Are expensive golf balls worth it?

[nick1998bunker]

Hey @nick1998bunker , I played with the Nike 20xi for 9 holes on Sunday and I can tell you that I really didn't care for them that much.  There was nothing noticeably good or bad about them tee to green - distance was OK, feel was fine, spin was not abnormal, but I didn't like putting with them really at all.  They felt (sounded) very clicky and "plastic," if that makes sense.  Not soft at all. Of course, that doesn't mean that I was putting poorly because of it, and like I said, tee to green they were fine, AND it was only 9 holes.  I will keep using them, but after I'm through the dozen, if I feel the same way, I won't be buying them again. For the other 9 holes I used a Bridgestone 330-S, and that one felt pretty good.  Again, nothing stood out tee to green, but they felt familiar and soft while putting.

Ok thanks!

[CaddyshackD]

Like I've posted elsewhere I didn't mind the Top Flite D2s I was using this summer, I think they're an excellent ball for a new player and can be found for a dollar a ball or less.  I'm really not a fan of balls in the $25-40 range, you're paying a bunch of money for balls and still not hitting Pro V1s so it's basically money down the toilet IMO.  Either pony up for Pro V1s and try like hell not to lose them or get the best ball for your money and go from there.

Dick's has Top Flite Gamer Tour on sale for $20 for a dozen and that's what I've been using lately, I like them.  They also had Srixon Q-star on sale, 2 dozen for $45 I think the last time I looked which I think are also supposed to be an excellent ball.

Sorry, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with this.  I see where you're coming from, but I have had the opposite experience.  I used to game the ProV1, then the ProV1X, but now I have switched to the Callaway Hex Chrome.  I got them for $31/dozen, and they react just as good, if not better than the ProV's. (keep in mind, this is for my game and not necessarily for everyone).  The Chromes seem to cut through the wind better, stay straighter off the drive, same spin on irons, and even MORE spin on wedges and partial wedges.  However, I also tried some of the lower balls (D2/Gamer/Q-Star/etc.) and felt like they didn't have enough magic around the green...inconsistent spin, felt a little hard off the wedge, and ultimately didn't feel great off the putter.  Everyone is different, so I would at least try a couple of the middle-tier balls - it worked for me on my golf game as well as my wallet.

[GaijinGolfer]

Sorry, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with this.  I see where you're coming from, but I have had the opposite experience.  I used to game the ProV1, then the ProV1X, but now I have switched to the Callaway Hex Chrome.  I got them for $31/dozen, and they react just as good, if not better than the ProV's. (keep in mind, this is for my game and not necessarily for everyone).  The Chromes seem to cut through the wind better, stay straighter off the drive, same spin on irons, and even MORE spin on wedges and partial wedges.  However, I also tried some of the lower balls (D2/Gamer/Q-Star/etc.) and felt like they didn't have enough magic around the green...inconsistent spin, felt a little hard off the wedge, and ultimately didn't feel great off the putter.  Everyone is different, so I would at least try a couple of the middle-tier balls - it worked for me on my golf game as well as my wallet.

They spin MORE than Pro V1s off the wedges?  C'mon, man...

[CaddyshackD]

They spin MORE than Pro V1s off the wedges?  C'mon, man...

For me they absolutely do, but I'd say it depends on your impact angle as well.  Here is a quick half wedge spin rate chart...as you can see, the Chrome is pretty dag on close!  (especially for over $1 less per ball)  http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/838872-2013-hot-list-balls-spin-rate-chart/

[acerimusdux]

Sorry, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with this.  I see where you're coming from, but I have had the opposite experience.  I used to game the ProV1, then the ProV1X, but now I have switched to the Callaway Hex Chrome.  I got them for $31/dozen, and they react just as good, if not better than the ProV's.

Almost any of the urethane covered balls at least seem interesting in the $30 range.  I'm doubtful whether there's an ionomer covered ball worth going much over $20 for (too many good options in that range).

[CaddyshackD]

Almost any of the urethane covered balls at least seem interesting in the $30 range.  I'm doubtful whether there's an ionomer covered ball worth going much over $20 for (too many good options in that range).

Agreed 100%.