Member Reviews: Nike 20XI-S

Last month I was lucky enough to receive a dozen of Nikes 2012 version of the 20XI with the purchase of some new clubs (I begged to have them thrown in), and just recently started playing them (I had to wait to finish my opened box of 2011 ProV1's, I am a bit OCD like that).   Distance:   My first impression of the ball is that it is long. Right away, from my first swing, on the first hole of my home course, I gained ~15 yards at the tee, putting me in great scoring position on what can be a difficult and hairy par 5 if your drive comes up short. Thats a ton of distance to a guy like myself who averages only 265 off the tee (GPS measured) with a good, 85% power...

This nike ball is absolutely the best ball I have played in years. I have been playing the Pro V1x for the past three years. I got the 20xi-s during a demo day at golfsmith in the woodlands, tx. I have played one ball for three rounds 79,79,81. I usually avg around 270 off the tee, with this new nike I avg 295 easily. My playing partners were amazed when I crushed a drive 344 yards on a par 5 needing only a 6iron to hit the green in 2 shots.   I am mostly amazed on how well the ball holds it line on driver,iron, and putts, after three rounds I retired the ball not because of scuff, because I hit the longest drive I ever hit and was able to complete the round.  

  Overall the ball is great. Best one to date, actually. It's long due to 203 rpm's LESS of the driver. It's spinny du to 99 rpm's MORE of the short irons/wedges. It's long AND spinny. Wait, what the hell. It's either one or the other, right. Nope, not anymore thanks to Rock Ishii, and his ingenious crew for the innovative new RZN core. This cause less spin at launch, but controversially more after it get's spinning for more length and control. Alls you really got to do is get it spinning. Simple enough right. Now a comparison because let's be honest the Pro V1 is the most popular ball out there.   Distance  20XI-S for sure, though Pro V1 holds water in the distance...

picked up a dozen of the 20XI-S the other day and played 5 rounds with them so far. Love the way the ball feels off the irons and wedges. Relatively soft cover. Wedges and low irons really ding up the cover though. I've never been able to legit stick a 7 iron from 160 yards but with this ball it's easy!

I used the 20XI-S yesterday for the first time. I normally use a PD-Soft. I lost no club distance as I did in the past with tour level balls. It does not really feel harder but the sound is totally different especially with irons. I have never been able to back a ball up with spin. I did yesterday a couple of times. Regradless of approach shot to the green iron or fairway wood it stuck. A little dissappointed with the durability. Seems to not be as good as a PD-Soft and they are not known for there durability. Everything has a trade off I guess. I do believe overall I have found my new ball.