Is there a BIG difference between tour golf balls?

[GolfSpy Dave]

For me, putter feel is a HUGE factor on whether a ball works it's way into my bag. I don't like hard balls no matter how much they perform off the driver and spin on full wedge shots. For instance, I tried the E5 because I heard it spins great for a two piece ball and is long. HATED it because it felt like a rock off the putter and I kept blowing it two feet past the hole.

No doubt. When I went through my brief insert phase, often I found some balls, like the Zip, that I liked off the driver and irons too soft to get any feedback on the putter.

It is almost like the goldilocks story and the beds. THere are enough choices though that once can find one that is 'just right'.

 

And Nic, another round with the same ball today would be fine?

[MmmmmmBuddy]

 

And Nic, another round with the same ball today would be fine?

I spent the day today at the park with the family. Now it is Black and Tan time. MMMMMmmmm..

[GolfSpy Dave]

I spent the day today at the park with the family. Now it is Black and Tan time. MMMMMmmmm..

Have I told you lately that you are an inspiration?

 

But could the ball go another 18?

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Have I told you lately that you are an inspiration?

 

But could the ball go another 18?

no problem. I would play a new one, but there is no issue with the ball going longer. In fact, because

i am on a Birdie run, I might continue to play it...

[Addicted2Golf]

No doubt. When I went through my brief insert phase, often I found some balls, like the Zip, that I liked off the driver and irons too soft to get any feedback on the putter.

It is almost like the goldilocks story and the beds. THere are enough choices though that once can find one that is 'just right'.

 

 

Yeah, similar cause and effect for me but exactly opposite. My studio style has a GSS insert and anything hard clicks off the face and rolls a mile. I've found a softer ball (somewhere between soft and firm) works great and gives me the proper anount of feel to control distance. So, I guess it really depends on what putter you game...

[Addicted2Golf]

I spent the day today at the park with the family. Now it is Black and Tan time. MMMMMmmmm..

 

This is off topic but you mentioned it. I assume the black is Guinness but what is the tan part? I've always wondered about that as I drink just plain Guinness. Boddingtons perhaps?

[MmmmmmBuddy]

This is off topic but you mentioned it. I assume the black is Guinness but what is the tan part? I've always wondered about that as I drink just plain Guinness. Boddingtons perhaps?

Today I am using Pike Brewing Co. Scotch style Kilt Lifter Ale. We are in Seattle, so go local...

[NGage]

Wow....you guys are making this a lot more complicated than it really is -- at least to the original topic. Within the same type of ball, there just isn't that much difference for us everyday players. Heck, even at the Ryder Cup the pro's change up balls without hardly a problem.

[jamo]

Wow....you guys are making this a lot more complicated than it really is -- at least to the original topic. Within the same type of ball, there just isn't that much difference for us everyday players. Heck, even at the Ryder Cup the pro's change up balls without hardly a problem.

 

The pro's do have time to adjust, and a lot of times they will strategize about who's ball to use based on certain situations, etc. A lot more goes into it.

[Matt Saternus]

For me, putter feel is a HUGE factor on whether a ball works it's way into my bag. I don't like hard balls no matter how much they perform off the driver and spin on full wedge shots. For instance, I tried the E5 because I heard it spins great for a two piece ball and is long. HATED it because it felt like a rock off the putter and I kept blowing it two feet past the hole.

 

 

No doubt. When I went through my brief insert phase, often I found some balls, like the Zip, that I liked off the driver and irons too soft to get any feedback on the putter.

It is almost like the goldilocks story and the beds. THere are enough choices though that once can find one that is 'just right'.

 

And Nic, another round with the same ball today would be fine?

 

So you guys find that the feel off the putter actually impacts performance? Interesting. Hypothetically, if the feel off the putter didn't impact how you putted with it, would it still impact your decision of what ball to play?

[Addicted2Golf]

So you guys find that the feel off the putter actually impacts performance? Interesting. Hypothetically, if the feel off the putter didn't impact how you putted with it, would it still impact your decision of what ball to play?

 

Yeah, because if a ball is too hard, then it negates the thing I like best about my Studio Style Newport and the Rife. Its hard to explain but I'm more of a finesse putter. I play a lot of break and normally let the ball die to the hole when I'm on. That's why feel is so important to my game in that phase.

 

To answer your question, despite these factors, if I still putted well with it regardless then I would most certainly play it. It's all about results!

[Matt Saternus]

Yeah, because if a ball is too hard, then it negates the thing I like best about my Studio Style Newport and the Rife. Its hard to explain but I'm more of a finesse putter. I play a lot of break and normally let the ball die to the hole when I'm on. That's why feel is so important to my game in that phase.

 

To answer your question, despite these factors, if I still putted well with it regardless then I would most certainly play it. It's all about results!

 

I agree - what's the point of owning a great putter if it feels like poop because of the ball. That said, if I can pay $1 for a ball that works instead of $4...well I think I'll take the $1 ball.

[jamo]

I agree - what's the point of owning a great putter if it feels like poop because of the ball. That said, if I can pay $1 for a ball that works instead of $4...well I think I'll take the $1 ball.

 

And that's where X-outs and recycled balls come in.

[Addicted2Golf]

I agree - what's the point of owning a great putter if it feels like poop because of the ball. That said, if I can pay $1 for a ball that works instead of $4...well I think I'll take the $1 ball.

 

So you didn't sleep though all of your economics classes in college then.... EXCELLENT!!

[GolfSpy Dave]

I agree - what's the point of owning a great putter if it feels like poop because of the ball. That said, if I can pay $1 for a ball that works instead of $4...well I think I'll take the $1 ball.

Check the Wilson FG Tour. It is a $2.50 ball...

[Matt Saternus]

Check the Wilson FG Tour. It is a $2.50 ball...

 

1 more day of testing, then I'll see what's going to happen. I might be opting for those RXs that you love so much, that deal at gpp is great. I might pick up a sleeve at the course tomorrow and give them a run against the ProV1X head to head if the course is a little emptier.

[GolfSpy Dave]

1 more day of testing, then I'll see what's going to happen. I might be opting for those RXs that you love so much, that deal at gpp is great. I might pick up a sleeve at the course tomorrow and give them a run against the ProV1X head to head if the course is a little emptier.

Do it!

I want to read what you think. If your driver speed is over 105 though, you may need the 330s not the 330rx.

[Matt Saternus]

Do it!

I want to read what you think. If your driver speed is over 105 though, you may need the 330s not the 330rx.

 

It's not, unless I really get my timing synced up. You want to send me a sleeve? I hate to pay $12 for a sleeve when I could buy a whole box of Gamers for that amount.

[PingManKMB]

B330S is the way to go. Much more spin off the irons compared to the Pro V1

[jamo]

Uh oh, you guys may be talking me into the Bridgestones, the Taylor Mades might get mad....

[DJNiich]

I've found that lately the newest looking ball in my bag is played. I have titleists, srixons, taylormades, and callaways. All tour, all seem the same.

[agoopt844]

I've found that lately the newest looking ball in my bag is played. I have titleists, srixons, taylormades, and callaways. All tour, all seem the same.

 

I know this is a bit off topic, but do you find that balls at the lower end are all about the same too? I don't play or need an expensive ball, but I'd like to play the best ball in my budget.

[NGage]

I know this is a bit off topic, but do you find that balls at the lower end are all about the same too? I don't play or need an expensive ball, but I'd like to play the best ball in my budget.

 

 

IMHO, within a type -- be it high end or low end -- there is just not that much difference for us everyday players. Until you start scoring under par for a round, IMHO, it just doesn't matter that much -- within type.

 

 

JMHO

YMMV

[Matt Saternus]

I know this is a bit off topic, but do you find that balls at the lower end are all about the same too? I don't play or need an expensive ball, but I'd like to play the best ball in my budget.

 

I think there is more similarity among tour balls than lower end balls. Among "cheap" balls you have everything from rock-hard distance balls to really quality offerings like the Gamer and the TriSpeed.

[lmh3]

I have noticed differences in spin rates between the higher and lower spinning versions of golf balls, the ProV1, B330-S, Srixon Z Star, etc. are similar to each other, but different from the ProV1x, B-330, Z Star-X, which I feel are similar to one another. The one ball that seems to have given me the best of both worlds, lower spin off the longer clubs and higher spin off of the shorter irons/wedges is the Penta.

[Matt Saternus]

I have noticed differences in spin rates between the higher and lower spinning versions of golf balls, the ProV1, B330-S, Srixon Z Star, etc. are similar to each other, but different from the ProV1x, B-330, Z Star-X, which I feel are similar to one another. The one ball that seems to have given me the best of both worlds, lower spin off the longer clubs and higher spin off of the shorter irons/wedges is the Penta.

 

Good point, there is definitely a gap between each brand's high and low spin ball.

 

More interesting (to me): you're a believer in the Penta? Are there any areas in which it is lacking? Is it the ball that you're gaming now, or is there something else that you prefer?

 

I've got 10 dozen balls en route and I'm still extremely interested in trying something new. My name is Matt and I have a problem...

[GolfSpy Dave]

Good point, there is definitely a gap between each brand's high and low spin ball.

 

More interesting (to me): you're a believer in the Penta? Are there any areas in which it is lacking? Is it the ball that you're gaming now, or is there something else that you prefer?

 

I've got 10 dozen balls en route and I'm still extremely interested in trying something new. My name is Matt and I have a problem...

I had the same silly thought "What? Someone likes the penta? Maybe I need to buy some?"

Hi Matt, my name is Dave, Welcome to therapy

[JohnBarry]

I love finding that mid ranged priced ball that stands up to the high end offerings. SRIXON had me at hello!

[NGage]

Talking about the TM Penta -- I've heard nothing but good things about it...from several people.

[Addicted2Golf]

Talking about the TM Penta -- I've heard nothing but good things about it...from several people.

 

Except for the price.