Birdieballs? (cylinder-shaped practice ball)

[DSH]

Hi, anyone use Birdieballs for practice? They're polymer cylinders that simulate the sound and performance of a regular ball but go only 40% as far.


Would appreciate hearing about anyone's experience with this.

[iacas]

Hi, anyone use Birdieballs for practice? They're polymer cylinders that simulate the sound and performance of a regular ball but go only 40% as far.

You may want to read

How a Napkin Ring Improved My Practice .

[DSH]

Thanks iacas. I just ordered some. Will post after I have had a chance to try them out.

[JSF35]

I have had a set for a few months and I love them. They're very responsive and they're actually a lot of fun to hit.

[Finn07]

Ive seen it here before and cant find the thread. Is the Birdie Ball a good training add or not? Also if you have it can you give some description of it too. Thanks.

[Ed: I moved this into the thread and deleted the other post (where you said you found it). ]

[Finn07]

I just went to Golfsmith and purchased them, too bad its pouring where I live so ill try them out tomorrow. Ill let you guys know what I think of them.

[UpandDown]

I purchased a dozen along with a synthetic mat called Softee. It was a package deal. I have a back yard with about 60 yards of usable area for hitting balls. I can use a full swing with a 9 iron and stay in-bounds. I tried a driver and I hit the Birdie Ball out of my yard.

The upside of this clever design is good audible feedback. The product can also fade, slice, draw, and hook. Of course, the real deal at a range is best, but these practice "balls" can work in the right spot.

[Finn07]

I basically want it so I can get some swings in. Ill know by the feel of my swing if Im striking the ball well or not. Im excited to try them out.

[Redd Zone]

I am trying to save money and going to the driving range everyday is expensive. I was wondering if the Birdie Ball was a good practice ball to use. I need something to practice tempo with.

[joshiemac25]

I have tried the Birdie Ball and the Almost Golf Ball (P3) and I decided to get a bunch of the Almost Golf Balls.

I liked the Birdie Balls as they made a good solid contact sound and traveled a good distance, but not too far. You could hit draws/fades and it showed you when you sliced or hooked it. I did worry about breaking them, and although I never did, I felt that it was inevitable. I also question how much it would effect the clubface with repeated use.

I loved the Almost Golf Ball since the day I bought a dozen. The thing I love most about them, is they act like a golf ball should. Contact is solid, but the contact noise is not super realistic. They just felt right to me. You can also hit draws, fades, and even back them up. The main reason I got them, is we have a few nice 100 yard long parking lots that are slightly angled back towards where I hit from, so I hit the balls and they roll back to me, or at least my end of the lot. Just have to throw towels over the drains or you lose a bunch of them. I have at least 100 of the balls now, and haven't lost many in grass or on the lots. After repeated use for 2 years (more for some) there is some wear and tear on the balls, but nothing that would effect them in any way. If you hit them in the spring, they will not plug in the ground and they sit up on longer grass. They travel approx 1/3 the distance of a real ball, and are just wonderful (and the wife doesn't mind me chipping around the house with them).

I enjoyed the Birdie Ball, just not nearly as much as the Almost Golf Ball.

Josh

[Monsieurgolf]

I have a dozen Almost Golf balls and I would agree with the earlier post that I think that they react well to your swing and fly true...but not too far.

It is nice to know that if you do "duff" one...it won't cause too much damage.

[joshiemac25]

Also, here is a link from one of the Contributors to the The Sand Trap.com and his opinion on the Birdie Ball.

http://thesandtrap.com/columns/bag_d...ed_my_practice

[Bignose]

I have tried the Birdie Ball and the Almost Golf Ball (P3) and I decided to get a bunch of the Almost Golf Balls.

Josh, Excellent review of the Almost Golf Ball (AGB). I think you hit on every single benefit of them. I think that it is only fair to list some of the drawbacks that I've found. Because they are so light, the wind plays with them a lot more than a regular ball would. Slices/hooks will be exaggerated, and while I've never consistently ballooned a real golf ball, into the wind with the AGBs can be hilariously funny -- the ball looks like it is trying to climb a wall sometimes!. So, if it is significantly windy out, you won't get a good judge of the ball flight. They aren't dog proof, and while my dog doesn't get it in her head to chase them very often when she gets one, expect teeth marks. Now, that said, a few teeth marks don't seem to affect performance so it can be kind of a moot point. The biggest one is that, again because they don't have the mass of a regular ball, they won't twist the clubfaces back on off-center hits like a regular ball would. They will still launch almost perfectly, and they won't pick up much spin from the twisting impact. So, you can be fooled somewhat into thinking that your ballstriking is better than it really is. Now, all that said, it actually is exactly what you'd expect from this product. The ball is intentionally made to be lighter than a regular ball, that's a large reason it doesn't fly as far as a regular ball. It is also made to be soft and pliable so it won't break windows. So, I know that you can't have it both ways. I really love practicing with my AGBs, and haven't found a better product. They are leaps and bounds better than a whiffle golf ball or foam ball, and I wouldn't trade them. I highly recommend them personally. But, I did think it was fair to list the negatives to make sure that you completely understand what you are buying.

[Cas57]

just curious if anyone has tried it?
http://birdieball.com/

it looks like it might be a pretty decent addition for practicing at a local park or even in your own yard. I've used wiffle balls in the past but they don't fly too true after a few feet.
This company also has putting greens that look pretty decent also.

Oops, probably another thread that should have been in the gear forum

[bwell]

I have been using birdie ball for a while now and love them... I pretty much only use it to practice wedge shots but can take a full swing with a 9 iron and not hit to out of the yard. It gives off a wind tunnel sound when you hit it right, and like other have said, they will slice and hook and let you know when you hit it wrong.

[iacas]

First, one of I think two or three articles we've ever written on the BirdieBall: http://thesandtrap.com/bag_drop/how_...ed_my_practice .

Second, the last time I used the BirdieBall, I remembered that they weren't supposed to fly very far. So I'm in my back yard, thinking it'll maybe get across the street. No, the thing flies across the street, is still ascending, lands near the peak of my neighbor's roof, bounces down, lips out of the gutter, and plops into their driveway.

That was the end of my BirdieBall use that day, and forever in my yard. My 8yo kid plays with 'em, though, but then again the last time she used it in the yard she whacked a school bus's tire as it drove past...

[blackstallion10]

Hey guys,

Just signed up today, looks like a great community.  Anyhow I saw this vid on something called the

birdy ball and wondered if any of you have tried it.  Has it improved your game?  Any feedback?

(And no this is not my video)...

http://www.mediafileshare.com/5001.html

Thanks guys, looks interesting but I've heard absolutely nothing about it..

William

[wrightwrjr]

I have a dozen Birdie Balls coming today, I have never hit one, but I bought 18 of the Almost Golf Balls.  In my opinion if you want every ball to feel well struck and not give a true indication of what a real ball would do, then the Almost Golf Ball is for you.  I can't hardly hit a bad one, everything feels good and 99% of the time the ball flies straight.  Believe me, that doesn't happen when I hit real golf balls.  I feel like they are just a step above the old plastic practice balls, I don't care for them at all.