How To Plan A Ball Test?

[Sschaffer24]

Hey guys!

 

One of my missions over the winter is to find the perfect golf ball for my game. I was playing the Snell MTB all season last year, and then found during my fitting that unfortunately that ball does not react well to my swing. I was losing quite a bit of distance compared to the Pro V1's that they provided.

 

I've gamed Pro V1X in the past and loved it. My fitter recommended testing the Z Star/XV and B-330RXS so I have those on my list. I'm not a Costco member (none around me) so the Ksig is off the list.

 

What balls do you guys play? What would you consider? How would you go about testing the list of options in the most controlled but realistic way that you can?

 

I love a high spin ball around the green, I'm an aggressive chipper so that's one factor I need to keep in mind. The issue I run into though is my driver performance, I need something that will keep the spin down on the driver.

 

Any recommendations guys? What kind of process would you use? The Titleist method?

[revkev]

Well you are mixing metaphors here because the MTB and Pro VIx perform differently from the balls that your fitter had recommended.

 

Personally I would start there. He's the Pro right?

 

If you don't like his choices you want to stick with the Pro VI type of ball.

 

Good luck

 

Sent from my VS986 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[Maverickping]

Very interested in this as well. I play the Srixon ZStar, works great for me. Always been a fan of Srixon and still have some of my favorite (Srixon Z-URS.

One place I've always used for the specs on all balls is below. Part of the specs that might be helpful is they also provide: SPIN RATING

The spin rating describes the spin performance of the ball (H-high; M-medium; or L-low) when struck using a driver and a short iron.

Example:

"L-M" describes a ball with a low spin rate when hit with a driver and a medium spin when struck with a short iron.

 

 

https://www.usga.org/ConformingGolfBall/gball_list.pdf

[hckymeyer]

Depends how #datacratic you want to get with your test.

 

I really think there are 2 main options.  The launch monitor way or the on-course way.  For either one you are going to need a sleeve of all the balls you want to test.

 

1. Get on a Trackman or similar that accurately measures ball spin and distance.  Hit shots with wedges, 7i, long iron and driver.  See which gives you the best spin and distances.  That's doesn't mean most spin and longest though, it means the specific parameters that you are looking for in your game.

 

2.  Get on an empty course and play several balls.  Take time to hit various shots from various distances with various clubs and see which ball reacts the way you want it to.

 

The Trackman or launch monitor is going to be the quicker solution, but requires more logistics.

[JudgeSmails]

for driver, it seems the best method would be on a simulator, same driver/shaft...just different balls.  For me at least, it would be pretty tough to determine small differences on the course. 

[fozcycle]

Great thoughts Shawn, have you tried any of the Wilson Staff Duo's?  Duo(29 compression $22) Duo Spin(35 compression $27) Duo U(55 compression $38)

 

I just got some Duo Spin & Duo U's last week at our Club Christmas Dinner and am liking the Duo U....great spin around the green with Urethane cover and long off the Tee.  Also, they are very durable.  I will try to Spin & Regulars later this winter.  Right now it's in the 80* range so the Duo U's are working fine.

[Maverickping]

I forgot, I'd trust what Trackman tells you too. If this fitting was the one done at Modern Golf their opinion would be a good one. Used to have lessons there using the Trackman and it was interesting/telling on the balls used.

One thing I would also consider is the climate you play in most. Not all balls play the same depending on the climate.

[Sschaffer24]

Yeah so this was at my Modern Golf fitting. I definitely trust Justin's opinion on the balls. Here's the catch though and this is what makes me over complicate it.

 

If you go read the description of the B-330RXS and the Srixon Z-Star XV for example they are two completely different target markets between the two balls. Both have their pros and cons for my game, but just judging from the design of these, it would be very difficult to make that decision without some real world testing.

 

What I struggle with on a launch monitor is the uncontrollable strike factor. I could mishit the XV and see higher spin numbers than the RXS and then turn around and see those numbers flip. Factor in that performance around and into the green is more relevant to overall performance than your 14 drives in a round and this becomes a relatively confusing question.

 

I've went with on course testing in the past and practically drove myself insane doing so. I like the launch monitor idea, but struggle to piece together which ones are outliers and which aren't. Basically, how do I determine performance differences between specifically the ball and not my strike?

 

Also, then the question is what to put on the list? Duos I've played in the past. They're very soft and nice. Not sure of it's my preferred feel for year round though. I like the idea of Chrome Soft. Apparently they're supposed to be fantastic. I like Titleist as well honestly and on an even playing field I'd probably pick a Pro V1X over the others due to history. That being said, I do put a ton of confidence in what was suggested by Modern Golf.

 

So, how do you guys make these decisions? Haha.

[null]

Have you done a Bridgestone online ball fitting via chat? It's pretty cool. You sound EXACTLY like me in terms of ball needs, and I was fitted for the B330S.

[null]

Unless you're using a launch monitor like GC2 with the HMT impact tracking feature you'll never be able to properly eliminate outliers

[Sschaffer24]

Via chat? I had no clue... I'lll have to check that out.

[Sschaffer24]

Unless you're using a launch monitor like GC2 with the HMT impact tracking feature you'll never be able to properly eliminate outliers

 

Exactly my concern.

[hckymeyer]

Price and testing on the course.

 

Get out of your own head man!!!

 

Also hit lots of shots.  You know when you hit a crappy one and delete it.  Hit 10, 20, 50 shots.  How every many it takes to get a good average.  Don't look at individual shots, look at the average of all of them.

[Sschaffer24]

Yeah, I just hate uncertainty my dude! Haha.

[null]

Via chat? I had no clue... I'lll have to check that out.

yeah man. When i just used the fitting tool I always come out right between the 330 and 330S - with the chat I was able to tell them more about what I wanted my ball to do (lower flight into greens with more spin, and agressive wedge game), and they said hands down the 330S

[Sschaffer24]

Is the chat available through the online fitting tool, or did you choose the contact us box? I'm going to do that for sure.

[MDGolfHacker]

Finding a ball is always tough. But hitting multiple balls on the course backed up with trackman info from an indoor session is the best way to go if you can do that. If not, I would just take different ball sleeves on the same hole to see the performance as recommended earlier. You get a better sense of ball flight and conditions that way. You can see how the balls react chipping onto a practice green too. Remember, your going to mishit balls so that may factor in to your decision, ie balls that limit sides spin, etc...

 

MDGolfHacker

[Mr_Theoo]

Just go buy all the Nike platinums you can, problem solved

[The Dansome]

Just go buy all the Nike platinums you can, problem solved

 

This ball was equal to the Snell, ProV1x etc for me. Low driver spin, impressive iron flight, wedge spin and great putter feel.

 

Buy all the iIke platinums you can on clearance now and 2017 golf season is set.

[Mr_Theoo]

This ball was equal to the Snell, ProV1x etc for me. Low driver spin, impressive iron flight, wedge spin and great putter feel.

 

Buy all the iIke platinums you can on clearance now and 2017 golf season is set.

I've got 2 dozen. Gonna get more after Christmas, best ball I've ever played

[Severtheties]

I've got 2 dozen. Gonna get more after Christmas, best ball I've ever played

Your going to need more than that.....

[Mr_Theoo]

Your going to need more than that.....

Only if I plan to play little turtle again

[chisag]

Hey guys!

 

One of my missions over the winter is to find the perfect golf ball for my game. I was playing the Snell MTB all season last year, and then found during my fitting that unfortunately that ball does not react well to my swing. I was losing quite a bit of distance compared to the Pro V1's that they provided.

 

I've gamed Pro V1X in the past and loved it. My fitter recommended testing the Z Star/XV and B-330RXS so I have those on my list. I'm not a Costco member (none around me) so the Ksig is off the list.

 

What balls do you guys play? What would you consider? How would you go about testing the list of options in the most controlled but realistic way that you can?

 

I love a high spin ball around the green, I'm an aggressive chipper so that's one factor I need to keep in mind. The issue I run into though is my driver performance, I need something that will keep the spin down on the driver.

 

 

... I am a big believer in playing golf from the hole backwards, especially with the performance off the tee with todays premium balls. Hard to find similar balls that spin significantly more or less that it's competitors off the tee. Of course someone with a 115-120 mph swing speed may find a bigger difference. 

 

... Based on feel and wind performance, my favorites are the Z Star and Tour Preferred X.  Like you, I am an aggressive chipper and pitcher using a 60* for almost all shots around the green and I need max spin for one hop and stop. Several others I have tried and really enjoyed are the Vice Pro Plus, B330S, ProV1X and of course the Kirkland Signature. Shot my lowest round of the season with the KS. That said, my favorite is still the Z Star because I love the feel, at 100mph driver swing speed it fits me for compression and it is as long or longer off the tee than any ball I have with perhaps the KS being the only ball longer. I just don't have enough head to head performance to make that claim yet but hit some of my longest drives using the KS. 

 

... Tried a few of the low compression "premium" balls and they just don't spin enough around the green, especially on hard and fast tour type greens. The 2016 RSX and Duo Urethane were disappointing for me and I put them in the Mrs bag. They performed great everywhere but the most aggressive shots around the green and even though they had surprisingly good spin for super low compression balls, they are not in the same premium ball category as my favorites. 

 

... My testing method is get out for a practice round and compare two different balls. Hit two off the tee, then go to the worst shot and hit two from there and then two from the best shot. Around the green I like to hit 2 or more of each ball for the same shot. I will drop balls at a tough spot to flop over a trap, or a long chip to a back pin where I fly it the entire length and see if it hits and makes a small hop then stop dead. It is a good opportunity to practice shots and evaluate balls. 

 

 

[Sschaffer24]

Thanks for the input chisag. That sound very close to how I've tested in the past and also surprisingly close to my style of play/performance numbers. I'm going to start with the B330S and Z Star and go from there. It seems like one of those will offer the best fit for me just from raw information, and If I need to expand from there I certainly can.

[null]

Is the chat available through the online fitting tool, or did you choose the contact us box? I'm going to do that for sure.

Looks like the BFit chat isn't available anymore. Now that I think about it, Tyler Jagels actually fit me via Twitter. @TylerJagels

[Sschaffer24]

Thanks for the info Jlukes!

[BIG STU]

Depends how #datacratic you want to get with your test.

 

I really think there are 2 main options.  The launch monitor way or the on-course way.  For either one you are going to need a sleeve of all the balls you want to test.

 

1. Get on a Trackman or similar that accurately measures ball spin and distance.  Hit shots with wedges, 7i, long iron and driver.  See which gives you the best spin and distances.  That's doesn't mean most spin and longest though, it means the specific parameters that you are looking for in your game.

 

2.  Get on an empty course and play several balls.  Take time to hit various shots from various distances with various clubs and see which ball reacts the way you want it to.

 

The Trackman or launch monitor is going to be the quicker solution, but requires more logistics.

I like your #2 option best-- That is what I always do--- The practice area and trackman are two different animals compaired to actual course play. For me and this is just pertaining to my game I stress the performance on the green putting and chipping. Then next it is the 150 in test. I still work the ball some so workability is very important to me. Good example My GM gave me a 2 ball sample pack of the Bridgestone E6 Now they were straighter off the tee but I could not work them with my irons and could not get them to stop with the wedges. Those are some of the balls that are aerodynamically "tricked up" Not saying they are not a good ball but they do not work for my game. Now I will admit I am old school and learned the game with balata balls and blades. But one has to experiment around and find what suits their individual game. That is why they make so many different balls.

[BIG STU]

Thanks for the input chisag. That sound very close to how I've tested in the past and also surprisingly close to my style of play/performance numbers. I'm going to start with the B330S and Z Star and go from there. It seems like one of those will offer the best fit for me just from raw information, and If I need to expand from there I certainly can.

That is part of what I was talking about in my previous post. Now for some reason I compress the ball really hard with my 8I through wedges. Last weekend i played the same ProV for the whole scramble. I had scuff marks on it from the wedges and I am playing 20 year old 588s and was leaving cover on the face. The B-330S spin too much for me and I can not control the spin on those with the short irons. Now I do hit a trap cut with the face open about 2* or so which is my stock standard shot with the short irons. I spin the Z-Stat as good as I do the pro V1 or 1X and control it just as good. Everyone has a different method of delivery to execute a shot so one has to find what works for them and one they can be consistant with. BTW I did not putt with the scuffer and putted with a brand new ProV. 

[The Dansome]

Green back testing - find 2 balls that feel and check like you want, then put them on trackman and find the one that flies the best.

[Sschaffer24]

All super valuable information.

 

Thanks for your input guys! I've tested like that in the past, the problem I realized I had was that there were too many balls in the running. I need to find a few options that work and then just get on a launch monitor.