How many use a ball based on handicap?

[WideEyedFox]

It's all about personal choice, if you feel a new ball or a particular brand gives you more confidence off the tee, around the green or both, then stick with it.

I've played with almost anything remotely resembling a golf ball, but recently spent a few hours around the practice green with a few different makes. I've just ordered some Bridgestone E5 and E6's to try out in an effort to find a ball that suits my current level.

It's all part of a golfer's evolution. From package sets and lake balls to custom fits and launch monitors.

 

[CliveW]

Why is it that people will pay a fortune to buy the best clubs so the can hit a ball further/more accurately, but will play any ball they find or the cheapest they can buy? Surely if you are using premium clubs it makes sense to use a premium ball.

 

[JustOne]

Titleist recommend you make your ball selection based on the short game as this is where the majority of your shots happen and where accuracy in length is key to shaving shots off your round, we all know the recommendation to concentrate on your short game for quick improvement. Having spent the best part of a day on the fitting and then playing a round of golf just to look at how two different balls behaved I have to say that what they say makes absolute sense.

Their recommendation is to use a ball that spins most on short game shots, which unfortunately for the wallet means a premium ball with a urethane type cover. The reasoning behind this is that it gives you more options for your short game shots, you can play for run out or for a shot that stops quickly by adjusting your shot selection, a low spinning ball won’t give you this option.

If your 2nd paragraph is correct at what point would they recommend one of their cheaper (harder) balls?

 

[BTatHome]

Why is it that people will pay a fortune to buy the best clubs so the can hit a ball further/more accurately, but will play any ball they find or the cheapest they can buy? Surely if you are using premium clubs it makes sense to use a premium ball.

Surely you play a ball that suits your game, whether that's a premium ball or not should not make any difference.

Same should be true of clubs, its doesn't have to be the most expensive/newest, or with the latest upgrade shaft, to be better suited to you.

 

[Fader]

Their recommendation is to use a ball that spins most on short game shots, which unfortunately for the wallet means a premium ball with a urethane type cover. The reasoning behind this is that it gives you more options for your short game shots, you can play for run out or for a shot that stops quickly by adjusting your shot selection, a low spinning ball won’t give you this option

So if that is the titleist ball fitting mantra why do they a)bother making anything other than Pro V1(x) b) even bother with ball fittings because they are always suggesting the same thing!

I'd say its because they are a business that want to constantly upsell their most epxpensive product but by having a slightly cheaper ball to can hope to catch some of the people with enough sense to think they don't need a pro v or simply can't justify pro v prices. Its always about the business.

Thats why I prefer somoene like brisgestone where they actually recommend ball based on individual playing ability and swing speeds etc, they'll happily recommend their cheaper non premium balls if its what comes out better for you regardless of having balls that are more premium and expensive.

Surely you play a ball that suits your game, whether that's a premium ball or not should not make any difference.

Same should be true of clubs, its doesn't have to be the most expensive/newest, or with the latest upgrade shaft, to be better suited to you.

100% agree with this, ball or equipment regardless of cheap or expensive it should simply be what is most suited to the player

 

[One Planer]

I did my own, non-scientific, fitting last year.

I basically brought a sleeve of, pretty much, every premium ball and a few mid-range.

I settled on the Pro V1, not because the pro's use it. Not because of marketing but because it gave me the best short game control, was longer off the tee than the others and felt, just as good as any other premium ball off the putter face.

With all the dry weather we've had lately I can still hold a green where my other playing partners are running either through or to the back. Typical example was bank holiday Monday. We all hit good drives. 2 of our group hit the front of the green and ran a godd 25+ft past the hole (One using a Dunlop , the other an AD333). I was a little too aggressive with a wedge, flew it over the greenside bunker, took one bounce forward and on the landing a second time checked span back about 2ft leaving me around 15ft for birdie.

There is no way on this Earth I would have got the same reaction from a DX2 or AD333.

The price of the Pro V1 doesn't really come into it for me as I dont lose many. I brought 4 dozen pearl at the start of last year and still have about 18 left.

 

[Crow]

If your 2nd paragraph is correct at what point would they recommend one of their cheaper (harder) balls?

When your wallet won't stretch to their top end balls.
It's down to personal choice about how much money you're able/want to spend to get the best ball for your golf.

 

[Crow]

So if that is the titleist ball fitting mantra why do they a)bother making anything other than Pro V1(x) b) even bother with ball fittings because they are always suggesting the same thing!

I'd say its because they are a business that want to constantly upsell their most epxpensive product but by having a slightly cheaper ball to can hope to catch some of the people with enough sense to think they don't need a pro v or simply can't justify pro v prices. Its always about the business.

Thats why I prefer somoene like brisgestone where they actually recommend ball based on individual playing ability and swing speeds etc, they'll happily recommend their cheaper non premium balls if its what comes out better for you regardless of having balls that are more premium and expensive.



100% agree with this, ball or equipment regardless of cheap or expensive it should simply be what is most suited to the player

They make other balls because not everyone can justify the cost.
At our ball fitting we were allowed to choose the ball that felt the best and I think this would play a large part in any of their fittings.
It's no surprise to me that most would end up choosing the top end ball; would you prefer to drive an Aston Martin or a Renault Clio?
Why should someone with less playing ability sacrifice greater greenside control beacause they can't cut it qwith the single figure guys? Many other manufacturers concentrate on long game shots as many of us are suckers for a few extra yards.
I 100% agree with your last statement, just make sure it's your choice through trying lots of different balls.