Hard Greens vs Cheaper Balls

[keepersunion]

Played today, and play quite well, physically hit a lot of greens (and in the centre) with my cheap to mid range balls. I was forced to play my pro v1's which i didn't really want to do on a practice day to find any way of getting the ball to stop fairly quickly. Do others have to resort to this during the hot baked greens? Don't get me wrong, it worked nicely but makes a practice 9 holes expensive if you were to stray offline on the odd tee shot!

 

[Deleted member 15717]

In my opinion, you should use the same balls in practice that you would use in competition.

 

[duncan mackie]

played a match Sunday at a course with excellent practice facilities, inc proper short iron to proper green ie tight grass to real green over about 50yds. good grass (with grain etc) to run some tests.

played pro v1, x, nxt and srixon soft feel.

all reacted in a very similar vein when I factored in how the shot felt ie hit it, call it (yes, maybe, no chance), watch it ......

in the event I played prov1x because I had 3 nice condition ones in the bag

there was no moisture in the greens and even a 4 iron from 190 stopping in 4ft left only a small indentation to repair,

as you point out, on such greens as most are playing now it's spin to control - trajectory counts for very little at the moment.

however, it's what you out on it more than the ball (within reason!)

 

[palindromicbob]

Though the same myself today. 135yard marker to centre. 48* (pitching wedge in old money) that I hit thinking I normally put 100. Caught it very well, nice ball flight dropping in quiet steeply, hit front edge of green and shot through to the back. Thinking of putting the found premium balls I have into play but that would be a waste as Brendy, Chris and Smange can all confirm. Basically I am thinking of resorting to links style play and clubbing1 or 2 less than normal to allow for the run.

 

[duncan mackie]

Though the same myself today. 135yard marker to centre. 48* (pitching wedge in old money) that I hit thinking I normally put 100. Caught it very well, nice ball flight dropping in quiet steeply, hit front edge of green and shot through to the back. Thinking of putting the found premium balls I have into play but that would be a waste as Brendy, Chris and Smange can all confirm. Basically I am thinking of resorting to links style play and clubbing1 or 2 less than normal to allow for the run.

in general you won't get control from spin if you don't pitch the green - the grass is too long. (there are grasses that will 'catch' the ball but not many courses in the UK are set up that way (Wisley is the last I played).

 

[CMAC]

Hit the ball correctly and all will stop, sorry for the glib answer but it's a fact. Some are obviously softer and spin more but a well struck shot with clean grooves will impart enough spin to stop on most greens.

Hard baked concrete greens won't stop anything though.

 

[duncan mackie]

Hit the ball correctly and all will stop, sorry for the glib answer but it's a fact. Some are obviously softer and spin more but a well struck shot with clean grooves will impart enough spin to stop on most greens.

Hard baked concrete greens won't stop anything though.

absolutely - but the groves shouldn't be a factor from the fairway...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Played an NXT tour last night and it gave me adequate enough spin. Felt too firm for my liking off the putter but flew well off the driver and irons and wasn't a rock to chip with. Definitely a surprise as I only have them as a winter ball

 

[connor]

Brought a box of srixon soft feels and also a box of titleist velocity today and fancie a change of ball

 

[pbrown7582]

its getting to the time of year when premium balls make a difference IMO they will offer a bit more spin but also the positive thoughts that you are hitting a Pro V1 so it will stop.
I am also a beliver of playing the same type of ball for practice rounds (albeit used) and competetive rounds.

 

[MadAdey]

You need to practice with the same balls as you play with. If you normally use a premium ball for comps then having knock rounds with cheaper harder balls will be of no use when you get around the green, as they do not react the same as the premium balls.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I agree, this is now the time of year to change to balls with more spin. I played last year with AD333s but was convinced to change to a different ball. Boy did it make a difference! It was not a massive difference, maybe a couple of yards but when it comes to holding a green or making a putt shorter a couple of yards is pretty significant.

 

[keepersunion]

I think the main thing at the moment is this forum is linked with the thick rough forum started a few days ago! I hit many good drives that landed 1metre into the rough, eliminating all spin, control and lengths off any drives!