Is there anyplace to get comparisons between different balls?

[JessN16]

I'm talking about free. I'm not going to pay for a golf ball selection service.

There seem to be some good golf gear review posts on the 'net, but they're erratic and sometimes it's hard to find what I'm looking for.

I'm specifically looking for a place to compare certain balls together. I tend to like Bridgestone, Precept and Srixon, but lately I'm hitting Volvik and liking them. However, I don't want to be missing out on something that could help my game and I don't have the funds to just buy a dozen of everything and experiment.

I'd specifically like feedback -- and comparison -- between the Bridgestone 330 balls, the e5/e6 series, the Srixon Trispeed and Z-UR balls, and the Volvik Crystal, plus similar offerings from Precept.

Jess

[Stacey_E]

Golf Magazine's Feb. 2008 issue had a comprehensive (relative term I suppose) comparison on most all of the balls in the industry. I'd look for another issue this February. It was well worth the stand price as I have spent hours referencing and quoting it.

If I get a chance tonight, I'll post some of the specs from those balls you listed that were available for review at that time.

[kfowler]

Golf Magazine's Feb. 2008 issue had a comprehensive (relative term I suppose) comparison on most all of the balls in the industry. I'd look for another issue this February. It was well worth the stand price as I have spent hours referencing and quoting it.

Ditto. I kept that one around.

[Stacey_E]

Here’s how the Golf Magazine’s Feb 2008 ball guide tested the balls available to them:

1.) The driver distances were determined by using a robot swinging a Taylormade R7 Super Quad 10.5* driver with 45” regular flex Accra T50 M4 graphite shaft & 59* lie angle. Launch conditions were set at – 90 mph swing, 137 mph ball speed, 13.75* launch angle and 2,900 RPMs.

2.) The spin rate of the balls were tested by a robot swinging a Titleist Vokey Spin Milled (Oil Can) 56* sand wedge, 35 ¼” True Temper Dynamic Gold wedge flex steel shaft with a 64* lie angle. Launch conditions were 76mph swing speed, 80 mph ball speed and 38.5* launch angle. I know that seems to be a low launch angle, but those were the numbers quoted.

3.) Ball cover hardness was measured with a Shore D Durometer after averaging 5 measurements on each ball. “The Shore D hardness scale is commonly used to gauge the hardness of plastics and rubbers. (A lower Shore D number equates to softer.)” Measurements ranged from the industry’s softest cover 46.8 (Nike One Platinum) to hardest 68.8 (Top-Flite Freak).

[Stacey_E]

I'd specifically like feedback -- and comparison -- between the Bridgestone 330 balls, the e5/e6 series, the Srixon Trispeed and Z-UR balls, and the Volvik Crystal, plus similar offerings from Precept.

DISTANCE / SPIN RATE / COVER HARDNESS

Tour B330-S 255.2 / 11,866 / 57.2 Tour B330 253.9 / 12,137 / NA E5+ 252 / 12,140 / NA E6+ 251.7 / 7,651 / NA Srixon Trispeed 251.3 / 7,814 / NA Srixon Z-URS 247.5 / 12,137 / NA Srixon Z-URC 247.2 / 12,250 / NA Volvik Crystal 248.5 / 5,986 / 64.6 Precept Laddie X 256 / 6,242 / 67.0 Precept Distance iQ180 255.9 / 7,790 / NA Precept Lady iQ180 255.2 / 8,185 / NA * Only the groups of hardest and softest covers were listed. There is nothing listed for balls with a Shore D cover hardness between 57.2 and 64.6. That leads me to believe that if a ball wasn't listed in one of the two categories, it probably falls somewhere in between the two extreme groups. Just an ass/u/m/ption. Good luck!

[JessN16]

DISTANCE / SPIN RATE / COVER HARDNESS

Thanks a ton, Stacey_E! That is just what I've been looking for for months.

I'm playing mostly the Volvik Crystal ball right now, and from looking at those numbers, there's no reason for me to change. I've never been able to put a lot of spin on the ball due to the way I strike one, and I already get nice height on my drives, so high-spinning balls have never been of particular benefit to me. On that list, the Volvik is only about three yards shorter than the e5+ and the Trispeed, which were the two balls I was considering testing. The Volviks are virtually the same length yet have a lower spin rate, and they're cheaper than anything on that list other than the Laddie. Now I don't need to go hunting for something new. You've just saved me a bunch of cash. Jess

[Henry]

Thanks bunch mate. Thats is awesome. I might try out some volviks or the bridgestone e6+

[SubPar]

You can look at the stats from tests and narrow it down to 3-4 balls you think might work for you. I did that and then bought a sleeve of each and played with them over a period of days to see which actually suited me.

Generally the balls you will hit farther will not be so great around the greens due to lack of spin. The best ball to chip with in my view is the Pro v1, but it spins like crazy when you don't want it to. The longest ball I have played is the Pinnicle CLR. It is "okay" around the greens won't spin very much when you need to hit a shot that checks up quickly. A good compromise for me is the Callaway iX (was the HX Tour). It does not spin too much on the longer shots, but will provide adequate spin from 30 yards in.

SubPar

[Stacey_E]

BTW there were plenty of other balls tested if anyone has a request. I'm gonna try to check this thread and update requests daily.

[Caddyshack]

How do the top of the range tour balls compare, say prov1, v1x vs callaway i & ix the B330 & B330s , taylormayes etc. I have tried a few premium balls and i still cant find one i like better than the B330s, i would be interested to how they all compare.

[firstcut]

How do the top of the range tour balls compare, say prov1, v1x vs callaway i & ix the B330 & B330s , taylormayes etc. I have tried a few premium balls and i still cant find one i like better than the B330s, i would be interested to how they all compare.

Did you play last years B330s? Can you feel any significant difference?

[SubPar]

How do the top of the range tour balls compare, say prov1, v1x vs callaway i & ix the B330 & B330s , taylormayes etc. I have tried a few premium balls and i still cant find one i like better than the B330s, i would be interested to how they all compare.

Relative to each other, top of the line balls are quite different. You can tell by the way they sound on the clubface, how much they spin and how they feel to your hands.

Relative to practice balls, most range balls are so beat-up they won't spin much and usually fly a good 10 yards less than a new quality ball. You can't learn much from them even if they are a good brand. I've read that some pros break out a new ball about every three holes because after a ball has been hit hard 5-6 times it won't perform at 100%. So figure what a cheap range ball that has been hit 2000 times will do by comparrison. I find a lot of "decent" balls on the courses I play and always stash them in my bag. This way I can hit a couple of good balls at the range for comparrison... big difference in distance, ball flight and spin. SubPar

[Stacey_E]

How do the top of the range tour balls compare, say prov1, v1x vs callaway i & ix the B330 & B330s , taylormayes etc. I have tried a few premium balls and i still cant find one i like better than the B330s, i would be interested to how they all compare.

Driver distance / spin rate / Shore D cover hardness

Titelist ProV1 249.0 / 11,914 / 57.2 Titelist ProV1x 250.4 / 12,299 / 55.8 Callaway Tour i 253.7 / 10,473 / NA Callaway Tour ix 253.4 / 9,990 / NA B330 253.9 / 12,137 / NA B330s 255.2 / 11,866 / 57.2 TP Black 259.1 / 12,062 / 56.6 TP Red 258.6 / 11,872 / NA Good luck! Any others?

[JessN16]

Driver distance / spin rate / Shore D cover hardness

Stacey_E,

Can you give me the specs on the Wilson Zip ball? Also, can anyone tell me what "zero compression" really means? If the distance between a 70 comp ball (Volvik) and a 0 comp ball is as much as the difference from 90 to 70, I can't imagine how it reacts. I'd love for someone to explain the science behind that one. Jess

[Caddyshack]

Thanks for that , looks like the TP's have some impressive numbers i may have to try a sleve almost 10 meters longer than a V1 means one less club on approach! , although they would have to be pretty special for me to change from my beloved B330s, its strange but i feel more confident hitting them than any other ball.

Driver distance / spin rate / Shore D cover hardness

[Stacey_E]

Stacey_E,

Wilson Zip 252.7 / 10,518 / NA Next?

[Chief Broom]

Next?

Well since you've been nice enough to ask... Nike Ignite Nike Karma Callaway HX Hot Callaway HX Hot Bite Wilson Fifty Titleist NXT Tour

[firstcut]

Wilson Zip 252.7 / 10,518 / NA

Do they have the Nike Power Soft in there?

Thanks!