then the ball can make a difference.
The real difference in my view is only ever fully exploited by golfers with a particular single skill like chipping or pitching for example, or by very skillful golfers of low h/c with all their clubs.
A quality ball with a reputation can offer a mysterious air of confidence to golfers of all h/caps, but that is usually all it is and for the majority, rarely improves their score.
But if it makes them feel good and they can afford the best, well who could blame them?
The only other thing I would add, is that I believe great golfers can make any half decent ball work for them.
Cernunnos
Journeyman Pro
Of course ball choice makes a difference, though its not nesessarily the most expensive that will be the best for everyone. Often some of the cheaper decent quality new balls can suit someones game better than the industy standard of the ProV1.
The way we swing the club & at what club head speed we can consistantly attain is important. Add to this personal choice, feel & what is important to us, whether its distance, workability, spin, ball flight characteristics & so on.
So yes of course ball choice is important & can make a difference.
But I really don't think its imperative to spend a lot of money. Sometimes buying a rock can be better for some people over buying a lump of butter, figaritively.
The way we swing the club & at what club head speed we can consistantly attain is important. Add to this personal choice, feel & what is important to us, whether its distance, workability, spin, ball flight characteristics & so on.
So yes of course ball choice is important & can make a difference.
But I really don't think its imperative to spend a lot of money. Sometimes buying a rock can be better for some people over buying a lump of butter, figaritively.
RGuk
Tour Winner
I'm playing with sports world specials a.t.m. and loving them! Top-Flite Ti £9.99 for 18!!!
These are for me until the spring.....fabulous, and made by Callaway (more or less).....bargain....
These are for me until the spring.....fabulous, and made by Callaway (more or less).....bargain....
