Mid Level Balls

[bertspro]

I have been testing out a lot of balls for the past 6 months (that must be why my scores are all over the place...) and have played pretty much all the big guys - pro V1x, Penta, B330 RX, etc, and have narrowed my choices to the NXT Tour, Callaway HX Hot and Srixon Trispeed Tour. These mid price, non urethane covered balls just feel great and fly better and longer and lower my score even if they don't stick to the greens like a high spin ball. I'm actually starting to prefer the Trispeed Tour, which is probably the least spinny of the bunch, the only downside I can find is if you're hitting onto a hard green it tends to bounce and roll out, but on good greens it is much more manageable (obviously). The TST flies like a rocket off the clubface, high, straight and long. Anyone else put this ball up against other 3 piece non premium balls? Thanks

[Domenic]

Callaway Diablo Tour. All the way.

[bertspro]

How does that compare to the HX Bite, since it looks like the HX Bite is being discontinued and can be picked up for pretty cheap.

[crawford1982]

how did you find the pentas? ive heard good things about them but not had a chance to use them.

[bertspro]

I like the Penta, they are good and soft and hold greens very well and have decent flight also. What I found when it comes to tour balls though is I like some over others, and plain dislike some. I like the ProV1x, Penta and Bridgestone B330 RX, and I dislike ProV1 and Callaway Tour i and Tour i(s). For me, the slightly higher and longer ballflight of the mid-level balls outweighs the spin and grip on the greens that tour balls get though. I wasted some scoring and quite a bit of money before I figured that out.

[Artimas]

  bertspro said:

Originally Posted by bertspro

How does that compare to the HX Bite, since it looks like the HX Bite is being discontinued and can be picked up for pretty cheap.

I've found these to not be very durable. They scuff easily.

[GaijinGolfer]

Bridgestone E series.  Which one to pick depends upon what ballflight you want.  Im currently playing the E6 and its the straightest ball Ive ever played.  Not to mention the orange color makes it super easy to find when I miss the fairway.

[bertspro]

I played the e5 and e7 and wasn't crazy about either one. The e5 actually was pretty bad, it had a feel like a cheap 2 piece ball, I wouldn't call it hard, but kinda bouncy, if that makes sense. I haven't played the e6, but a friend of mine played through a dozen of them and said he was going back to whatever Nike ball he was playing. Also I don't have a problem hitting it straight with NXT or Trispeed tours, so I don't need help in that area.

[xxsoultonesxx]

You should check out Srixon Q stars or AD333's.

Those HX Hot Bites will hold a green as good as anything, but like someone mentioned above, they shred to bits after any sort of solid wedge or short iron. They do it so bad you have to pick little bits of cover off them between holes.

[El Mucho]

I have been testing out the Srixon Qstars and the Bridgestone e6 both feel great off the putter and both have been handling fairly well around the green. I haven't yet had a chance to play a full round with either yet, just some practice sessions.

[colin007]

the Top-Flite Gamer V2 is the best mid priced ball out there.

[NuclearMike]

TopFlite Gamer V2 is my choice as the best ball for the money.  It's $20/dozen.

[ScT1]

I feel so wrong pulling a ball out of my pocket and see it say Top Flite, but the Gamer V2 is the reasonably priced 3-piece ball that gives you decent spin around the greens. Even the cover isn't too bad. A couple years ago or so I remember playing the Maxfli HT Tour, which was a 3-piece ball and it spun well, but the cover was kind of hard and it felt a bit wrong when putting.

But anyhow, I'm using the Top Flite Gamer V2 or any 3-piece balls which I find while out on the course and have low enough compression for my swing speed.

[Tomboys]

My bud tried the new Titleist Velocity and was thoroughly impressed with its overall length/playability.  He's played the ProV1s (both models, I think) and the various Bridgestone/Callaway ones as well over the years.  Also, he's a single-digit 'capper with a very good short game.  So, it could be another "candidate" to consider.

[RichWW2]

I agree with the people who said the Top Flite Gamer V2.  Great ball at a very reasonable price.  The NXT Tour is pretty good for the price as well.  I played with both early on last year until I get into a groove, then it's nothing but Taylormade TP Blacks.

[ryebread442]

I am a big fan of the Bridgestone e6's. The noticeable difference in ball flight surprised me. I tried them out one day and managed to turn a slump around. Since I can't go very long without testing something new, I picked up a pack of Diablo Tours (I was split between those and the new Titleist Velocities) but haven't been out to give them a field test yet.

[pidge rgj]

i like the Srixon distance balls in the winter because i seem to get more carry and can stop them on the wet greens quite well, when its hot and the greens get rock hard i like the Srixon soft feel balls or the Nike PD soft. my long game leaves a lot to be desired lol so im chipping onto most greens and find both the srixon and nike balls really good. When i first started playing i thought "a golf ball is a golf ball" but obviously thats not the case and it took me a good while to find my preferred ball.

[bertspro]

I played the Srixon AD333 for a few months last year, not sure if that's what you mean by Srixon distance balls. I wouldn't put it in the same category as a TST or NXT Tour. I didn't like the ball flight, it wasn't as high as the TST. In general, 2 piece balls just don't feel as good off the clubface and don't spin nearly as well around the green as 3 piece, though I can't say I have ever hit a Srixon Softfeel, and I hear they're pretty decent.