What a difference a ball can make

[Dave B]

This isn't a post about which ball but more a post of the effects the ball can have on your game.

The difference between ball was bought home to me several years ago when I found brand new a Pro V and thought I'll give it a try. Off the tee it was ok but no better than the mid range balls I'd been using. With irons it was exactly the same. At the time the greens were hard and like many balls you still had to land it short and allow for the slope and roll.

Ok so what was all the fuss about?

After a few holes I swapped it out for a Srixon Soft Feel I'd been using earlier and carried on playing.

A few days later after losing a ball I thought I'd give the Pro V another try. My putting hadn't been on form however changing to the Pro V changed my game. I couldn't miss and I eventually put my finger on the button in that it was all down to the feel of the ball that was making the difference.

Since then I have tried various balls and found several mid range balls I'm happy with and several premium balls. The Soft Feels have been binned because I've found them to be too springy off the putter face.

Not long ago bought a mixed bag of premium balls off a guy at work and among them there were a couple of Nike balls. I've had the PDS soft, which isn't a bad ball as far as budget balls go and thought I'd give the Nikes a try.

One's a Nike One Vapor and the other is a 20X1-X and they have to be two of the worst balls I've ever used. For me they just lacked feel and control and although balls are very personal, I just couldn't get on with these. There have been lots of comments regarding how well McIlroy is playing this week however after playing the Nikes I wonder how much of his lack of form could actually be down to the change in ball.

I know some people don't get on with Callaways because to some they feel clicky off the face, however others have nothing but praise for them.

I know balls are personal but what have your experiences been, what do you use and why?

 

[Imurg]

On the Nike ball front, a couple of years ago I followed a few Pros around Wentworth at the PGA.
I noticed, and it was very obvious, that when the Nike ball players struck the ball it made a horrendous racket compared with the Titleist/Srixon etc players. It made the ball and clubs sound wooden.

At the moment any old ball will do as the greens are so soft.
But genearally I'll use a Premium ball - any ball (apart from Nikes!) as I don't believe there is enough difference between them for me to notice at my standard.
GIve me a ProV/Z-Star/Hex Black/B330 - I'll play it and I couldn't tell you the difference.

 

[G_Mulligan]

I never felt I could justify £40 for 12 balls in the premium end of the range so I tried a few mid range balls NXT, Juice, AD333, X2 etc. Before I read a good review for Srixon Trispeed and thought I would give them a go. They are a good all round ball with good distance off the tee, medium spin off wedges and a nice feel off the putter.

My main concern has always been to find a ball that is reasonably priced enough to fill my practice bag so I play and practice with the same ball especially wedges and short game. I never saw the point in practicing my distance wedges and chipping and putting, learning the feel of club on ball and accurate wedge distances if I was going to be using a different ball when playing the course. I have a practice bag full of lake balls (and during winter play) and then have some nice shiney new ones for summer.

 

[guest100718]

On the Nike ball front, a couple of years ago I followed a few Pros around Wentworth at the PGA.
I noticed, and it was very obvious, that when the Nike ball players struck the ball it made a horrendous racket compared with the Titleist/Srixon etc players. It made the ball and clubs sound wooden.

At the moment any old ball will do as the greens are so soft.
But genearally I'll use a Premium ball - any ball (apart from Nikes!) as I don't believe there is enough difference between them for me to notice at my standard.
GIve me a ProV/Z-Star/Hex Black/B330 - I'll play it and I couldn't tell you the difference.

I usually stock up on what ever premium ball is on sale at the start of season. Last year it was the B330 at 17.95 a doz. I agree about the nikes. I tired a few and they were the worst ball i have ever tried.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Isn't the Nike ball a resin ball - surely that would give a very different feel to the others and is also reported to be one of the main reasons new Nike players take a while to get settled in

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I agree with you about the soft feel, I've been using them the last couple of weeks as it's winter. Decent enough ball until you come to putting, it flies off the putter face like nothing I've ever experienced. My distance control was terrible and short putts became a very nervy experience. After 3 stabbing 3 times in 9 holes last week I'd had enough and decided to go back to my trusty B330-S which I picked up for £19 a dozen in the sales and the difference in my putting for 2nd nine was like night and day.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I usually stock up on what ever premium ball is on sale at the start of season. Last year it was the B330 at 17.95 a doz. I agree about the nikes. I tired a few and they were the worst ball i have ever tried.

Same here, if I can find Z-Stars\Hex Black or B330-S on multi buy deals in the New Year they would be my preference and I prefer all of these over ProV1s. That said, I will try any premium ball, there is always something you can get for around £20/dozen.

 

[hovis]

Isn't the Nike ball a resin ball - surely that would give a very different feel to the others and is also reported to be one of the main reasons new Nike players take a while to get settled in

I use nike 20xi and they have a very unique feel off the putter. Almost hollow like.

 

[anthony]

I like the feel of the 20xi-x off the putter and driver but not the irons. Callaway hex black are the same but rip apart so easy

 

[harpo_72]

I am a bit non plussed with most of the premium ball offerings, I want the spin I used to get off my irons, driver length is not at at the top of the list.

 

[wonga]

I use the Callaway Hex Chrome+ & try to buy them when a sale is on! They are highly rated by AG and they have good spin control as well as distance. They suit my game.

 

[AmandaJR]

Interesting as I do like the Soft Feel but boy my putting using one today was scarily woeful. As it's winter I'll play any "decent" ball and think my last few rounds have been with a Trispeed I found and one of the Wilson with hexagonal dimples - DX2 I think. I've been putting really well and was even called "dead eye dick" last week yet today was rattling everything way past and then 2nd guessing myself and leaving them short...

Hmmm. Food for thought and will revert back to one of the others tomorrow and see how I putt!

 

[USER1999]

I like the feel of the 20xi-x off the putter

Wow. You are unique!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Nike haven't made a good ball since the Nike One Black.

 

[duncan mackie]

This isn't a post about which ball .............what do you use and why?

but then again the weather's more conducive to which ball threads than playing!

 

[backspin22]

I love the Srixon Soft Feel in the spring and for casual golf-great VFM and a good compromise.
When the season starts, I love Z Stars and Callaway i tours. I like Pro v s but I think they are overrated and expensive.
I rarely buy new balls, except with winnings - given how we lose them, it's not worth it. My mate, last year, put 4 brand new Prov s OOB off the tee, on the fly, on the same hole. I gave him 24 runs, but it cost him about 11 quid!!

 

[anthony]

You could say that.

I like the click and the feeling that I have actually hit something but off the irons I like a nice thud sound which the calmly hex black gives

 

[palindromicbob]

I find playing a ball you feel comfortable with very important. Part of me wishes I had my dads attitude of white and round but I don't.

When I started I found playing new Pro V's difficult because I get worried about losing it. Stupid I know but when you stand on a tee with a shot over water and a thought creeps in warning you that not getting over will cost you nearly £3.50 it doesn't promote confidence.

Then again I can't stand over a Dunlop DDH because I just think, this is a crap ball. Combined with my older cobra drive I felt ear plugs were needed.

Tried loads of others but feel I found the trifecta with the Wilson FG Tour blemish. They are cheap, provide plenty of greenside control and feel good off the club face. For £14-£16 a dozen I have yet to find anything better.

 

[delc]

Isn't the Nike ball a resin ball - surely that would give a very different feel to the others and is also reported to be one of the main reasons new Nike players take a while to get settled in

I used a sleeve of Nike One RZN balls last year and thought they were OK. However they were given to me free at a Nike demo day. Apart from very hard distance balls, and very cheap balls such as Donnays, I can't really notice much difference between any of the mid-range and premium balls. They all seem to go about the same distance, despite the claims of their makers, which is hardly surprising considering the limits put on initial velocity and distance by R&A and USGA testing!

 

[User20205]

I'll use anything me, my best rounds have been with a TM tp3 and a wilson ultra

Maybe with my cast callaways I'm not as finely tuned as some others

The only thing I've noticed is that premium balls are more durable, cheaper balls tend to go chalky which don't like.

It means my sharpie marks don't last as long