how much does ball matter?

[zeg]

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.

From the ~ 30 handicap side, I agree completely. I've been playing around with a few different balls lately, and there is no way it makes any difference to my score what ball I play. The consistency just isn't there for there to be any real effect from the ball. Sure, I might hit a low-spin ball a little straighter, but if I happen to play a high-spin ball it's just about as likely to save me by turning my accidental giant pull with a hint of fade into a pull-slice that winds up close to where I aim.

[Cornbread]

The ball is a passive object, the golfer is not. The ball is inanimate. It doesn't do anything. It relies on you to hit it. From there on out, it's preference. ..

So when driving a 64 Volkswagon or a 2009 Porsche the Driver makes all the difference? PLEASE !!!

[TourSpoon]

So when driving a 64 Volkswagon or a 2009 Porsche the Driver makes all the difference? PLEASE !!!

Hilarious. Whether it is a gutta percha or a modern ball, are you saying that the golfer doesn't make the difference? The only 64 Volkswagen that wasn't driver dependent was Herbie.

[shades9323]

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.

It sounds like your ball consistently does the same thing every time. Why would you want to muck up that predictability by using a more spinny ball? Especially one where one time you hit it great and it rolls back 20 feet and the next you don't hit it so great and it rolls out 5 feet. Spinning a ball back on the green is highly overrated.

[Shanks A Million]

So when driving a 64 Volkswagon or a 2009 Porsche the Driver makes all the difference? PLEASE !!!

So, basically, you're saying that all cars are made to exact specifications requiring uniform standards on size, weight, horsepower, aerodynamics, and materials? When that's true, I'll agree.

[mrmiller8]

So, basically, you're saying that all cars are made to exact specifications requiring uniform standards on size, weight, horsepower, aerodynamics, and materials? When that's true, I'll agree.

Yeah cars aren't exactly made the same way golf balls. Are there is no governing body that require specs. And I would think it would be safe to say that there is probably a little more money spent on R&D; of vehicles than there is on golf balls. Cars and golf balls is not a fair comparison. A better comparison for athletic equipment and performance standards might be golf balls and baseball bats. Being a former college baseball player (the bat don't matter).

[goblue107501]

I don't think the ball matters too much as long as it is consistent. I could play with any ball and get used to it over time. Some will be better than others for me, but it's just the ball, I'll figure it out.

I think more importantly is the consistentsy. Being able to know what your ball does when you hit it is more important than the ball itself. If you put me at 100 yards with 10 different balls, a Pro V1x will be the best result every time becuase I know what will happen after I hit it. I know how far it will go and how much spin it will have. If I am chipping from just off the green I know how my ball will react. I know how much carry v. roll I will get. It would take some time to figure that out with a different ball. If I used a different ball each time I played, I might never figure out these types of shots.

[etlreams]

You know...I've actually gone in a 180 degree different direction lately on this issue. I used to play different balls trying to find one that I could control best from 120 and in.... But, for the past two months, I've really been focusing on my driver and my putter. Now my interests in trying different balls is minimal sidespin & distance, and most importantly, what feels best off the putter.

Perhaps it's because I've been focusing so much on putting lately, but I can feel a tremendous difference in balls off the putter face. It's quite amazing.

Anyways....I've been trying three piece balls and I've found a few I like that are long, fly straight and what I'm looking for in feel off the putter. Now, I'll admit, they don't spin as much for the 120 and in areas, but, I was never really backing them up 15 ft anyways. So right now I'm in the "I'll take accuracy, distance and putter feel vs overrated backspin any day" category

[dbuck]

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.

I used this method once as well, and found it did not affect my score that much!!

Really though the ball is one variable in a multi-variable equation, the heaviest weighted variable being the skill of the golfer. The best balls are probably more consistent, but as others have said you have to have the skill to realized the benefits. Some golfers have great short games and could realize the benefits around the green, others are better ball strikers and realize the benefit of consistent iron distance. Some have both. The handfull of balls I find in the woods at the club might have 5-10 yards variation in their 5 iron distance. I am probably more consistent than the "average" golfer, but 20 swings with my 5 iron would probably still have a 10 yard dispersion with the same identical ball! Around the green I would notice the difference in an old Top Rock and a ProV1, but not so much the difference in a Noodle and a Titleist NXT. As the saying goes, it ain't the arrow, it's the Indian---but the best Indian will be better with the best arrow.

[sean_miller]

I used this method once as well . . .

I'd been playing for 2 years before I switched from "found balls" to purchased ones. Even those came in egg cartons.

[golfro]

to put some thoughts into perspective, this past weekend, I took an early morning and played a local par 3 9 hole course here. The course was completely empty other than my friend and I so we decided to play two balls each. I grabbed a Bridgestone E6 and a Prov1. In almost every hole, I replicated the same shot. Nothing tricky, straight to the pin, no fades or draws.

My friend (4 handicap) grabbed ProV1 and Topflight Gamers (i think).

Conclusion came down to this... whether E6 or ProV1 or TopFlight, the ball came to a dead stop on good shots and some rolled back. Did the Prov1 absolutely excel with iron game? Not anymore than the E6 did...However, the pros (and cons) came when using the Prov1 with short game like I estimated it would. Wedge shots were much more precise, flop shots, bump and run, I was able to get it dead stop on green or run back, etc. I can't say the benefits are worth the money...but if you play 2 balls side by side, you begin to see a slight pattern.

Durability wise, the ProV1 DID get scuffed up a bit more at the end of the game. It was one specific shot, I hit thin off the tee and was left with a 60 yard shot. Grabbed for my CG15 56* and got it on the green. After the hole, I took a look at the ball and there was a dime sized scratch on the side of the ball. It wasn't so much the iron shots that damaged the ball but the wedge shots. Great balls none the less but I'll take the E6 or E7 over the ProV1 any day (unless I can find the ProV1's for cheap).

Anyway, 9 holes is barely enough to grab any kind of data but it was more for fun. I ended up shooting -1 with the Prov1 and 1 over with the E6 (thanks to a thin shot that went like 180 yards instead of 120 yards).

[Cornbread]

I took an early morning and played a local par 3 9 hole course here. The course was completely empty other than my friend and I so we decided to play two balls each. I grabbed a Bridgestone E6 and a Prov1. In almost every hole, I replicated the same shot. Nothing tricky, straight to the pin, no fades or draws. My friend grabbed ProV1 and Topflight Gamers.

If you shot minus 1 on a Par Three Course what sort of 'bump & run', or 'flop shots' would you even have? You must have made every putt. Also, it appears you already had you mind made up based on your statement in

bolded above.

So, basically, you're saying that all cars are made to exact specifications requiring uniform standards on size, weight, horsepower, aerodynamics, and materials? When that's true, I'll agree.

That means you are stating that Balls are!

USGA regulations and Spec basically make all balls perform the same. Is that what you saying?

[etlreams]

If you shot minus 1 on a Par Three Course what sort of 'bump & run', or 'flop shots' would you even have? You must have made every putt. Also, it appears you already had you mind made up based on your statement in

I play par 3 and executive 9 courses all the time. One particular course I usually shoot par. I often miss the green and it's my flop shots and chip shots that give me short one putt opportunities to make my pars - so I don't understand your question.

[sean_miller]

I play par 3 and executive 9 courses all the time. One particular course I usually shoot par. I often miss the green and it's my flop shots and chip shots that give me short one putt opportunities to make my pars - so I don't understand your question.

I've never seen a 13 handicapper shoot even par on a par 3 course. How wild are you off the tee to not be scratch?

[max power]

I've never seen a 13 handicapper shoot even par on a par 3 course. How wild are you off the tee to not be scratch?

Yeah, wow. I shot even par on a par 3 course once, and it was probably my best ball striking

ever . Most the time I find it slightly harder to go low on a par 3 course, there's so little margin for error.

[golfro]

If you shot minus 1 on a Par Three Course what sort of 'bump & run', or 'flop shots' would you even have? You must have made every putt. Also, it appears you already had you mind made up based on your statement in

I took my time and played around with the balls in every hole. Its rare you get a chance to play 2 balls and have nobody infront of behind you. You also don't get the chance to practice short game around where I live too much. All ranges are matts and I have yet to find a range that has a practice bunker or a green big enough to be able to practice chip shots and flop shots, so any chance I get to play around, I always do for practice.

As for having my mind made up, it's only because you hear so much about the ProV1. If you've read any of my other posts about balls, I never praise the Prov1. I rarely use it. I think they're incredibly overhyped and I just don't believe in buying expensive balls. I estimated it would have more spin control because everybody hypes them up so much. I never really took the chance to really compare two and two previously so having two balls to play and comparing them is fun and very interesting. Guess I should've summed it up in my last post. Even with the minimal benefits of the Prov1, would I buy them for the price? Absolutely not. Like I've stated many times on this forum before, I've never given golf balls the credit in how it effects my score. If I didn't get an iron shot to stick, its because of my swing, not the ball. I've been happily playing the E6 for several months now, and I don't see myself buying ProV1's any time soon.

[golfro]

Yeah, wow. I shot even par on a par 3 course once, and it was probably my best ball striking

little margin for error but it isn't necessarily science to get a 9 iron or PW to stick on a soft green. Likewise, any misshots should be recoverable for par unless you're slapping the ball all over the place.

a 13 h'capper shooting even on a par 3 course might sound like a stretch but if you can hit a 9 iron or the longest hole a 7 iron consistently, you should be able to get the ball on the green. and if you can't two putt from there...then you got some work to do.

[Zeph]

Compared to the swing, preciously little.