What golf ball did you play with in your last round?

[Derek02]

I would consider myself to be somewhat of a ball snob.  I love trying different golf balls, and comparing driver distance and wedge spin among different balls.  I have trouble NOT buying a dozen or two ("tour" balls) balls when I see a great sale just so I can try them out.  The snob part of me doesn't even look twice at anything without a urethane cover.  Short iron spin is very important for me, and I can definitely tell the difference.  Even some tour balls have significant differences in spin when hitting wedge shots into (and around) the green.

For example, the I have yet to find a ball that performs as well as the ProV1x (for me) inside 50 yards.  It checks up more consistantly than any other ball I've used.  On full wedge shots, however, I often generate too much spin.  For a full wedge, I would pick the Z Star or XV as it doesn't spin AS MUCH on full wedge shots (for my swing).  Inside 50 yards, and particularly inside 20 yards, the Z Stars require a more precise strike to get the same spin as the V1x.  I even recall reading the (prior version) Z Star review on this site where the tester had a similar experience.

Although I have used many different balls over the past couple years, I consistantly come back to the ProV1x.  All around, it's the best ball out there for me.  That being said, I picked up a few dozen Hex Black Tour's after Ernie won the Open Championship and I put them right up next to the V1x.  The only difference I've noticed is the the Hex has a firmer feel.  I also noticed the cover quality is sub-par. The hex pattern around the logo is deffective (for lack of a better term).  I have been able to overlook that since they play so well though.

Sorry, my question is:

If you have a preferred golf ball, what ball do you play and why do you like it so much?

[Mr. Desmond]

Callaway HEX Chrome.

I am not a high speed guy - for me, this ball gets up nicely, added distance, excellent in the wind, and spin on delicate shots is very good.

You might want to try the Innovex VMotion - I found it incredible around the greens but more consistent, soft feel - it is likened to a ProV1. Still experimenting with it. They were a good price at $30, but they've gone up.

[k-troop]

TaylorMade Penta TP5.  I've tried just about every ball out there (like most here), and this is the only ball I've ever been truly excited about.  It's great in the wind, and very long off of the irons.  The spin is very predictable, and I feel like I can manipulate it pretty easily.  90 yard wedge off of a tight lie I know will probably zip back 10 feet or so.  Full 5i will hop once and stop.  With chips and pitches, I can play a runner or a spinner, and rarely have one that checks up too early (which is a problem I have with Titleist balls).  They even handle the hard low spinner pitch shot.  With the never-ending 3-for-2 special, they're pretty cheap for a premium tour ball.  And you can order them all with the same number--whatever number you want!

[iacas]

Same one I've used all year: the Kick X Tour Z . Best ball (for me) on the market right now.

[Derek02]

Originally Posted by k-troop

TaylorMade Penta TP5.  I've tried just about every ball out there (like most here), and this is the only ball I've ever been truly excited about.  It's great in the wind, and very long off of the irons.  The spin is very predictable, and I feel like I can manipulate it pretty easily.  90 yard wedge off of a tight lie I know will probably zip back 10 feet or so.  Full 5i will hop once and stop.  With chips and pitches, I can play a runner or a spinner, and rarely have one that checks up too early (which is a problem I have with Titleist balls).  They even handle the hard low spinner pitch shot.  With the never-ending 3-for-2 special, they're pretty cheap for a premium tour ball.  And you can order them all with the same number--whatever number you want!

I haven't done any extensive testing with the TP5, but I do like the softer feel, and the prior Penta had good wedge spin.  My only concern would be whether the driver distance is comparable to the V1x and Hex Black.  Driver distance is pretty important to me b/c I hit my driver, on average, 255-260.  If I catch one really well, 265-270.  This distance has generally put me near the bubble in terms of having a chance to go at par 5's in two.  Any insights on driver distance vs. the others?

[NuclearMike]

Top Flite Gamer V2.  Great price (<$20/ Dozen), more than adequate spin, and as long or longer than the Pro V1.

Get them while you can.  Dick's Sporting Goods bought Top Flite in April and there's no telling what might happen to the brand or the Gamer.  I know that some TSTers are lamenting the fact that they can't find them anymore.

[Fozcycle]

Diablo Tours.....got 4 dozen on an internet deal last Winter for $10/dozen.

Although they don't have the spin around the green that I would like, they have been a very serviceable golfball, especially for the cost.

[geauxforbroke]

Last round was a 4 man scramble. Played with Titleist ProV1x, number 3's. I'm not picky about the brand of ball that I play, only the number on it. I'll only play 1's and 3's. One of my querks. In my opinion, there are a handful of balls out there that I'll play with nearly identical results. If I'm splurging, it's ProV1x, Srixon z star, or Bridgestone B330. If I'm being cheap, then it's Srixon Q Star.

I sure miss the days of the balatas. Sure they turned into an egg after 3 or 4 drives, but man they felt great on irons and around the greens.

[David in FL]

Pro v1. The combination of spin, feel, and distance is the best I've found for my game. I'll switch tomorrow if I find something that I like better. High numbers only.... :-D

[WWBDD]

A half pond scum stained Founders Club Believe with a Bev's Flower Boutique logo.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by Derek02

I haven't done any extensive testing with the TP5, but I do like the softer feel, and the prior Penta had good wedge spin.  My only concern would be whether the driver distance is comparable to the V1x and Hex Black.  Driver distance is pretty important to me b/c I hit my driver, on average, 255-260.  If I catch one really well, 265-270.  This distance has generally put me near the bubble in terms of having a chance to go at par 5's in two.  Any insights on driver distance vs. the others?

I haven't done side-by-side comparisons, just feedback playing normal rounds on the course, but it seems to be about the same.  It's definitely plenty long.  I bought a new driver and 3-wood around the same time that I switched balls, but I have played Pro-V1, V1x, and Penta with my Titleist 910s, and they all seem about the same distance wise off of the driver.

The big benefit with the Penta over Titleist from a distance perspecitve is how it performs in the wind.  I play in a lot of wind here, and the Penta is very controllable in the wind, and I don't lose nearly as much distance into the wind.

[KrazyTrain18]

Combo of TM TP5 and TP original series.

[lumpuckeroo]

I'm playing the original Penta, mostly because I got them for under $25 a dozen.  I'm willing to play almost any premium ball that I can get at a decent price.  With the constant change in balls there is always a good deal on a premium ball, except Titleist of course.

[chilly]

I played Callaway i(s).  Normally I play the less spinny type balls in the $30 range, NXTs, Trispeeds, Penta TP3s...etc...but picked up the Callaways for $36 at Walmart.

I'm not exactly consistent enough to safe "positively", but have a strong suspicion that these balls are quite short for me.  Irons came up short all day, driver felt behind where it should have been as well.  They seem to spin quite a bit, sucked back a full PW a good 6yds...every GIR had the ball spinning back some amount.  Found two drives that ended with the ball right next to the ball mark, I was hitting a Ping i15/Oban Devotion 7 combo, so doubt the driver is spinning too much.   Ground was soft, but other guys were getting rollout.

That said, I did shoot my career low round with the ball, and my short game was very good for me.  Wish I had a better compromise.

Another ball I recently played was the Bridgestone B330...felt like it was the opposite...very long.  Had a few drives that were quite a bit longer then anticipated, irons were flying the target.  I don't think it spun an exceptional amount around the green, but being a "tour" ball, I'd say it played about the same as my normal Trispeed/NXT type balls around the green.

[tristanhilton85]

MacGregor VIP...

[Derek02]

Originally Posted by chilly

I played Callaway i(s).  Normally I play the less spinny type balls in the $30 range, NXTs, Trispeeds, Penta TP3s...etc...but picked up the Callaways for $36 at Walmart.

I'm not exactly consistent enough to safe "positively", but have a strong suspicion that these balls are quite short for me.  Irons came up short all day, driver felt behind where it should have been as well.  They seem to spin quite a bit, sucked back a full PW a good 6yds...every GIR had the ball spinning back some amount.  Found two drives that ended with the ball right next to the ball mark, I was hitting a Ping i15/Oban Devotion 7 combo, so doubt the driver is spinning too much.   Ground was soft, but other guys were getting rollout.

That said, I did shoot my career low round with the ball, and my short game was very good for me.  Wish I had a better compromise.

Another ball I recently played was the Bridgestone B330...felt like it was the opposite...very long.  Had a few drives that were quite a bit longer then anticipated, irons were flying the target.  I don't think it spun an exceptional amount around the green, but being a "tour" ball, I'd say it played about the same as my normal Trispeed/NXT type balls around the green.

I purchased a couple dozen Tour i(S) when Golf Galaxy had them for $30.  The idea of a soft ball with high short game spin and low driver spin is ideal.  I really wanted to like 'em, but they just have too much of a "clicky" sound when you hit them with full irons.  They don't feel too bad off the driver or inside 20 yards, but half wedge shots and out....they don't feel hard, per se, just maybe hollow?  Not sure how best to describe the feel.  I still have a brand new dozen (high numbers) if anyone wants them.

The regular B330 is one ball that I have not tested to any great extent.  I've hit one here or there when I find one, but I don't find them often, and they've rarely had any good sales.  One reason I've shied away from them is the relative lack of short game spin from the ones I found.  I'm not putting them in the same catagory as a surlyn ball, but they didn't check up as well as other urethane balls (for me).  Then again, I haven't tried the updated model which is supposed to have a softer cover. I think the biggest reason for not trying them though is Bridgestone's fault.  ALL of their advertising indicates I shouldn't bother using them since my SS is "only" 100mph.  I hit the ProV1x and Hex Black farther than any other ball I've ever tested, and I would say that the B330 should be a good apples-to-apples comparison.  I've hit the B330-RX enough times to know that it's not replacing the ProV1x or Hex Black.

[TMBridgestone]

Yeah me too!  I played the Nike 20XI-S, terrible.  Hated it.

[Jmdmbike]

I've been playing the Bridgestone e5, which is a good all around ball - distance is good and has plenty of spin around the green.