Low, Mid, Premium golf Balls?

[saevel25]

I usually play the 20 dollar a dozen golf ball. Just because i use to loose a golf ball every other rounds of golf i played. I don't like loosing espensive golf balls, not to mention i am a ball hawk on the golf course, nothing better than finding a Pro V1, perfect condition. Then getting to loose it in the water on the next hole.

But i am curious, those who switched to a premium ball, do you find a difference. I am a 5-10 handicap depending on the day. Sometimes better. I think my game could benefit from going from the 20 dollar golf ball to a 40 dollar one. I am starting to develop more of a feel because of better ball striking. I am curious, for those who are around my handicap, or those who had a significant benefit to there game from going to a premium ball, your opinions on this would be welcome.

[sean_miller]

  saevel25 said:

I usually play the 20 dollar a dozen golf ball. Just because i use to loose a golf ball every other rounds of golf i played. I don't like loosing espensive golf balls, not to mention i am a ball hawk on the golf course, nothing better than finding a Pro V1, perfect condition. Then getting to loose it in the water on the next hole.

You're a 5-10 handicap depending on the day? Sometimes better? What does that look like on a scorecard?

I vote for the $20/dozen balls. That may be because I'm a cheapskate who doesn't like to waste time trudging around deep grass and shrubs during tick season.

[saevel25]

Well for example, over the weekend i shot two days at 12 over par. Then i go out last night and shoot even par in a 9 hole golf league. Just one of those things. I can go and light up the course or i can shoot near my maximum, about 10-12.

Usually my scorecard is a row of Pars, or bogeys. I may occassionally get a double bogey, but most of the time i am either one the par train or bogey train.

[Par Fore]

My experience:

Low grade balls I have played - $10-15 a dozen - rockflites - the balls will take a beating and play well off the driver, as well as the irons - unfortunately, they aren't the best at holding a green nor around the greens
Mid grade - $20-30 a dozen - these seem to be a better ball, hold and perform around the greens fairly well, but their wear a little quick
Top shelf - ProV1X for me please - best of all worlds, excellent off of every club, balls last an entire round, and can easily hold greens with any club/tons of spin/shot options

[double_j]

I play premium ($40+) but I'll try to find a sale and load up a couple times a year (the major sporting good chain retailers usually have an outrageous sale on balls mid-way through the season).

I'm not sure about distance vs. lower price balls (never did a side by side) but I know that the premium balls just give better feedback and have more of a crisp 'snick' on perfectly struck shots. Spin for the premiums is usually better by a mile on lower yardage pitches, etc. I don't work the ball too much, so that benefit of the premiums is a bit wasted on me.

I wouldn't say that making the move has been a landslide to my game in an extremely quantifiable way, but I just enjoy hitting Pro V1s more because of how good they feel on contact. Between the extra spin on shorter pitches and how confident the extra feedback makes me, I'd say that the premium balls are probably worth a stroke per round. Any more and I'd be lying but I'm going to keep playing them since I just love the feel.

[right handed phil mickelson]

I play balls that highlight my strengths, and reduce my weaknesses on the course. That's why I go with Nike Mojo's, Nike One Platinums, or Srixon Z-URC's. All have a lot of spin on irons and wedges, little side spin, and penetrating ball flight for good carry on drives. I can get them all for around $20 a dozen (have to know where to look).

[Ping for life]

I still remember the days when you had a choice between the 90 or 100 compression ball or the balatta balls. And I am only 39 now they make so many different kinds of balls it's difficult to know which is best. What is your swing speed? 105+ you need this 105 to 95 you should hit that below 95 well then you need this ball. I found the Bridgestone Tour B330-RXS fits my needs. I will sacrifice a little distance for the added benefits around the green

Optimized for AMATEUR AVERAGE < 105 MPH Swing Speeds
Very SOFT Urethane Cover for players seeking extra greenside spin control
Large & SOFT Gradational Compression Core with a soft feel and added forgiveness
Mantle layer for high repulsion and workability

I used to be a Titlelist guy and will still play one from time to time I just wanted to try something different and found that I like the Bridgestone products.

[saevel25]

Club Head Speed (Driver): 115+, Ball Speed: 165+

[jhawker23]

This seems to be a continual point of contention for many... Its worth it, its not worth it. Who knows, is $45/dozen valuable to you? I'm no millionaire but I don't give a second thought to $45/dozen for a quality ball. Its the only piece of equipment involved in EVERY SINGLE shot.

Is there performance enhancements in the more expensive balls? Yes. Can we all bring the game to maximize these enhancements? Who knows. I do know that confidence is the most important factor in golf. Knowing I have the best takes away all of those thoughts of "would a Pro V1 have checked up instead of running off of the back?"

I have enough problems, I don't need to wonder about that.

[grizfan]

you could try a sample pack. Lostgolfballs.com has several options here:
http://www.lostgolfballs.com/Sample-...category_id/78

From what I've read, some of the premium balls may actually cause problems for all but the top players, sort of like putting an average driver behind the wheel of a formula 1 car. The extra spin is great around the green, but can be tricky off the tee. In any event, this is a pretty low-cost way to find out.

[saevel25]

I was about to say because i find those Pro v1's on the course and i usually end up jacking them out of bounds or off to the right a bit. But that could be coincidence as well.

[allin]

  saevel25 said:

I was about to say because i find those Pro v1's on the course and i usually end up jacking them out of bounds or off to the right a bit. But that could be coincidence as well.

The main advantage of high end balls is spin on short irons and wedge play around the green. If you cannot consistently spin short shots, and have very consistent distance control I doubt they help much. I may have as much as five yards difference in my carry distance on my 9 iron, not on purpose, five yards farther and spin it back great, but if I carry it 5 yards shorter ouch. If you play very firm greens big difference. Most courses in my area over water the greens because of high heat and the complaints from guys expecting to stop their 7 wood on a par three from 170 yards, you know who you are. If you know you are not going to spin the ball and stop it on a dime then learning to allow for a little run is not that big a deal to me. I know I can land the ball in my distance zone and have a shot at a one putt. If I get below 5 handicap then maybe. Also I have found urethane balls unpredictable with flop shots from greenside rough or short chips with a SW. There is just a little more room for error with a less spinny ball, bump and runs with higher lofted clubs are easier also.

[sean_miller]

  grizfan said:

you could try a sample pack. Lostgolfballs.com has several options here:

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think some top end balls spin less off a driver and more with wedges - the best of both worlds.

[Gebus]

I use Pro V1s and its just like their slogan says "trust your golf ball". Yes A ProV1 and similar high end balls (tour i, z star, penta) spin alot of the driver which means they will spin alot left and right if you slice so if you have trouble with your driver they might not be the balls for you but I would never play with anything else. I want that confidence of aiming dead at the stick on my 100 yard shot knowing that if I hit it right and on target that ball will go where I need it, I don't get that with mid and low end balls.

[golfaddiction]

I've found the mid-grade balls better suited for my balls than the-top grade balls. The ProV1s seemed to have less distance and more spin - more difficult for me to find the fairway.

[Bullitt5339]

I have went to lower spinning balls lately, because they really help manage my tee shots better. I bought 4 dozen Srixon TriSpeeds at Dick's on sale, and I have to admit, I really like them. They're super soft off the face, and just feel great coming off the club.

[killerduck]

I've been using pro V1's for the last couple of months, and maybe it's the greens on my home course, or my wedges, or just me, but I swear the NXT's I usually use check up AT LEAST as much as the pro V's. Ball flight is seemingly identical.

Basically, I'll be going back to NXT tour's after I'm through these pro V1's

[double_j]

  killerduck said:

I've been using pro V1's for the last couple of months, and maybe it's the greens on my home course, or my wedges, or just me, but I swear the NXT's I usually use check up AT LEAST as much as the pro V's. Ball flight is seemingly identical.

I play ProV1s but never minded the NXT tours. Great ball for the price and not a bad feel at all. The only problem was that it seemed the covers constantly scuffed or tore on me for little reason (i.e., I never hit a tree/cart path, etc.). I was guaranteed to have to switch balls at least once a round with the NXTs. Maybe the covers were very soft to offset a harder core or something?

On the other hand, I've had ProV1s that I've played for two or three rounds before losing or scuffing it bad enough to merit retirement. ProV1s might cost more than twice as much but a box lasts me much, much longer. The ultimate win/win is when Dick's/Sports Authority et al have blowout sales. ProV1s aren't usually included but I'll load up on the premium Nikes and TMs for less than the cost of the NXTs.