Ball Test and Ball Suggestions

I've been playing e6s for about a year, and I'm overal pretty happy with the ball. The one problem I have with it is the lack of stopping power on close shots. I tend to have a lot of shots under 70 yards into the green, and the e6 just won't stop on a half wedge swing. It also runs a bit too much for my taste on green side shots. I find it more difficult to play a lot of roll in both of those situations. Interestingly, I've never had a problem stopping the e6s on full approach shots because I hit the ball really hit. Normally, they'll take one bounce and stop, even with a 6 iron.

With that in mind, I want to try some different balls and see if there is one better for me. So, my biggest question is what are all your suggestions for testing balls. I figured I would buy a sleeve of a couple of different types of balls, take them to the putting green, the chipping green, and then out on the course to see which works the best for me. I'm curious if anyone has suggestions on how to do this.

Also, what are some recommendations for balls I could try? I have a good amount of power, but I have occasional bouts of wildness of the tee (thus, the e6s). My short game is definitely my weakness. I carry the ball around 260-270 with the driver, and I carry my 8 iron about 160. My swing speed is in the 90-105 range. I play to a 17.4 right now, but that's descending quickly. I would be okay with losing 5 yards if it meant I had more control around the greens. Here are the balls I'm thinking about trying:

• Pro V1x
• Bridgestone B330-RX
• Top Flite Gamer (read others raving about this - only problem is that I probably won't be able to get just a sleeve of these)

Try the Callaway Hex Chrome +

Sounds as if it would fit your speed, would give the distance you want, and will spin around the greens.

And right now, they are selling at $30 for a limited time.

Phil used this ball during the Open.

If you needed more height and driver spin for additional carry, I'd say the Hex Chrome. It's similar to the RBZ Urethane/TP3. But these balls might spin too much off the driver for you. But who knows until you try it?

good luck.

I started using the E6 because it was a "mid priced 3 piece ball" thinking it would be a cheap alternative to the ProV1x or BB330 RSX I normally play.  Its an awful ball.  They can't hold the green too well and they feel way too soft for me when putting.  I recently tried the E5 and love it.  They don't spin quite as well as the ProV or BB330 but well enough where its a one hop stop in most occasions.  They putt descent and overall, best ball I've used in that price range.

I don't really have a problem with the e6s holding the green, it's more feel around the green that's the problem. I hit the ball high enough that most balls will stop after a bounce on the green. How much better are the e5s on short game shots, and in particular, half wedge shots?

I don't take full wedge shots unless I absolutely have to like hitting over a tree or something.  I'm pretty happy with the half wedge spin on the E5.  I normally hit pretty low wedge shots so spin is pretty important to me.

The only example I can use is a recent hole I played.  40 yd approach with wind so I decided to hit a low wedge.  I over hit it, flew the flag and one hop stopped on the green about a couple feet short of the fringe.  I pulled out an E6, took the same shot, landed literally next to my first shot's divot.  One hopped, rolled into the fringe.  That was enough for me to stick with the E5.  The difference isn't major, but a couple feet is a couple feet.

I know what you mean by feel and the E6 just didn't have any.  It is too soft of a ball.  Try a sleeve of E5 in you're looking to stay in the $30 ball range.  I think you'll like it.

I'll definitely give it a shot. Maybe instead of B330-RX. Thanks!

So weird, I just play cheap wilson golf balls you buy in a red mesh bag at walmart rofl... I think maybe my game could be slightly suffering by using such a cheap ball.

Should you go the more expensive route, RXS isn't a bad choice either.  I do like that more than the RX (good ball but lacks a little bit of feel compared to the RXS). Both good though.

Why not just get a ball fitting?  I do it once a year or so and find it interesting.  Only costs $20-$30 and takes 15 minutes.

Ball fitting? That's new to me.  I usually just buy a sleeve, play a round and see.  I think its more fun that way. Besides, no computer can tell me how I'd like the ball to feel on putts and around the green.  I can see how it can be helpful to maximize distance or something though.

Funny how people take for granted that these things are easily done. Not everyone has a local shop that can do this, heck not everyone has a local shop that can do a true club fitting.

Yeah, I've honestly never even heard of a ball fitting before he suggested that. I assume that it would use an indoor golf simulator, which I honestly don't trust at all. Being in Colorado, it's nearly impossible to get accurate distances from the simulators. And the courses I play on aren't going to be offering a ball fitting on their range - they're not fancy enough for that.

That said, is there a specific place you would recommend I go to get such a thing done?

I have been taught that three things contribute to spin around the greens:

1. Technique

2. Club

3. Ball

I don't get lots of spin on short shots because of my technique. That said, I do make sure my wedges have new (or new enough) grooves and I use a ball I think spins more. I liked the e6. It was much longer for me than anything else I tested. And it was great in high winds that are normal where I play. But, I could not make it stop around the greens. Paradoxically, it felt great once on the green.

For me RX, Chrome, and Z-Star all perform better near the greens than the old E6. All are good in the wind, feel good on the greens, and are shorter than the E6 on full shots. I have not tried the new E6 with "spin skin" which may be better but, for now I am sticking with Z-Star. A few of my low cap friends really like the E5.

If they like the e5, tell them about the Cally Hex Chrome, or for higher speed guys, the Hex Chrome +

Selling right now for $30/dz - better ball than the e5, imho.

Let me emphasize ... a helluva lot better ball.

Here is a chart from Golf Digest for 2013. I am putting the Callaway Hex Chrome into play tonight, changing from the e6 for exactly the reasons you mention. I tried a sleeve of ProV1s last week but had too much spin on my driver. The e5 has an even higher spin rate off the driver. So I decided I liked the driver spin of the e6 but wanted more half wedge spin around the greens. Following this chart made selecting a new ball easy, now to see if it actually works.

Oh, wow, that's an awesome chart. Haven't gotten the latest version of Golf Digest yet I guess (or I'm just an idiot and missed it). Thanks for sharing that.

I found a local guy who sells recovered balls that he and his buddies find on courses in mint and "lightly used condition". I've been stocking up on Pro V1s all year for $7.00/dozen (which look like they've been played for one hole) or $12.00/dozen with no logos or ink and were one hit wonders. I was pretty lucky to find this guy, but I'll be glad to pay $12.00/dozen and save the extra $27.00/dozen that I typically spend on NXT Tours.

On a side note, I typically hit the Pro V straighter than any other ball that has been mentioned in this thread. I definitely do not produce the green-side spin necessary to take full advantage of it, but it does increase my mental feeling about my game which promotes better shots!