Are top of the line golf balls worth the expense to the average golfer?

[dfreuter415]

We all know that most scratch or low handicap golfers would undoubtedly use the top of the line balls, like Titleist Pro-V1's.

The question here is:  Are top of the line golf balls (Titleist Pro-V1, Bridgestone B330, Callaway Speed Regime) worth the expense to the average golfer, 9-18 handicap?

(The average male golfer has a handicap of 16.1, while the average female has a handicap of 28.9.

http://golftips.golfsmith.com/average-golf-handicap-america-2455.html)

I am not including the high handicaps (18+) in this poll, because would be a different situation.

[RH31]

I voted no. The x-outs are just fine at $30 a dozen though.

[Jeremie Boop]

We all know that most scratch or low handicap golfers would undoubtedly use the top of the line balls, like Titleist Pro-V1's.

The question here is:  Are top of the line golf balls (Titleist Pro-V1, Bridgestone B330, Callaway Speed Regime) worth the expense to the average golfer, 9-18 handicap?

(The average male golfer has a handicap of 16.1, while the average female has a handicap of 28.9.

http://golftips.golfsmith.com/average-golf-handicap-america-2455.html)

I am not including the high handicaps (18+) in this poll, because would be a different situation.

I would say no, just because there are a lot of good cheaper options out there that would give very similar performance. Of course they are free to use whatever they like/can afford, but I just don't think it's worth the expense. Although I'm not in your range of handicaps so perhaps my response isn't really relevant.

The average male golfer is not a 16.1 handicap. That may be the average of males who carry a handicap but the percentage of golfers who carry a handicap is pretty low.

[Patch]

I voted "no". I have tried the more expensive balls in the past, and I shot the same scores as I did with the less expensive balls. As long as the ball rolls true, that's what I look for. I do like a decent 3 piece ball, and when I run out of my present stock of golf balls, I will reevaluate  what I want to use. 12 balls for $30 is is about right.

[NJpatbee]

As an average golfer (18 HCP) I have played the ProV1 and Prov1X and do not do as well with them as the moderate priced balls, of which there are many excellent ones.  The top of the line balls are made with a pro or scratch golfer's game in mind, in spite of what Titleist says.  Give me a U/3, Project (a), or Gamer instead.

[Big C]

If you could get 95% of the performance for half the cost (or less), wouldn't you do it? Wouldn't any rational person? Then again, when it comes to golf, we pay a huge premium for that extra 5% all the time. Pro-V1 balls, Edel putters and wedges, Miura irons, or the proliferation of Taylor Made products that all promise that elusive "10 more yards."

If the guy making the buying decision thinks it worth it, then it's worth it as far as I'm concerned. Personally, I don't buy Pro-V1's but I don't think twice about others who do, regardless of their handicap.

[dkolo]

I voted no. The x-outs are just fine at $30 a dozen though.

I don't think that's a fair distinction for this question. It's still the same top of the line ball, you're just getting a better deal on them.

[dkolo]

If you could get 95% of the performance for half the cost (or less), wouldn't you do it? Wouldn't any rational person? Then again, when it comes to golf, we pay a huge premium for that extra 5% all the time. Pro-V1 balls, Edel putters and wedges, Miura irons, or the proliferation of Taylor Made products that all promise that elusive "10 more yards."

If the guy making the buying decision thinks it worth it, then it's worth it as far as I'm concerned. Personally, I don't buy Pro-V1's but I don't think twice about others who do, regardless of their handicap.

There's definitely a base rate qualification to this, but the amount of ProV1s I find on courses mishit and lost on other fairways or in hazards is miles ahead of what I find from other brands / models.

[Jeremie Boop]

There's definitely a base rate qualification to this, but the amount of ProV1s I find on courses mishit and lost on other fairways or in hazards is miles ahead of what I find from other brands / models.

I actually would say I find way more top flite balls than provs, about 2 or 3 to 1 ratio. Of course that will probably vary based on the course you play, higher end courses will probably see many more provs.

[Ernest Jones]

This may have already been said (because it's the truth), but for a higher handicap player it's not so important what ball they play but they should choose one they like and stick with it. Different balls react very differently on touchy-feely stuff like pitches, chips and putts and consistently using the same ball, regardless of which one, will help you develop feel with these shots. At my level it really makes no difference what I'm hitting with a full swing but I do need to know who much my ball will likely roll out or spin on any given short game shot.

[14ledo81]

This may have already been said (because it's the truth), but for a higher handicap player it's not so important what ball they play but they should choose one they like and stick with it. Different balls react very differently on touchy-feely stuff like pitches, chips and putts and consistently using the same ball, regardless of which one, will help you develop feel with these shots. At my level it really makes no difference what I'm hitting with a full swing but I do need to know who much my ball will likely roll out or spin on any given short game shot.

Agreed.  I have been playing Precept Laddies for a few years now.  Not an expensive ball, but I don't mind it.

[Jeremie Boop]

This may have already been said (because it's the truth), but for a higher handicap player it's not so important what ball they play but they should choose one they like and stick with it. Different balls react very differently on touchy-feely stuff like pitches, chips and putts and consistently using the same ball, regardless of which one, will help you develop feel with these shots. At my level it really makes no difference what I'm hitting with a full swing but I do need to know who much my ball will likely roll out or spin on any given short game shot.

I've been struggling to find a ball that I like at a price that is worthwhile at the rate I lose them. I think I've settled on the gamer soft. I was really surprised at the fact that I lost no distance even though it's a slower swing speed ball. It's even been a little longer on average than the q-stars I was playing. I got 2 dozen from dicks for 30 and if I can keep getting them at that price they'll stay in the bag until I can't find them anymore.

[Ernest Jones]

I've been struggling to find a ball that I like at a price that is worthwhile at the rate I lose them. I think I've settled on the gamer soft. I was really surprised at the fact that I lost no distance even though it's a slower swing speed ball. It's even been a little longer on average than the q-stars I was playing. I got 2 dozen from dicks for 30 and if I can keep getting them at that price they'll stay in the bag until I can't find them anymore.

I buy mint recycled Titleist Velocity by the metric shit ton. Cost me about 80 cents a ball, even less when I have a coupon code, which they send out ALL the time anyway.

[Jeremie Boop]

I buy mint recycled Titleist Velocity by the metric shit ton. Cost me about 80 cents a ball, even less when I have a coupon code, which they send out ALL the time anyway.

Where do you get those through, I tend to procrastinate and not buy more golfballs until I won't make it through another round rofl.

[Ernest Jones]

Where do you get those through, I tend to procrastinate and not buy more golfballs until I won't make it through another round rofl.

I use Knetgolf because they are based in Canada, plenty of reputable companies in the US though. Stick with mint and stay away from refurbished and you should be pretty happy. I get discount coupon codes in my inbox all the time and when I get one I'll order 5 dozen balls at a time unless I have bunch in the closet already.

[Jeremie Boop]

I use Knetgolf because they are based in Canada, plenty of reputable companies in the US though. Stick with mint and stay away from refurbished and you should be pretty happy. I get discount coupon codes in my inbox all the time and when I get one I'll order 5 dozen balls at a time unless I have bunch in the closet already.

Thanks, I'll have to check into that. I do like these gamer softs, maybe I can find them for even cheaper than what I'm playing.

[dwidep]

I am ~12-13 handicapper and I love my prov1s (although I wish they came in yellow).  However, I probably only lose a ball per round, and most of the time I retire them because of cart path/rock scratches.  I would not pay $50 for 12 new ones, but I have no problem paying $65 for 30 or so.  I buy the 36 pack of AAA recycled from amazon.com, and typically 4 or 5 will have scuffs or marks bad enough that I wont take them on the course, but they are fine for chipping or putting at home.  I used to play DT Solo's, but the confidence gained by using the prov1s for my green-side/putting game is immeasurable.

[inthecup]

I am ~12-13 handicapper and I love my prov1s (although I wish they came in yellow).  However, I probably only lose a ball per round, and most of the time I retire them because of cart path/rock scratches.  I would not pay $50 for 12 new ones, but I have no problem paying $65 for 30 or so.  I buy the 36 pack of AAA recycled from amazon.com, and typically 4 or 5 will have scuffs or marks bad enough that I wont take them on the course, but they are fine for chipping or putting at home.  I used to play DT Solo's, but the confidence gained by using the prov1s for my green-side/putting game is immeasurable.

There is a huge difference between DT solos and Pro v one.  Not comparable.  I would suggest the $40 for 2 dozen Callaway Hex Pro balls from Costco.  They are a private label 4 piece urethane covered ball.  I have been playing them for 2 years and find no measurable difference between it and a pro v one.

http://www.costco.com/golf-balls.html