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Best balls on a tight budget?


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I'm still pretty new to golf, and I've been playing with random second hand balls bought from our golf club. But since the new year is about to start, I was thinking of picking up some mint quality second hand balls at a local online shop. I'm looking at buying E6s and NXT Tour Ss, but I want a 3rd "cheaper" dozen which would be the closest match to these 2 that I can use first? Options are either Top-Flite Gamers or Pinnacle Golds/Dimensions? Which should I get?

Driver: Cobra Amp Cell-S - 10.5°
Woods: Cobra F-Speed 3 Wood - 15.5°
Hybrids: Cobra Amp Cell 2/3 Hybrid - 16°-19°
Irons: Mizuno MX-15 - 4-PW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Spin Milled - 52°/8°, Titleist Vokey SM4 - 54°/8°, Titleist Vokey Oil Can - 58°/8°
Putter: Odyssey White Ice #1


Proud member of the "Breaking Bad Club"!

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Yes. Get one dozen of each.  Mark them each with your special mark, use a quality waterproof marker pen. Never play a ball without your mark.  And never get attached to any particular ball. Use 'em and lose 'em.  Focus on the next shot, not the next ball. When you shoot 95 or less 3x in a row, then you can buy better balls.

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I'm still pretty new to golf, and I've been playing with random second hand balls bought from our golf club. But since the new year is about to start, I was thinking of picking up some mint quality second hand balls at a local online shop.

I'm looking at buying E6s and NXT Tour Ss, but I want a 3rd "cheaper" dozen which would be the closest match to these 2 that I can use first? Options are either Top-Flite Gamers or Pinnacle Golds/Dimensions? Which should I get?

While Pinnacle Golds are substantially better than their reputation I would definitely take the Gamers which are head and shoulders above anything else that comes in at that price point, really, really good ball.

Yours in earnest, Jason.
Call me Ernest, or EJ or Ernie.

PSA - "If you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!"

My Whackin' Sticks: :cleveland: 330cc 2003 Launcher 10.5*  :tmade: RBZ HL 3w  :nickent: 3DX DC 3H, 3DX RC 4H  :callaway: X-22 5-AW  :nike:SV tour 56* SW :mizuno: MP-T11 60* LW :bridgestone: customized TD-03 putter :tmade:Penta TP3   :aimpoint:

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I found a couple virtually new Gamer V2, and really like their feel off longer irons. Almost as nice as the Pro-V1/x, but not quite.

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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Interesting you should mention the Pinnacle Golf and TF Gamer.V2 as possible balls. I had good experience with both.

I would classify both of these as lower price mid-spin balls - they give fairly good bite on approaches, but don't curve wildly left or right if you don't hit your driver quite square.

(I average 85 mph on driver swing speed).

I have gotten sleeves of Pinnacle Gold in two different scramble swag bags this season, plus I found two more in the deep rough at my home course. So, I decided to play a round using them, and they worked pretty well. Good feel, and decent bite on approach shots. (Years ago, Pinnacle Performance was my preferred ball).

I played the Gamer and later the Gamer.V2 for four seasons. It was recommended from a ball fitting, and it checks up well, even on partial wedges. (I don't back it up, but it hits and releases a couple of feet most of the time).

And, both balls have highly similar feel on putting.

(I currently play the Callaway Supersoft, and can't decide whether to keep it or go back to Gamer.V2).

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

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I have been using Titleist Velocity and about 6 weeks found a Pinnacle Gold, played with that and shot my best round of the year with it, so started buying them.  I can tell little difference and am now using them regularly.  Of course I normally score in the 90's with 10-15 sub 90 rounds a year.

Loyalty above all else, except honor.

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If you want a 4 layer ball - MAXFLI U/4. For $20/doz at Dicks, straight up best deal. They also have U/6 but I haven't tried coz' not exactly 'budget' balls at $30+doz.

Vishal S.

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Titleist ProV1's, Taylormade, Calloway, Nike's, Srixon, Bridgstones, etc -

Go to a tight tree lined course and find a few par 4 and par 5's.

Head down the fairway from the 2nd and 3rd longest tee boxes and find a stretch from 220 to 280 yards.

Go into the trees on the left and right about 15 yards

look around - this is the region for a LOT of decent quality golf balls

If they have a green stripe, please send them back to me - I have a ton, but I've grown fond of (insert high end golf ball brand here)...

(actually, I'm feeling generous, if it has even the slightest scuff or discolor, you go ahead and keep it.  I have a ton already)

Bill - 

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Titleist Suryln X-Outs $9.98 a dozen at Walmart. I look through the boxes and buy the ones containing the most balls I like.

Not a bad strategy when they have them in.

I don't lose a lot of balls, so the 19.97 price point is also good for me, and I like DT Solos, Callaway Supersofts, and Wilson Duos.

Don

In the bag:

Driver: PING 410 Plus 9 degrees, Alta CB55 S  Fairway: Callaway Rogue 3W PX Even Flow Blue 6.0; Hybrid: Titleist 818H1 21* PX Even Flow Blue 6.0;  Irons: Titleist 718 AP1 5-W2(53*) Shafts- TT AMT Red S300 ; Wedges Vokey SM8 56-10D Putter: Scotty Cameron 2016 Newport 2.5  Ball: Titleist AVX or 2021 ProV1

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Not a bad strategy when they have them in.

I don't lose a lot of balls, so the 19.97 price point is also good for me, and I like DT Solos, Callaway Supersofts, and Wilson Duos.


Our WM usually has them. Last time I was there they had about 15 boxes of yellow NXT X-Outs. I bought 3 dozen. Usually just grab a box if I am there and stash them. Couple times I got boxes with the HVC Soft Distance and didn't even mind that.

Dave :-)

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Take a walk through the woods on the course, greatest deal out there, FREE! Gives you a chance to play all kinds of balls and usually get some in new condition from those who hit brand new pro v's into the woods on every hole LOL.
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  • 4 weeks later...

I'm surprised no one has mentioned buying used golf balls. I've been using them for years. The near mint ones look and perform, for me, like new ones at a fraction of the cost.

cubdog

Ross (aka cubdog)

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If I'm playing an important round I'll use new NXT Tours or Srixon AD333's. For general golf, practice rounds etc I buy great conditioned used ProV1's (24 balls for £7.99 GBP).

SWING DNA
Speed [77] Tempo [5] ToeDown [5] KickAngle [6] Release [5] Mizuno JPX EZ 10.5° - Fujikura Orochi Black Eye (with Harrison ShotMaker) Mizuno JPX EZ 3W/3H - Fujikura Orochi Black Eye Mizuno JPX 850 Forged 4i-PW - True Temper XP 115 S300 Mizuno MP R-12 50.06/54.09/58.10 - Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex Mizuno MP A305 [:-P]

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If you have any flea markets near you, you can pick up balls pretty cheap. I picked up a dozen Maxfli u/6 fro $9. I can get all the e6's and NXT S I could ever want for $9 a dozen too.

Driver.......Ping K15 9.5* stiff 3 wood.....Ping K15 16* stiff 5 wood.....Ping K15 19* stiff 4 Hybrid...Cleveland Gliderail 23* stiff 5 - PW......Pinhawk SL GW...........Tommy Armour 52* SW...........Tommy Armour 56* LW...........Tommy Armour 60* FW...........Diamond Tour 68* Putter.......Golfsmith Dyna Mite Ball..........Volvik Vista iV Green Bag..........Bennington Quiet Organizer Shoes.... ..Crocs

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I'm surprised no one has mentioned buying used golf balls. I've been using them for years. The near mint ones look and perform, for me, like new ones at a fraction of the cost.

cubdog

There is a company here in Houston who sells golf balls they have pulled out of area lakes that are not reconditioned.  It is www.lostgolfballs.com .  Those, in a brand I like in their top quality rating...I would play for non-tournaments.  But, I have found enough "reconditioned" golf balls to know I never want to play golf with those.

Bag: Titleist
Driver: TM RBZ 9.5
Fairway metals: TM RBZ 3 wood
Hybrids: TM RBZ 3, 4 and 5
Irons: TM Burner 1.0 6 thru LW stiff steel shafts
Putter: Ping B60
Ball: TM Tour Preferred X or ProV1x
Check out littlejohngolfleague.com  A Greater Houston TX traveling golf league.

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I like the Top-Flite Gamer, but the Maxfli U3 is good as well for the money, remember Pinnacles are just cheap Titleists though

What's in Shane's Bag?     

Ball: 2022 :callaway: Chrome Soft Triple Track

Driver: :callaway:Paradym Triple Diamond 8° MCA Kai’li 70s FW: :callaway:Paradym Triple Diamond  H: :callaway: Apex Pro 21 20°

I (3-PW) :callaway: Apex 21 UST Recoil 95 (3), Recoil 110 (4-PW). Wedges: :callaway: Jaws Raw 50°, 54°, 60° UST Recoil 110

Putter: :odyssey: Tri-Hot 5K Triple Wide 35”

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Note: This thread is 3085 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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