Vice Balls - Tosh

[Maninblack4612]

I recently commented on their Facebook page that some people wouldn't use Vice balls because of their tendency to discolour. I was contacted by their production manager who said the following "....The urethane covers are more vulnerable to discolorations that surlyn cover balls and these days, we see more and more aggressive fertilizers being allowed by the USGA - golf courses use these to improve the quality of the grass but the friction between the ball and the fertilizer when the ball is hit from the fairway stresses the outer coating and may result in discoloration at some point when the ball is in use (we are talking about urethane cover balls only)...."

Well, that's hardly a reason is it? What does he think the other manufacturers make their balls out of? None of the other Surlyn or Urethane balls I've seen discolour as much. I told him that it didn't bother me but that there was little doubt that Vice balls were worse than most of the others. I got no reply to this. This means that either they are aware of the problem and are, hopefully, working on it or that they don't want to know.

 

[casuk]

I find the pro v1 discolor quickly so maybe there is an issue with the urethane balls, on a side note i found a vice ball on course a week ago and started using it and the results were great distance was good and around the greens I found it even better its a vice tour ball going to buy a sleeve and see if it was just a fluke

 

[Bigfoot]

I found a Vice Pro Plus and a Bridgestone B330S. I have managed 3 rounds with the Vice and 3 shots with the Bridgestone. (22deg hybrid to a par 3 - spot on, 22 deg hybrid to fairway from tee - spot on , 5 iron to green - water).

Based on these shots I think the Vice is a superb ball. It did discolour marginally. No idea about the Bridgestone.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I ifnd the Wilson DX3 Urethane also discolours quite a bit quite quickly too.

 

[harpo_72]

Just get the neon ones and deal with it

 

[Maninblack4612]

I ifnd the Wilson DX3 Urethane also discolours quite a bit quite quickly too.

A mate of mine stopped using Wilsons for that reason.

 

[6535]

Really don’t know why it’s an issue that it discolours, it doesn’t affect the performance. Any ball goes yellow if you whack em into the woods 😂

 

[jim8flog]

I have not played for Vice for some years but my main negative about them was the quickness in deterioration of the white finish in comparison with any other premium brand I have tried and I have tried most of them.
Maybe the original Wilson FG Tour were slightly similar in that respect.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I don’t hold on to any balls long enough for them to discolour

Simples 👍

 

[ScienceBoy]

I don’t hold on to any balls long enough for them to discolour

Simples 👍

Your not finding out how much a discoloured ball affects your game then.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Your not finding out how much a discoloured ball affects your game then.

I don’t do aesthetics, you can tell by my dress sense 👍

 

[Jensen]

Found a Vice ball on the course today and used it for 7 holes. Seemed ok, it said something about "driving" on it.
Thought the Vice named logo looked cheap, was a bit like Winfield at Woolworths

 

[Tashyboy]

I know you love the vice balls Bill. When you sent me half a dozen down for Baghead, first thing I did was put them in the sink with some hot water and bleach. Last thing I expected them to do was turn pink. Now I have done that with every ball I have found on the course that I have intended to use. Only the Vice balls have gone pink. It must have something to do with the covering. That aside, it don't put you off Bill, but it will others. If Vice want to make a big hit on the premium market. They need to address this issue as it is stopping some people from trying and buying.

 

[r0wly86]

They do discolour fairly quickly.

But that really doesn't bother me, they perform really well, as good as a Pro V1 (I play with the Vice Pros) but cost a lot less, so it's not quite as galling to send one into the woods

 

[bernix]

this year i started using vice golf balls and i like them. i did not notice any difference to the pro v1xs i used previously except the price. as to discolouring i have to believe what you write cause i rarely play more than one-and-a-half rounds with a Golfball anyhow. what i did notice is that dirt is clinging to them easier which imo is a characteristic of old golf balls. so i assume they wear off quicker than titleists

 

[_MH_]

I've used the Vice Tours (which have the Surlyn cover) for about 18 months and they don't seem to have any problem with discolouration or scuffing.

 

[Maninblack4612]

I've used the Vice Tours (which have the Surlyn cover) for about 18 months and they don't seem to have any problem with discolouration or scuffing.

That would confirm what he says about Urethane v Surlyn but not why it doesn't happen to other manufacturers' balls.

 

[Maninblack4612]

I know you love the vice balls Bill. When you sent me half a dozen down for Baghead, first thing I did was put them in the sink with some hot water and bleach. Last thing I expected them to do was turn pink. Now I have done that with every ball I have found on the course that I have intended to use. Only the Vice balls have gone pink. It must have something to do with the covering. That aside, it don't put you off Bill, but it will others. If Vice want to make a big hit on the premium market. They need to address this issue as it is stopping some people from trying and buying.

Come on man, Tashy. Get in touch with your feminine side!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Had plenty of Vice balls and not had too many issues with discoloration certainly opposed to Pro V and Callaway Chrome Soft which I do feel lose their brightness quickly. At the end of the day does a little change in colour make any difference to the performance.

 

[Jacko_G]

Had plenty of Vice balls and not had too many issues with discoloration certainly opposed to Pro V and Callaway Chrome Soft which I do feel lose their brightness quickly. At the end of the day does a little change in colour make any difference to the performance.

It's not even a topic that is up for debate. They drastically lose colour, way quicker than a Pro V or the like.

The only ball as bad is the Wilson Staff FG Tour.