Which practice balls?

[Tiger]

As a newbie I have a handful of donated balls, and some quality match balls but not enough practice balls which I use for chipping into a brolly. Obviously don't want to spend a fortune but want to get a ball that will perform like a match ball (currently I have 12 z-stars and 6 Pro-V1s).

Anyone recommend a good practice ball for chipping and pitching up to 50 yards? Thanks in advance.

Tiger

 

[EaseNgrace]

Blimey, you've got Pro v1's and z-stars but no Woods or putter
Personally for practice I just use mixed lake balls or any old thing. You can get practice grade pro v1's and stuff on ebay though if thats what takes your fancy but they will soon get scuffed up.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say my practice bag is also made up entirely of premiuim brand balls (Pro V, TP red/black. Cally etc). If they last more than a couple of rounds they get retired into the practice bag, even quicker if they get chewed up by my wedges. I guess you could get refurbs for practice as they are very cheap but you'd be amazed how quickly the ball count goes up

 

[Tiger]

Cheers guys. The pro vs and zstars were freebies with other purchases so I've not bought any yet. I don't want to practice with those ones. Do lake balls perform ok? My pro shop does a selection of random balls for a pound, probably those that fly off the par three and into the range. Is that a better bet.

Hopefully I won't lose too many and can recycle as Homer suggests, but need some to tied me over till I start playing proper rounds.

 

[Robobum]

Wow, obviously some really good players on here, premium practice balls only, are you sure!!?? Ever heard the phrase "all the gear, no idea"..??

Got a bag full of anything that I find on my way around, even got a pink ball and a nice light blue one pleanty of Pinnacle Golds and even some proper old school Dunlop 65s...not even the 65i's!!!

 

[Tiger]

Refurbs it is then. Thanks Homer.

T

 

[clubchamp07]

Well said Robo, I'm glad I didnt say that or the gang would of been out for me.

I have to agree that for practice any ball will do. At the end of the day does it really matter what you wack about the practice range? I have a bag full of old used balls that have had their day, but still good enough for messing about with.

 

[Twire]

I have 4 tubes of practice balls. One tube is for chipping and putting which consist of top end titliest balls. I think for chipping and putting, it's better if your using similar balls that you would out on the course. The other 3 tubes are pick ups and whatever I find out on the course. These are used for the range. I don't think you need premium balls for smacking on the range.

 

[USER1999]

I'm with Twire on this one.

I have about 150 practice balls in a bag. All sorts in there. If I am whacking 5i's into space, it doesn't matter what they are. Even more so when I get the big stick out.

I have a tube of 25 used proVs which I use for chipping and pitching into proper greens. It does help to practice your short game with what you would normally play with.

 

[Tiger]

Arghhh now I have a conundrum. Ok given that:

1. I have 18 premium balls that I've not used yet
2. I probably won't play on a full course until after Christmas
3. I will spend time practising my putting on the putting green at the range
4. and my chipping just off the putting green
5. and my longer range chipping/pitching into a brolly

Should I:
a) use the premium ball s for putting
b) use the premium balls for the putting and chipping just off the green
c) use the premium balls for all three activities
d) just use refurbs

Votes will be counted and verified and I will bow to the majority.

Cheers,

Tiger

 

[Region3]

Putting and chipping just off the green won't cause any damage to the balls so you can still use them as new ones for the course when you get on it again.

Pitching will probably cause marks bu nothing that I'd be too worried about if it were me.

Depends what the general concensus is on needing to practice with the same type of feel off the club that you'll get on course.

For me (c) but maybe (b) if your refurbs are near the quality as your new balls.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say I've been quite lucky over the years and managed to acquire some of my decent balls from places like Wentworth etc after major events (thanks in main to my pro knowing the right people!) and the rest have been pick ups from the practice range (it seems a lot of our members use decent balls). I agree though that for chipping and putting, and in my mind anything from 100 yards in really, you need to be hitting a decent ball similar to those you play to learn how it reacts and how far you hit it.

 

[MarkE]

Just go to ebay and get yourself 100 practice grade of whatever brand you prefer. About £15 should do it and are ideal for smacking into oblivion.

 

[DMC]

My practice bag is full of all types of ball,but for putting and pitching i use a good performance ball that i would use on the course,usually z-stars.

 

[Tiger]

Option c it is then.

Thanks one and all.