Quick Review: Volvik White Color S3 Ball

[GolfSpy Dave]

 

It was about a year ago when I got turned on to Volvik colored golf balls. I have always been drawn to the colored ball. Not sure why. Maybe it's just a primal "look at the bright, shiny thing" response. Regardless, I am definitely a fan of playing the Volvik colored balls, especially the Vista line.

 

You can read more about the Volvik colored balls HERE if you missed it the first time around.

 

The New Color:  White Color

So what's a company to do when they have carved a niche into the golf industry based upon color? Go with white, of course. Keeping the golf consumer on his and her toes, Volvik has introduced the White Color S3 golf ball, and as the name implies, it's a white ball.

 

 

Making a white version of an existing colored ball would be a solid plan to introduce more traditionally minded golfers to the Volvik experience. Not every golfer can comfortably tee up the pink ball. However, that's not what the White Color S3 is all about. It can't be. Volvik already makes a white Vista ball...

 

It Starts with a "U"

I do like playing the colored Volvik balls, but there was one part of the game where I wished the balls gave me a little more, short chips. The spin on full iron shots was great, but I just couldn't get the check out of the ball that I can with other high end balls. That brings us to the "U":

 

The Volvik White Color S3 has a URETHANE cover.

 

Ah urethane. They mythological polymer of spin. Oh how you glom on to my wedge, giving me, average golfer guy, the ability to have my chip not roll off of the green. All hail urethane!

 

So although Volvik balls have been played successfully (i.e. wins) on multiple professional tours, the lack of a urethane cover has kept some from considering Volvik balls to be tour caliber. If urethane is your benchmark, then the Volvik White Color S3 is a tour ball.

 

Dave Plays the Volvik White Color S3

Now before I describe my experiences with the Volvik White Color S3, let us not forget that I am not a tour player. That being said, I like playing the fancy tour balls, and I have played (and lost OB) quite a few of them. Anyway, here are my thoughts on the Volvik White Color S3.

 

Feel

I would characterize the White Color S3 as having moderate softness of feel. Not too hard, and not too soft. It is definitely softer feeling than the Vista, with this being most noticeable to me with the putter.

 

Compression with the driver and the irons is non-alarming. You don't get a harsh click, or a marshmallow squish. It doesn't call attention to itself, and I view this as a positive.

 

Color and Durability

OK so it's white. It is a shiny, sparkly white though. Not quite Edward level, but there is a pearlescent sheen to be sure. Those of you who have played Boz's Vision balls should view these as just a bit less vibrant.

 

The color will fade with play though, especially if you run the poor guy through 18 in the trees. Here is a new vs used shot. The cover faded, but it really held up to a truck load of abuse that round.

 

Spin

Again, amateur golfer here. That being said, the ball spins much more than the other Volviks I have played. Nice off the tee and irons, but really a step up around the greens. I'll give you data demanders some RPM numbers as soon as my FlightScope arrives

 

Overall Take: Very Positive

I enjoyed playing the Volvik White Color S3. It is a functional improvement over their other balls, and a ball that can hold it's own with the other premium balls on the market. If someone told me that this is the ball I'd be playing tomorrow, I'd have zero reservations about it and would look forward to that round.

 

I really only have two concerns about the Volvik White Color S3. First, they are in dangerous market territory at $45/doz. That's the land of the #1 ball in golf. I'm not sure I'd like to throw my hat into that ring. It will take some serious marketing to get the Volvik White Color S3 to replace that ball. I am comfortable saying the ball is competitive with other tour balls, but I really don't have the technical data to say it is better.

 

The other concern, is that it's white. I like the orange and pink Vista balls a bunch. Maybe colored S3's are next. Sign this guy up for Orange Color S3.

 

Here is a nice and long graphic that will give you more of the tech specs on the White Color S3.