Low or High Spin Balls for Persimmon drivers

[BigBaffy]

Hi. I've read that low spin balls (reduced side-spin) will travel farther and roll-out longer. I've also read that low-spin balls are bad for wooden drivers, because of reduced launch properties off the tee (I haven't experienced this, but whatever).

I'd like to hear if anyone else has had good/bad experiences playing low compression golf balls with their older, persimmon/wooden drivers.

Keep in mind that a 250 yard drive is a good one in my books. I'm not expecting miracles. Thanks.

[SavvySwede]

Persimmon drivers will definitely launch quite a bit lower than the modern stuff and a little more spin will help it carry longer. Or you could tee it up higher and hit up on the ball to get a better launch though you risk sliding that tiny clubhead under the ball and popping it up. Rocco doesn't recommend that second option (see video). Noticed you play MacGregor Mike Souchak model irons and woods, I actually have that driver as well but I find it tougher to get up in the air compared to my Ping Eye persimmon driver.

[BigBaffy]

Great video. Thanks.

With respect to the Souchaks, I'm actually in the process of refinishing them (hand sanded them with a 80 grit strip and took a tad too much off the neck of the driver. I'll have to build it up with some epoxy). Hope to get them done before the grass starts growing. Love those clubs. Hope to break 90 this summer. I've tried playing newer clubs, but I honestly didn't see any vast improvement in my score. In some cases, I've played better with the old clubs.

Like my buddy says, it's the archer, not the arrow, so you might as well play what you like.

[iacas]

Hi. I've read that low spin balls (reduced side-spin) will travel farther and roll-out longer. I've also read that low-spin balls are bad for wooden drivers, because of reduced launch properties off the tee (I haven't experienced this, but whatever).

I'd like to hear if anyone else has had good/bad experiences playing low compression golf balls with their older, persimmon/wooden drivers.

Keep in mind that a 250 yard drive is a good one in my books. I'm not expecting miracles. Thanks.

I don't know how much you'll get from people still playing persimmon.

I will say that softer balls are often higher spin. That's part of what keeps them aloft longer - the added spin.

Also, there's no such thing as "reduced side spin" balls. Spin is reduced in "all directions" or not - a spinny ball spins more. There's no way to reduce "only" the "side spin."

[RayG]

I'm not sure what would be the point of trying to hit these new "soft" balls with a persimmon club. A year or 2 ago, I grabbed an older driver from my ""Florida" stash at my Dad's place. It wasn't Persimmon, but an early/mid 90's Taylormade Burner. I hit it a few times along with the R11 I was currently using. The ball was a Callaway iXTour. Admittedly, not he latest in tech compared to today, but a similar comparison. The R11 had a nice sound, with plenty of 'pop' and went out to about 250/260 total. The 90's Burner? I was lucky to get it to 220. It sounded like hitting a hacky sack or a putt-putt ball and just kind of floated out there. Persimmons and those earlier metals were meant to smash the carp out of the 90/100 compression balls of their era. It wasn't about "spring effect", MOI, and the like. It was about getting the most out of the compression in the balls themselves. If I could hit "today's" ball with a Persimmon out to 250, I would pay the $350 to hit it 300 with the new tech.

[dbuck]

I play persimmon or laminated maple most of the time. My favorite balls are the softer ones. I like the Titleist DT SoLo, the Callaway Supersoft, and the Wilson Duo. When I feel the need for a premium ball, is it the Bridgestone RX or RXS. I am looking forward to trying the new Chrome Soft with the old sticks.

I am VERY happy with a 250 yard drive; the normal good one is more like 235-40.

[cristphoto]

I remember when actual wood clubs were in their last days, Powerbilt woods came with a warning sticker to not hit harder surlyn balls with their clubs or damage could occur. Obviously you don't have the option to play a wound ball but I'd be safe and stick to lower compression urethane balls.

[RayG]

I remember when actual wood clubs were in their last days, Powerbilt woods came with a warning sticker to not hit harder surlyn balls with their clubs or damage could occur. Obviously you don't have the option to play a wound ball but I'd be safe and stick to lower compression urethane balls.

Back when the pros were playing the 'real' wooden clubs, MOST weren't hitting Surlyn balls. The danger was cracking the plastic insert. They played the softer covered Balata balls. The rest of the world could play the surlyns because, as now, the public didn't swing as hard or as pure as the pros.

[dbuck]

Nicklaus cracked several inserts in his prime even using balata. I remember seeing some guys with aluminum inserts in persimmon heads. I have never had that problem, even back in the day when we had Top Rocks (Top Flite).

[dbuck]

Back when the pros were playing the 'real' wooden clubs, MOST weren't hitting Surlyn balls. The danger was cracking the plastic insert. They played the softer covered Balata balls. The rest of the world could play the surlyns because, as now, the public didn't swing as hard or as pure as the pros.

+1