can the ball brand truly influence your distance?

Hi guys,

I'd like to know if certain brands/types of golf balls can really have a positive effect on the

distances you usually hit, and if so, which brand/type and how much farther?

your experiences please!

there are different classes of balls:

- Distance balls are 2 piece balls designed NOT to spin & are the cheapest.

- Tour balls are 3 piece (or more) with a soft cover designed to spin & also have good distance, and are the most expensive.

- "Hybrid" balls such as the Srixon Q star are toted as being the best of both worlds - giving distance and a goodly amount of spin to hold greens.   These are mid priced.

Of the modern distance balls, I haven't found any one that is longer than any other - they're all pretty long.    If you're looking soley for distance, Top Flite 7000 are long as are the Wilson Smartcores.

I havent noticed much difference in distance from one brand to the next but I do tell a difference in feel/sound between the brands.

PRO V1X and HEX BLACK are great at both distance and feel.

Other then hear people's vague opinions I'd like to see numbers. A robot machine hitting straight and draws in a windproof warehouse, measuring distance and turn on all these balls....there was an article in golf magazine a few months back with similar tests, but think it was on ball spin, overall top end balls had the best numbers.

Neither of those comes anywhere close for me to the distance I get with the Hex Chrome.

There was a test a while back where they set the robot up to swing 90 mph with a fixed launch angle.  All of the balls were in an 8 yard range centered around 255 (I am assuming a real hard landing surface). With your particular swing, I can easily imagine pretty much any of the balls being the longest.

Spin is a lot easier as you say the top end balls spin a lot more. Now if that spin helps or hurts your game is up to you.

I haven't played around too much, but with pro v's.  I do believe the v1x is longer by maybe 5 or so yards.  I play the v1 because I like the extra spin, and I can work the ball if i have to.  I don't think the extra 5 yards of the tee is gonna be a gamebreaker for me.

I do not think there is a big difference in distance (maybe 5 yards between them all).  That comes down to your swing speed.  The biggest difference is how they react around greens and 3-5 piece balls act much differently than the cheaper 2 piece.  The biggest issue I have with the expensive balls is the amount of spin they get off the tee which when I am not hitting well can greatly affect the ball flight.  I got fitted by a Bridgestone Rep and was told to stay away from the high end because of the amount of spin I create off the tee.

The older Top Flights (Rock Flights) never compressed worth a crap but their newer ones are much better.  I think all the manufacturers have stepped up their ball selections.

Personally, I think the mid priced Bridgestone like the E6 or the Srixon Q Star's are great balls as they offer the best of both worlds.  Heck, I know some good players that love Noodle balls.

I am not a Calloway person and have never hit their Hex balls but keep hearing great things and may try a sleeve.

Hex blacks are amazing

A great economical ball that gives you spin rates a little better spin than Pro V1X, and distance of Fred Flintstone Ball is surprisingly the Top Flite Gammer V2. Th eGammer does not have as much pitch shots as the Pro V1X bu tbetter with full swing. They also have that soft feel and great distance. Hard to beat for the price.