Green Side Spin

[cipher]

After my round this morning I went to the practice green just to hit some little pitch and chip shots around the green,  I used two balls, my normal ProV1x and a DT SoLo.  I will be honest if you took the labels off the ball and told me to hit them, I would probably not be able to tell you the difference.  Granted this was not a large sample size, but I am not so sure that most of us hit green side shots with enough speed to have noticeable difference in spin.  Even though many people here probably think that they do.  Where I think it could make a difference is in your half wedge shots, but even there I am not sure how much.  Talk me off the ledge or push me over.

[Ernest Jones]

I found a DT solo on the course and played it for 2 rounds before the lake monster got it. I was very impressed with it, felt great off all my clubs. Think that'll be my next ball.

[cipher]

I am probably going to try it out over the next couple rounds as well.  I played it for the last two holes this morning and it played nicely.

[tuffluck]

  cipher said:

Originally Posted by cipher

After my round this morning I went to the practice green just to hit some little pitch and chip shots around the green,  I used two balls, my normal ProV1x and a DT SoLo.  I will be honest if you took the labels off the ball and told me to hit them, I would probably not be able to tell you the difference.  Granted this was not a large sample size, but I am not so sure that most of us hit green side shots with enough speed to have noticeable difference in spin.  Even though many people here probably think that they do.  Where I think it could make a difference is in your half wedge shots, but even there I am not sure how much.  Talk me off the ledge or push me over.

i don't play the prov1 but i swear when i find one on the course and use it, i notice a big difference in chipping.  it does the hop twice and check immediately vs. most other balls i play with having a bit more roll.  that would be very interesting to try a dt solo, i always thought they were for distance and not spin.

[Golfingdad]

  cipher said:

Originally Posted by cipher

After my round this morning I went to the practice green just to hit some little pitch and chip shots around the green,  I used two balls, my normal ProV1x and a DT SoLo.  I will be honest if you took the labels off the ball and told me to hit them, I would probably not be able to tell you the difference.  Granted this was not a large sample size, but I am not so sure that most of us hit green side shots with enough speed to have noticeable difference in spin.  Even though many people here probably think that they do.  Where I think it could make a difference is in your half wedge shots, but even there I am not sure how much.  Talk me off the ledge or push me over.

I agree.  I always used proV1's (or x's) basically "just cuz" and have started messing around with other balls this year to see if I notice much difference.  I've gone through Callaway Hex Chrome, Bridgestone e and B series, TM Penta 3 and 5, and a sleeve of Erik's "Kick X" balls.  I have not been able to tell the difference in any of them from putting to 75 yards and from 115 out.  I do feel like the Prov1's (and the Kick X as well) had a lot more spin on those 3/4 to full swing wedge shots, but other than that they all felt pretty much the same.

And, ditto on the lack of scientific evidence based on the small sample size.  I acknowledge its possible I didn't hit the same shots with the different balls, or have enough tries to compare thoroughly, so at this point, if you gave me any one of those without a label, I would not be able to tell much difference in playability.

[boogielicious]

I notice it with chipping but not pitch shots.  From longer range, say 150 yards, there is a big difference with holding the green on approach shots for me.

[cipher]

  Golfingdad said:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

I agree.  I always used proV1's (or x's) basically "just cuz" and have started messing around with other balls this year to see if I notice much difference.  I've gone through Callaway Hex Chrome, Bridgestone e and B series, TM Penta 3 and 5, and a sleeve of Erik's "Kick X" balls.  I have not been able to tell the difference in any of them from putting to 75 yards and from 115 out.  I do feel like the Prov1's (and the Kick X as well) had a lot more spin on those 3/4 to full swing wedge shots, but other than that they all felt pretty much the same.

And, ditto on the lack of scientific evidence based on the small sample size.  I acknowledge its possible I didn't hit the same shots with the different balls, or have enough tries to compare thoroughly, so at this point, if you gave me any one of those without a label, I would not be able to tell much difference in playability.

I would say you are pretty much right on IMO.  I also tend to play for more release green side and often if I miss am short anyway.  If I need to stop something quick I just hit it higher.  I pretty much don't even try to play hop and stop shots anymore.

  boogielicious said:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I notice it with chipping but not pitch shots.  From longer range, say 150 yards, there is a big difference with holding the green on approach shots for me.

For me on full shots I cannot get any ball to release much at all no matter what ball I am using.

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I don't know.  I might be rolling into the qualifier tournament in a couple weeks with a bag full of DT SoLo balls.

[saevel25]

Usually i can tell on pitch shots. Chip shots are lower spin, so there isn't much disparity with golf balls. But pitch shots there is, i've had a few pro-v's spin back on me, when a mid range golf ball would one hop and stop. This also happens more on full shots as well with shorter irons.

[cipher]

  saevel25 said:

Originally Posted by saevel25

Usually i can tell on pitch shots. Chip shots are lower spin, so there isn't much disparity with golf balls. But pitch shots there is, i've had a few pro-v's spin back on me, when a mid range golf ball would one hop and stop. This also happens more on full shots as well with shorter irons.

That makes sense.  I must just not hit the ball hard enough on full shots or something to get the ball spinning back away from my pitch mark.  A little hop and then it might spin just a bit but never past the pitch mark and I usually don't get the ball to release.  I love it though because if you know your number you know where the shot will end up.

[saevel25]

Dont worry about spinning the ball back. It takes a good amount of clubhead speed, solid contact and a high spin ball, plus fast greens help as well. But its terribly uncontrollable. Look at all the pro's at Merion who were taking it off the green with to much spin.

[cipher]

  cipher said:

Originally Posted by cipher

I love it though because if you know your number you know where the shot will end up.

  saevel25 said:

Originally Posted by saevel25

Dont worry about spinning the ball back. It takes a good amount of clubhead speed, solid contact and a high spin ball, plus fast greens help as well. But its terribly uncontrollable. Look at all the pro's at Merion who were taking it off the green with to much spin.

That is what I am saying.  I don't worry about it and don't want to spin it back.

[Golfingdad]

  cipher said:

Originally Posted by cipher

That makes sense.  I must just not hit the ball hard enough on full shots or something to get the ball spinning back away from my pitch mark.  A little hop and then it might spin just a bit but never past the pitch mark and I usually don't get the ball to release.  I love it though because if you know your number you know where the shot will end up.

This is what I'm thinking too.  Very, very few are the times that excessive backspin on a short approach shot has HELPED me recently. And while I'm sure that looks cool, I've come to the conclusion that I much prefer a shot that will just sit down where it hits. I have a hard enough time controlling distance ... I'm definitely not at the level where I can control spin. :)

However, one thing I will say regarding DT solo's and other balls at that price point ... I have always imagined that I could tell a difference between them and the "premium" balls off the putter.  The premium ones also feel (read: sound) soft off the putter, whereas I have always been under the impresson that the cheaper balls felt clunky or clicky or "pingy."

Side note:  I just remembered that before the days of the prov1's and even before the days of the Professional ... back when you really couldn't afford to play a pro ball unless you were a scratch golfer - because they would cut when you hit them poorly - the Titleist DT Wound was my favorite!

[tuffluck]

IMO the best ball for hop and stop is the Srixon Z Star.

Still can't believe you guys don't notice a ProV1 on chip shots.  To me it is noticeably different, and a lot of times I'll play one without realizing it until I hit a chip, then I can tell.

[AmazingWhacker]

A DT Solo is a better ball than the Precept Laddie so this may not apply . .but I definitely notice better spin even on short chips vs the Precept Laddie.  A whle back I bought a ton of refurbished Precept Laddies for cheap . . . so I use them a lot.  It's not huge - even the laddie will check up a bit when hit properly . .but I feel the roll-out is a bit less with the ProV1 (for say, a 3 yard chip hit with a sandwedge).

[Ernest Jones]

  Golfingdad said:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

This is what I'm thinking too.  Very, very few are the times that excessive backspin on a short approach shot has HELPED me recently. And while I'm sure that looks cool, I've come to the conclusion that I much prefer a shot that will just sit down where it hits. I have a hard enough time controlling distance ... I'm definitely not at the level where I can control spin. :)

However, one thing I will say regarding DT solo's and other balls at that price point ... I have always imagined that I could tell a difference between them and the "premium" balls off the putter.  The premium ones also feel (read: sound) soft off the putter, whereas I have always been under the impresson that the cheaper balls felt clunky or clicky or "pingy."

Side note:  I just remembered that before the days of the prov1's and even before the days of the Professional ... back when you really couldn't afford to play a pro ball unless you were a scratch golfer - because they would cut when you hit them poorly - the Titleist DT Wound was my favorite!

FWIW I think the DT solo is pretty sweet off the putter.

[rowlf]

That's because DT Solo is a bloody good ball. I would have preferred DT Solo with my standard of play over ProV1. I also liked its predecessor, the DT Spin over the Tour Professional 90. Apart from less durability, I didn't notice much difference between DT Solo and ProV1 in both distance and spin.

[cipher]

  Ernest Jones said:

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

FWIW I think the DT solo is pretty sweet off the putter.

Yeah, I thought it was surprisingly soft off the putter as well.

[Golfingdad]

  tuffluck said:

Originally Posted by tuffluck

Still can't believe you guys don't notice a ProV1 on chip shots.  To me it is noticeably different, and a lot of times I'll play one without realizing it until I hit a chip, then I can tell.

Yes, but I don't have your ball striking skills.

  Ernest Jones said:

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

FWIW I think the DT solo is pretty sweet off the putter.

It's worth a lot ... $48 vs. $20 per dozen.  I may have to give them a shot ... if they worked out, my wallet will thank you!!!