Softer golf balls give worse dispersion!

[Foxholer]

Sorry I have nothing to add, mainly due to acute indifference, but I just wanted to highlight, stand back and marvel at the beautiful irony of the above.

I'm always happy to have any errors of my 'facts' corrected! But I can't recall any instances where you have done so! Del, on the other hand, frequently draws ridiculous conclusions from random, single, or often minimally related, facts - the OP being an example.

Was there anything factually wrong with my post? There certainly has been with plenty of Del's! I've even pointed at least 1 out in this very thread!

Opinions, on the other hand...well, I'm sure you know the analogy!

 

[duncan mackie]

I don't understand your point Del.

Neither does he.....

I remain amazed at how many on here still confuse compression with feel and spin. They are not inherently linked now, and arguably never have been (compare a Penfold Commando with a Maxfli HT 100 as a historical example - or even the Titliest Professional 90 with the 100!).
You can have a low compression ball with a soft mantle and hard cover (low spin, soft feel) or a high compression ball with a firm mantle and soft cover (firm feel high spin) and that's all before you bring either the player's charecteristics or dimple elements into play to give the full picture.
It's never been easier for the average player to find a ball that they like and that works for them - but of all the ways to achieve this the worst is reading forum threads on balls!

 

[Foxholer]

:thup:

Though you missed out the number and thickness - particularly of the cover - of the various layers.

 

[delc]

The starting point for this topic was the suggestion that you should use softer, lower compression balls in the Winter, because you get a better energy transfer in cold conditions. So I bought some Wilson DX3's, which are among the softest. I am normally a reasonably straight hitter, but found I was hooking and slicing this ball all over the place. A golfing pal found the same. I had also previously tried some Srixon B330-RXS, which are also supposed to be soft, high spin balls and found the same thing. I believe that my club head speed with a driver is in the high 80's mph.

 

[MadAdey]

I will go with what has already been said. Softness, compression, dimple pattern do not have a direct effect on the dispersal of a ball. It is the spin that ball generates, which is logical really.

If you take 2 identical swings with 2 different balls and hit them both with a club face that is say 10* open to swing path. If 1 ball is higher spinning than the other and say generates 1000 more RPM then that ball will go further offline. What softness has to do with it is beyond me.

When I started playing the good old Pinnacle was the suggested ball of choice for a beginner. It had good distance but with it being lower spinning it did not go as wide as the higher spinning Titleist professionals.

 

[AmandaJR]

popcorn on! Salt or sweet?

Sweet AND Salty for me...sounds weird but weirdly delicious

 

[delc]

I will go with what has already been said. Softness, compression, dimple pattern do not have a direct effect on the dispersal of a ball. It is the spin that ball generates, which is logical really.

If you take 2 identical swings with 2 different balls and hit them both with a club face that is say 10* open to swing path. If 1 ball is higher spinning than the other and say generates 1000 more RPM then that ball will go further offline. What softness has to do with it is beyond me.

When I started playing the good old Pinnacle was the suggested ball of choice for a beginner. It had good distance but with it being lower spinning it did not go as wide as the higher spinning Titleist professionals.

My impression is that softer balls stay in contact with the club face for a little bit longer, so have more time to pick up spin.

 

[Stuey01]

I had also previously tried some Srixon B330-RXS

Oh no you didn't.

If the player is the Indian, the club is the arrow, what's the ball?
The club should be the bow, the ball is the arrow.

Anyway, it ain't the ball Delc, it's your shonky swing.

 

[Markw]

The starting point for this topic was the suggestion that you should use softer, lower compression balls in the Winter, because you get a better energy transfer in cold conditions. So I bought some Wilson DX3's, which are among the softest. I am normally a reasonably straight hitter, but found I was hooking and slicing this ball all over the place. A golfing pal found the same. I had also previously tried some Srixon B330-RXS, which are also supposed to be soft, high spin balls and found the same thing. I believe that my club head speed with a driver is in the high 80's mph.

Give the Bridgestone fix a try, nothing to lose and you may be suprised at how soft it feels. it is very good at reducing the amount offline you go with a less than perfect swing. I get them from eBay as grade A balls and reasonably priced.

 

[One Planer]

The starting point for this topic was the suggestion that you should use softer, lower compression balls in the Winter, because you get a better energy transfer in cold conditions. So I bought some Wilson DX3's, which are among the softest. I am normally a reasonably straight hitter, but found I was hooking and slicing this ball all over the place. A golfing pal found the same. I had also previously tried some Srixon B330-RXS, which are also supposed to be soft, high spin balls and found the same thing. I believe that my club head speed with a driver is in the high 80's mph.

Del, Can I ask what ball you usually play (.... Before the DX3)

Also, if you were/are a straight hitter, the ball would not be the cause of the added dispersion.

Sorry pal.

 

[delc]

Give the Bridgestone fix a try, nothing to lose and you may be suprised at how soft it feels. it is very good at reducing the amount offline you go with a less than perfect swing. I get them from eBay as grade A balls and reasonably priced.

I have being playing with the Bridgestone Fix ball for the last few months, mainly because I turned up for an away match last year with insuffient balls in my bag after changing it over, and the pro shop there was doing a good deal on them. They actually feel a bit firm to me but perform OK and fly straight. My normal balls of choice are Srixon AD333 or Trispeed, or Titleist NXT Tour.

 

[Markw]

Del, Can I ask what ball you usually play (.... Before the DX3)

Also, if you were/are a straight hitter, the ball would not be the cause of the added dispersion.

Sorry pal.

Gareth, I find it to be the total opposite, I am normally a consistent straight hitter and find ball choice to make a massive difference. On the not so perfect swings as mentioned before, side spin that would put me 5-10 yd's offline is easily doubled using a pro vs or zstar but when swinging well they feel good. For consistency I use a bridgestone E6 or fix and they are stupid straight with a half decent swing, obviously no ball will correct a swing fault but some balls definitely without doubt fly straighter!

 

[Foxholer]

The starting point for this topic was the suggestion that you should use softer, lower compression balls in the Winter, because you get a better energy transfer in cold conditions.

Well that's come out of left field! Never mentioned in the OP.

So I bought some Wilson DX3's, which are among the softest. I am normally a reasonably straight hitter, but found I was hooking and slicing this ball all over the place. A golfing pal found the same. I had also previously tried some Srixon B330-RXS, which are also supposed to be soft, high spin balls and found the same thing.

So you tried 1 single type, found you hooked/sliced it markedly and jumped to the conclusion, recalling previous experience with a softish HIGH SPIN ball, that it was the softness that was the cause! Great scientific approach! :rofl:

Try the E6. Reputed to be low spin, has a (core) compression of 50 and target Driver swing speed below 90mph. Seems designed pretty much perfectly for you!

 

[Markw]

I have being playing with the Bridgestone Fix ball for the last few months, mainly because I turned up for an away match last year with insuffient balls in my bag after changing it over, and the pro shop there was doing a good deal on them. They actually feel a bit firm to me but perform OK and fly straight. My normal balls of choice are Srixon AD333 or Trispeed, or Titleist NXT Tour.

I always thought they were a nice balance, not to firm and actually compared one to a B330 tour last weekend on the puttIng green and the fix felt a lot softer. Couldn't understand why so placed them both showing no markings and asked my pp to putt each one and pick the softest, he chose the fix as well!

 

[One Planer]

Gareth, I find it to be the total opposite, I am normally a consistent straight hitter and find ball choice to make a massive difference. On the not so perfect swings as mentioned before, side spin that would put me 5-10 yd's offline is easily doubled using a pro vs or zstar but when swinging well they feel good. For consistency I use a bridgestone E6 or fix and they are stupid straight with a half decent swing, obviously no ball will correct a swing fault but some balls definitely without doubt fly straighter!

As I said further up the page, I can hook a Pro V1 or an AD333 with equal ease.

As an aside, I play with a very slight draw.

I can hit this shape with a premium ball, an NXT Tour or NXT Tour S (4 piece, 3 piece and 2 piece respectively).

I can also hit them straight, block, pull slice and hook. The severity of those shot shapes is nothing to do with the ball, purely the differences between the angle of the club face vs the swing path.

Everyone will have an opinion of course.

 

[User62651]

My impression is that softer balls stay in contact with the club face for a little bit longer, so have more time to pick up spin.

I think its the cover type rather than the softness of the ball that allows greater spin. Premium balls have covers that an old u-grooved wedge would peel slightly in making contact.

Interesting read this thread, I recall Kenny Perry citing his good run of victories and high ranking position late in his career during his 40's as purely down to the new balls going much straighter. He had an odd swing and played a big draw shot naturally but never got anywhere in golf until the ball technology changed when the first prov1 came in and was copied. So from that I guess they lowered spin greatly for longer shots but left a skin on that was grippy/spinny for short game?

 

[shortstuff]

My impression is that softer balls stay in contact with the club face for a little bit longer, so have more time to pick up spin.

I believe it does. Which is why I believe the softer/premium balls have more backspin. More backspin will offset the sidespin, which is why your wedges and short irons can hit straight but you may slice a long iron or driver. So, using a softer ball and a higher lofted driver you should hit more fairways (but you may lose in overall distance).
Years ago when I switched from distance to premium balls I noticed that the softer premium ball was more forgiving off the tee. So I don't understand why you have experienced the opposite.

 

[Whereditgo]

I believe it does. Which is why I believe the softer/premium balls have more backspin. More backspin will offset the sidespin, which is why your wedges and short irons can hit straight but you may slice a long iron or driver. So, using a softer ball and a higher lofted driver you should hit more fairways (but you may lose in overall distance).
Years ago when I switched from distance to premium balls I noticed that the softer premium ball was more forgiving off the tee. So I don't understand why you have experienced the opposite.

You do realise that a sphere can only spin in one direction? There is no sidespin, simply a tilt of the axis of the backspin.

 

[User20205]

I'm always happy to have any errors of my 'facts' corrected! But I can't recall any instances where you have done so! Del, on the other hand, frequently draws ridiculous conclusions from random, single, or often minimally related, facts - the OP being an example.

Was there anything factually wrong with my post? There certainly has been with plenty of Del's! I've even pointed at least 1 out in this very thread!

Opinions, on the other hand...well, I'm sure you know the analogy!

Can't comment on the factual content, my google skills aren't up to it. More of a opinion * on the tone.

* opinions etc etc

 

[hovis]

Sorry but anyone who thinks they've gone from straight shots to big hooks and slices because of a ball swap needs their head looking at.