Help Bill Choose a Golf Ball

[billchao]

Please? :-) I know there are a lot of threads out there about picking a golf ball, but I didn't really know how to insert myself into one of them, so I made my own, sorry. I'm exploring my options for golf balls. I swing pretty fast for the average amateur and I like a ball with decent spin around the green, but I don't really want anything that would spin back on an approach shot or anything. Currently, I play used Pro V1xs in the highest quality, about $25/doz. I'm open to playing other used premium balls. The other option I'm considering is to buy new balls in a lower tier. I've read great things about the Callaway Supersoft ($20/doz) or the Bridgestone e-series balls ($25/dozen). I've also read about MG Golf Tour-C4 balls ($20/doz) and apparently they're similar to Pro V1s. I'm not sure what I should buy. Maybe I'm putting too much thought into this. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

[Hardballs]

Why are you changing?

[Ernest Jones]

I echo @Hardballs question, why are you changing? Can't get much better than a ProV and you're already playing that.

I picked up 5dz Penta TP3 and they feel great but haven't played them on a course yet. I did have a few spin back on the simulator though...

[billchao]

Why are you changing?

I won't if there isn't a reason to, but used golf balls can be sketchy sometimes. I've bought top quality and received scuffed balls and some places sell refinished balls as used. From what I understand, refinishing changes the characteristics of the cover. Plus, I want to know if there are better options out there than Pro V1x. Call me a cynic :-)

[Ernest Jones]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardballs

Why are you changing?

I won't if there isn't a reason to, but used golf balls can be sketchy sometimes. I've bought top quality and received scuffed balls and some places sell refinished balls as used. From what I understand, refinishing changes the characteristics of the cover.

Plus, I want to know if there are better options out there than Pro V1x. Call me a cynic

I think this is intriguing: http://thesandtrap.com/t/78674/callaway-golf-announces-new-chrome-soft-golf-ball

But the ball is the least of my worries.

[rkim291968]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardballs

Why are you changing?

I won't if there isn't a reason to, but used golf balls can be sketchy sometimes. I've bought top quality and received scuffed balls and some places sell refinished balls as used. From what I understand, refinishing changes the characteristics of the cover.

Plus, I want to know if there are better options out there than Pro V1x. Call me a cynic

If you don't trust used balls, my suggestion is that you invest $20 and get a ball fitted.  It may result in your buying new lower priced ball you can buy from authorized dealers.  I've heard of "faked" premium balls being sold on EBay.

[billchao]

I think this is intriguing: [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/t/78674/callaway-golf-announces-new-chrome-soft-golf-ball]http://thesandtrap.com/t/78674/callaway-golf-announces-new-chrome-soft-golf-ball[/URL]

I saw that. Looks like a decent ball, but a little more than what I'm looking to spend. [quote name="rkim291968" url="/t/78709/help-bill-choose-a-golf-ball#post_1086338"] If you don't trust used balls, my suggestion is that you invest $20 and get a ball fitted.  It may result in your buying new lower priced ball you can buy from authorized dealers.  I've heard of "faked" premium balls being sold on EBay. [/quote]Ball fitting? Interesting. Where do you go for that?

[Big C]

Because I'm cheap and not overly particular about what I play, I tend to rotate balls based on what I have in my bag or what I've found in the woods the previous outing. I really like Bridgestone 330 - series, as well as the Srixon Z-Star's, but both of those will probably cost you more than you want to spend new.

So my recommendation for you is to try to the Nike 20XI balls. I have played them for several rounds, and have always found their performance and feel to be exceptional. When I checked the prices online, I was actually shocked to see that you can buy a dozen for $20-22. For that price, it's a great value, and if I ever found myself in a position of having to buy balls again (knock on wood, but for the last 2 years, I've managed to find more than I've lost), these will probably be my choice.

[rkim291968]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkim291968

If you don't trust used balls, my suggestion is that you invest $20 and get a ball fitted.  It may result in your buying new lower priced ball you can buy from authorized dealers.  I've heard of "faked" premium balls being sold on EBay.

Ball fitting? Interesting. Where do you go for that?

Most vendors do that on demo day.   You can also get your ball fitted in the same place that you get your clubs fitted.  I have not done it myself.   I did it by trial and error in field .

[billchao]

Because I'm cheap and not overly particular about what I play, I tend to rotate balls based on what I have in my bag or what I've found in the woods the previous outing. I really like Bridgestone 330 - series, as well as the Srixon Z-Star's, but both of those will probably cost you more than you want to spend new.

So my recommendation for you is to try to the Nike 20XI balls. I have played them for several rounds, and have always found their performance and feel to be exceptional. When I checked the prices online, I was actually shocked to see that you can buy a dozen for $20-22. For that price, it's a great value, and if I ever found myself in a position of having to buy balls again (knock on wood, but for the last 2 years, I've managed to find more than I've lost), these will probably be my choice.

Thanks for the input. I have never really looked at Nike golf balls for no reason whatsoever. I'll check them out.

Most vendors do that on demo day.   You can also get your ball fitted in the same place that you get your clubs fitted.  I have not done it myself.   I did it by trial and error in field  .

That would be on a simulator (and probably not a good one if it's the store by me). It wouldn't give me any idea how the ball would do around the greens. I'll probably just end up picking a ball at random and trying it out.

[rdsandy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardballs

Why are you changing?

I won't if there isn't a reason to, but used golf balls can be sketchy sometimes. I've bought top quality and received scuffed balls and some places sell refinished balls as used. From what I understand, refinishing changes the characteristics of the cover.

Plus, I want to know if there are better options out there than Pro V1x. Call me a cynic

I posted on another thread about my test with ProV1 vs C4. You can see from my signature, I made the switch. I would rather buy new balls @ $20/doz, vs $25 for used ProV1s, especially since the MG is at least as good if not better than the ProV.

[Dave2512]

PV1 X-outs are $29.99 at DSG.

[vangator]

If I were looking to play a less expensive ball I'd try the Maxfli U6. I've played them a few times and they are nice. Dick's had them on sale a couple of weeks ago for BOGO.

[Missouri Swede]

I saw that. Looks like a decent ball, but a little more than what I'm looking to spend. Ball fitting? Interesting. Where do you go for that?

Here's one option: [URL=https://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/ball-fitting/live/us]https://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/ball-fitting/live/us[/URL]

[billchao]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I think what I'm going to do this coming season is try a bunch of different balls to get a feel for what is out there and how they compare to each other. I can probably write a little review of each one as I go through them.

[inthehole]

Seems to me, the only reason to change is price point.    If you want to drop down to say the $15/dz price point, I haven't played a bad ball in that class.    In fact, it's pretty tough to find a bad ball today unless you get into the $7/dz Nitro class, which seem pretty hard and clicky.  Maybe it's just me, but I can't feel much of a difference in golf balls until you get into the high priced premium tour balls - they just feel and especially sound ... softer, but somehow more solid.

[cristphoto]

It seems like every week Golf Galaxy has a tour level ball on sale for $30. I just stock up on them. I like to play only one model ball as I like to get used to their individual qualities. That said my go to ball over the years had been the prov1 and they're on "sale" for $40 now.

[DrvFrShow]

Callaway Hex Controls from Costco - very decent ball. $30 for two dozen new. It's the real deal. It's a three piece ball. Low spin, and plays well around the green.

I really prefer the Callaway Hex Chrome+ $31/doz.