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The Soft ball theory


Sako

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I love all the research that’s taken place over the last year by everybody and ranking the balls by performance, but if the theory of a softer ball lends to a little less performance, I have a question about two balls specifically.

2020 Bridgestone B RXS

2020 Srixon Q Star Tour

Even though the balls in the testing from last April were 2019 models, these balls both ranked very high in performance for swing speeds at or near 100 mph. How do they buck the theory with so much softness and lower compression? 

As I try to narrow my selection for one ball to use, I am fighting the feeling (which I like) of both of these balls verse trying to play a harder ball which is recommended for better performance.

Just looking for a little more support for the right ball choice.

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I don't think you'll find a better, more reasoned response than what @JohnSmalls posted. Ball speed is only one metric of performance and there are many variables involved in deciding what ball will work best for you. 

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Fairway Wood: :mizuno-small: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S
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11 hours ago, Sako said:

 

Even though the balls in the testing from last April were 2019 models, these balls both ranked very high in performance for swing speeds at or near 100 mph. How do they buck the theory with so much softness and lower compression? 

 

We really don't know "softness" or "compression" for the  Srixon since there isn't a standard way to measure.    It will be interesting to see when it comes through the Ball Lab.  The report for the Tour B RXS is out and while a little softer than Prov and TP5 I wouldn't consider it that soft;  it ranks as a firm ball.  

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

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15 minutes ago, cnosil said:

We really don't know "softness" or "compression" for the  Srixon since there isn't a standard way to measure.    It will be interesting to see when it comes through the Ball Lab.  The report for the Tour B RXS is out and while a little softer than Prov and TP5 I wouldn't consider it that soft;  it ranks as a firm ball.  

Ball Lab report was for the Tour B XS, not the RXS that the OP is referring to. Also Srixon uses an ATTI tester to measure overall compression which is as close to an industry standard as had ever existed during the wound era, but you are correct that it is not recommended to compare OEM provided numbers as they may not be measured the same.

:titelist-small:  TS2 9.5

:titelist-small:  909F2 15.5

:titelist-small:  690.CB 3-PW

:titelist-small:  Vokey SM5 50, 56

image.png.e50b7e7a9b18feff4720d7b223a2013d.png   Works Versa 1W

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3 minutes ago, storm319 said:

Ball Lab report was for the Tour B XS, not the RXS that the OP is referring to. Also Srixon uses an ATTI tester to measure overall compression which is as close to an industry standard as had ever existed during the wound era, but you are correct that it is not recommended to compare OEM provided numbers as they may not be measured the same.

Good catch,  then we must wait until Tony does more work.  

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

Testing:   SPGC_logo.jpg

Backups:  :odyssey-small: Milled Collection RSX 2, :seemore-small: mFGP2, :cameron-small: Futura 5W

Member:  MGS Hitsquad since 2017697979773_DSCN2368(Custom).JPG.a1a25f5e430d9eebae93c5d652cbd4b9.JPG

 

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Did MGS change how they measure compression. Last year's ball test had Snell MTB-X at 114.3. This year's ball lab had it on average at 96. Seems like a big difference to me.

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12 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

So much of this depends on your club selection and how those clubs and golf balls fit your specific swing.

Higher compression typically generates more ball speed from lower lofted clubs such as drivers, fairway woods, long irons.  Softer compression ball speeds can "catch up" with  mid/short irons and wedges as compared to golf balls of higher compression.  Softer compression golf balls are also generally lower spinning balls.  Ground is also made up with mid-short irons due to lower spin produced.   Higher compression golf balls are not necessarily greater nor worse than softer compression golf balls, as a whole.  It depends on what works for the specific golfer.  Some want distance off the tee, some want or need more spin from irons/wedges.  Some need less spin.

The best thing you can do is get a couple of sleeves of the golf balls you want to try, and test them back to back on the course.  Start out with green performance and work your way back to the tee box.  Play what works for you.

Good Post you are learning there Grasshopper

Driver ---- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha  Speeder 565 R flex- 5W TM V-Steel Fubuki 60r--- 7W TM V-Steel UST Pro Force Gold 65R----- 9 W TM V Steel TM MAS stiff---- Irons 2015 TM TP CB Steel Fiber 95 R--- GW Callaway Mack Daddy 2 52* shaft unknown junk pile refugee. SW Callaway PM Grind 56*  Modified sole grind--- KBS Tour Wedge-- LW Vokey 58* SM5 L grind--- Putter Ping B90I Broom Stick 

 

 

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12 hours ago, dlow206 said:

Did MGS change how they measure compression. Last year's ball test had Snell MTB-X at 114.3. This year's ball lab had it on average at 96. Seems like a big difference to me.

Yes they did.  I asked Tony earlier this year and to which he confirmed. I can’t remember specifically the percentage in change between the two standards of measurement (Ball Lab 2020 vs Ball Test 2019)but I do remember him saying that compression readings are coming out noticeably  lower than with the first standard he used in 2019. 

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1 hour ago, JohnSmalls said:

Yes they did.  I asked Tony earlier this year and to which he confirmed. I can’t remember specifically the percentage in change between the two standards of measurement but I do remember him saying that compression readings are coming out noticeably  lower than with the first standard he used in 2019. 

Here is the response from Tony when I inquired in the comments section of the Chrome Soft Ball Lab article:

“Yes, the equipment used was different. The native scale is a bit different and the conversions, from what we can tell anyway, aren’t perfect. We find that our machine is generally close to manufacturer’s stated numbers.“

:titelist-small:  TS2 9.5

:titelist-small:  909F2 15.5

:titelist-small:  690.CB 3-PW

:titelist-small:  Vokey SM5 50, 56

image.png.e50b7e7a9b18feff4720d7b223a2013d.png   Works Versa 1W

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For what it's worth, TXG has stated multiple times on their channel that they do not buy into the high ball compression - high swing speed correlation.

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11 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Good Post you are learning there Grasshopper

Slow and steady! 

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Wilsonlogo20Clemson.png.eee77a65568179cdcfb783c9a3e68f4b.png Dynapwr Carbon | Hzrdus Smoke Black
:callaway-small:  Mavrik 3w | Evenflow Riptide
Wilsonlogo20Clemson.png.eee77a65568179cdcfb783c9a3e68f4b.png FG Tour F5 Hybrid(20,23) | MCA Fubuki

Wilsonlogo20Clemson.png.eee77a65568179cdcfb783c9a3e68f4b.png Staff Model CB 5-PW |  DG 120
:titleist-small: Vokey SM7 (50, 54, 58) | DG 120
bettinardilogo2MGS.png.3b311f05930da73872d3b638ef39f51c.png Studio Stock 15
:titleist-small:-ProV1x (left dash)

Romans 10:9


Classic Bag
Jones Collegiate Clemson Stand Bag

pinglogo_clemson_MGS.png.f64aa10b6e73d4f55a61d78f590addca.pngEye 2 Laminate
:wilson_staff_small: 1973 Staff Dynapower 4-PW

pinglogo_clemson_MGS.png.f64aa10b6e73d4f55a61d78f590addca.pngAnser

:wilson_staff_small: DUO

 

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