question for persimmon players

[cbrister]

Just wondering what kind of ball my fellow persimmon players play or those of you who take them for a spin every once in a while. Obviously, we're in the minority and everyone is different, but have you found any golf ball that you felt played significantly better with your persimmon? Or do they all play about the same? Please clarify where you felt the ball helped most, whether distance, control, or whatever.  Thanks.

[mvmac]

Balata works pretty well

The modern balls aren't really designed to be hit with persimmon woods. They are designed to be launched high with low spin.

[flopster]

Balata works pretty well

The modern balls aren't really designed to be hit with persimmon woods. They are designed to be launched high with low spin.

Just add balata additive and your all set.

[cbrister]

Balata works pretty well

The modern balls aren't really designed to be hit with persimmon woods. They are designed to be launched high with low spin.

Are there any modern balls remotely comparable? I've only ever seen a handful of balatas, so I don't think they'd be easy to find...

[flopster]

Are there any modern balls remotely comparable? I've only ever seen a handful of balatas, so I don't think they'd be easy to find...

No, it's been a while since anyone has made balata balls and I have heard the wound ones don't perform very well after sitting around for years.

[dbuck]

I have played persimmon or laminated maple a lot.The "Big Herb" in my signature is a persimmon head on a graphite shaft. The Joe Powell 3 wood is a traditional persimmon head steel shaft, and the PING Eye2 5 wood is a laminated maple head on a steel shaft. I have played persimmon or laminate almost exclusively this season.

I have used Titleist DT Solos, Wilson Duos, Callaway Supersofts, and Bridgestone 330 RX and RXS. All are quite satisfactory with wood. I have been told by some fellow persimmon users, that the Wilson Staff FG Tour is also a great ball with persimmon, but I haven't gotten 'round to trying it out. In the past, I have also used Precept Laddies and the regular original Noodle, but the first three have pretty muched replaced them as day to day usage.

All the first 3 balls are at the $20 price point and marketed as having soft feel and good distance.

I have been using Titleist DT Solos for a couple or three years with both vintage and modern equipment. I get decent all around performance from it using either metal or wood. It is inexpensive, durable, and has decent feel and distance.

On the recommendation of a fellow vintage player, I tried the Callaway Supersoft this summer. I get a bit more distance from it through the bag (as compared to the Solo and Duo), and perhaps a little more stop on a full short iron shot. Right now it is my slight favorite in the $20 range. It does have a little clickier or less soft feel than the Duo or Solo, but not objectionably so.

The Wilson Duo is also a ball I first tried this summer. Of the three, it definitely has the softest feel. I have not used them side by side enough for an accurated comparison, but I think I get a little less distance than the Solo or Supersoft, but not much. The feel on putts is very soft.

So of the $20 balls, the Duo is the softest, the Supersoft the longest, and the Solo somewhere in the middle on both counts. All are quite pleasing for play with blades and lumber.

I seldom use a premium ball unless I am playing in a scramble or other competition. I have nothing against ProV1's, but have a slight preference for the Bridgestone 330 series. I went to a fitting a couple years ago, and was right on the bubble of  the 330 and 330RX decision point with around a 104 driver speed. A couple of birthdays later, I usually go with the RX or RXS. The RXS feels and works fine for me with persimmon, though admittedly I have less use with it than the afforementioned $20 balls. As I said, I like ProV's fine, but have not tried them with persimmon.

I do want to try the Wilson FG Tour as soon as possible. It is a multilayer ball and is in the list price range of the ProV and 330 (over $40), but usually available around $30 on the street. I have heard good things about it for persimmon play.

I don't use or experiment much with mid-priced balls like the NXT or Bridgestone E series, and likewise have not experimented with them much for persimmon use. I tend to either go with the more economical ball for day to day play, or skip them for a premium ball for competition.

Day in and out, I could probably use the DT Solo for 99% of my golf, either persimmon or modern and be perfectly happy. I haven't used the Callaway Supersoft or Wilson Duo with metal drivers/fairways, but they are also great with vintage, and the Callaway might wind up being my favorite.

Your mileage may vary, but give these a try.