I think my balls are hurting me...

[lollavid]

Okay, fun aside, I have just gotten into the game again after a few years. I am now consistently in the high 80s so my game is really improving. However, i have a couple questions that I've been saving up.

This past month I updated my clubs. I bought a bunch of balls a year back, right as I started getting back into it. I have a huge bag of "John Daly" balls, and I also have an assorted bag of used balls.

My first question:
How important are balls? Does it make a big difference? Finally, since i am very price conscious, what would you recommend as the best bang for the buck?

Next (and unrelated question):
A guy told me about a month ago that I should try and hold the club as much as possible in the tips of my right hand (I'm a righty). It worked for a while, but now I find myself more accurate with the club deeper towards the bottom of my fingers. Is there a recommendation here?

Final question (for now):
I have found a much more consistent swing by mimicking something I see a lot of players do. At the top of my backswing, I visualize a small movement moving the club head a 1/2 inch further from my body and coming down at a steeper angle. It seems to be working well. Is this a bad habit to get into? Or is it a popular move because it is effective.
-On a side note with that, that same move doesn't seem as desirable in my drives as I think perhaps the less-steep angle may be better for that club.

[Shindig]

My first question:

I suggest used ones. There are a number of websites we can suggest that will send you good quality used golf balls for a reasonable price.

However, we need to know more about your game to suggest which golf ball is good for you. Do you slice? Hook? Long or short hitter? Do you want spin green-side? It isn't so much that balls make a big difference, although they do. It's that playing one that works with what you do and want to do, instead of something else, that helps. And using the same type, consistently, helps with consistency - that way, you know how the ball will react on chips, putts, drives, and so on.

Next (and unrelated question):

Get a professional to look at your grip?

Who gave the suggestion? Was it a pro, or some guy at the range that may have been hitting the ball well that day (for reasons possibly unknown to him)? There are a handful of successful grips with the club - baseball, Vardon, interlocking, and so on. I have no ability to make a useful comment on your last question, so I need to leave that to someone else.

[lollavid]

I was hitting my 9-iron about 130 today, my 5 is around 170 or so, and driving in the range of 210-230.
My grip is interlocked. I'm just asking about how far towards the tips of the fingers on my right hand I should grip the club.
The guy giving the advice was just a regular guy- not a pro or anything.

As for what I want in a ball, I've never really thought about it to be honest. I guess I'd say I'm happy with my distance and would tend towards wanting something to sit.

[aca247]

you should see your palms arch if you dont close your hand and grip the club

[wedge player]

question 1=ok imagine the finger it has 3 joints,for a nuetral grip hold it between the joint closest to your hand and the one in the middle,thats how i do it.
question 2=its a change of swing path to come from the inside sergio garcia has a major one.

[Adumb]

1) I buy used balls either from the thrift store or from a local bait shop that sells them pretty cheap. It works fine. Otherwise, go to Walmart and buy the cheapest balls you can find.

2) I interlock my grip, not sure how to answer this question.

3) Jim Furyk style swing? If it works for you, then do it. Jim Furyk does a wild looking swing off the tee and the irons are a little more tame.

[lumpuckeroo]

My first question:

I think they make a difference, there are many balls on the market under $20 a dozen that would be better then used balls.

[Leftygolfer]

I am glad my balls aren't hurting me....LOL.

[inthecup]

How much does John Daly balls cost? I think I saw them insanely cheap at Dicks.

[chilly]

The TopFlite D2 series ball are fine for a beginner, and only run $15 per box. Or find some good used balls, I get Titleist NXT for $.65/ea from a local Play It Again.

Hank Haney, in his swing essentials book, advocates holding the club towards the base of the fingers in your right hand. I've been trying this, and it seems to be a bit more stable.

[connormalone]

Ebay can be also be a great place to get a good value on used golf balls. While it doesn't sound like your current balls are a huge issue, playing a used ProV1 might help your game enough to consider it.

[mrprovisional]

I think they make a difference, there are many balls on the market under $20 a dozen that would be better then used balls.

I see that you use the e6 bridgestone golf balls. how much does it help your hits? Did it really reduce your slices or hooks?

[max power]

Ebay can be also be a great place to get a good value on used golf balls. While it doesn't sound like your current balls are a huge issue, playing a used ProV1 might help your game enough to consider it.

I think way too many people, on this board at least, think that a premium ball, or a used premium ball will help their game somehow. 30 handicappers, 20 handicappers, even some 10 handicappers are not hitting the ball consistently strait enough to make a ProV1 help their game. If anything, it's going to hurt. I agree with the previous poster who recommended the Top Flite D2 series-the D2 Strait is a good all around ball, especially on wet days, and the D2 Feel delivers on its name.

[Shindig]

The guy giving the advice was just a regular guy- not a pro or anything.

Then I wouldn't make a change that doesn't feel right based n what he said.

As for what I want in a ball, I've never really thought about it to be honest. I guess I'd say I'm happy with my distance and would tend towards wanting something to sit.

You may want to look into something like Bridgestone e5+ or Srixon AD333. Grab a few and see if they fit with what you're looking for. They aren't terribly expensive, either.

[lollavid]

Thanks guys. I'll check Furyk's swing if that's what he does (with the steeper downswing). I was out again today and it works great for my irons.
I don't remember what I paid for the Daly's, but they were VERY cheap. I'm still wondering which balls to get and where the best place to find them may be.
I've now officially abandoned trying to move my right hand grip into my fingers and have settled towards the base. It feels more comfortable and easier to control.

[soloredd]

I think type of ball makes a big difference. I use the Titleist DT Carry about 98% of the time because I don't get a lot of carry on my driver (probably because it's 9 degree but I digress). I also like the soft feel of them. A guy I play with uses Callaways and those feel like rocks to me.

Whenever I go to a Golfsmith store, they always have logo balls or overruns in a bin by the entrance. I bought like 3 dozen Pinnacle balls back in December and they are great. I think it was 50 cents per ball, so 6 bucks for a dozen. Not bad. Check Lostgolfballs.com, they have a great selection of used balls.

[Dub]

.

I honestly don't know enough about swing mechanics to comment here. My main thoughts are to stay relaxed and stay on a smooth tempo with my finish being in accord with the shot type I want to hit.

[fendermallot]

This is a GREAT video about different grips. Watch it, learn it, love it.