Lake Balls

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
I use pro v1 lake balls and someone mentioned to me that none of them will play the same some will be dead ect. I have to say i have never noticed any difference between them and new balls i usuall buy a hundred around this time of the year because u can get them a bit cheaper alway buy the pearl grade anyone else use them or not use them because they are no good?
Mike

 

[Parmo]

I recently bought 50 Srixon AD333 balls which I presume are lake balls, but I only use them as practice balls as the evidence (the wise forum) has shown that balls that are in water loose distance, but for pratice its more about feel with the same type of ball I use on the course.

Summary: Lake balls loose distance.

 

[Beaker]

I have only used recovered Pro V1s once, I bought three for a fiver and they weren't very good. The cover, which was more like a tipex, came off within two or three shots so as i've had a bad experience i've never played with them since!

 

[Imurg]

As I've got a dozen Nike One's coming my way (gloat,gloat) I don't need to buy any balls at the mo.

But I think Parmo's right - Lake balls are ok for practice but have new ones for the course.

 

[TonyN]

The 333's are cheap enough to buy new, And I dont tend to loose many so I just buy new. Nothing better than looking down on a new ball to play with.

 

[Teeshot]

This IS an eye opener, as I have only bought Lake balls so far!!! (Top Flite- yeah right!)
Damn.
Thinking about it, I found a Titleist ball last time I played, and as it wasn't initialed I used it and kept thinking "wow I hit that long" and every time it was the titleist. Being a bit thick I thought it was a lucky ball- what a cock!!!

 

[Parmo]

The 333's are cheap enough to buy new, And I dont tend to loose many so I just buy new. Nothing better than looking down on a new ball to play with.

I agree, but I want to use the same type or there abouts for practice as it makes a massive difference from using top flites or the likes. In my shag bag I have AD333, NXT Tours, PTS, Pro Vees and the likes but mainly AD333 all with a black X on them, its really helped me playing the same or simlar ball on the range and on the course.

I do though try and use new balls for rounds and once battered or not lost I throw in the shag bag.

 

[Parmo]

This IS an eye opener, as I have only bought Lake balls so far!!! (Top Flite- yeah right!)
Damn.
Thinking about it, I found a Titleist ball last time I played, and as it wasn't initialed I used it and kept thinking "wow I hit that long" and every time it was the titleist. Being a bit thick I thought it was a lucky ball- what a cock!!!

I wouldnt worry fella, I normally buy from EBay and they dont state they are either lost and found or lake balls unless they are boxed new ones, they are ok for the past few months with the leaves snatching them like no bodies business.

 

[Twire]

I use pearl grade lake balls, I always go for titleist and I've never had a problem, and I can't say that I have noticed the difference between new and lake balls. but that might be just cos i'm a crap golfer.

 

[HogansAlley]

I've bought pearl ProV1s from ebay and there's nothing wrong with them. Great value

 

[ricardodaintino]

I resent buying lake balls on the basis that i probably put them in the lake in the first place!

 

[CarpeDiem]

At my course there is a pond in front of the first tee, so i do have lake balls, but only use them on this tee shot and practice.

 

[theeaglehunter]

lake balls are rubbish- I'm not being a cynic they just are. These pearl grade versions you refer to I presume look brand new due to being refurbished- this is what ruins them. Buying second hand pro v 1s is a good idea just in future, indeed this is only my opinion, stay away from lake balls / refurbs as they will do your game no good at all (dependent on standard).If you can find them buy pearl grades that are not refurbished as these will act exactly like a new one- but are a tad more expensive than the lake version. The reason pro v 1s feel so soft is mainly due to the cover / outer layer which is specially applied, refurbs just get a new lick of paint that covers this responsive skin. Also as others have said balls that sit in water for a long time will loose distance due to it seeping into the core of the ball.

Lake balls are a false economy in my book and I will honestly never touch them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Lake boards in my opinion are only good for practicing and even then I'd prefer to use old balls from previous rounds. The pearl grade ones are also not worth the money as they are pretty much just a respray and the paint tends to flake ery quickly particularly if you hit a lot of wedges and short irons.

My advice would be buy what you can afford to lose. If you are a high handicapper it may not be economical to buy premium balls if you are losing two or more per round. There are several good quality mid price balls (NXT and AD333) which will give you some spin on short shots and distance off the tee. Where possible try and avoid the solid balls (Pinnacle and Top Flite etc) as they are not responsive on and around the greens and will not reward good iron play.

Try and keep your practice balls a similar make and model as your normal ball so that you can work on distances with each club with a degree of accuracy and get use to the feeling of the ball off the club. In these tighter economic times this is where lake balls really have a purpose.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
Thanks for the input they are nor refurbs and in almost new condition will stick with them for a while see how they go still hit a 9 iron 150 with them.
Mike

 

[Cernunnos]

There are some lake balls that are better than others. I did buy some Pro V1's from asda that as mentioned by someone else seemed to look as if they'd been painted with tipex, quite viable when the pack was opened, so these will only get used for practice balls, but I'm sure there are better treated lake balls than the dire examples I found.

Either way I'd rather spend my money this time of year on reasonable quality budget balls.

 

[Herbie]

Hi,
I use pro v1 lake balls and someone mentioned to me that none of them will play the same some will be dead ect. I have to say i have never noticed any difference between them and new balls i usuall buy a hundred around this time of the year because u can get them a bit cheaper alway buy the pearl grade anyone else use them or not use them because they are no good?
Mike

Its the luck of the draw with lake balls, especially when some are not lake balls but simply used balls. You will find with all of them a deterioration in performance if you have a great feel for the game especially around greens, higher h/c players may not notice as their normal or current standard is variable in consistancy anyway.