Golf ball feel on the putt

[plugged]

I have never really paid much attention to what ball I am using, primarily because until about a year ago, it didn't make much difference. Recently, though, I have been trying to think about how the different golf balls I use feel and perform. Yesterday, I tried five brand new balls on the practice green - Topflight XL 2000, Pinnacle Gold, Srixon AD333, Callaway HXi, and Titleist ProV1. I was trying to see how each felt putting. (BTW, I am using an Odyssey White Hot Rossi). Surprisingly, this how the balls felt on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being very soft and effortless and 1 feeling like I was striking a rock:

Topflight XL 2000 - 4
Pinnacle Gold - 3
Srixon AD333 - 2
Callaway HXi - 3
Titleist ProV1 - 4

Given the results above, my question is: are the premium balls supposed to feel that much different than a low-end ball on the green, or is all the "premium" part in the spin and distance? I know off the tee, in the fairway, and especially in the rough, the ball is as important as the club, but how important is the ball in the putt?

[Leftygolfer]

I believe pro v1s feel so much softer with the putter. It seems to stay on the face longer and I seem to have better distance control. I really don't putt with anything else now.

[toddmcguire]

I believe pro v1s feel so much softer with the putter. It seems to stay on the face longer and I seem to have better distance control. I really don't putt with anything else now.

Have you tried the Callaway Tour i? That is the softest ball I have ever played. Almost too soft.

[Leftygolfer]

Have you tried the Callaway Tour i? That is the softest ball I have ever played. Almost too soft.

I have tried Callaway Tours. I just can't play anything else. I know the other premium balls are good but I just can't feel confident in any other ball. It is rediculous I know but Titleist has my number. I don't know if it is advertising, performance, or what but I just can't play anything else.

[Snake]

Given the results above, my question is: are the premium balls supposed to feel that much different than a low-end ball on the green, or is all the "premium" part in the spin and distance? I know off the tee, in the fairway, and especially in the rough, the ball is as important as the club, but how important is the ball in the putt?

I would think the relatively soft insert on your putter probably levels the playing field a bit making a cheap Top Flite ball feel similar to a premium Titleist ball. Try the same experiment with a non-insert putter and see what your results are. Maybe the same, maybe completely different.

[1par2win]

I believe pro v1s feel so much softer with the putter. It seems to stay on the face longer and I seem to have better distance control. I really don't putt with anything else now.

I agree. I started using a ProV1 because of the feel off the putter. For me, that's the most important aspect of a golf ball.

[jockass]

I have to agree that pro v feel great of the putter face, also good are the new srixon z-star!

[ks8829]

have you tried putting with a forged putter? supper soft! I have several putters as most golfers and I took out my old Yonex ADX forged blade putter that Phil used many moons ago and it simple feel so soft, unlike any other putter out there.

I also use a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 made out of Germany stainless steel and compared to the forged Yonex putter, the difference in feel is day and night.

the same feel from forged blades irons compared to forged cavity irons

[Danattherock]

I recently switched from the Pro V1 to the Srixon Z-Star. Namely because of how it feels when I putt with it. Can't expain it, it is just different. A certain feel (and sound) gives me tons of feedback. I putt better with the Z-star. No question about it. I suspect this is one of the reasons so many touring pros are switching to it. Great ball.