Are You "Loyal" to One Golf Ball?

[xrayvizhen]

I'm probably an outlier, but I have so many brand new balls in boxes from a variety of companies, there's no way I could be devoted to one brand. Presents, free sleeve samples handed out at big box stores, boxes of balls won at various company golf outings, etc. Plus, I'm not adverse to reusing found balls as long as they're in decent condition. Also, when my swing goes haywire, as it has recently, I hate staring down at a brand now Pro V1. All I see at that moment is a five-dollar bill with the real potential to go sailing off into the woods so that's usually when the found balls get put on the tee. 

[phillyk]

As a Srixon staffer, I mainly use the z star xv. However, the -prov1x is a really good ball for my game. If I find other balls, I give them away to friends. 

[The Flush]

If my ball was loyal to me, I would be loyal to it. But it only goes where I hit, not where I want it to go, so I see no reason for loyalty.

[gbogey]

I'm a HUGE believer in being golf ball loyal and really believe that anyone who's serious about golf (or too serious about golf like me) should use the same ball all the time.

For the last 10 years or so I've played Bridgestone RX. As part of trying to break out of an extended slump, I decided to try some new balls out. Now I know that the slump was caused by the golfer and not the balls or the clubs, but I have decided that either the newest version doesn't play as well around and into the green or more likely, the Bridgestone is not the best ball for the courses at my club since my move last year. 

Regardless, I'm now between Srixon Z-Star Diamond or a Z-Star. I think I like the Diamond better, but it doesn't come in yellow and I sometimes struggle to see a white ball. 

[deadon500]

I have played Bridgestone balls for about 12- 15 yrs.      4 to 5 types the last 3 yrs. I play the E6 its the ball I know and trust.................

[NHpro]

Top-flite Gamer.

Edited December 2, 2024 by NHpro

[03Bird]

Yes. I believe in using the same ball all of the time, including chipping and putting practice.

I use the orange Callaway Supersoft.  Only $25 per dozen, and sometimes on sale for $20.

[HitemHard]

I am loyal to the same ball for as long as the model is current. If they change the specs of the ball, I'll give some other balls a try and decide from the results. I'm in the process of switching out of the ProV1x into the ProV1 in an attempt to reduce spin off my driver. I've played many different brands over the years but stay with a single ball for as long as possible during a season or two. I also commit to chipping and putting only with my gamer as well. It's not just a feel thing but to learn how the ball reacts from different lies and different shots. 

[NHpro]

On 12/13/2024 at 6:25 PM, HitemHard said:

I am loyal to the same ball for as long as the model is current. If they change the specs of the ball, I'll give some other balls a try and decide from the results. I'm in the process of switching out of the ProV1x into the ProV1 in an attempt to reduce spin off my driver. I've played many different brands over the years but stay with a single ball for as long as possible during a season or two. I also commit to chipping and putting only with my gamer as well. It's not just a feel thing but to learn how the ball reacts from different lies and different shots. 

Same here, good advice.

[Bluefin646]

Interesting that no one is gaming the maxfli tour, whether the Tour, the S, or the X….it’s a quality urethane ball and a mid-level price sub $30 / dozen….and Maxfli Tour players out here….I will be playing it next summer as I just stocked up on them….4 dozen for $110 and Dicks has the occasional spend $100, get $20 off which drops it even lower…so far my preference is X just slightly ahead of Tour, and the S trailing pretty far behind…Like many of you, I have played many different balls over the years and trying to dial in a ball / price combo that works…so far the Maxfli Tour and Tour X are my front runners.  
 

fyi, so far, dick’s is not paying me any promo / nil money, lol.

 

Happy New Year Y’all!

Edited December 29, 2024 by Bluefin646

[retoid]

On 7/13/2024 at 10:25 AM, Vinsk said:

I don’t think it matters period. Well, I should say there is only recognizable differences among the extremes. If you play with a good ole Pinnacle rock ball compared to a Chrome Soft you’ll see differences in green activity. I don’t deny there are changes period …I just don’t buy how those changes aren’t negligible. ‘Oh…I gain 0.025 strokes with this ball.’ ‘I hit that ball 1.4yds further on average.’ I mean, it’s fun to throw those numbers out there and delve into the hobby…but that’s really all it is; entertaining.😃

I agree with you, at least in regards to myself and playing. I can't really speak much for others. I assume that some people who are playing golf very often can notice more drastic differences.
That being said, I do notice some differences here and there and sound and feel definitely have some say in which ball I end up liking. But that seems more psychological than physical.
I've only been playing golf regularly for a year now and I'll play almost any ball since I often lose balls. However, since I've been able to get out once a week for a while now, I am down to losing only about 2-3 balls from losing 10-14 per round. Which feels huge for me and so I've begun to narrow down the balls I choose to play with.
I've gone through a box of Vice Pro Plus, Vice Pro, Sugar, Titleist DT Trufeel and Kirklands. Bought a bucket of 350 used balls which had a majority of Srixon Soft Feels in there. I decided to give the Soft Feels a try and have really been enjoying them quite a bit. Only yesterday did I hit a Pro V1 for the first time and it felt quite nice. However, that all being said, I have to admit, I've played my best overall with Vice Pro Plus balls. I get the most distance from these balls and am able to hit them quite well. I am not sure on green side spin/grip, I think I'd prefer them to check up a bit more. But I believe one really big factor for me with these balls is that I usually club down when hitting them because I gain so much distance off of them and I also tend to bring my swing speed down which causes me to have a more accurate swing and ball strike. As opposed to trying to whack the snot out of the ball each time, which ends up in a slice 75% of the time.
I do love testing out new balls though, sound and feel is always fun to experience.