BACKGROUND
Hey Spies! First time tester here! I’m currently 38 and will be coming up on 10 years of consistent golf soon. Over the years I’d guess I’ve been about 80% self-taught and was able to get down to a 4.7 handicap, however in 2022 I had to take a year off due to a shoulder surgery with a lengthy recovery. Post-surgery I’ve really struggled to get back to where I was. I’ve been hovering around a 7 handicap right now last few rounds have been right at 80, but on easier courses and moved up a set of tees (or two) for now. Every day I’m seeing substantial improvement and I’m more energized than ever to get back out there and swing away! Just in the last few weeks has my distance and spin really started to return. For reference--in Denver my 7 iron currently plays right at 192 yards (total yardage). In general, I think it’s fair to say I hit the ball further than most, and I struggle to spin the ball quite as much as I probably should.
BALL HISTORY
I play a lot of golf and historically have lost a lot of golf balls! I must admit for the longest time I was definitely the guy that would find balls on the course and play them regardless of type or condition. As I progressed, I started to get a little pickier with golf balls, but I still lost quite a few. That’s how I ended up playing vice balls. Finally, a ball with premium feel, great performance, but forgiving enough on the wallet whenever I opened up a new sleeve and proceeded to slice my first ball of the day into the native rough, never to be seen again.
I played Vice Pro Plus for many years and switched to Maxfli last year. When switching over I played both the Tour and Tour X. Since I’ve always been a low spin player, I tend to prefer a higher spinning ball (also due to altitude). After one case of each, I decided to stick with the Tour X
EXPECTATIONS:
I don’t have regular access to a simulator so most of my testing will be outdoors at Green Valley Ranch in Denver Colorado. I plan to put it through its paces at the practice facilities, as well as on course. A few of the other reviewers have really gone above and beyond and will be providing great trackman data along with an entire custom putting and chipping machine! I’m going to try and take a different angle of focusing on course. What’s it like playing with day-to-day? I will be using Titleist woods, Mizuno irons and wedges, and an enroll putter for the entirety of the test. More details in “About Me” if you're interested.
When evaluating, I’m going to treat it just like I have in the past when choosing a new ball to put into play. I’m sure this list looks different for everyone out there, but since I’m not relying on the performance of a golf ball to bring in a paycheck, I would probably have to put value as number one for me. I would love to say I don’t care about distance, but that would be a lie, even though I hit the ball plenty far, I will never complain about hitting it just a little bit further!
Value – how does this ball perform compared to some of the highest performing balls on market? How does this ball compare to other balls in the same price range?*
Distance – is there a sacrifice and distance when comparing this to the longest balls out there? MGS Ball Test 2023
Consistency – Does your savings upfront cost you on the course? MGS Ball Lab 2023
Higher spin – being a low spin player, can I stop the ball when I need to?
Durable cover – assuming I can somehow keep a ball into play for more than around will this ball be able to hold up overtime? MGS Scuffs
Visuals - logo / alignment – do I like the looks of the ball? Does the alignment aid add or distract / distract?
I’m most excited to try out the new alignment markings as I do line up my putts using the ball alignment graphics. Here’s a good article on the topic.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS (7 out of 10)
Whenever I first saw this new alignment graphics online I was afraid it was going to be too big and too busy. One of the first things I noticed when I opened the box is the alignment graphics are smaller than I expected. Don’t get me wrong, there's still a lot going on however the entirety of the graphics are still narrower and more subdued than I thought it would be. The fine lines make it more discrete than expected. Also, the lack of color when compared to something like triple track or tour response track adds to the balanced feel of the graphics.
MAX ALIGN (10 out of 10)
Getting it out on course and next to other alignment balls I quickly noticed all the alignment graphics on different balls were all the exact same width. I would not have guessed that without placing them side by side. I’m not sure who decided that was the proper size, but it looks like everyone is sticking with it. Even though they’re all the same width I would say, they don’t look the same. Comparing the Maxfli to triple track, I think triple track is much more distracting and a much more prominent graphic. It took me a little while to figure out why, but I think it really comes down to the blue and red versus black only. The same is true for pretty much all the other alignment balls I put it up against.
My initial impressions were that it’s just another line and it doesn’t make as much of a difference. I think I still preferred the Vice Kil line over any I’ve used. It’s simple yet bold. After putting around with it for a few minutes, my initial impressions seem to start to fade away. I have to say whenever you roll a great putt it is so satisfying to watch.
It probably took three or four days for me to really start to get used to seeing and playing with the ball. And after my first few weeks, I decided to go back to my old favorite the Vice Kil Line as a comparison. I think this was the big aha moment for me, I was surprised at how little I liked the small thin line after putting with the ball for a while. I really grew fond of using the Max Align ball far more so than I thought I would.
EXPECTATIONS (18 out of 20)
Value – As of April 1st the price per Maxfli Tour X delivered to my house is $ 2.73. That price hasn’t changed much in two years. You won’t find them for more or less than that. Next up, the Pro V1 – $ 4.77 per ball for the same quantity delivered as well. Lastly, Vice Pro Plus comes in at $ 2.90 per ball delivered, however they will run specials that can get the price down to $ 2.31 from what I’ve seen.*
Distance – I can’t tell any real on course difference with my driver, and my iron numbers are quite strong. I’d say you aren’t leaving anything meaningful on the table playing a Maxfli Tour ball over the most expensive balls on the market. Here’s a link to the best data you will find on the subject.
Consistency – Once again, I didn’t notice any negative impacts from lack of consistency on the course but for the most detailed data check out: MGS Ball Lab constancy results.
Higher Spin – This ball comes down steep and stops quickly. If that’s what you are looking for it delivers. If you tend to spin the ball a bit much, stick with the Tour instead of the Tour X
Durable – Okay here’s the biggest shortcoming I have found. You can see the pics below from bunker, testing, and a single wedge shot--It was quick to show wear on the course, whether it found a tree, cart path, or just a bunch of fairways.
Visuals – I was nervous about the looks, but it has really grown on me, and I do enjoy the looks now.
(one full swing wedge shot (desktop left, mobile top) one bunker shot (desktop right, mobile bottom)
On The Course (18 out of 20)
Off the Tee – This ball is long off the tee, and there’s not really a downside to it. I don’t find myself hitting or missing fairways any differently than other premium balls. More often than not, I’m in the ideal spin window however I could see this ball quickly overspinning for many players. As far as using the alignment aid off the tee, I’m too lazy. I tried it a few times, but I quickly found myself sticking a tee in the ground and leaving the ball misaligned. It didn’t bother me and I plan to play that way going forward.
Approach – The course I play on tends to have firm fast greens that can be difficult to hold. It’s another reason why I lean towards a higher spinning, higher launching ball and this ball held pretty much every time. I know some people were curious about how the alignment aid would look sitting on the ground after your tea shot, that’s not really something that bothers me, but I included a picture for those of you who want to see it.
Around the Green – This ball makes me smile. I just can’t help but feel like a kid watching a 50-yard shot one hop stop. It’s such a joy. It’s super predictable around the greens and checks up whenever I want. Is it completely necessary, maybe not, does it make golf more fun absolutely.
Putting – the firmness of the ball off the tee and the iron carries over to the putter as well, but still feels and sounds good.
Wind – My initial thoughts were that this ball could still play well in wind but after a few windy shots into greens I found that it will get eaten up a bit more than others. I will seriously consider grabbing a box of the standard tour ball for both windy days and trips to sea level.
Feel – This is the firmest premium ball I’ve played. I think if it weren’t for having the knowledge that compression is king, I would find myself playing another ball because of the feel. It’s not a bad feeling, but it’s different enough for what I’m used to where I do notice it, not in a good way. It's a little hard to wrap my mind around the feel/sound. It’s somehow both a premium urethane cover ball, but also has a clickiness of a discount ball at the same time. It’s less noticeable whenever you flush a shot, but there’s still a subtle clickiness. When you miss the center, you know it.
The Good, the bad, the in-between (18 out of 20)
Good: Price & Distance & Max Align
Bad: Durability
In-between: Firm Feel
Play it or Trade it? (19 out of 20)
Play it. I will absolutely be shopping for the Max Align graphic next time I buy a case of Maxfli balls. As someone who is looking to save a few dollars, prefers to line up their putts--I feel like this ball was basically made for me. If you don’t line up your putts, there’s no need for the alignment version, but it’s still a great ball without that. Really the only point deduction here is for durability. Although an affordable ball for the performance, I find myself going through more balls than I’d like due to wear.
CONCLUSION:
This ball is firm and fast. One of the longest and most consistent balls for the price. Although durability isn’t quite up to the level of something like a Pro V1, the cost is hard to beat. As for Max Align, it’s going to stay in my bag for a while longer. As someone who lines up their putts, I found it easier to line up compared to all other alignment balls on the market, a joy to watch roll, and not too distracting. If you like to line up your putts, you should try a sleeve.
Final Score 91 out of 100
* Price references below (click to enlarge)
Yeah same, the way I play golf sometimes the green fee is the cheapest aspect of a round! Haha
