Do Pro V1's spin too much for the average golfer ?

[jakester]

Played the other day and had a bad round. Cold and wind had a lot to do with it,

I found  about 8 Pro V1 balls in the thick stuff. I'm begining to wonder if they don't spin too much off the driver for the average golfer.

Would the average golfer be better off with a lower spin ball... like the Callaway HEX Black or new Nike balls?

[Domenic]

I don't know.

[Old1964]

Yes!

They are preferred by better players because they are soft and receptive to shot shaping - i.e. turning the ball left or right. The average weekend golfer is going to struggle to hit any straight shots with this ball as they will accentuate the sidespin.Someone who slices the ball with his driver will be better served with a ball that is less likely to spin as much.

[GaijinGolfer]

The quick answer is, "yes".  All of that lovely backspin is going to turn into sidespin if you dont strike the ball solidly.  Lets not to forget to that while they may feel softer, they are actually firmer compression than a distance ball and most people dont swing hard enough to properly compress the ball.  Yet another instance of feel isnt real.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by jakester

Played the other day and had a bad round. Cold and wind had a lot to do with it,

I found  about 8 Pro V1 balls in the thick stuff. I'm begining to wonder if they don't spin too much off the driver for the average golfer.

Would the average golfer be better off with a lower spin ball... like the Callaway HEX Black or new Nike balls?

With a Driver - you don't want spin.  The more spin you impart on the ball - the more the ball is likely to go off its intended target line.  In addition, the more spin you create on the shot, the less distance it is likely to travel as the ball will lift - and gravity will pull it out of the sky.

Pro V1 golf balls are lower compression than Pro V1x ( following data was taken from the Titleist FAQ site)

Pro V1.... 84 to 96 Compression

Pro V1x... 95 to 105

Meaning the Pro V1 will spin less than the Pro V1x... The Pro V1x is a tour ball - for high club speed (100+mph swing speed with a driver).

The Callaway HEX Black is a tour ball, again for high club speed (100+mph swing speed)... For a slower swing speed - or a ball with more spin, Callaway HEX Chrome is offerred.

The new Nike balls - I'm guessing your are talking about the new resin 20XI-X (100+mph swing speed) or 20XI-S (slower speed, more spin)?

So all things being equal - if you are talking about the Pro V1 - then compare it to the Callaway HEX Chrome and or the Nike 20XI-S.  Those would be a better comparison.

But all in all - every golfer is different.  Check this link out to learn more about golf ball fitting.

http://www.titleist.com/golf-ball-fitting/

[boogielicious]

Beachcomber,

Your post doesn't seem to agree with the Titleist site you linked.  Suggest the OP read the fitting article at the Titleist site.  It is very informative and well written.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

With a Driver - you don't want spin.  The more spin you impart on the ball - the more the ball is likely to go off its intended target line.  In addition, the more spin you create on the shot, the less distance it is likely to travel as the ball will lift - and gravity will pull it out of the sky.

Pro V1 golf balls are lower compression than Pro V1x ( following data was taken from the Titleist FAQ site)

Pro V1.... 84 to 96 Compression

Pro V1x... 95 to 105

Meaning the Pro V1 will spin less than the Pro V1x... The Pro V1x is a tour ball - for high club speed (100+mph swing speed with a driver).

The Callaway HEX Black is a tour ball, again for high club speed (100+mph swing speed)... For a slower swing speed - or a ball with more spin, Callaway HEX Chrome is offerred.

The new Nike balls - I'm guessing your are talking about the new resin 20XI-X (100+mph swing speed) or 20XI-S (slower speed, more spin)?

So all things being equal - if you are talking about the Pro V1 - then compare it to the Callaway HEX Chrome and or the Nike 20XI-S.  Those would be a better comparison.

But all in all - every golfer is different.  Check this link out to learn more about golf ball fitting.

http://www.titleist.com/golf-ball-fitting/

Ummm, actually the Pro V1x spins LESS.  Youve got this one backwards.

[jakester]

I play a draw on most shots. I've been playing ProV1;s for years. I like to shape shots too in saome cases.This year I bought the Callaway Razr Fit, it comes with some HEX Black balls. I also bought a sleeve of HEX chrome and the two Nike balls 2010X-X 2010X-S I think they are...

My siwng speed is down a little from 10 years ago when it was 119 with the driver, it's now 105.So I may be able to play almost any ball.

The HEX Black and Nike 2010X-X and really long off the drive and have a decent softer feel. I've been spoiled rotten by the ProV1 feel.

I shot 75 Saturday, 4 over... I've been averaging 38-39 in tow leagues this year. I'm really impressed with these new balls, but if they costs about the same as ProV's I've got to convince myself I should be playing them, I'm impressed wit the new technology. In 10 years and with a little less swing speed

I haven't loss very much. in yardage. I do think the Prov V1's feel beeter off my irons, especially longer irons, 2-3-4.

It's hard to get my head around the thought that several layers all do different things? Really? I played TM Penta's last year too decent balls, I thought.

I haven't tried the new TP Penta offering has anyone?

[Mr3Wiggle]

IMO...most average golfers would benefit more by playing the Titleist Velocity or NXT, over the ProV1 or ProV1x.  Heck, there are single digit handicappers that would benefit more from the mid-line balls.  And the ProV1 is a tour ball.  There are dozens of guys on the PGA tour playing the ProV1.

[Tomboys]

Originally Posted by jakester

I play a draw on most shots. I've been playing ProV1;s for years. I like to shape shots too in saome cases.This year I bought the Callaway Razr Fit, it comes with some HEX Black balls. I also bought a sleeve of HEX chrome and the two Nike balls 2010X-X 2010X-S I think they are...

My siwng speed is down a little from 10 years ago when it was 119 with the driver, it's now 105.So I may be able to play almost any ball.

The HEX Black and Nike 2010X-X and really long off the drive and have a decent softer feel. I've been spoiled rotten by the ProV1 feel.

I shot 75 Saturday, 4 over... I've been averaging 38-39 in tow leagues this year. I'm really impressed with these new balls, but if they costs about the same as ProV's I've got to convince myself I should be playing them, I'm impressed wit the new technology. In 10 years and with a little less swing speed

I haven't loss very much. in yardage. I do think the Prov V1's feel beeter off my irons, especially longer irons, 2-3-4.

It's hard to get my head around the thought that several layers all do different things? Really? I played TM Penta's last year too decent balls, I thought.

I haven't tried the new TP Penta offering has anyone?

You can buy the proV1 practice balls.  That's what I do and they're only $30 dzn.  From my understanding, they're sanctioned for USGA tournament play (because the ID is listed on the ball itself).  So, they appear on the conforming list.  The only caveat is that they put half regular and half x balls in the box and they have the word "PRACTICE" stamped on the side of it.  When I buy mine, I go to the local store and swap out the regular ones to make a box of all Xs.  I spoke to the manager about this and he was fine with it.

[aaronje12]

Yep, everybody at the country club I work at uses them. So I pretty much have more Pro V's than I know what to do with and I don't really even like them b/c I always lose them

[jakester]

It's not the point of cost that I'm concerned about at this point. About the only time I lose one is hitting the cart path and ruining the ball, The point was the extra amount of spin...

[ajst22]

Well the HEX Black and the Nike XI 20 are both tour balls and produce a lot of spin, and for the average weekend golfer they would all probably have too much driver spin. They might want spin on the greens, but in order for them to have that benefit, the average golfer would need to learn how to control his longer shots so he won't slice or hook. As long as they learn to hit the ball consistently, they would be fine. Still, the tour balls might not be good for average golfers with a slow swing speed and a lot of people don't realize that. I play the HEX Chrome instead of the HEX Black because I know my swing speed isn't in the tour zone (about 105mph or so)

[uttexas]

I'd guess that the average golfer has a driver swing speed of about 90mph, tends to lose golf balls to water/woods, scores around 100, hits low slices, and leaves most approach shots short. So, I'd say the average golfer should choose something cheaper with low spin/high launch instead of a $4 ball with a penetrating ball flight that spins a lot off wedges. Of the cheaper balls, I like the ones that feel softer off the putter Srixon soft feel, Taylormade Burner LDP, and Top Flite D2 feel would be good choices.

[Topper]

uttexas....you are right on!  Today I observed EXACTLY what you describe.

I played a round with brother-in-law and two of my cousins today.  One insists on using a Pro V1x because it's the "best" ball.  He has a horrible slice and his driving distance is average.  He was busting my chops for using a Top Flite ball (Gamer V2).  When I suggested he try one of mine, he basically laughed his a$$ off and indicated that he wouldn't be caught with a Top Flite in his bag.

He missed almost every fairway on his way to a 112.  Ironically, I shot one of my better rounds with a 93 that included 12 of 14 on the fairway or a good miss (first cut of rough with clean second shot).  My score included some lousy putting and the two missed fairways were hooks resulting in lost balls on holes that I could otherwise have parred or bogied.

I firmly believe that matching equipment to the golfer is critical and that golfing dogma like tour balls can help everyone and that stiff shafts are better than regular shafts are hurting people's games.  I'm well on my way to my goal of breaking 90 consistently and the Top Flite Gamer V2 (and similar balls) is an important part of it....along with more lessons.

[moparman426]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

With a Driver - you don't want spin.  The more spin you impart on the ball - the more the ball is likely to go off its intended target line.  In addition, the more spin you create on the shot, the less distance it is likely to travel as the ball will lift - and gravity will pull it out of the sky.

False.  Spin will keep the ball airborne longer, backspin to be exact, and carry more.  Top/back spin will help keep the ball on it's intended target line as opposed to side spin.   What you don't want to impart on the ball is side spin.  You can still slice the hell out of a low spin distance ball by putting side spin on it.

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

The quick answer is, "yes".  All of that lovely backspin is going to turn into sidespin if you dont strike the ball solidly.

One of the tour pros proclaims this on weekend tournament TV ads.