Gamer V2 or Tour D... please help.

[relentlesswhitey]

i like the top flite D2 Feels the most, out of the <$20 range. I think for half the money, its about as close to the ProV1/x series as you can get.

[wrx_junki]

Guess I'm not the only D2 Feel fan. Out of those two I'd choose the Tour D.

[tristanhilton85]

Give us your feedback...it's a hot topic right now...

Here is my take on the Gamer V2... Off the tee, it is as long as any ball I've played before (Pro V1s, B330-RX, Callaway HX Tour and HX Bite, D2 Feels, and a few other mid range balls). Around the green it still feels soft, more so than any of the mid-range balls possibly a little less than the Pro Vs; this isn't necessarily a bad thing though as even though I give up a bit of spin around the greens I also give up some side spin off the tee and that helps keep me in the fairway. Off the putter this ball feels really good to me... once again, I may be giving up a little compared to a "premium" ball but honestly I don't notice it and at half the price (or less) per box, I don't care. I've never played the original Gamer (I have a few used ones that I picked up, but they're in my shag bag) but the new ones don't tear up like I've heard that the originals do, so that's a plus as well. If I'm not being to terribly picky about the condition of my ball, and as long as I don't hit it OB or into the water, I can probably get 18 holes out of one... usually I end up playing one on the front and a new one on the back.

Aesthetically, I like this ball... I don't really like a huge logo on the ball (like the original Gamer) and all this has is the Top-Flite script with the number under it and a side stamp that reads V2 >... It's very clean and simple, especially for something from Top-Flite. For me, this is a great ball at an even better price. It really does hold its own even against balls twice its price and that's saying a lot. I think the reason why this ball is such a big surprise to many is that it is from Top-Flite and people just don't expect this from them. Anyways, that's my take on them... another member did this review on them, thought it was good so here's the link: http://thesandtrap.com/forum/threads...-new-ball-game . --------------------------------------------------------------------- On a side note... I've heard that Callaway has found that the Dimple-in-Dimple technology in the Gamers and D2s is actually better than the Hex Aerodynamics that they keep putting in their tour balls but that they have too much money invested into hex to make a switch. I'm not sure how true that is but I've heard it and thought I'd throw it out there.

[tristanhilton85]

Ha! I love that you tell me this when I asked for a comparison between two balls...

they're golf balls.

... when in a similar thread you asked

One of my favourite shots is the low spinny shot.

I thought you said it didn't matter?

[Slappy9]

I just played with the TM LDP Blacks and V2s both feel about the same and spin about the same for me.. I am thinking about getting another box of the V2s while they still come with the extra sleeve.

[limoric]

Here is my take on the Gamer V2... Off the tee, it is as long as any ball I've played before (Pro V1s, B330-RX, Callaway HX Tour and HX Bite, D2 Feels, and a few other mid range balls). Around the green it still feels soft, more so than any of the mid-range balls possibly a little less than the Pro Vs; this isn't necessarily a bad thing though as even though I give up a bit of spin around the greens I also give up some side spin off the tee and that helps keep me in the fairway. Off the putter this ball feels really good to me... once again, I may be giving up a little compared to a "premium" ball but honestly I don't notice it and at half the price (or less) per box, I don't care. I've never played the original Gamer (I have a few used ones that I picked up, but they're in my shag bag) but the new ones don't tear up like I've heard that the originals do, so that's a plus as well. If I'm not being to terribly picky about the condition of my ball, and as long as I don't hit it OB or into the water, I can probably get 18 holes out of one... usually I end up playing one on the front and a new one on the back.

Good review, it's about how I feel. Spin on approach is just a little less and pitch and check is less dramatic, but this is the same with the Pro V1x. I kinda feel like the ball is a hybrid of several 3 piece balls...only it's the most durable of them all. I've been taking full wedge shot with my MD groves the ball holds up for a full round. I would play 2 or 3 balls from the other manufacturers...

[James_Black]

Ha! I love that you tell me this when I asked for a comparison between two balls...

that was an old thread, plus I never said it'd make me shoot higher scores did I?

but if you want to gravedig here's a 16 page thread on why I think cheaper golf balls are better than a pro v1 for high handicappers. http://thesandtrap.com/forum/threads...aying-a-Pro-V?

I played with 3 golf balls today. Top Flite XL, Pro V1, Pro V1x All in perfect condition. Distance: Top Flite and Pro V1x went around the same distance V1 was slightly behind. Accuracy: Now here's a thing a lot of people forget. If you play with a softer ball you'll not only get more backspin but also more sidespin. The top flite was the most accurate for me. Spin: Pro V1 did 1 hop and stop from full wedge shots, V1x rolled out a bit more and the Top Flite ended up 5-10 feet away from the pitch mark. Durability: V1 and V1x were pretty bad after only 9 hole, the Top Flite looked nearly brand new. Overall: V1 and V1x aren't what they're hyped up to be. Yes they spin more but that's it, They get destroyed after 9 holes and accentuate fades/draws. I'd happily play with a Top Flite XL instead of a Pro V

[sean_miller]

Good review, it's about how I feel. Spin on approach is just a little less and pitch and check is less dramatic, but this is the same with the Pro V1x. I kinda feel like the ball is a hybrid of several 3 piece balls...only it's the most durable of them all. I've been taking full wedge shot with my MD groves the ball holds up for a full round. I would play 2 or 3 balls from the other manufacturers...

The Top Flite line, and especially the Gamer V2, reminds me of the 2010 season for the Toronto Blue Jays.

They really hit a lot of home runs, but nobody saw it.

[wrx_junki]

I don't mind hard golf balls for the full swing but when it comes to delicate chips and putts they blow. They come off dead and have no feel.

By the way, JB if you are indeed shredding the covers on those Pro V1/x's, you should be spinning back quite a bit with full wedge shots on perfect conditions. Even a Top Flite will hop and stop or spin back with a wedge or short iron in hand.

[limoric]

that was an old thread, plus I never said it'd make me shoot higher scores did I?

Not all high handicap players have problem with side spin, some are just terrible chippers and putters. Many would see lower scores if their approach shots held the green. I played the Pro V1 when I was a 25 handicap and I did try some more forgiving balls, but they only worked the day I used them, they did not make me a better player. Just like equipment, if you are playing to compensate your flaws, you will never truly get better. If you use conventional equipment and ball, you will get plenty of feedback (good and bad), which is something the aspiring good golfer can build on. This does not mean one has to play Pro V1, there are a lot of performance balls on the market. Top-Flite XL is not going to cut it for most...but certainly it's a fine ball for the weekend hacker.

Of course if a person feels their skill will never improve and they are just playing for fun and exercise, then being fit to the right ball for their game matters.

[James_Black]

Not all high handicap players have problem with side spin, some are just terrible chippers and putters. Many would see lower scores if their approach shots held the green. I played the Pro V1 when I was a 25 handicap and I did try some more forgiving balls, but they only worked the day I used them, they did not make me a better player. Just like equipment, if you are playing to compensate your flaws, you will never truly get better. If you use conventional equipment and ball, you will get plenty of feedback (good and bad), which is something the aspiring good golfer can build on. This does not mean one has to play Pro V1, there are a lot of performance balls on the market. Top-Flite XL is not going to cut it for most...but certainly it's a fine ball for the weekend hacker.

3 dollars a golf ball, is a slight improvement worth it?

If your just playing for fun there's no point wasting your money. If you have good ballstriking any ball will stop up on approach shots

[limoric]

3 dollars a golf ball, is a slight improvement worth it?

I'm sure there are courses in Ireland that have very firm greens, no way a Top-Flite XL is going to hold the green; especially if you play a low approach shot. I've played shots that bounced 10 feet before they check up and spin back; No way a cheap 2 piece ball can do this. Perhaps a Pro might have the talent to spin a cheap ball, but they never would...

If cost is the issue, then of course, play the cheap ball. But I'm pretty sure we've already determined that the Gammer fits this bill??? Whether you're just having fun or not...

[tristanhilton85]

So currently I am playing the Top-Flite Gamer V2 and I have to say that I really like it... it's a great ball especially for the price. However, it's about time for me to buy some new balls and I'm not sure if I want to continue with the Gamers ($19/dz) or switch to the Nike One Tour D. The only reason I'm really considering the switch is that right now they are $22/dz and if it is a significantly better ball than I'll pay the extra $3.

that was an old thread, plus I never said it'd make me shoot higher scores did I?

So, the first quote here is my original post again... Please show me in here where I said that I thought the Nikes would lower my score... oh wait, I didn't say that. Let me reiterate, again, that the ONLY reason I was considering the Nikes was because they were only $3/dz. more... I figured if it was a better ball it'd be worth the money... All I asked for was some simple comparisons from people who had played both... Things like "the Nike spun more for me" or "the Gamer is just as good, don't bother..." Just looking for some opinions on the balls performance... Saying things like "they're golf balls. seriously, your not going to shoot lower with one than with another" doesn't really help anybody and really just makes you look like a jackass.

On top of that, the thread I quoted you from wasn't all that old... just a few months (August 2010)... I just thought it was interesting that you said the ball doesn't matter but before you said that you preferred playing premium balls... if it didn't matter and they're just golf balls than why would you have a preference? There's no need to get mad that I pointed out that you contradicted yourself... really, it's ok; I was just making a point. More generally, and I've asked this before, why can't people just answer the question? I mean, if I ask for comparisons between two balls, that's what I'm looking for, a comparison... What I'm not looking for is stuff like "as a high hcp..." or "they're just golf balls, who cares" or whatever... if you don't have anything worthwhile to say then please just move on to the next thread... The reality is that 1.) You don't really know why my hcp is what it is... maybe I suck with the driver, maybe its my putter; who knows... you certaintly don't; and 2.) That hcp may not even be accurate. It's real simple... answer the question if you have an answer and if you don't, simply move on. Anyways, sorry for the rant but I needed to do it. Once again, to those of you who gave real feedback, thanks.

[tristanhilton85]

So... like I said earlier in the thread, I stuck with the Gamer V2s... since that time I have played three times and have had three of the worst rounds I've ever had. I know it has NOTHING to do with the ball (I have played well with it before), but at the same time I've lost confidence. These three rounds have depleted my supply of balls so this time I went with the Tour D... While I know that the Gamer wasn't the reason for my poor play, a change might help mentally so I'm giving it a shot. I'll report back with my impressions of the Tour D after I play a few rounds with it.

On a side note... I would still recommend the Gamer to anybody who is looking for a good ball at a low price... I just need a change.

[CassinoNorth]

The best part about golf balls is that they're the cheapest thing you can experiment with in your golf game.


Spending $30 for a dozen balls to see if you like them is a hell of alot better than dropping $300 on a driver only to figure out its not for you....but yeah, I was considering going to grab the Tour D's at my local pro shop since they're $21...but the V2's are $10 so I bought all 5 dozen they had left.

[tristanhilton85]

The best part about golf balls is that they're the cheapest thing you can experiment with in your golf game.

If the Gamers had been $10 at Golfsmith I may have stuck with them, but at only $3/dz. more for the Tour Ds (they were $22/dz.) I thought it'd be worth a try, especially given my last few rounds.

[CassinoNorth]

If the Gamers had been $10 at Golfsmith I may have stuck with them, but at only $3/dz. more for the Tour Ds (they were $22/dz.) I thought it'd be worth a try, especially given my last few rounds.

Absolutely a good call.

Also good thing you didn't get just the normal Tours. Those things are made to side spin the woods I swear. Unless you're a scratch golfer, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

[enis750]

the V2's are on sale here in Eh-Ville for $15/doz
i just dont like what the dimple pattern looks like and very clicky on the putter i found

off topic but i just picked up 3 doz Pentas for $30/doz shipped to me

i too was thinking about the Tour D's, but for $30/doz for Pentas, im in