Kbains5

Instruction is better than equipment. However, there is a caveat to that in my opinion. 
Take music for instance. A beginner who is gifted a $100 guitar doesn't have enough talent to notice the difference of that and a $3000 guitar. However, if that person had that $3000 guitar that has faster action, easier to fret, and a better feel to it all together, that individual may find more interest in progressing the craft.
The same goes for golf. Modern irons do have so many differences that can help with forgiveness to keep people coming back on mis-hits. I underwent a big swing change that made my ball-striking with irons much more efficient and gained 15 yards with each club in a couple months just by a better understanding of physics and the way my body works. So, if you feel like you are making consistent swings, and the distance is still a little off, then modern clubs could help. The new ones are super lofted which is a placebo for how far someone says their 7 iron can go, but they are generally easier to hit. I know Mizuno does make some forgiving JPX Irons in a HL model that still have more traditional lofts than other brands offer that launch higher if you are interested. Best of luck!

You might also look into Maltby irons from Golfworks. Amazing clubs at the best price you will find anywhere. There is a Maltby thread here on the forum where you can read up on them. 

So in general it seems the consensus is right on par with my own assessment. Feel is largely subjective but overall there is a legitimate loss of distance for everyone here. Which is a conundrum for me because I very much prefer the high spin and shape of flight that I get out of the kirklands, but I have been coming up short on greens. Begs the question do I prefer a good flight I can shape and then just have to play to take spin off like Tiger does, or I do play a less spinny ball that’s less workable and I have to put spin on in the more modern style. 
 
I also wanted to start playing a sub 70 or takomo mb cb combo to learn rather than having to relearn from a GI. The distance would be terrible with a blade spin and the Kirkland spin. Things to consider. 

Good Morning All, 
As someone who is still figuring out his game, I feel I should go out of my way to give my opinion on different balls and performance. 
 
Some background, I started playing back in April of 2024 when I bought a used set of clubs off marketplace for $125. This set came with a maltby driver, maltby trouble out 3,5,7 & 9 woods, Dynapower Copperhead CU irons from 3 to A wedge, which to my knowledge are an OEM club from the mid 2000s, a top flite mallet putter, and a maltby 38 degree hybrid. With is also came a bag with a million different types of balls. 
 
In this bag were Pro V1s, Noodles, and Srixons. Before I became aware of how bad range balls were, but I started doing research and used my Srixons and Noodles. While my yardage didn’t vary much, I was still learning how to consistently strike the ball let alone what softness and spin rates matter. I was aware of how Pro V1s were and simply didn’t want to lose them on wayward strikes. 
 
Recently however, I talked myself into buying a pack Kirkland balls as my striking has become significantly more consistent. On my first strike on the course I immediately noticed the heft to the ball. The sound, the flight, everything. It was more crisp than anything I had ever hit before and my strike was pure. However, it went shorter than what my noodles were going, and for that matter my Srixons, how odd.
 
I tried then hitting a Pro V1 to see the difference. Again, crisp and clean ball flight, but not as much distance. I pondered why that could be. One thing I understood however, was that while the distance loss was strange, I discovered I could trust the flights far more. The pace on my putts felt more consistent and controlled and I played arguably the best round I’ve ever played in my life. No matter the lie or rough that I played out of, I’d never been to able to reliably predict a ball flight like that before, or the roll out on the green. These Kirkland Balls, while not going as far as I would’ve like granted that’s probably because of me more than anything, could be planned around. As long as I hit the ball properly, I could trust the ball was going to get where I wanted with the shape I was playing it. 
 
As a gear nerd, I love to believe that even the smallest things can make a big difference in your game. I truly believe that you shouldn’t have to be a mammoth like Bryson to get huge distance. This ball test all but confirmed my thinking in that regard. As a mid to high handicapper a lot of content revolves around the idea that gear doesn’t matter just practice and get better, etc. This is important and good to remember, however once you get even a remote feel for the game you notice immediately how the strikes change, impact changes, ball flight changes, putting changes, etc. 
 
I truly believe that in my experience, the Kirkland ball is as good as hyped. It truly feels the same as a Pro V1 for a fraction of the price. It feels better than many other balls I’ve used in the past. I can’t stress this enough, it just feels good. It sounds good. It looks good. 
 
Golf balls are a majorly overlooked part of the regular player’s arsenal, and is arguably worth more consideration and tooling than what stamp is on a club head. Again, I stress this for newer players, as one of you, not a golf elitist who says get good scrub why worry about other stuff. Once you’ve put in some time, and you’ve started to feel the game a bit, invest in this ball upgrade if you haven’t already. You’ll thank yourself for not paying an arm and a leg for a premium ball at $55 for a 12 ball box. 

Good Morning All, 
As someone who is still figuring out his game, I feel I should go out of my way to give my opinion on different balls and performance. 
 
Some background, I started playing back in April of 2024 when I bought a used set of clubs off marketplace for $125. This set came with a maltby driver, maltby trouble out 3,5,7 & 9 woods, Dynapower Copperhead CU irons from 3 to A wedge, which to my knowledge are an OEM club from the mid 2000s, a top flite mallet putter, and a maltby 38 degree hybrid. With is also came a bag with a million different types of balls. 
 
In this bag were Pro V1s, Noodles, and Srixons. Before I became aware of how bad range balls were, but I started doing research and used my Srixons and Noodles. While my yardage didn’t vary much, I was still learning how to consistently strike the ball let alone what softness and spin rates matter. I was aware of how Pro V1s were and simply didn’t want to lose them on wayward strikes. 
 
Recently however, I talked myself into buying a pack Kirkland balls as my striking has become significantly more consistent. On my first strike on the course I immediately noticed the heft to the ball. The sound, the flight, everything. It was more crisp than anything I had ever hit before and my strike was pure. However, it went shorter than what my noodles were going, and for that matter my Srixons, how odd.
 
I tried then hitting a Pro V1 to see the difference. Again, crisp and clean ball flight, but not as much distance. I pondered why that could be. One thing I understood however, was that while the distance loss was strange, I discovered I could trust the flights far more. The pace on my putts felt more consistent and controlled and I played arguably the best round I’ve ever played in my life. No matter the lie or rough that I played out of, I’d never been to able to reliably predict a ball flight like that before, or the roll out on the green. These Kirkland Balls, while not going as far as I would’ve like granted that’s probably because of me more than anything, could be planned around. As long as I hit the ball properly, I could trust the ball was going to get where I wanted with the shape I was playing it. 
 
As a gear nerd, I love to believe that even the smallest things can make a big difference in your game. I truly believe that you shouldn’t have to be a mammoth like Bryson to get huge distance. This ball test all but confirmed my thinking in that regard. As a mid to high handicapper a lot of content revolves around the idea that gear doesn’t matter just practice and get better, etc. This is important and good to remember, however once you get even a remote feel for the game you notice immediately how the strikes change, impact changes, ball flight changes, putting changes, etc. 
 
I truly believe that in my experience, the Kirkland ball is as good as hyped. It truly feels the same as a Pro V1 for a fraction of the price. It feels better than many other balls I’ve used in the past. I can’t stress this enough, it just feels good. It sounds good. It looks good. 
 
Golf balls are a majorly overlooked part of the regular player’s arsenal, and is arguably worth more consideration and tooling than what stamp is on a club head. Again, I stress this for newer players, as one of you, not a golf elitist who says get good scrub why worry about other stuff. Once you’ve put in some time, and you’ve started to feel the game a bit, invest in this ball upgrade if you haven’t already. You’ll thank yourself for not paying an arm and a leg for a premium ball at $55 for a 12 ball box. 

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I started playing golf this year in May of 2024, after i bought a 17 club set of Dynapower Copperhead CU irons and a Maltby Driver with a 3, 5, 7 and 9 wood to go a steelsmith 53 degree wedge. I haven't played a full 18 a lot as there aren't a ton around me, but I play a lot of tight and narrow par 3 9 hole courses and usually shoot 15-20 over. 
What do you love about golf? I love the grind, the constant need to be sharp and improve and analyze, looking for the most efficient way to move, and in every sport I am a geek for gear. Golf gear is elite and outside of the satisfaction of striping a fade and holing a putt, I love looking at gear and how it can actually effect how someone is able to perform. 
What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I came upon this forum by chance, through instagram but I don't know any other spies right now.
Where are you from? What is your home course? I am from Fresno originally, and if I had to say my home course it would have to be Hank's Swank Par 3 Course. 
What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best thing is the pricing is solid but the bad thing is you're getting what you pay for in terms of low quality facilities, and the higher priced places don't offer the quality you should get for the price. 
What do you do for a living? I am a lawyer by trade. 
How’d you pick your user name? Just a username based off my last name that I've always used. 

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I started playing golf this year in May of 2024, after i bought a 17 club set of Dynapower Copperhead CU irons and a Maltby Driver with a 3, 5, 7 and 9 wood to go a steelsmith 53 degree wedge. I haven't played a full 18 a lot as there aren't a ton around me, but I play a lot of tight and narrow par 3 9 hole courses and usually shoot 15-20 over. 
What do you love about golf? I love the grind, the constant need to be sharp and improve and analyze, looking for the most efficient way to move, and in every sport I am a geek for gear. Golf gear is elite and outside of the satisfaction of striping a fade and holing a putt, I love looking at gear and how it can actually effect how someone is able to perform. 
What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I came upon this forum by chance, through instagram but I don't know any other spies right now.
Where are you from? What is your home course? I am from Fresno originally, and if I had to say my home course it would have to be Hank's Swank Par 3 Course. 
What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best thing is the pricing is solid but the bad thing is you're getting what you pay for in terms of low quality facilities, and the higher priced places don't offer the quality you should get for the price. 
What do you do for a living? I am a lawyer by trade. 
How’d you pick your user name? Just a username based off my last name that I've always used.