My Nike 20XI S Review - I don't like them

After a week of playing the New Nike 20XI S version I have come to the conclusion I may not buy these again.

I really cant get over how hard the cover is compared to other otur balls. It feels like im putting a pinnacle or something similar.

I will say that I did gain about 10 yards in distance if not more but I was hitting crisp shots into greens that would just release all the way off. I hit 3 different balls from 120 out with my Gap wedge and the Nike was the only ball that didnt either jump and then stop or come back completely, it hit, checked, and then released 15 feet past the target.

Now im not a scratch handicapper but I will say I make damn good contact on wedge shots and compress the ball well.

Out of 9 shots ( 3 shots with 3 different balls ) the competitor balls held the green better than the new 20XIs.

The balls used were Srixon Z-Star and Bridgestone B330.

Now I know these balls come with a trade off and I could get used to losing some spin because the distance gained was good for me and the ball didnt feel all too terrible on other shots and was a lot more durable but the overall feel while putting and overall spin on clean wedge shots were a big let down.

I would have to give this ball a 3 out of 5 for my game.

Maybe within a year theyll release a softer version but I am not a fan of the firmness of this cover.

Anyone else feel the same about the new balls or is every over joyed by the rzn core, lol.

Yeah I guess I shouldve said in my half-hearted review that I realize different balls work differently for different golfers under different conditions.

In all honesty I heard these balls are more for the pro swing speeds and to get everything out of this tech you should be able to swing, if i remember correctly, around 105mph or more. ( Pro at the course I bought them at and I read somewhere on another forum as well as to that previous info. )

Im hovering around that range but im sure on avg its less than that.

Funny thing is my whole golf bag is Nike except for my wedges which are Titleist and Taylormade, so I really wanted to like this golf ball.

So yes, I realize this ball is gonna be amazing for some and a so so ball for others, but for me the feel on touch shots is just too clanky... says the 18 hdcp, lol

But ill be sticking with my current ball for now.

While I apprecaite this review, I am inclined to take it semi-seriously.  I have played three fulls rounds witth the 20XI-X so far in three VERY seperate situations.  The first time was in the rain, the second time on an overcast day with mist/wind and the third time, in beautiful sunny weather. 

On all three occurances, I will say that my experience was entirely opposite to what the OP explained regarding spin and the ability to hold greens.  Keep in mind, I played the X version of this ball which is supposed to be less "spinny" than the S version.  For me, the X ball held greens VERY well.  The main difference I found between this ball and say the ProV1 is that the Nike X ball didn't suck back on full short iron swings or full wedge shots.  You say that you hit crisp wedge shots and while I believe you, I have the same ability and have been angered with beautiful shots with the ProV1 landing 8 feet from the hole and sucking back 15 feet.  To compensate with this, I would choke down on a stronger lofted club (i.e. 9i vs. PW) and control the spin that way with the ProV1.  When I played the ProV1X, it didn't suck back AS much but still required spin control on some shots. 

With the 20XI-X, I could take a full swing with my 9i, PW, 56deg and the ball would hop hop, stop.  Like literally stop on a dime.  While I am a low handicap, I am no pro and certainly cannot consistently control spin with a ProV1.  And I would say that many people on the this forum who claim to be able to really can't.  So this ball reaction with the Nike ball was fantastic.  I could get my distance, play a full swing and not worry about a surprise on TOO much spin if I hit a super clean shot.  I also don't need worry about choking down on certain shots and try to get "cute" with controlling spin on a shot.  On short chips and pitches, the ball would hop hop, stop and release ONLY slightly.  This is perfect for people (like me) who like playing bump and run shots.  Again, this is with the X version of the ball...I would be sure that the S version for me would spin more which is why I am surprised at the OP review on holding greens.

I agree with you on putting.  The ball is very clicky on putts which is a personal thing with people.  For me, I like the clickly feeling, others may not.  On drives is where I think this ball really shines.  The ball sounds like it explodes off of the driver and the flight is very penetrating.  I gained some distance (which isn't important to me and shouldn't be for many really); I was more satisified at the tight ball flight; especially, on my second round with the ball in the wind. 

So basically, what all of this really comes down to is the individual.  I have heard rumors that this ball (similar to the Bridgestone B330) suits higher swing speeds.  My driver swing speed is 116-119 and I hit my 6i 185.  With MY swing, I could feel the ball compress and do the things I wanted.  If others who play this ball do not have a consistent swing speed that is suited for this ball, then there is no doubt that they may not get all that they expect out of the ball.  This is the thing will golf balls these days.  Most people gravitate towards the high end balls when they can't even compress them!  Bridgestone has proved this with their excellent ball fitting specifications.

I will continue to play the 20Xi-X ball.  Will I be married to it, NO.  I'm barely a Nike Golf fan besides their clothing which should show that my expereicne isn't biased.  Will play the new Nike ball with others?  Sure -->ProV1X, Penta, etc.  But, to imply that it's not that good is a little unfair in my opinion and based on my experience, anyone that decides to play the ball should look at their own game to see if their "swing" matches this type of ball or any other high end ball for that matter.

Nice review - thank you. After 27 holes this year with 2010 ProV1s versus Top Flite Gamer V2s I found the Titleist isn't as good for pitch and runs and it's a bit shorter off the tee (about 1 extra club into the green). It's a great ball if you like to land the ball as close to the flag as possible, but depending on the day some courses aren't too receptive to that shot, so I like to keep my options open. The Nike 20XI sounds like it would fit the bill for me.

Thanks.  Based on what I've seen you say about your game over the last year or so, I would ceratinly say that the 20XI-X would be a ball that you enjoy.  Plus, I am sure you have more than enough swing speed to really get the ball to react for you. 

Your comment regarding pitch and runs is totally how I feel.  I get fired up (in a bad way - lol) when my pitch and run shot check's up hard and I fall short with a ProV1.  Naturally, I just really prefer to play a shot that checks and "releases" forward slightly.  To me, that is much easier to control than a massive amount of spin that many of us cannot really control consistently.  One more thing I forgot, I did play the 20XI-X ball out of the sand and that is the ONLY area where a bit more spin would be nice.  I go pretty agressive out of the sand and like how the ProV1X and Penta stops nicely (especially if your short sided).  With the Nike, I would say it released on average 2-4 feet more out of the sand than the ProV1X and Penta.  That's just me however, maybe others would experience something different.

Other than that, the only thing is the putter feel.  I know some people are very picky in this area.  Do you like a clicky feeling ball?
 

After a week of playing the New Nike 20XI S version I have come to the conclusion I may not buy these again.

I really cant get over how hard the cover is compared to other otur balls. It feels like im putting a pinnacle or something similar.

I will say that I did gain about 10 yards in distance if not more but I was hitting crisp shots into greens that would just release all the way off. I hit 3 different balls from 120 out with my Gap wedge and the Nike was the only ball that didnt either jump and then stop or come back completely, it hit, checked, and then released 15 feet past the target.

Now im not a scratch handicapper but I will say I make damn good contact on wedge shots and compress the ball well.

Out of 9 shots ( 3 shots with 3 different balls ) the competitor balls held the green better than the new 20XIs.

The balls used were Srixon Z-Star and Bridgestone B330.

Now I know these balls come with a trade off and I could get used to losing some spin because the distance gained was good for me and the ball didnt feel all too terrible on other shots and was a lot more durable but the overall feel while putting and overall spin on clean wedge shots were a big let down.

I would have to give this ball a 3 out of 5 for my game.

Maybe within a year theyll release a softer version but I am not a fan of the firmness of this cover.

Anyone else feel the same about the new balls or is every over joyed by the rzn core, lol.

I've been playing the Nike One balls the last month (Bridgstone B330 before) or so and really like it. I'll probably pickk up a couple more dozen while there on closesout. I've been wanting to try some of the new 20XI balls but haven't yet. Has anyone tried the 20XI-X ball?

I play with the Nike VR blades w/ X100 shafts.  My driver ball speed was recently clocked around 167 w/ a carry of 180+.  I've been playing for over 20 years, some of it competitively, and I currently have a 3 handicap.

My purchase of the Nike 20Xi S balls ($45!) were a complete WASTE OF MY MONEY!  I wouldn't be surprised if Rock Ishii loses his job due to public outcry on how much these 'tour' golf balls really SUCK & the fact that, in my prediction, will simply NOT SELL!  I bet golf shops have a tough time selling these in around 6 months!  Most of the buyers will be ONE time buyers like you and myself!

I was so excited to try them out after all of the hype, but should have done my research.  However, I really didn't think it was necessary because I've been playing Nike (tour balls) since day one & love them!  Until now!

The compression is too high for a competitive golf ball @ 112 points (*********.com), around the top 10 percent 'HARDEST' highest compression readings they ever tested!  REALLY?!

For comparison sake the Pro V series golf ball's compression is less than 80!
I've read that the cover is extremely soft, but it doesn't really translate that way when you actually 'HIT' them!!  That's what counts, Rock Ishii (kind of ironic that his name is ROCK because he sure developed a ball that feels that way)!

I'm sorry Rock Ishii, but if you tell Anthony Kim that his swing speed is too slow for the 20xix then you've effectively excluded 99 percent of the people who play golf from playing this ball!  IDIOT!

(see nike 20xi launch event on Youtube).

Your first post on this forum is to bash this Nike Ball?  Ummmm...ok.