Switching From A Soft 2 Piece To A Premium Ball-Distance Loss?

[TomDonS]

I think we all learned something there. Thanks.

[TinCupTampa]

I've linked to it a lot lately, but listen to the relevant sections of this podcast regarding "optimized" and "minimum swing speed":

That was great and all... and I appreciate the point you are trying to make... but why would one settle playing a ball with their "minimum swing speed" when they could easily find a ball that is "optmized" for their swing?

Isn't the whole point of a driver fitting, wedge fitting, to find clubs that work best for you... so why would a ball fitting be any different? Surely you arent suggesting everyone should play a Pro V1 golf ball.

[cocky_watchman]

Yes, Erik-agreed. From the points you make it's clear you do have to try the 2 balls and probably different makes too if you are going to find the ball that benefits your game-it's not the simple choice the marketers make out. And this is backed up by the fact some people swear by say B330RX and others try it based on the marketing but find the B330 works much better for them, when they are led to believe it shouldn't. I think the pros probably chose the correct Pro V1, i.e. X or just Pro V1! based on how much spin they get on the greens. And whether they want more-stick with Pro V1, or a little less go to X.

You can see why it's so confusing.

I'd like to think you can try the X version of any brand and compare with the non X of that brand-and based on that comparison you would know whether X of any of the different brands is for you, rather than the non X, or not, but I don't think you can even do that! Again, I think you just have to try some balls and see what works, spin wise and distance wise. As I mentioned this is tough since buying 12 of each is a little too expensive for me. Why dont they sell 3 packs-particularly with more ball options than ever-I would of thought it would be good for customers and good for profits?

I will select a few and do a little comparison at the start of summer. They don't have any ball fitting launch monitors round here that I'm aware of.

Until the start of summer I'm sticking with the Srixon AD333, which gives enough control on wet greens anyway. Next thing they will bring out a SrixonAD333X-at that point I'm retiring!

[TomDonS]

That was great and all... and I appreciate the point you are trying to make... but why would one settle playing a ball with their "minimum swing speed" when they could easily find a ball that is "optmized" for their swing?

Ok I play the Pro V1x, my swing speed is 121-129. Do you think there is a better suited ball. I havent tried the Taylor made or Srixon, or Bridgestone for that matter I jumped btwn Callaway, and Titleist. Pro Vs for a couple years now. My buddy who is 180 lbs swings 130+ and hits the Taylor made TP Red What do you think of it?

[cocky_watchman]

Well I think we have established you just have to try some! As far as I'm concerned I just hear lots of different pieces of information off lots of different sources. If I was as good a player as you I would probably buy a box of all the premium balls X and non X!!!! And test them out. Seeing as you are gonna be consistent the test will also be more meaningful than it would be for me. Thats the problem of a test for an average joe 14 handicap like me. Although Im not a bad ball striker, Im not good enough to say for sure "those 5 yards extra are down to the ball"-more than likely it could be my ball striking/technique. Thats why you kind of want someone to say this is the ball you will want, or these 2 balls. But when the marketing and information isn't consistent it's very hit and miss.

[TinCupTampa]

Ok I play the Pro V1x, my swing speed is 121-129. Do you think there is a better suited ball. I havent tried the Taylor made or Srixon, or Bridgestone for that matter I jumped btwn Callaway, and Titleist. Pro Vs for a couple years now. My buddy who is 180 lbs swings 130+ and hits the Taylor made TP Red What do you think of it?

If your swing speed is what it says it is then you have the capability to get the optimum performance out of a ProV1... my whole argument was a 98mph ss would not.

As for your buddy hitting the TP Red... well... he could probably find a ball that performs better for his ss unless he is using a 7* driver. Personally... 130moh ss is hard to believe. Tiger's is only 122-125.

[TomDonS]

Trust me I know it is VERY hard to believe. I'm 225lbs and have been working out and working on my SS for years to get it to where it is controllable and as hard as it is. He is a tri-athlete He winds up like a rubberband and it is UNREAL. He hits a 9.5 FT IQ. He was hitting a lowly FT3 off the rack last time I played with him. People used to tell me about him and I didnt believe it either. But they do call him long drive 5. So everything else needs some control.

About your point I was genuinely asking you advice or opinion on the type of ball I was playing so if you have ANY suggestions I would greatly appreciate them. I like the pro v1x but am always looking for that little extra.

BTW Tiger Could swing harder he just doesn't need to! ha ha. Agree? He's surgical at 122-125

[GaijinGolfer]

The AD333 is more of a mid-range ball, so I doubt you will see a huge difference. If you were playing Pinnacles or Top-Flites you would see a difference, but thats because those are rock-hard distance balls.
If you are worried about your swing speed not being fast enough, I think you would like the Bridgestone B330-RX. Its a super-spinny 3-piece ball with a soft cover, but its designed for people with average swing speeds (unlike many of the other premium balls that are designed for the high swing speeds of the pros).

[iacas]

Surely you arent suggesting everyone should play a Pro V1 golf ball.

At no point did I suggest that everyone use one kind of ball, and if that's what you got from what I posted, you haven't been paying attention. I may have used Pro V1/V1x as an example of a softer/firmer ball combination, but that's it.

I'd like to think you can try the X version of any brand and compare with the non X of that brand-and based on that comparison you would know whether X of any of the different brands is for you, rather than the non X, or not, but I don't think you can even do that!

Sure you can. In general, too, if you're a V1x type player (you generate enough spin yourself and don't need or want the extra spin), then you'll fit into the "firmer" category of all the other balls.

In general, if you don't generate enough spin and are thus a V1 type player, you'll fit into the softer balls in the other brands. But we can talk about "in general" until we're all blue in the face. In the end, the generalities I've laid out apply, but perhaps not to each individual, so you should go out and play a few of the important types of shots with each of the kinds of ball you're interested in trying out.

Why dont they sell 3 packs-particularly with more ball options than ever-I would of thought it would be good for customers and good for profits?

Pro shops here sell three packs, retail outlets tend to sell by the dozen. Perhaps you could buy some of the more expensive dozen packs and trade in for some three packs at some pro shops? (I only suggest that because, typically, buying by the sleeve is a heck of a lot more expensive per ball than even the most expensive 12-packs are per ball).

I will select a few and do a little comparison at the start of summer. They don't have any ball fitting launch monitors round here that I'm aware of.

I think driver fitting (and distance in general) is one of the last things you should be concerned about. You score with your short game. Unless the driver yardages are off 15 yards or more (i.e. at least one club every time), I wouldn't worry about driver distance. Listen to the podcast question about ball fitting.

[TomDonS]

The AD333 is more of a mid-range ball, so I doubt you will see a huge difference. If you were playing Pinnacles or Top-Flites you would see a difference, but thats because those are rock-hard distance balls.

I'm wondering if that b330rx would be a good ball for my dad. He's pushin 60 hard still athletic but is looking for more feel and spin. Without losing distance . He is still at 90mph with driver, and 6 iron about 165-175

[beachbreak]

If price is an object, have you tried the Topflite Gamer?

Great ball for under $20 per dozen. 3-piece, plenty of spin and distance.

[TinCupTampa]

About your point I was genuinely asking you advice or opinion on the type of ball I was playing so if you have ANY suggestions I would greatly appreciate them. I like the pro v1x but am always looking for that little extra.

If you are looking to try out a new ball... try the Bridgestone Tour B330.

[walfice]

Can I just check something out here? When a manufacturer states a ball is designed for 90 mph+ (just an example speed) swing speeds am I correct in assuming this is driver swing speed?

[cocky_watchman]

Yes I think it is driver!

I agree with the short game fitting being more important. The only club I have specialy fitted for me is my putter!!! And having my putter fitted has been very helpful in improving my game because its in the scoring zone. That is why I am now concentrating on the ball a little-going to help in the scoring zone for my 100 yards in problem area!

Im going to try the Srixon Z-Star balls and possibly some Bridgestone. I do like Srixon balls, very good quality and good price.

I still think there is a confusion here though. I'll explain. I am being told the X ball, the harder ball, will go further for pretty much everyone. Even if you have a slower swing speed and can't fully compress it. Yet Bridgestone have their B330RX, specialy designed for slower swing speeds so they don't lose distance. But looking at the ball spec, it is essentially just a B330 with a softer core-so softer for more distance in Bridgestones eyes. In other words they seem to subscribe to the hard ball NOT being playable for a slower swinger, I assume because you can't compress and wouldn't get distance.

Isn't this two conflicting views here?

[elsito99]

From my own experience the Prov1 is 10 yds shorter from the tee than other firmer balls (NXT tour, extreme, etc).

But as almost everyone, the control and stopping power on the greens is worth it.

[Gioguy21]

I've hit titleist prov's, provx's, bridgestone b330's and b330 tours', callaway hx tour and i, taylormade blacks and reds. I've come to experience longer off the tee with taylormade blacks overall for distance, and titleist unmatched round the greens. but that's just IMO

[cocky_watchman]

For my handicap, if I lost 10 yards going from a Srixon AD333 or NXT tour-which both have a little spin, to a Titleist Pro V 1 with exc ellent spin, well, it would not be worth it. I'd rather have the distance and spin compromise. 10 yards is going to be a club and I am not consistent enough to be hunting pinbs down to need the spin control. Plus the ball is almost double the price. Id live with a yard or 2 difference, but 10 yards is actually quite a bit. Im gonna test some premium balls soon when its a little drier. I might just buy a sleeve of prov1s since they have those readily available at the course-for the price of a sleeve I can buy a dozen AD333 !!!

[misty_mountainhop]

If price is an object, have you tried the Topflite Gamer?

Ah yes, but the cover shreds

very badly. I'd definitely say give the B330-RX a go. Fantastic ball.