Looking for ball recommendations

[ILLZ]

Last year was the first year I took golf seriously and I started playing these Maxfli's that were on sale 2 dozen for 1 for like $20. I remember liking them but what did I know? This year I've been playing Pinnacle Exceptions. They seem alright but I kind of want to try something else. Obviously price is an issue or I'd be stocked up with Pro V1's. What are you guys playing that aren't overly expensive?

[oneil003]

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976

[Shindig]

Last year was the first year I took golf seriously and I started playing these Maxfli's that were on sale 2 dozen for 1 for like $20. I remember liking them but what did I know? This year I've been playing Pinnacle Exceptions. They seem alright but I kind of want to try something else. Obviously price is an issue or I'd be stocked up with Pro V1's. What are you guys playing that aren't overly expensive?

I got plenty of Top Flite Stratas "used" on eBay. I couldn't tell that most of 'em were used. I wish I could remember the name of the store; they seemed to have so many different ones in stock for cheap. In short, search for golf balls on eBay, pick a brand that looks good and has a price you like. Don't forget to check seller reputation, just in case. You probably won't find the newest Titleist balls on there for cheap, but you probably don't want to buy those in bulk unless you're sure you like 'em. If you end up not liking something cheaper and you've got 4 dozen of 'em, there's always a shag bag or friends.

[ILLZ]

I have a mental block against playing any Top Flite and it's totally undeserved. For that reason alone I can't switch.

[illmadden]

If you're golfing on a budget like I am, then the two brands I recommend are Maxfli noodle and Top flite D2 feel. You can always search online to find great deals on the high end brands if you don't like using these.

What's the mental block on Top Flite about?

[Norm66]

I've been using Maxfli Noodles (long & soft) lately and like them pretty well. They seem about the same to me as the Titleist DT SO/LOs I'd been playing at a couple dollars less than the Titleists.

[SFore]

The Callaway HX Hot is a good mid-range ball that is not too overly expensive. You can usually find them at Target or other mass merchants for $20-$25/dozen, which is comparable to the Titlest NXTs or some of the Nike balls. I think they're technically a 'Distance' ball, but has more spin and feel than say the Nike Juice. I've also heard good things about the Bridgestone e5 and e6, but then you're kind of choosing between a distance ball (e5) and a "trajectory control" ball (e6). I received a sleeve of the e6s at a recent tournament and am curious to test them agains the HX Hots that I usually play.

[SFore]

You may also want to check this out from Golf Digest's 2007 Hot List: http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/...listballs.html

[elivate]

FYI, I decided to buy a dozen Top-Flite Strata-TL Tours today because they were on sale for half price ($12.50) so I figured that was a great deal... They feel very soft to the touch compared to my Maxfli's... I am heading out in an hour or so to play so I will decide if I like them or not after a round...

One interesting thing, on the bottom of the box it says "Callaway Golf Canada LTD" so that might help alleviate some of the Top-Flite bias??

[SFore]

FYI, I decided to buy a dozen Top-Flite Strata-TL Tours today because they were on sale for half price ($12.50) so I figured that was a great deal... They feel very soft to the touch compared to my Maxfli's... I am heading out in an hour or so to play so I will decide if I like them or not after a round...

Yes, Callaway does own Top Flite (and I believe the Hogan brand as well), but a Rock Flite is still a Rock Flite.

[Mikey]

I have played with the Nike Juice and they usually run about $20 a dozen and I also like Srixon golf balls.

[lamebums]

I used to hit any ball I could find - preferring the Pinnacles. But, after today, I think I'm switching to the Titleist NXT Tour. For me, it actually had more distance than the Pro V1 or the random no-namers I had been using, as well as being much more affordable. If I ever play seriously, for money, or for competition, I'll be teeing off with one of those.

[ILLZ]

Thanks for the replies. My thing with Top Flite is long standing. My dad ONLY played Teitleist for years before switching to Slazenger later on, and he always said Top Flite were crap balls. That's obviously a ridiculous blanket statement in retrospect, but it's still stuck in my brain whenever I hit a Top Flite. Mentally I'm not well prepared to play one, so I think I have to stay away. I'm going to look into the HX Hot's though, thanks for the reco's.

[sboardz006]

Big Bertha's are $16 a dozen... I like them.

[SFore]

Big Bertha's are $16 a dozen... I like them.

Yeah, they're not bad. But there again, I believe you're choosing between distance and spin/feel (red or blue I think), so it's worth the $6-8 upgrade to the HX Hots for a more mid-level, multi-purpose, 3piece ball. The Big Bertha's are 2-piece balls.