Pinnacle Gold vs. Srixon QStar vs. Titleist DTS Solo

[bjwestner]

Having a hard time settling on one ball.  I started out playing with Pinnacle Gold because they were cheap, fairly durable, and had okay distance.  Then I tried the DTS Solo from Titleist.  I like them a lot but not the price.  I noticed a difference putting the DTS Solo vs. the Pinnacle Gold.  I putted better with the DTS Solo as it seemed to have a better feel versus the hard Pinnacle Gold.

Based on reviews I purchased QStar from Srixon because it is supposed to have better feel versus Pinnacle and is cheaper than the DTS Solo.  Can anyone comment on their experience with these balls?  I do like the DTS Solo but cannot see spending $40 or more for a dozen golf balls.  The Pinnacles were working fine but now that I am getting a better feel for the ball especially with putting, I find that I can putt much better with the DTS Solo.  Hoping that the QStars will give me the feel of the DTS Solo but at closer to the Pinnacle price.....

[tomwalshco]

Want a ball that feels good, goes deep and won't break the bank - Wilson Staff DUO - $19.95. Actually bites pretty good around the green, too. I'd play it all day, but they don't make 'em in yellow, which is a must for my old eyes.

Noodle+ ain't bad, either (no yellow). Q Star - too hard, skids. NXT - too expensive. Pinnacle Gold - no grab.

[ThatGolfGuy]

Heard good things about the Gamer V2.

[JoeShark]

Originally Posted by bjwestner

I do like the DTS Solo but cannot see spending $40 or more for a dozen golf balls.

Not sure where you are buying your DTS Solo's, but they are $19.99 at Golfsmith (cheaper then the Q Stars which go for $24.99).

[School Yard Pro]

+2 on the Wilson Staff Duo. Very underrated ball.

[bjwestner]

Thank you JoeShark, I thought they were more than that.  Do you know if they make the DTS Solo in Yellow?

I like playing the yellow ball, easier to find.

BTW - I played Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all with the QStar and liked it a lot.  I shot the best round ever on Friday (88), shot okay on Saturday (91), and then shot another best round ever on Sunday (87).  I liked the feel especially putting the QStar, much better than the Pinnacle.

The only other issue that I have with the DTS Solo is that everyone plays Titleist and when I've played them in white color anyway, you think you found your ball until you realize that it's someone elses that is also playing a Titleist.  Even marking the ball sometimes is hard if it's facing the ground......

[UNIDuffman]

Originally Posted by bjwestner

Do you know if they make the DTS Solo in Yellow?

They do.

http://www.titleist.com/golf-balls/DT-Solo.aspx

[bjwestner]

After playing with the DTS Solo and the QStar, I have decided to go with the QStar for now.  While it is more expensive (an extra $5 per dozen), I just like the feel with the QStar a bit better than the DTS Solo which is not bad at all.  The reason I went with the QStar is a little better feel with putting and the fact that it seems to control better in the air.  If I hit a ball that is slightly drawing too much, the damage seems to be limited with the QStar better than any ball I've seen so far.  Don't get me wrong, if I hit a massive slice or hook, the ball is still going to slice or hook, it's just with the ones that are slightly going bad where the QStar seems to limit the damage and control this better than the DTS Solo.  Thanks to everyone for their feedback!

[lisevolution]

Just to add a slightly more expensive ball to your list for the future, I was playing the Bridgestone E6 which is very similar to the Q-Star and also comes in yellow.  While I loved the ball off the tee, whenever I'd hit an approach or a pitch that actually landed in good position on the green it would fly off in the rough.  I was talking to the Golftec coach I'm working with and he suggested I try the Callaway Hex Chrome rather than the Q-Star because the Q-Star has the same issues as the E6 around the green.  The Hex Chrome is definitely more expensive, I think I paid $35/dozen but it does come in yellow and It's definitely longer off the tea and sits down way better on the green than the E6.  It also has a nice soft feel off the putter face.

Not trying to have you spend more $ but just wanted to chime in because I just went through this same type of decision.

[Spyder]

Titleist DT SoLo*

[ClayHbg]

don't mean to be "that guy" by offering a 4th option, but the Gamer V2s are the best ball under $20 on the market.  Hands down! (imo)

[DigDeep]

Plus one on the Top Flite Gamer V2s.(+1).

I like the Pinnacle Gold off the Tee but that's where it ends.

I like playing the Noodle.  Good all around ball.  Feels good off the club face and does a good job around the green.  Plus I get usually get everyone saying "The Noodle!" when I tee off.

[NuclearMike]

Agreed on the Top Flite Gamer V2.  It's a three piece ball with better-than-average distance and really good spin with a soft feel on the green.  Can't ask for more from a ball under $20 than that.

[KrazyTrain18]

My home course is sponsored by Srixon/Cleveland, so Q-Stars are everywhere, the range balls are Q-Stars, I like them good feel and inexpensive at the store too.

[Spyder]

If I can add my own recommendation, not to be the one who comes in throwing an off-topic brand or "titleist" choir boy... but the new 2012 Titleist DT SOLO is an extremely nice ball in my opinion. I typically play the NXT Tour/NXT Tour S, but the DT SOLO has become very soft. I honestly believe it is the most well designed 2 piece ball and feels very nice off of the putter as well. Retails around $19.99/dozen or $19.99-$24.99 if you purchase them at a reasonable course.

[slodsm]

I agree with the DT SoLo, it's an excellent ball. I've played the SoLo most of the summer and it's a great ball off the tee and not bad at all around the greens. I like the Tour S a little better as I get a little better (maybe mental) because I think I do better with it on short approach shots and with the putter but if I had no choice but to play a SoLo for the rest of my life, I wouldn't gripe much at all.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by slodsm

I agree with the DT SoLo, it's an excellent ball. I've played the SoLo most of the summer and it's a great ball off the tee and not bad at all around the greens. I like the Tour S a little better as I get a little better (maybe mental) because I think I do better with it on short approach shots and with the putter but if I had no choice but to play a SoLo for the rest of my life, I wouldn't gripe much at all.

I absolutely agree with you. The past DT SoLo was not a bad ball at all, but I could easily tell the difference between the DT SoLo and my NXT Tour. Now, the new 2012 DT SOLO offers a softer core and you can definitely feel this off of your irons. Still not as easy to check on the greens as the NXT Tour and definitely not as nice off of the putter, but it is my go-to ball when I play a new course, or a course with many risk/reward decisions and hazards. (i.e.: It's my secondary ball when I'm having a bad day or am at risk of losing a ball). From now (mid-August) through early November, I will play nothing but the DT SOLO. The NXT Tour and NXT Tour S I reserve for May through mid-August.

[bjwestner]

Sounds like a lot of people end up liking the DT SoLo - it's not bad.  The last few weeks I have only been playing the Tour Yellow Srixon Q-Star.  I find the flight just a bit better than the DT SoLo and prefer the Q-Star just by a bit when putting.  The downside (if you could call it that) is that the Q-Star does not make the same great sound when I putt (I use an Odyssey White Ice/White Hot putter).

Has anyone purchased used golf balls?  I saw refurbished golf balls for sale online at rockbottomgolf.com.  I have no issue playing a ball that has been played before as long as there is no damage to it.  How do they "fix" the balls that have scrapes or scuffs on them?  I read that they re-paint the balls which also seems kind of odd (for example I do not believe that the Q-Stars are actually painted but are that color because of the color of the plastic).  Also, what is stopping someone from painting a ball white and stamping "Titleist Pro V1" on a lower quality ball?  I'm not saying that this happens, I'm just saying that it could happen.  Has anyone purchased used/refurbished balls from rockbottomgolf?  Were you happy/satisfied?  Thanks for all of your input!

--BJ