how much does ball matter?

[Mizzoujohn]

Hi Guys
I have been playing random balls most of my career, right now I'm playing Nike NDX Heats. I was wondering how much playing ProV1's would help with spin. I see that most good/great players use them. I shoot in the 80s usually. My ball from 50-120 (wedges) will bounce a couple times and check, but not come back. I am hitting Vokeys.

John

[WUTiger]

Balls come in in three basic categories as far as spin goes:
Distance (usually says Distance), mid-spin (TopFlite Gamer), and high-spin (PROV1).

Golf Digest had a Total Golf lesson series a few years ago (about $15 a year, one packet per month). One segment looked at six short-game situations, and which type of shot you should play depending upon the type of ball (amount of spin) you use.

I would suggest that if you jump around to different types of mid-spin balls, you would notice it less than if you switched from a distance to a high-spin.

Clubhead speed also matters. If two players hit a Gamer squarely with a 7 iron, the one with the higher clubhead speed would generate the most backspin.

[mdbuschsr]

Having just switched from Maxfli Revolution ROCKS to Gamers, I can tell you the spin difference is amazing, and sometimes a detriment. I cannot imagine trying to play a Pro V right now... Too much side spin means many balls OB!

[JaredSS]

it doesn't matter as much as the person hitting the ball...

[JML22]

It only matters if the player can make use of it.
But i had the situation where i shot E7s on the front 9 and Prov1 392s on the back 9
I foud the provs check a lot better and its easier to throw those dart flop shots right at the pin

[acegolfer]

I think what matters more is playing with 1 type of ball. Premium balls may or may not work for everyone.

If your wallet is tight but want to play with premium balls, try AAAA quality from lostgolfballs. I pay roughly $1 per ball before shipping.

[clubchamp]

The ball makes a difference but you have to be able to execute the shot. It's actually funny this came up today because I played with a 15 handicap today and he was telling me about how he switched from a z-star to a bridgestone for more spin. He is a decent golfer but his iron shots from 125 and out did the same thing every time he hit the green bounce and roll out a little. I'm betting it would have been the same hitting any decent ball but once he got inside 125 he had a hard time. He'd hit some that would check, some rolled out and a one backed up. My point he didn't have a clue what his ball would do once inside 125 and when he was chipping. I'd say worry less about the ball and more about how to hit the shots.

[Colinb913]

I usually just play with what I find at my CC, which happens to be alot of proV's Callaways, or Nikes. So I wouldnt really ever buy balls. I just use what I find.

[Mizzoujohn]

I'd say worry less about the ball and more about how to hit the shots.

I agree with you, but I feel like my ball almost always wants to come back from 120 and in, and instead it typically checks. I guess I'm hitting down decently. I am wondering if a prov1 will put me over the top in terms of bite/roll back.

John

[CG031]

It matters, but only to a certain degree, obviously. If you're a 30 handicap you probably won't play any better with a ProV1 as opposed to a Top Flite D2. But if your a 2 handicap it can mean a lot as far as controlling spin on wedge shots and you may see a bit different result with driver distance.

[Shanks A Million]

I doubt even scratch golfers would really worry too much. I get ProV1s used for dirt cheap, so really, they're my best option. The only thing I really care about in a ball is that it gives me the right distance off my irons. I tried some EV Extra Spin balls, and they were 10 yards too long. The execution of a shot is more important than the ball anyway. So long as it spins somewhat decently, doesn't wear out too quickly, and flies around the right distance, it's a good ball.

I will play pretty much any ball that performs within reason. I use the HX-Hot, Tour B330, even Laddies and DT SoLos. I'm not good enough to really be picky about my ball.

[Cornbread]

It matters, but only to a certain degree. If you're a 30 handicap you probably won't play any better with a ProV1 as opposed to a Top Flite D2. But if your a 2 handicap it can mean a lot as far as controlling spin on wedge shots.

Your assuming that in order to be a 2 handicap you must be able to spin short irons... and that higher handicappers can't ??????????????

[Comeback]

Your assuming that in order to be a 2 handicap you must be able to spin short irons... and that higher handicappers can't ??????????????

Anyone can spin a ball but the the real skill is spinning the ball on command from tight lies and when it is actually needed.

[gir]

I play D2's and they check for me around the greens. I don't have to account for much roll out. I tried the Gamers and the D2's spun more for me around the greens. Which is great because they're cheaper and come in boxes of 15. I find it's helpful to play the same ball for consistency in the short game.

[GolfBear]

I used to play in a scramble with a friend and his father. My friends dad was around 70 years old, he didn't have the distance he used to but he's was an OUTSTANDING golfer. I've never seen him shoot higher than a 74 and that's only because the par 5's are just too long for him otherwise he'd probably be a +2. My God could that man putt! I got into a discussion with him one time about balls and he just laughed at me. He said it mattered but no where near as much as the manufacturers would like you to believe.

So anyway he hits a shot into the green to about 15 feet. Then he says "watch this".....he pulls a ball out of his bag that looks like it sat in the woods for about 12 years and when through a couple of forest fires. He drops it on the fairway and hits it stiff to about 3 feet.

I'm sure the type of ball matters somewhat but maybe no where near as much as we think. What's far more important is playing a ball that makes you feel like it fits you well.

On another note, aren't we overrating spin into the green? If you hit a distance ball that goes 20 yards farther that's 2 less clubs you're hitting into the green. If you're hitting an eight iron into the green from 140 that's a ton more loft than a six iron from 160. Where spin matters to me is on those delicate half wedges or chips where I want the ball to react predictably.

[Shanks A Million]

So anyway he hits a shot into the green to about 15 feet. Then he says "watch this".....he pulls a ball out of his bag that looks like it sat in the woods for about 12 years and when through a couple of forest fires. He drops it on the fairway and hits it stiff to about 3 feet.

That's because he knows who hits the ball. The ball is a passive object, the golfer is not. That's where so many people get hung up. The ball is inanimate. It doesn't do anything. It relies on you to hit it. From there on out, it's preference. Tiger is still Tiger, and even if you gave him Walmart clubs and cheap, bargain bin balls, he's still going to be the best

golfer in the world. Equipment is really more about comfort, feel, and aesthetics.

[max power]

That's because he knows who hits the ball. The ball is a passive object, the golfer is not. That's where so many people get hung up. The ball is inanimate. It doesn't do anything. It relies on you to hit it. From there on out, it's preference. Tiger is still Tiger, and even if you gave him Walmart clubs and cheap, bargain bin balls, he's still going to be the best

Yep-makes me think of those "What if Tiger had to play [my, these] clubs, etc?" threads. He'd shoot about the same.

[CG031]

Your assuming that in order to be a 2 handicap you must be able to spin short irons... and that higher handicappers can't ??????????????

my point was that a 30 handicap probably isn't hitting the ball all that solid enough for the ball to actually have an impact on his score/round, and they sure worry about investing the money spent on higher priced balls into lessons, training aids, etc.