Premium Balls by an High Handicapper

[eurofighter]

hi,
since a few months I'm using the nike juice balls, and I really like these balls. But today I tried for the first time the callaway ix, and I felt in love, specially for the short game and feeling.
But I would like to know If there are some cons. as I'm a high handicap player.

[Bourbon and Coke]

Cons:
--It costs more if you lose a ball
--Higher spin balls result in more pronounced hooks and slices

If you can afford them and can control them (specifically off the tee) then there isn't really a downside.

[tonyy]

Yeah, there's really no cons other than a thinner wallet.

When I was a high handicapper, I stayed away from the premium balls because I would lose at least 2-3 in a round. Once you start losing balls like that, it's not so fun anymore. It's almost like throwing away money.

[CosmosMpower]

If you want premium high end balls but don't want to take the hit in the wallet pick up some AAA quality ones from lostgolfballs.com they're about half the price and almost new condition.

[Cheez-It]

I find great AAA balls at TJ Max. It sounds funny but its true.

ProV1/ProV1x are like $10 for a dozen. I still think these AAA balls are better than some of the brand new ones.

[Dub]

Another option is Titleist X-outs.

Our local WalMart sells them for $10 a dozen. I was lucky last time and bought a dozen that turned out to all NXT Tours.

I haven't seen any performance difference with the X-out over the regular ball....sometimes I can't even spot the blemish.

I don't believe you can use them for tournament play, but that's no biggie as you'd be playing your best balls then anyway.



How about giving the Top Flite (Callaway) Gamer a try? The are $20 / dozen new and are super balls. Great distance, great spin, great around the greens, etc.

[immts007]

My position on this issue probably makes little sense to some, but It's just how I roll.

1. I can't bring myself to spend almost $4 a ball on Pro VI's or any other premium ball. My game just doesn't warrant it, and my golf budget is fairly tight.

2. I have a superstitious/psychological issue with paying money for, and using someone else's lost or throwaway balls. Same thing with x-outs. Maybe for the shag bag, but not on the course. Also, I like the feeling of opening a new sleeve.

So I wait for midrange balls that I have heard good things about (like the maxfli fire) to go on supersale, and I stock up. I've also bought quite a few of the Costco Titleist Tour Prestige double dozens.

So, I guess I would say if money's not an issue, why not buy new premium balls?

If you don't have any possibly irrational issues with used or blemished balls, why not buy x-outs or AAA's?

Otherwise, do what I do and what for decent mid-range balls to go on super-sale and stock up

[Finnstang]

My position on this issue probably makes little sense to some, but It's just how I roll.

Agree with #1. I would rather spend less on balls and more on playing/practice.

[Fourputt]

Another option is Titleist X-outs.

NXT Tours aren't "premium" balls. And I wouldn't consider myself "lucky" to find them as I dislike them extremely. Different strokes for different folks.

To the OP, if you can afford them, play what you like, but spin rate is definitely a factor. Too much spin can be harder to control on full shots, especially for a high handicapper. The ball will either hook or slice (the slice is more likely for the high handicapper) to much, or too much backspin from the driver will cause too high a ball flight, and ultimately will cost you distance. Add the backspin and slice spin together and you will cheat yourself of a lot of length. Short game feel alone isn't always a good enough reason to play a certain ball. I'm a considerably lower handicapper than you, but I've recently changed to the Callaway Warbird, a cheap 2 piece ball, and it performs well for me across the spectrum of different shots. I was always a confirmed believer in premium balls (Titleist Pro V1x was my preference), but I've been pulling back on that philosophy lately. I get better distance, good action on approach shots, and good feel around the greens with the cheaper ball, so I figure why pay more for no better result? The truth is, no matter what ball you choose, it isn't going to be a magic bullet for a 30+ handicapper. Lessons and practice are what you need to get better, and once you are hitting the ball fairly consistently, then you can make a more informed decision on what ball is really right for you.

[ks8829]

If I were a high handicap golfer I would play the MC lady or Costco's Titleist golf ball because of the price to value.

MC Lady Precept $8 for a box of 12 balls
Costco Titleist $29.99 for 2 boxes or 24 balls

another words play the least expensive ball and have fun.

[bigoak]

Another option is Titleist X-outs.

Balls are not Xouts due to superficial appearance only but can be pulled out because they are too heavy or too long which makes them desirable for us hackers.

[eurofighter]

Price is not a factor yet. i recived 6 ix a present from callaway. I saw some slice from the tee but I can't say if it is the ball or the swing. Tomorrow I will try to go back to nike juice and I will see.

[Big Jon]

Just my 2 cent's,

I have tried most brands and models. Most "tour" balls exaggerate my faults and it bothers me to lose of scuff a 4 dollar egg. I have found my new ball in the Top Flite D2 feel. It is a great 2 piece, performs real well and at under a buck a piece I don't mind losing one or throwing a slight scuff in my shag bag.

[I KyotE I]

My stance comes from where I play. I play a resonably challanging course with a lot of cliffs and LONG native grasses. There are times when I have off days and hit it wrong off a cliff. I can see the ball but sometimes I just don't want to go down this hill and get it. so I just bite tue bullet and take a drop. That being said my ball of choice is the noodle L&S.; Good ball for the money and you can generaly fid them at wal mart. good for me seeing that the closest Wal Mart is 5 miles from my course and the closest thing to buy top end balls is about 25 away at dicks. I don't do tourneys or anything. I just go out to have fun and that is a good ball for close to 15 bucks give or take depending on sales ect.

[mkrolewski]

I would concur with the lack of downside except cost.

I personally like the feel of the higher spin, 3 piece balls.

And the ebay lessor quality recycled/used balls are really quite nice. From my vantage point, they still play quite well. After a hole or three, I would be hard pressed to determine which was new and which was "used".

At a $1 or less/ball including shipping, you really cannot go wrong for a $3-4 ball.

[Chief Broom]

I like the Wilson Staff 50/50 ball. It's a two piece low compression ball. At a local golf shop the long time owner of the place told me that the 50/50 ball was probably the longest ball they sell. The low compression means easy compressability off the driver with low spin and those two factors equal longer drives. The soft feel of the ball also makes it playable around the green (chipping, pitching, and putting), at least it does for me. At $15 a dozen the price is hard to beat. If you like a 3 piece (supposedly for more spin on the green with your irons) Wilson Staff makes the Zip ball. A low compression three piece that goes for $16 a dozen. I've played and like both of these balls but I'm leaning toward the 50/50 for better forgiveness off the tee at a reasonable price.

I've got a 2 sleeves of ProV1x's, 2 sleeves of Callaway Tour Ix's, and two sleeves of Bridgestone e6+'s. I got the Callaway's in the mail for free and the others I purchased earlier this year. All are great balls for my game, but the Wilson balls play just as well if not better and the fact that they are cheaper make this a no brainer for me.

[justinmill14]

Try the Topflite D2's, They are affordable, $15 for 15 balls

[Fat Slice]

I just spent a couple of weeks trying out a BUNCH of balls. Bridgestone e5 e6 and the new 330-rx. Calloway hx hot and hx hot bite. Titleist Pro V1 and V1x. Top Flite Gamer.

For my game there was a clear winner: the Top Flite Gamer. Easy off the tee, nice and long enough. Great with the irons - held on the greens. And the best thing for me is that they have a great feel off my putter. I really don't care about the price of balls since I don't lose them so much anymore, but it is nice that the gamers are so inexpensive.

My game wasn't well suited for any of the other balls with the exception of the RX. At over twice the price and not as good a fit for me, though, they're not going to get any more play. Top Flite balls used to be hard and would skip off greens. These Gamers are great!