Which golf ball should i play?

[nykfan4life]

I'm a beginner of 1 year to the game of golf, and since i've played, i've lost so many balls that i am forced to play the cheapest golf balls i can possibly find, because of my budget up until now. I've recently improved and i now only lose 2-4 balls a round, and now i'm looking for a ball that will play to my strengths and do something for me.

I am a high handicapper, first off, my usual score is hovering over 100. The best parts of my game are my short game and putting. Despite what my handicap suggests, i can put a fair amount of spin on the ball, usually a hop-and stop.
My distance is extremely lacking, i hit my 5-iron about 150 and my driver just shy of 200. I expect my driving distance to improve with more practice obviously, but i still would like a ball that will give me a lot of distance.


So basically i am looking for a ball with a lot of distance but still give me a fair amount of spin, without being a cheap suryln distance ball.

My budget is <$30

[WhiteSoxFan]

I haven't played it myself yet, but I think you will get a lot of responses suggesting the Top Flite D2 Feel.

[shortgame85]

Last year's Titleist NXT Tour might meet your criteria, they're being sold for around $19.95 a dozen. There are so many other possibilities, including the Titleist DT SoLo, Precept Laddie Extreme ( $19 buys you 24 balls ), Maxfli Fire, etc. Good luck.

[doublesuited77]

Callaway Pearl. don't worry about it being a woman's ball. Should increase your distance with your swing speed and give you great feel around the green. i use this ball in cold weather.

[nykfan4life]

thanks for the responses, tommorow i'm going to try the Pearl, NXT Tour, Fire, and Top Flite D2 Feel

[jcrew]

you can find the tour fire for 20 bucks now at dicks... definitely better than regular fire

[supercow]

Should also try Noodles and Laddies (if you can find them). They spin just as well as premium balls on wedge shots for me.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

+1 for NXT Tour. A great all around ball. If you're looking for more distance try the NXT Extreme or Callaway HX Hot. They're both nice too. I used a Srixon AD something yesterday and that's a good ball as well. Quite a few really good options in that $25 range.

[J_Bone]

In addition to all those, try the Bridgestone E5 or E6. I've been using the E6 and like it a lot. Next I'm going to try the Laddie for myself too.

[wolfy21]

no matter your handicap, all golfers should play the titleist prov1x, perfect spin rates on the ball, and high trajectory maximize distance on every shot

[Guest]

I have a fairly high handicap also, but I have a pretty good drive. I averaged around 275-290 with cheapo dunlops and a walmart intek driver. Two weeks ago I switched to calaway cxt hot's and average 285-310 now. So I noticed a pretty big difference for distance, but Im not the greatest at spinning the ball so can't help you there. With only hitting the ball 200 yards I would give it a shot.

[nykfan4life]

thanks for all the responses.

So far i like the HX Hots and the NXT tour's the best, I think i like the NXT tour the best though, although i can't afford that all the time so i'll also get some Top Flite D2 Feel

[wolfy21]

  puller said:

I have a fairly high handicap also, but I have a pretty good drive. I averaged around 275-290 with cheapo dunlops and a walmart intek driver. Two weeks ago I switched to calaway cxt hot's and average 285-310 now. So I noticed a pretty big difference for distance, but Im not the greatest at spinning the ball so can't help you there. With only hitting the ball 200 yards I would give it a shot.

wow dude, your a 24 handicap and you hit 10 yars further than i do. thats pretty amazing. you must be really big?

[Diggitydog]

wolfy21. Why do you say that a ProV1x fits for every handicap? I've been playing the Nike Ignite but they are a mid range ball at best. I've stopped losing 4 per round so now maybe I'll invest in the high end balls again. If the V1x is perfect for everybody, how come some tour players use the V1 straight up? Or is that just marketing?

[JumpHigh_HitHard]

  wolfy21 said:

no matter your handicap, all golfers should play the titleist prov1x, perfect spin rates on the ball, and high trajectory maximize distance on every shot

I don't know about that man. My understanding is that the Pro V1x (and many balls in that category) are designed for higher swing speeds. That is to say that if you have a lower swing speed, you won't be able to compress the ball nearly enough, resulting in a loss of distance. With lower swing speeds, a lower compression ball would provide optimal distance.

Not to mention the price! I remember when I was in high school and college I could never drop $40 on a dozen balls.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

  wolfy21 said:

no matter your handicap, all golfers should play the titleist prov1x, perfect spin rates on the ball, and high trajectory maximize distance on every shot

No matter your budget too? C'mon dude... not everyone has the $45 to shell out every time they want to buy a dozen balls.

[Big Lex]

All of the pro line balls are good. For you, I'd recommend Top Flite D2, either the feel or distance ones.

If you are new to golf, your lack of distance is certainly in part because you haven't learned to hit the ball in the center of the face with a square face.

Read a good instruction book like something from John Jacobs or Leadbetter or Hogan's Five Lessons, practice it for a little while, then take some golf lessons.

You'll make up the cost of the lessons by not losing golf balls!

[janzaruk]

  nykfan4life said:

thanks for all the responses.

Hey man, you can get last years NXT tour's right now at most golf shops for $20/doz.