Golf balls.. change from year to year..?

[firstcut]

OK, junior rookie question here..

Until the past year I never really paid much attention to golf balls. When you suck, you can hit poor shots equally with most balls. Plus, I found a ball I really liked that was cheap. That said, I was at a golf show last week and they had the "old" B330-S's for $30. I picked some up and was talking to my buddy about the differences between last years B330-S and this years. He said there was a difference..

So, what's up with that? Do manufacturers routinely change ball characteristics without changing the ball designation? I understand you don't want to market a whole new ball, but to change the characteristics and not change the designation, even a little seem dishonest to me. Or is my buddy wrong?

I understand that it happens with clubs, but for some reason I expect it form clubs, so it seems more "OK".

Thanks!

[jjb333]

I know that there are a lot of different Pro V1s out there. Not only do the dimples look different from year to year, but the Pro V1x a couple years ago had a seam all the way around the ball. Now, there is no seam and the dimples are slightly different too.

[UP&DOWN]

I read somewhere that Kenny Perry plays the 2005 version of the ProV1 instead of the 08 or newer.

????

Not sure what thats all about either. You would think at least each year the ball would be better.

[zeg]

Not sure what thats all about either. You would think at least each year the ball would be better.

I think "better" is a very subjective assessment... If you're trying to maintain a level of consistency as good as the pros have, you want any change to your equipment to be thought through. You pick out a ball because it plays the way you want, and if the manufacturer changes it, it's a new ball.

[Dub]

I guess you'd have to ask the compaines that manf. them what the real differences are....try e-mailing their customer service and see what they say.

On the packages I routinely see new versions of exhisting balls say things like..."even softer".......or "greater distance".....etc.

I hope that Bridgestone doesn't mess around too much with the E5+....love that ball, however my supply is out and I need to restock. I played my round today with a sleeve of Noodles they were selling in the pro-shop.....actually not a bad ball at all. I'm looking forward to gaming them again tommorrow, Wednesday and Thursday.

[extremeld]

there are plenty of golf ball reviews in golf mags esp comparing top branded balls from 1 year to the next

difference is practically impossible to determine in vast majority of cases.

Kenny Perry uses 05 model, that is not really that surprising so long as they dont run out as a previous poster said he knows the exact characteristics of this ball.

I have used the same ping eye 2 putter for 20 years - there are probably better versions but i know how it putts.

[firstcut]

I think "better" is a very subjective assessment... If you're trying to maintain a level of consistency as good as the pros have, you want any change to your equipment to be thought through. You pick out a ball because it plays the way you want, and if the manufacturer changes it, it's a new ball.

I agree.. Which is mainly why I asked. I guess it's all just marketing though. Sounds like it's very common and I'm just out of the "New ball" loop. That said, I liked the old B330-S so I may try the "new" ones.

[Jonny Cab]

Try the 2008 330-S; I'm a longtime Precept/Bridgestone player and they're very controllable (trajectory and spin). If you liked the old 330-S, then you'll probably like the new ones. I haven't tried the e7s though...