Titleist ball fitting in this months magazine.

[pbrown7582]

Not that it is directly related but Titleist do not submit their clubs for comparison tests in Todays Golfer. And I am sure I read saw in the past they don't submit Pro V1s for ball comparison tests either. Although I may be wrong on the ball front, apologies to Titleist if I am.

But someone asked today on twitter why there was no Titleist clubs in the club test in this months TG and the mag tweeted back to say that they didn't submit any. Which to me is poor form and smacks a bit to me of being scardy cats.

This is spot on, when TG did a ball test there wasn't a pro v1 in sight I emailed to query how they can give awards for best ball when the widely agreed market leader wasn't tested, turns out titleist/aucshnet do not and strictly prohibit direct comparison testing of all there products.

 

[One Planer]

Don't think anyone has said high handicappers cant use the balls, just that there may be better value options out there and that the benefits the higher handicappers may get are not worth the increased price you pay for them. But of course it's free world and anyone can play the ball they want.

By the way I also can't do with the attitude of saying that you have to be below a handicap of X to play with this or that. It's just that I have a problem when a manufacturer is recommending their most expensive option no matter what.

It's not just Titleist though.

I've just gone through these:

http://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/ball-selection-guide

Recommends a Bridgestone B330-RXS

http://www.srixon.co.uk/custom-fit/?cb=3402&hc=2&si=11&hct=16

Recommends a Z-Star

http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikegolf/en_EU/products/ball-recommender

Nike 20Xi-X

As I say, It's far from just Titleist that are guilty of this kind of thing.

 

[Imurg]

Not that it is directly related but Titleist do not submit their clubs for comparison tests in Todays Golfer. And I am sure I read saw in the past they don't submit Pro V1s for ball comparison tests either. Although I may be wrong on the ball front, apologies to Titleist if I am.

But someone asked today on twitter why there was no Titleist clubs in the club test in this months TG and the mag tweeted back to say that they didn't submit any. Which to me is poor form and smacks a bit to me of being scardy cats.

Titleist don't provide clubs or balls for testing by mere Humans as there are so many variables as to make the outcome as unscientific as the molecular structure of a Big Mac....
Take 4 individuals who haven't been fitted for a club and get to test it and you'll get 4 different sets of results and it tells you nothing.
That's why GM, when they do test gear, don't find a "Best on Test" like TG does because it's meaningless.

All balls these days are designed to have less spin from the driver than any other club - how, I have no idea but they are.
A ProV will spin about 500rpm more than, say, a Velocity - that 500rpm will mean more of a slice but not by a huge amount. If you slice a Velocity 30 yards then you'll slice a ProV 35. You're still in the Cack most likely....
Distance is also virtually the same so the only real difference is around the greens.
Watch a High Handicapper try to play a chip onto a green and stop it close with a Velocity and then watch him try with a ProV - I'll wager that the ProV will be closer more often than not.
That's why the Prov (other premium balls are available) is best for almost everyone.
The NXT Tour S is cheaper but provides similar performance but less spin around the greens - a good alternative if you can't or don't want to afford the ProV....
Every brand has their top ball and several others further down the scale, each providing less performance at a lower price.
I don't see the problem......

 

[Coatsy79]

Assuming the testers were given a box or 2 of the ball they "chose" then it's human nature

If they said to you "hey choose the ball you like best and well give you few boxes your gonna pick the best ball your not gonna say "na it's ok give me a box of dunlop sports"

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Another way of looking at it could be:
It's been pointed out that the lower handicapper is more likely to strike the ball better. As a result of this he should be more likely to produce spin.
Therefore when the higher handicapper miss hits his shots he will get less spin.

As such perhaps he needs the higher spinning Pro V even more than the lower handicapper. Otherwise he'll have even less control of his ball.

 

[Airlie_Andy]

If you check out the latest blog on the Dan Plan website you will see a titleist ball fitting in action. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

Watch a High Handicapper try to play a chip onto a green and stop it close with a Velocity and then watch him try with a ProV - I'll wager that the ProV will be closer more often than not.
That's why the Prov (other premium balls are available) is best for almost everyone.

I'd probably take you on with that wager. I don't really forsee that the high handicapper would get either ball closer on a consistent basis. Although I understand that's possibly what this test was intended to disprove, but again in my experience I'd disagree with Titleists findings here.

In fact I'd expect in most cases most amateurs leave their chips and pitches short, bar the ones we blade through the back. On balance i'd expect the extra roll on a harder ball to get nearer to the hole.

I'd like to see it properly tested, but a premium ball manufacturer isn't going to find that the cheaper balls are better. So I can only go by what I've seen, and I'd say i've seen few players who pitch with a view to consistently using spin to check the ball up close.

I'd take a lot of convincing that a 28 handicapper has sufficient control around the green to make a decision on what he can get closer on a regular basis.

 

[Hacker Khan]

If you check out the latest blog on the Dan Plan website you will see a titleist ball fitting in action. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Very interesting interview with this guy in Today's Golfer this month, as a fellow lefty I'm rooting for him, but I fear his project is doomed to fail and he'll make the Web tour or whatever it is called at best.

Big surprise that they recommended a pro V1 or Pro V1 X

 

[Hacker Khan]

As I say, It's far from just Titleist that are guilty of this kind of thing.

Very true. I suppose the moral to the story is that if you are going to get fitted for clubs, balls and most importantly tees then go to a recommended neutral fitter who will tell you what is best for you. As if you go to a manufacturer they may well tell you what is best for them.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Golf retailers must have a good laugh at golfers.
I can't think of another sport except maybe cycling where mugs are reeled in by marketing ploys.
Can the average golfer tell the difference between different quality balls ....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
If they say they can they are just a load of male cow phooers.

The Kings New Clothes, I Saw You Coming and Robin B'stard are alive and well and all feeding off gullible golfers.

 

[Hacker Khan]

That's why GM, when they do test gear, don't find a "Best on Test" like TG does because it's meaningless.

As meaningless as giving every piece of golf equipment ever reviewed at least 4 out of 5 stars??

There goes my chance of getting picked for any forum prizes

 

[Imurg]

As meaningless as giving every piece of golf equipment ever reviewed at least 4 out of 5 stars??

There goes my chance of getting picked for any forum prizes

GM don't review bad gear - MikeH/Tappers have come out and said as much.
If GM review it then it's a decent bit of kit, hence the regualar 4 stars.

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

Ladies and gents I am said high handicapper and find it funny that you are believing the article word for word. i'll defend myself by saying that I had made the comment that I felt no difference between the NXT Tour S and the ProV1x from 6ft around the greens and if I had to put my hand in my own pocket that NXT Tour S would be my ball of choice based on budget

During the day we were introduced to all of the titleist ball range and I could honestly say that I could tell the difference between those mentioned above against the Velocity and the DT Solo which where low spinning balls which bounced once and rolled on and on, even after a short game lesson with Jonathan Yarwood.

AGAIN, please bare in mind our chipping session was from 6ft from the green and I only used the 52deg wedge for the exercise.

If the day had of been about the best ball for your long game my answer would have been very different to that of a low handicapper. The low spinning velocity would be my ball of choice as all other if higher grade balls emphasise a mis-hit and slices become extreme 90deg shots. For anyone who can keep the ball straight then there is definately a difference in stopping power and is most noticeable on shots ranging between 100 and 150 yards. Anyone with better course management than me could make the most of a proV1

The day made me realise that ball choice is very important for all levels and that the wrong balls will kill your game.

Kev's genuine suggestion, a low spinning ball for high handicappers to focus on keeping the ball straight, mid priced ball for mid handicapper and the top end balls for cat1 or low cat2's. That said, its the buyers choice and we'll play what we want

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

I'll also challenge anyone who is offered a years supply of titleist balls not to choose ProV's

 

[Crow]

I can't believe some of the guff that's been spouted here and am not going to get into an argument with anybody, all I will say is this:

Whatever handicap you play off, arm yourself with a budget ball and a premium ball (Pro V1 would be your best choice! ) then find yourself a practice green and spend a quarter of an hour or so chipping both balls to a variety of pin positions using a variety of shots, high, low etc, and then come back and tell us all which ball you'd sooner play?

And as I said in my first post, a high spinning cover does not translate into a high spinning shot from your driver, that's down to a poor shot and will slice/hook whatever ball you use.

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

I can't believe some of the guff that's been spouted here and am not going to get into an argument with anybody, all I will say is this:

Whatever handicap you play off, arm yourself with a budget ball and a premium ball (Pro V1 would be your best choice! ) then find yourself a practice green and spend a quarter of an hour or so chipping both balls to a variety of pin positions using a variety of shots, high, low etc, and then come back and tell us all which ball you'd sooner play?

And as I said in my first post, a high spinning cover does not translate into a high spinning shot from your driver, that's down to a poor shot and will slice/hook whatever ball you use.

A ball will NEVER cause a slice but a high spin ball will accentuate the problem. Even the titleist fitters said that they would rather give a poor long gamer a DT solo or velocity to minimise the effects of spin. The ball doesnt matter for a well hit straight long distance shot as titleist claim that their longest ball (velocity) is only 5 yards in front of their shortest ball (prov1x) during machine tests with the driver

 

[mykweb]

I had a read at the GM ball fitting on the train on Wednesday night. I was very interested to find out the results of the day out and what peoples opinions were. I did figure they would most likely recommend the Pro V1 range.

I have been a titleist ball player for about 4-5 years now. Before I would play TM's and Srixion balls. During the 4-5 year stint I used PT Roll,NXT, NXT Tour and most recently the Velocity balls. I achieved my handicap using the NXT tour balls. I don't mind these as they are nice to hit and don't look to shabby after a few holes.

Around 2 months ago I had no change of a £20 when at the local shop when buying drink. The guy was going to hand me £19 in smash. I did not really want this, so I bought a sleeve of Pro V1 balls. I went out and had the round of my life. Lots of control around the greens, nice rolls from the putter and I was getting extra distance from the driver. Not only that I noticed a big difference in the feel when striking the ball with all clubs. It felt nice, crisp, clean and most importantly soft.

As some people have said above miby high handicappers might not achive that level of the pro's but the confidence it gives you helps your game. I hit my lowest score of 91-18 = 73 (par 70) using these balls. I would have ended up with a 68 over all if I had not burried a ball into the trees from the fairway (my fault not concentrating)

Its a fantastic ball and I use the Pro V1 now for comps, and the Wilson DX3 for bounce games. The wilson is a nice ball as well and 1/2 the price of the Pro V 1

 

[hovis]

I'll also challenge anyone who is offered a years supply of titleist balls not to choose ProV's

I wouldn't! My driver swing is 117mph. When I miss I miss big. I would choose a years supply of nxt tours to reduce my driver spin! Hence the reason why I think premium ball would hurt a high handicaper rather than help.

 

[hovis]

And as I said in my first post, a high spinning cover does not translate into a high spinning shot from your driver, that's down to a poor shot and will slice/hook whatever ball you use.

Yes it does. It even shows you on the box. A softer cover does create more side spin from a bad shot. You get a robot to hit a slice with a pro v and a dunlop ddh and the dunlops going to be less off line

 

[Imurg]

Yes it does. It even shows you on the box. A softer cover does create more side spin from a bad shot. You get a robot to hit a slice with a pro v and a dunlop ddh and the dunlops going to be less off line

Yes, but not by as much as you think.