StrangelyBrown
Tour Winner
I'm a high handicapper and I've shot my best rounds with ProV1x balls, however, as the ZStarX was on sale I'm giving it a whirl this year. I wont be putting them into play until the weather gets better mind 
New balls please
- Thread starter TriggerTech
- Start date
HRC99
Journeyman Pro
Enjoy them, they're nice balls.
But I'd be very tempted to put them away until April. You'll really see the benefit of a better ball once course conditions improve.
But I'd be very tempted to put them away until April. You'll really see the benefit of a better ball once course conditions improve.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
I never start a comp with a new ball. I like to have played 4 or 5 holes with it first, so I can weed out the unlucky ones.
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
Like others, new balls for comps, used ones for friendlies.
As a mid handicapper on a budget I tend to go for mid range balls (AD333, Titleist NXT Tour). Will pull out a Pro V1 when the greens are firm and it's a big comp. Got some Srixon Tri Speeds to try out this year. Also won some TM TP Blacks for doing a golf survey. Not tried Z Stars but as they are highly thought of on here I might give them a go too.
Whilst I understand that it's probably best to use the same ball I do vary between 3 or 4 types and don't think it has any undue effect at my level. I don't buy lake balls or refinished ones for same reasons Homer gave.
I do think it's funny how some balls you just can't get rid of. Had one ProV1 that lasted about 3 rounds, went in the practice bag and I think it's still there, but others only last one shot
As a mid handicapper on a budget I tend to go for mid range balls (AD333, Titleist NXT Tour). Will pull out a Pro V1 when the greens are firm and it's a big comp. Got some Srixon Tri Speeds to try out this year. Also won some TM TP Blacks for doing a golf survey. Not tried Z Stars but as they are highly thought of on here I might give them a go too.
Whilst I understand that it's probably best to use the same ball I do vary between 3 or 4 types and don't think it has any undue effect at my level. I don't buy lake balls or refinished ones for same reasons Homer gave.
I do think it's funny how some balls you just can't get rid of. Had one ProV1 that lasted about 3 rounds, went in the practice bag and I think it's still there, but others only last one shot
TriggerTech
Head Pro
Have been having lessons with a good pro, only got a handicap in dec, howrver joining a club this year, so hope to get into the teens this year. Been playing with pinnacle mixed pearl grade, at the price offered thought it's a cost effective gamble, who knows. I'll let you know how I get on with them at the weekend lads.
Robobum
Money List Winner
Always start with a decent condition ball for any comps or matches, though not necessarily a new one.
Through the winter the bag is full of old provs in varying stages from slightly off white through to beige.
Through the winter the bag is full of old provs in varying stages from slightly off white through to beige.
chris661
Money List Winner
I said completely the opposite to my mate (only of 28 cos it cant go higher). As he was buying cheapo balls and not caring whether he lost them or not, I said for him to try a sleeve of prov's. He did and, for him, he seemed to take more care over each shot and manageed to keep the three balls longer than I did
User 105
Journeyman Pro
I think you need to strike the balance as a high handicapper.
Something like and AD333 is a good choice.
Even as a high handicapper I had a good short game and using a softer ball did make a difference. BUTTTT, it killed my driving and long irons because the software ball spun way too much and exaggerated my fade\slice.
No point in having a tidy short game if you're 3 off the tee every other hole !!
I stuck with the AD333 as a good compromise until my ball striking improved and now use Z-stars.
I do like the Pro-v's and used them for a while but they seemed to get chewed up really quickly. Z-Stars seem to be a bit more durable.
Something like and AD333 is a good choice.
Even as a high handicapper I had a good short game and using a softer ball did make a difference. BUTTTT, it killed my driving and long irons because the software ball spun way too much and exaggerated my fade\slice.
No point in having a tidy short game if you're 3 off the tee every other hole !!
I stuck with the AD333 as a good compromise until my ball striking improved and now use Z-stars.
I do like the Pro-v's and used them for a while but they seemed to get chewed up really quickly. Z-Stars seem to be a bit more durable.
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Interesting thread. I used to use any ball within reason as my attitude while my h/c was in the low 20's was " a ball is a ball", but during last summer noticed around the greens pro v's etc were a better ball.
I started playing these keeping the goods ones for comps etc, but swapping back and forth between different makes and models gave no consistency to my short game.
After trying a few i got hooked on the dx3, although during the winter i my go dx2 (tbc) anyhoo, sticking with one make/model of ball didnt so much help my long game, but short game, short irons and putting did get better, so although some people say until you h/c is lower stick with lake balls, i have to disagree. You wouldnt swap between different makes and models of irons between holes, so how can swapping between makes and models of balls be good.
Back on subject, i tend to use a new ball on the first tee of every game, unless i have lost one in the previous round and there is a fairly fresh used one in the bag. The problem with the dx3's is even after a good round, a ball can look very second hand, and i doubt id want to play a second round with one. Nothing like looking down on a new ball...
I started playing these keeping the goods ones for comps etc, but swapping back and forth between different makes and models gave no consistency to my short game.
After trying a few i got hooked on the dx3, although during the winter i my go dx2 (tbc) anyhoo, sticking with one make/model of ball didnt so much help my long game, but short game, short irons and putting did get better, so although some people say until you h/c is lower stick with lake balls, i have to disagree. You wouldnt swap between different makes and models of irons between holes, so how can swapping between makes and models of balls be good.
Back on subject, i tend to use a new ball on the first tee of every game, unless i have lost one in the previous round and there is a fairly fresh used one in the bag. The problem with the dx3's is even after a good round, a ball can look very second hand, and i doubt id want to play a second round with one. Nothing like looking down on a new ball...
chrisd
Major Champion
I agree with Westy on this one. I changed from Z Stars to the new Noodle ball towards the end of the summer and my driver stayed on many more fairways on our tree lined course because of the reduced spin. I also got about 15 - 20 yards more distance. I found the Noodle to be ok round the greens whan I got the feel and tonight I am at our awards ceremony to pick up a major club trophy that I won with the new ball
I found I didn't get the most out of a soft spinning ball till I had got down to 12ish handicap wise. If I'm playing a bounce game I just use an old pro v or other premium ball I have in the bag. The courses I play up here (Tain) tends to be on the tight side and you can lose a few. Use a new or newish ball for comps last year had a couple of boxes of TM tp red and used them a bit, but have now switched to pro v1 and will stick to them for this year. Plus I have a bout 5 dozen new or newish ones I've saved over the last couple of years as I didn't feel at that stage I could get the most out of them. Can get away with using the same ball for a couple of rounds if those rounds are in the 70's gross and I haven't Thinned or Sh*nked it.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
I'll use a ball until I lose it. start a new round with the ball I finished the last round with, competition or not, unless it's really beat up.
Sometimes if I lose a ball towards the end of a round where my score is already too many I'll use any old thing that I've found, in which case the next round will start with a new premium ball.
Sometimes if I lose a ball towards the end of a round where my score is already too many I'll use any old thing that I've found, in which case the next round will start with a new premium ball.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
The other thing is, I keep the ball if I get a hole in one. Write the date, hole, SI, length and club hit on it.
I never play with a ball I would be embarassed to put in the trophy cupboard.
I never play with a ball I would be embarassed to put in the trophy cupboard.
sambora666
Club Champion
A new ball for every comp then it will go into the practice bag or stay in the bag for social golf.
I only started using high end balls last year as my short game and touch around the greens needed all the help it could get. Also I have a low ball flight so all the spin I can get is much needed come the summer.
I use PV1’s at the moment but will try the Z Star and PVx this summer.
I only started using high end balls last year as my short game and touch around the greens needed all the help it could get. Also I have a low ball flight so all the spin I can get is much needed come the summer.
I use PV1’s at the moment but will try the Z Star and PVx this summer.
I guess if you want a definitive answer to your question there is the option of getting custom fitted for your ball. I know the big Srixon/Cleveland fitting centre in Maidenhead (attached to the range I use) will do a balll fitting with drivers and wedges to see which is best for your swing. I've a feeling MikeH went down there and tried it.
sambora666
Club Champion
My local range as well ;-)
SatchFan
Q-School Graduate
It didn't take me long to realise that sticking to one brand of ball made a massive difference to my short game, particularly putting. Having said that I am using up any old rubbish at the moment as I am only really playing to keep the rhythm of my long game going. Once the monsoon season is over it will be back to the Pro V1X.
Tiger
Money List Winner
Mike H wasn't recommended a z-star when he had his fitting. He plays off 5/7 can't remember which. And when they did the wedge and ball fitting in last months GM it was the higher handicappers that were recommended the Z-Star. My short game is infinitely better with a PV1x or Z Star but as others have said off the tee I had a mare. Playing a Noodle + which is keeping me in play and nice to putt. Not very fun to chip though.
Always start a comp with a fairly new ball. I've normally used it for practice on the day!
Always start a comp with a fairly new ball. I've normally used it for practice on the day!
CliveW
Tour Winner
I've never been in that situation!
Jaymosafehands
Challenge Tour Pro
I had the pleasure of having a ball fitting session when I was in the US last year in a PGA store, basically using a flightscope. The feedback was really interesting, with my swing coming out best on a mid range ball, the Nike vapour one. Pro vs etc generated too much side spin off he drive and was costing me distance.
Scarily a topflite came out in he mix too which I tried out when I got back, and was surprised that after I'd put lines through the brand ( not a label snob, honest!!!) it performed really well.
Would love to try the Bridgestone fitting scheme, but not sure where offers it?
Scarily a topflite came out in he mix too which I tried out when I got back, and was surprised that after I'd put lines through the brand ( not a label snob, honest!!!) it performed really well.
Would love to try the Bridgestone fitting scheme, but not sure where offers it?
