Balls

[saevel25]

Yeah, the ProV1x well still spin notably more than an NXT or NXT Tour, the same as a B330-RX spinning more than an e6, or a Nike RZN Black spinning more than a RZN Red.

Notably more on wedge and half-wedge shots. Not notably more on driver shots. Just to clarify a bit.

[David in FL]

Notably more on wedge and half-wedge shots. Not notably more on driver shots. Just to clarify a bit.

At least for me, the ProV1x spins much more than Titleist's low spin distance balls with a full swing, both irons and woods. Less that the ProV1, for sure, but significantly more than the others.

[saevel25]

At least for me, the ProV1x spins much more than Titleist's low spin distance balls with a full swing, both irons and woods. Less that the ProV1, for sure, but significantly more than the others.

Yea that makes sense. Pro-V1x is suppose to spin slightly less than the Pro-V1. They both have Urethane covers, so you are not going to see much difference in half-wedge shots.

As for driver spin, you'd probably see a few hundred rpm less between the Pro-V line and the NXT line. As for half-wedge spin you should see nearly 1000+ rpm difference.

[turtleback]

Too expensive!

I had some top flight XL long a while back... Didn't like them one bit

OK, I was thrown a bit about the not cheap, but I see now what you meant  You don;t want to go down to those $8 a dozen balls (I agree with you on that).

I didn't like the Top Flite XL either.  Or any Top-flite ball.  Until the gamer.  That is why I made the point that this is not your father's top flite.

[colin007]

Too expensive!

I had some top flight XL long a while back... Didn't like them one bit

dude, the TopFlite Gamers are NOTHING like the XL.  if you dont try them out then youre missing out on a great ball.

[21degreeloft]

Cool. Will give them a go then!

[Tat14]

Regarding the Gamer...

Looking at the TF site, it appears that only the Gamer Tour has a urethane cover.

Has anyone played the regular, Tour, and Soft versions? Any significant difference in long game spin? How about the drop & stop factor?

[colin007]

I consider both the regular and the tour versions to be better than the Titleist NXT

[turtleback]

Regarding the Gamer...

Looking at the TF site, it appears that only the Gamer Tour has a urethane cover.

Has anyone played the regular, Tour, and Soft versions? Any significant difference in long game spin? How about the drop & stop factor?

I've played the regular, but not the Soft or Tour.  I plan on trying out the Tour and Soft versions when summer comes.

[Tat14]

In case anyone is interested, my delivery of 24 Chrome Soft did arrive yesterday, the 16th, coinciding with shelf availability.

Well done Callaway.

[NJpatbee]

I have played all 3 of the Gamer offerings and can offer the following general comparisons based on my swing:

The Gamer is similar to the e6 or NXT Tour and a bit longer than both for my 90 mph driver SS.

The Gamer Soft is a 3 piece version of balls like the Supersoft but with a somewhat more solid feel than the 2014 Supersoft,  It is one of the best balls that no one is talking about and it did receive the Golf Digest gold award.

The Gamer Tour is a 3 piece Urethene ball that I would compare to the Chrome +.  Holds the green well with a good amount of spin, but did not stop like velcro for my swing which I prefer.  I played it a full season and for my swing I was a bit shorter than the Gamer,  Some have complained about the durability of the Gamer Tour urethene cover but I never had a problem (but I do not have pro level speed or spin with my wedges).  I also rarely make it through an 18 hole round with the same ball so I cannot comment on durability beyond 15-16 holes.

A real sleeper was the 2014 Maxfli U/3, a 3 piece urethene covered ball also.  I gave it a try and it became my regular ball last season due to the increase in distance I received - not sure why but I gained 10-15 yards off the tee and was a club longer for the rest of my clubs.  Trees and cart paths also did little to degrade the cover,

There are a lot of great choices to try and as golfers the ball OEMs are constantly fighting for market share - the introduction of the Chrome Soft was a clear response to the Chrome branding and the popularity of soft feeling golf balls.

Have fun and good luck finding the right ball for you!

[phread59]

NJ is spot on.  I have played the soft.  It felt great off irons and wedges.  Had decent stopping power.  Flew true and decent distance.  I'm also going to give the U3 a whirl this spring as well.  The whole Gamer series is the proverbial "Diamond in the rough".  Not trying them would be a great disservice to yourself.

Mark Shuman

[vangator]

I found a TM Rocketballz with a urethane cover. Haven't hit it yet but I bet it plays well. Not sure of the price either. I don't plan on switching.

[Polynikes]

I really like the Titleist Velocity, as requested it flies off the driver with low spin.

[Seniorhacker]

I don't know about the Chrome+ but the Callaway Chrome has good distance off the driver and good playability around the green.

[Derek02]

This might help:

http://www.golfdigest.com/images/equipment/2014-05/eqsl32-hot-list-ball-spin-rate-chart.jpg

[Derek02]

This might help:

http://www.golfdigest.com/images/equipment/2014-05/eqsl32-hot-list-ball-spin-rate-chart.jpg

For what it's worth: I'm kind of a golf ball aficionado, and I like to try different balls (particularly inside 100 yards).  Historically, I have found that the wedge spin rates, relatively speaking, have not always matched up to Golf Digest's charts.  For example, the 2011 Z Star was located high up in the chart in terms of half wedge spin, but I found that it didn't spin all that much (everything else about it was great).  I think it had to do with the fact that the Z Stars have the thinnest covers in the premium market.  As a result, the wedge didn't grip the ball that well to impart a lot of spin.  I'm inclined to think that others (including pros) agreed with me since they subsequently put the new "spin skin" on the next generation of balls.  I really like the newest version of the Z Star (2013), but you might prefer the Z Star XV between the two.

[golfbarefoot]

For what it's worth: I'm kind of a golf ball aficionado , and I like to try different balls (particularly inside 100 yards).  Historically, I have found that the wedge spin rates, relatively speaking, have not always matched up to Golf Digest's charts.  For example, the 2011 Z Star was located high up in the chart in terms of half wedge spin, but I found that it didn't spin all that much (everything else about it was great).  I think it had to do with the fact that the Z Stars have the thinnest covers in the premium market.  As a result, the wedge didn't grip the ball that well to impart a lot of spin.  I'm inclined to think that others (including pros) agreed with me since they subsequently put the new "spin skin" on the next generation of balls.  I really like the newest version of the Z Star (2013), but you might prefer the Z Star XV between the two.

Interesting. Rank the top 5 golf ball products, in your opinion.