Which Golf Balls to choose...

[SasQuatch<3]

If you have a fearly high handycap (like myself!) would u recomend a softer ball or a harder ball? Whats the purpose of a "softer feel" ball? What are the benifits and problems with each one?
What brands would you recomend?
aahah thanks on this one!

[Dub]

Whatever you can get a good deal on that feels good off your putter.

My faves are the E5+, Precept Laddie and lately the Maxfli Noodle+ "Long & Soft".

[tim31x]

regardless of handicap, i would always suggest a softer ball. you should pick a ball based on your swing speed based on how hard of soft of a ball you need. a few of my favorite cheap balls would be the pinaccle fx gold soft(not the long drive balls), the nike softs, and the maxfli noodle "long and soft"...each gives good distance and feel and is halfway decent around the greens.

[st0wgolf08]

A harder ball, because most likely you don't hit the ball perfectly straight and if you play a prov1 doing that, it could be in the other fairway. I play Nike juice ,I like them a lot and with a full wedge shot they back up like a couple inches for me.

[naws-golfer]

The purpose of a softer ball, for the most part is to generate spin, this can be good around the greens but off the driver, it can be a killer. Harder balls will spin less, usually go a bit further, be more durable(last longer), and are not as expensive. I love the NXT Tour and the NXT Extreme for their price. I'd try as many as i could before making a decision. i do recommend sticking with one ball for predictability and feel.

happy whacking!

[Pat007]

You may want to check out Dunlop LoCo balls. I use these here in the early spring and late fall/early winter and they seem to do well. They're nice and soft and bite like hell on the greens, all for under 15$ a dozen.

[Snake]

Top Flite makes some good inexpensive balls now (D2 Feel, Gamer, etc.). X-outs are another option - good balls with cosmetic imperfections. And there are several websites (like lostgolfballs.com ) that sell used balls. There used to be a good article on golf.com that compared and reviewed balls at all price points, but I can't find it now.

[T.J.K.]

I'm still a big fan of the Maxfli Fire. You can find it online for less than 10 a dozen.

[Chief Broom]

For a high handicapper I'd recommend going with low cost balls as your over riding priority. Chances are you'll lose a lot of balls and that can start to get pretty expensive if you insist on using new balls that are even in the mid priced bracket. I'd go with a lower compression distance ball. You can find a lot of different brands that fit that bill for a good bit less than $1 per ball. Sometimes the Nike Long and Softs go for two dozen for $15. Other brands will likewise have similar deals. Forget about thinking that a more expensive ball will help your game. It won't. It doesn't matter how much you spend on a ball if you hit it with the club face wide open or closed it will slice or hook on you no matter what.

[firstcut]

I try a lot of balls and still find the Nike Power Soft to be one of the best ones, especially for the price. A few years ago one of the magazines placed it second in a shootout with big name expensive balls. It's soft but doesn't spin a bunch. Good for us amateurs.

[amazinggolfer0732]

Doesnt matter about your handicap what ever you can afford and what ever feels the best to you.

[LaPuzza]

For what it's worth, I've gone from shooting 120s to shooting 100s this year. I think its about 50/50 between my equipment and my playing more, but one of the best moves I think I made was going to Nike Ignite as the only ball I play.

first of all, I've found the consistency and confidence I get from always playing the same ball is important, no matter what that ball is. But the Nike Ignite has made my hooked shots hook a lot less, keeping me in the game. I also can get just a little bit of backspin with mt SW, which is amazing to me.

I would say, whatever you pick, just buy a ton of them at once. Playing one ball consistently, to me, might be more important that playing the right ball.

[misty_mountainhop]

I'd echo the Bridgestone E5+ recommendation. Fantastic ball for the money although I wouldn't call it "soft". Top level urethane cover which is unusual for the price bracket. Spins a lot (good control near greens) of short irons. Long off the tee, gets up well. Solid off putter. Doesn't suffer too badly from shearing of the cover either with the modern, silly, "spin milled" wedges and square grooves either.

As for the rest, it depends what you're after. For me, I want greenside control so I always want a ball that spins (which usually feel "softer") but I'm reluctant to blow money on the ubiquitous ProV1 or ProV1x, good though they may be. By the way, unless you gun it hard, you won't get the most of the ProV1x.

I also don't want anything that feels like hitting a brick as it's horrible off a putter and for chipping even if it does blast away from a driver.

[bogeyhitter25]

Check out MaxFli Fires. I'm probably going to pick up a dozen some time soon. $15/dozen.

[meenman]

Just go out and start playing pro v1s.

For a high handicapper there is no better high than hitting a $4 ball when you need 180 yards of carry if you ever want to see it again

[st0wgolf08]

  meenman said:

Just go out and start playing pro v1s.

Funny joke. If you like cringing after every shot, buy pro v1s. Cringing is probably what you'll be doing as a 34 handicap playing a pro v1. Unless you hit it remarkably straight.

[Chief Broom]

  st0wgolf08 said:

Funny joke. If you like cringing after every shot, buy pro v1s...

Ha!

I played 9 holes with a guy a week ago who I know lost at least 6-7 balls. I left him at the turn. I can't imagine doing that with $2 balls much less $4 ones!?!