Best $27 (or less) ball

Try the Gamer V2... $20/dz... I think you'll really like it.

Hmmm, www.gppgolf.com has/had the Callaway HEX Chrome at 27.99 per dz plus shipping. Order 4-5 doz and that allocated shipping costs is worth it.

Your BEST 27 and under ball is going to be the used prov1 or prov1x balls that Target or Walmart sell.  I've been using them for a while and even next to a brand new pro v1 there is no difference.  They play EXACTLY like the normal pro vs.

 

That would be your best bet.  I also like the srixon soft feel brand new for 25.  Only problem with those is that their covering tends to scuff easily. 

If you can find closeout Nike One Tour (D) balls, those are awesome. Basically ProV1's

 

 

I agree with this, except that you shouldn't buy them at target or walmart.  Those are usually refurbished.  You only want them washed.  try lostgolfballs.com

They may look good - but how long have the ones that landed in the water - stayed in the water?

 

From what I understand, you don't want waterlogged balls.

Right you are.  Studies have been done on this.

 

Obviously this is an older study by the ball terminology they are using, but below are the results of a "water ball" and a new ball:

 

The average carry and roll for three-piece balls that had been in the water for eight days was 235.7 yards. That distance shrunk to 229.4 yards after three months and to 226.2 yards after six months. The differences? A six yard loss of distance after eight days, a 12-yard loss after three months and a 15-yard loss after six months.

 

For the two-piece ball, the carry and roll after eight days in the water was 244.9 yards compared with 250.7 yards for the new two-piece balls. The average carry and roll for two-piece balls after three months in the drink was 241.6 yards. The two-piece balls that spent six months under water averaged 242.5 yards.

 

So if you are played reclaimed water balls, you should expect to lose 5 to 10 yards in distance.

 

The site I mentioned doesn't sell water balls.

+1 on the TopFlite Gamer V2. Just used them last night. First round I've ever played without losing a ball. Flew incredibly straight, felt great around the greens and jumped off my putter face. Durability is excellent too. My Callaway Jaws 54* and 60* grooves usually leave their autograph on balls but not the Gamers. Gave my buddy the dozen Titleist recycled ProV1's I bought along with the Gamers without even opening the package lol. 

I like the Taylormade Burner Tours. At $22/dozen, they're the best band/buck ratio ATM. An underrated ball, IMO.

That's a pretty good deal. I'd like to try them first, though, before I commit to that many. But they're on my "to try" list.

I bought some Callaway HXBite calls at Golfsmith last week and I like them.  I didn't seem to gain or lose anything on my drives but they helped by short game, as they are supposed to do.  2DZ for $30 (normally $20 a dz)

The Nike Power Distance (green box) are not bad at all. I remember finding one in good condition and played with it for a round. Had excellent control on the greens.

No question, the Top Flite Gamer V2,

 

Under $20 but performs better than a lot of $30 + balls.  

Srixon Q-Star or Bridgestone E5.  Id stay away from recycled/refurbished balls.  Last summer I bought a few dozen Bridgestone B330s from Target that were refurbished and they dont perform like the new ones do.

Refurbished is different from what lostgolfballs.com offers.  Refurbished balls are usually water balls and are painted to hide the discoloration. 

I buy from http://www.golfballnut.com/, only getting mint and near mint balls. Z-Star yellow for under $25/dz. 

I go to golfsmith and right now you can get Nike 20Xi for $47 per dozen, buy 2 get one free, which cuts the cost to $31.33 per dozen.  You can also get the Taylor Made Penta buy 2 get one free.

 

I dont know how or why you wouldnt go stock up now and get the price you want and play the best ball available (both the Nike and the Penta are comparable to Pro V1).