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Glow Ball Reviews


golfish!

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Decided to start a new thread rather than putting in the ball review thread as these don't quite fit into the category of regular balls. As we start to lose light quicker in the winter and not all of us can always play the rack rate tee times, I decided to test out 3 different brands of glow in the dark golf balls to see if it was viable to play twilight rounds and finish with a glow in the dark ball. I chose to go with glow in the dark because I am concerned that LED balls a) eventually run out of battery and becomes useless, b) from reviews feel nothing like a real ball because of the unique nature of the electronics inside, c) sometimes just turn off before you find them so again useless. I also wanted to test different brands of balls and chargers to send to my parents in NY as they also play twilight rounds and lose light before they are able to finish their rounds. I have sent them impact activated LED balls from Amazon in the past and they mentioned that some of the balls would not light up after some use, some died too fast to be found in the dark, etc. I will break down the review into a) purchasing experience including packaging, pricing, customer service (as applicable) b) actual glow testing of balls and included chargers c) feel on course.

I ordered the Glow V1 directly from their website, the RL brand balls from Amazon, and the Nite4Lite balls direct from their website.

Glow V1

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They have different options and packages but I chose to go with a dozen of their 40% glow balls. No idea what the 40% is compared to but their standard 50% glow balls are currently out of stock so they are having a sale on their 40% balls. Apparently these glow a little less than their standard balls but can be used in warmer climates with no issues. I asked customer service about that and they mentioned that their glow pigment is affected by temperatures and warmer is better. Since I live in SoCal I figured there should be no issues. They did offer to let me purchase a dozen of their standard balls when they had them back in stock and all I would have to do is pay the difference between those and the 40% balls. I chose not to purchase a charger because a) I already have a UV flashlight I use when fishing with glow in the dark lures b) the RL brand balls from Amazon came with a charger as well c) I bought one of their fancy cup holder type chargers. The cup charger looks like a coffee travel mug with a hole cut out for the ball and a UV led on top and bottom.

The balls came in a ziplock bag in a standard shipping box. The charger came in the same box in it's own box with minimal padding inside the cup box but the packing material in the main box seemed enough to protect it from damage during shipping. Cup charger came with no issues and works fine. Batteries were included which is a nice touch. Customer service was quick and responsive when I asked questions about the 40% and the charger etc. I believe they are based out of SoCal or at least the package came out of Palm Desert here in SoCal so shipping was quick enough though no free shipping. I placed the order on 11/19, it shipped on 11/23 and it arrived on 11/24. 

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Price of balls : 19.95
Price of additional cup charger : 29.95 
Price of shipping : 19.48 ( tax included via UPS )
Total : 73 tax included

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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RL Balls (Amazon 3rd Party Seller)

I ordered the pack of 12 + UV flashlight as that is the only package they have on Amazon. These were the highest rate glow in the dark balls on Amazon so I went with these. They also sell a 10 pack of glow in the dark tees but not sure if I would use these so I passed on those...for now. The balls came packaged in a resealable bag with 4 sleeves of balls and the flashlight. Standard Amazon packaging. Batteries for the UV flashlight were NOT included but it runs on 3 AAA batteries. It is like any of the UV flashlights you might find on Amazon. I did not have any interactions with customer service as everything arrived as expected and there were no issues with the product. The order came quick as it was Prime eligible so I ordered on 11/18 and they arrived on 11/19. They must be a locally stocked item in my local Amazon warehouse for it to arrive so quickly but of course Amazon does have their own logistics but I digress.

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Price of balls + UV Flashlight : 42.90 tax incl.
Shipping : Included with Amazon Prime

 

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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Lite4Nite

I ordered the Lite4Nite balls more for the charger than anything else. The guy who started the company (Corky Newcomb) is an inventor of sorts and I liked his idea for the charger. I assumed when ordering that most if not all glow golf balls are probably the same so I wanted to test out his charger idea. Unfortunately, after ordering I received an email stating that his vendor for the chargers had switched manufacturing to PPE exclusively due to the pandemic and that the original charger was out of stock. He mentioned that he would be included a standard LED 160 lumens flashlight with all orders. When the order actually shipped, he emailed everyone (not sure if intentional or not to include everyone on CC instead of BCC) that when the original chargers were available again he would send them to everyone. 

Lite4Nite seems to be more oriented towards night golf ranges and golf courses than the individual consumer based on their website. You can still order individual packages but their marketing is definitely aimed at golf course/range owners as a way to make additional revenue after the sun goes down. I ordered the single sleeve + charger pack as I was only really interested in the charger but figured I would give the ball a try and compare to the other brands I already bought. This item took the longest to ship and arrive and again shipping was not free. I placed the order on 11/20 and followed up with the contact on the website (Corky Newcomb, the owner) on 11/23 if there was a tracking number. I received a quick reply that the order would be shipping the next day and that is where he mentioned that the original charger is not currently available due to supply chain issues. I followed up again on 11/26 and on 12/1 requesting a tracking number with no response. I was starting to get worried that I might need to file a fraud claim with PayPal but I waited it out considering the guy has videos on YouTube about his inventions and he has been to the PGA show so I figured he is a one man show and that it is taking some time. Plus I know that I am spoiled by Amazon Prime ( I WANT IT NOW!!! WHY WAS IT NOT HERE WHEN I ORDERED IT!!!) Finally on 12/3 Corky sent an email to a bunch of people ( I am guessing he was gathering orders to ship out) that the orders would be arriving next week by USPS priority mail. Still no tracking number. The package actually arrived on 12/9. 

The balls arrived loose in a USPS priority mail shipping box packed with newspaper. The flashlight itself is a Dorcy brand LED flashlight in original packaging with batteries included (3 AAA). Not that it would affect the balls but a sleeve for the balls would have been a nicer touch than just 3 balls loose in a box. The flashlight itself is not a UV flashlight but a standard LED flashlight. 

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Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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Side by Side Comparisons of Balls and Chargers

 

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Side by side you can see some differences in the balls. The Lite4Nite has the whitest coloring while the RL nightglow has the greenest hue. The Glow V1 sits kind of in the middle. All of the balls have a clear coat on top of what I assume is a glow in the dark paint on top of some core. Not sure if the cores are painted with a glow in the dark material or the cores themselves glow. 
 
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First time cutting into a golf ball so I don't have a reference with say a Pro V1 or a Chromesoft but the Lite4Nite ball and the RL ball took about the same effort to cut through with a standard ratcheting PVC cutter. The Glow V1 was markedly more difficult to cut through but could also be because I loaded the ball incorrectly into the cutter and the blade cut through only half the ball first so I had to go back and make a second cut. Seems like all the balls are a 2 piece construction so I guess the cores themselves glow and it is not covered in a special paint. 
 
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Putting the chargers side by side, the cup charger is obviously the tallest but easiest to use. You just put the balls in the cup, turn it on, wait a minute and then you are ready. Plus you could have a ball in reserve ready to go. With the flashlight style chargers you have to hold the ball and turn it around and it gets clumsy. Glow V1 has an innovative solution where they put a cone on top of their charger so you can spin the ball around. 
 

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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I played in a Lie+Loft event a couple years back out at The Cradle in Pinehurst and we used a light-up ball that activated on impact. I was pretty impressed that it pretty much felt and behaved like a real ball, but I'd love to see it in a head-to-head with glow-in-the-dark balls. Think we could get Tony to run it through Ball Lab? 😉

(Not sure if it was this one specifically, but the same idea.)

Driver: :srixon-small: ZX5 LS MkII 9.5* (@ 9.0*) with 46.5" Ventus Blue 6X
3-wood: :taylormade-small: SIM 15* with Diamana Limited 75S
5-wood: :cobra-small: RADspeed 18.5* with Motore X F3 60S
2i: :srixon-small: ZX with SteelFiber i95 Stiff

4hy: :titleist-small: TS3 23* with Tensei AV Blue 70 S
4i-7i :srixon-small: ZX7, 8i-PW Z-Forged, Modus3 Tour 120 S
50*, 55* :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Modus3 Tour 125
60* :cleveland-small: RTX Full Face ZipCore DG Spinner S400
Putter: :callaway-small: Toulon Chicago with a :garsen: Quad Tour or :cleveland-small: HB SOFT Milled 10.5S with UST All-in

Ball: :callaway-small: Chrome Tour (but I might still have some :titleist-small: Left Dashes hanging around)
Bag: :srixon-small: Ltd Edition Tartan, blue/green/yellow

Using :ShotScope: to keep track of my shots

Tested:
:wilson_staff_small: D7 Forged 3i-PW, KBS Tour-V 110S - Official Review
:titelist-small: Blind Ball Test (Ball #3 vs Ball #4) - Unofficial Review
:ShotScope:
 V3 GPS Watch + Tags - Official Review
:OnCore:
 Vero X2 - Official Review

The Stack System - Official Review

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Haven't tried a glow in the dark ball, but we have an annual 9-hole night golf event at my course I play in every year.  We use the Night Flyer golf balls, it's got an LED inside that activates when you hit the ball.  They are very bright and I've never had a trouble finding a ball that came to rest in play.  Although it's a pretty sad sight when you can see it glowing from the middle of the pond.

They are about a club shorter than normal golf balls.  Feels much closer to a topflight than a proV and don't ever play for a hop and stop shot around the greens, this sucker isn't spinning.  However for playing at night they work great.  They will stay lit for approx 7-8 mins after being struck.  

Best way to do it is strike the club face and then tee it up.  It's easier to hit if you can see the ball already lit in the dark.  Play with one and keep a 2nd in your pocket.  Hit a couple of shots and then switch balls so you don't get concerned with the light shutting off and not finding it.  If it's been a few minutes since you hit the last shot then just switch balls.  Around the green isn't as important since you aren't hitting it very far.

Driver: :taylormade-small: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black

3w: :taylormade-small:'16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82

5w: :cleveland-small: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow

Hybrid: :cleveland-small: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black

Irons: :cleveland-small: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Wedges: :cleveland-small: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Putter: :odyssey-small: Red 7s

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My money is on the glow v1 taking this title. Night golf is fun, more so when the balls don't explode when hit. The tournament I played it this year used a cheapo glow in the dark ball and they shattered on impact. 

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WITB:

Driver:   :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 12° - Accra TZ6 M4

FW Wood:     th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg Gen5 0311 7w  Fujikura Motore X F3

Irons:   :srixon-small: ZX7 PW-7i, ZX5 6i-5i

Wedges: :cleveland-small:  Zipcore 50°, 58°

Putter:   :taylormade-small: MySpider X

Cart: image.png.5aa5e9b8c0d6e08a2b12be76a06a07ca.pngOnewheel XR+

Ball: :srixon-small: Z-Star Diamond/ Z-Star XV

  1

 

 

 

 

 

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On 12/17/2020 at 4:06 PM, Lajgolfer said:

Waiting for the outcome of your tests, Looking to play night golf tournaments and looking for the best performing glow balls.

Yep sorry been a bit busy. I already ran the glow in the dark tests and have to just get around the posting the results. SPOILER ALERT there is a clear winner and a clear loser.

On 12/17/2020 at 4:17 PM, greggarner said:

I played in a Lie+Loft event a couple years back out at The Cradle in Pinehurst and we used a light-up ball that activated on impact. I was pretty impressed that it pretty much felt and behaved like a real ball, but I'd love to see it in a head-to-head with glow-in-the-dark balls. Think we could get Tony to run it through Ball Lab? 😉

(Not sure if it was this one specifically, but the same idea.)

One of the main reasons I did this testing was to send the best balls to my parents who play a lot of twilight golf. Past years I sent them LED light up balls but the biggest complaint has always been that they don't stay lit long enough sometimes to find the ball and for me eventually they will lose battery life and become useless. At least the glow in the dark balls should technically have glow power for the lifetime of the ball...in theory...

On 12/17/2020 at 6:50 PM, hckymeyer said:

Haven't tried a glow in the dark ball, but we have an annual 9-hole night golf event at my course I play in every year.  We use the Night Flyer golf balls, it's got an LED inside that activates when you hit the ball.  They are very bright and I've never had a trouble finding a ball that came to rest in play.  Although it's a pretty sad sight when you can see it glowing from the middle of the pond.

They are about a club shorter than normal golf balls.  Feels much closer to a topflight than a proV and don't ever play for a hop and stop shot around the greens, this sucker isn't spinning.  However for playing at night they work great.  They will stay lit for approx 7-8 mins after being struck.  

Best way to do it is strike the club face and then tee it up.  It's easier to hit if you can see the ball already lit in the dark.  Play with one and keep a 2nd in your pocket.  Hit a couple of shots and then switch balls so you don't get concerned with the light shutting off and not finding it.  If it's been a few minutes since you hit the last shot then just switch balls.  Around the green isn't as important since you aren't hitting it very far.

I believe these will also be shorter than a normal ball although they claim to be the same in performance. While the light up balls may stay lit for 7-8 min after being struck, they do turn off and once that happens you are SOL. From my testing, these glow in the dark balls glow brightly for about the same time before they start to dim. Even then, it is still bright enough to pick out in the dark unless it is covered by a leaf or tall grass. Almost lost one testing in my apartment complex because it was covered by a leaf.

On 12/17/2020 at 11:00 PM, Thin2win said:

My money is on the glow v1 taking this title. Night golf is fun, more so when the balls don't explode when hit. The tournament I played it this year used a cheapo glow in the dark ball and they shattered on impact. 

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That is an awesome setup. Is it awkward riding that board with a bag on your back? Also you may be surprised by the results. I will be posting the results of my glow performance testing soon.

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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19 hours ago, golfish! said:

That is an awesome setup. Is it awkward riding that board with a bag on your back? Also you may be surprised by the results. I will be posting the results of my glow performance testing soon.

Thanks, it is how I roll(golf). It isn't any harder to ride with a bag than without one, so on that account it isn't a problem. I did switch to a lighter/smaller bag with a single strap and that is easier that the 2 strap bags. But it works well for me.

if you are curious:

 

 

WITB:

Driver:   :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 12° - Accra TZ6 M4

FW Wood:     th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg Gen5 0311 7w  Fujikura Motore X F3

Irons:   :srixon-small: ZX7 PW-7i, ZX5 6i-5i

Wedges: :cleveland-small:  Zipcore 50°, 58°

Putter:   :taylormade-small: MySpider X

Cart: image.png.5aa5e9b8c0d6e08a2b12be76a06a07ca.pngOnewheel XR+

Ball: :srixon-small: Z-Star Diamond/ Z-Star XV

  1

 

 

 

 

 

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On 12/22/2020 at 10:10 AM, Thin2win said:

Thanks, it is how I roll(golf). It isn't any harder to ride with a bag than without one, so on that account it isn't a problem. I did switch to a lighter/smaller bag with a single strap and that is easier that the 2 strap bags. But it works well for me.

if you are curious:

 

 

Wow awesome review. I got to rent a golf board one time and it was cool but definitely not something I would do all the time. My home course has mentioned they are looking into getting a fleet of Finn Cycles for rental.

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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Glow in the Dark Performance

So I took the balls out to a dark corner of my apartment complex (which was actually hard to find, which is a good thing in terms of safety but difficult for this test!) and used my phone camera to take photos and videos of the balls charging and discharging their glow. The results were surprising. I assumed that the technology for all 3 would be relatively the same but turns out there are some big differences between the balls.

Charger Performance (UV vs Standard LED Flashlight)

To test if there was a difference between the standard and UV LED chargers, I conducted the following test. I put all three balls side by side in a box on the ground. I exposed each ball to 30 seconds of focused light then swept the light across the balls for another 30 seconds. At that point I turned the light off. I had my camera pointed at the set up the whole time so you can see the time markers of the video. I found that the standard LED flashlight and the UV flashlight did not make any difference in the glow performance itself. I was surprised with this result as I initially suspected the UV light would have better performance. However, I have noticed in the past on fishing trips for big tuna in the dark that my glow in the dark flat fall lures also would glow when exposed to the bright LED lamps on the boat. Please note that I made sure to capture the screenshot of the video with the video title in the shot so that you can see that we are indeed comparing different time stamps of the same video.

1681333005_glowtestwithstandardledflashlight.jpg.b03d61939488300383df59a784a4ddce.jpg1200762939_glowtestwithUVledflashlight.jpg.b5cddc404e9a6b961f64a98eb9be9a3d.jpg

Side by side pictures of the balls at the 2:05 minute mark using both the standard LED (left) and the UV LED (right). Light source is turned off at 2:00 however I am giving the camera time to focus so that the brightness comes through clearly. It is obvious that there is no major difference in initial brightness between standard and UV LED light sources. There is however a ball that is obviously less bright in both tests. The Lite4Nite ball was not as bright as the GlowV1 or the RL ball in both tests. 

196783594_glowtestwithstandardledflashlight4minmark.jpg.7db5718e775e44f1ca7434680dfc356b.jpg1788883281_glowtestwithUVledflashlight4minmark.jpg.73795883097d0d21b39db387ee5584c0.jpg

Screenshots of the video at the 4 minute mark again side by side. No difference between the balls comparing light sources but again a major difference in the brightness level of the Lite4Nite ball. GlowV1 seems to be a bit less bright than the RL but difference is negligible.

2134923920_glowtestwithstandardledflashlight6minmark.jpg.7e5085a7ea0616b1a5f83c05bb489946.jpg1477378408_glowtestwithUVledflashlight6minmark.jpg.1577b7863e2e872e06781fd520120f03.jpg

Final comparison at the 6 minute mark. Hopefully by now you are within range to find your ball. At this brightness level there are some obvious differences between the balls. Again no major difference between the light sources but major difference in brightness level between the 3 balls. The Lite4Nite ball would be lost at this point unless you were basically on top of it. The GlowV1 and the RL would be findable but the RL ball is noticeably brighter than the GlowV1. Again could be that this is the 40% batch so may not be a fair comparison but this is what is currently available.

WINNER : RL Ball from Amazon (GlowV1 is a close 2nd)
LOSER : Nite4Lite ball is an obvious low performer in glow 

Glow Gear Cup Charger

I wanted to test if the Glow Gear Cup Charger was any better so I tested the GlowV1 and the Nite4Lite ball in the cup charger. I chose not to test the RL ball as the performance was similar to the GlowV1 if not a bit better but also because it was getting chilly and the baby was getting fussy! Yes my entire family came out with me for the test and to take a walk around the complex. I also tested another Lite4Nite ball in the batch I received to see if it was a bad ball in the first test. To test the cup charger, I put the ball in for 30 seconds, turned off the light source and put the ball on the grass. The way the LEDs are mounted it bathes the ball with UV light from both sides and it is in an enclosure so I figure it is a fair comparison to my previous test where I exposed only 1 side of the ball for 30 seconds then with indirect light for another 30 seconds. The camera was mounted on a tripod and I put the ball in relatively the same place for each test so that lighting angle would not affect the test. 

 

223638357_glowV1incupcharger30secmark.jpg.5851f4df3b665a19d6c0b6a01c948e40.jpg1506260465_lite4niteincupcharger30seconds.jpg.53cdd417f7440198a616388b9f11a60d.jpg1766432816_lite4niteball2incupcharger30seconds.jpg.f77f9608ce66c3ace19ae24f01e8e184.jpg

GlowV1, Nite4Lite ball from first test, and a second Lite4Nite ball in the cup at 30 seconds just prior to turning off the light source.

142942613_glowV1incupcharger30.5secmark.jpg.ed64ba33af78c1f9367e1fc03a0da0d0.jpg1713593447_lite4niteball2incupcharger30.5seconds.jpg.c6e338dfd1ed7f332b6e36fc2082057a.jpg

GlowV1 and second Lite4Nite ball at 30.5 seconds, just after turning off the light source. Unfortunately could not get a good screenshot of the first test ball. Even here there is a noticeable difference in brightness of the Lite4Nite ball immediately after the light source is turned off.

523424912_glowV1incupcharger2minmark.jpg.e352b2a1dd0bb6bc044723f651db7734.jpg195422136_lite4niteincupcharger2minutes.jpg.6c2c2c1c83ff38778a849434619ee702.jpg1272514115_lite4niteball2incupcharger2minutes.jpg.7265131ecfb67e689c1e14c4bde3513d.jpg

Glow V1, first Lite4Nite ball and second Lite4Nite ball 1.5 minutes after light source is turned off, sitting in low cut grass in complete darkness.

1863091377_glowV1incupcharger3.5minmark.jpg.adab69d030b82db36a5eb4218e8fbbdf.jpg343457361_lite4niteincupcharger3.5minutes.jpg.fe9e1ce1bb5825e33c2bce1e5ea30f9a.jpg700970378_lite4niteball2incupcharger3.5minutes.jpg.ac7f371058ef733c1328741f683a33fe.jpg

GlowV1, first Lite4Nite and second Lite4Nite ball 2.5 minutes after light source is turned off, sitting in low cut grass in complete darkness.

The conclusions I drew here are that the Lite4Nite ball is indeed the lowest performing when it comes to glow in the dark. Also, the cup charger is definitely the most convenient of the charging options as you could have one charging in the cup while you go look for the ball you just hit and then replace it before you take your next shot. I did suggest to Glow Gear that they should make a version that lets you plug it in to a power source as most people now a days have a portable battery and most carts now come with USB charging ports.

Next test is to get on my local course at night at dusk and see if they will allow me to play the first hole a few times with these to test the feel. I did some chipping with them in the complex during the glow testing but it was not structured and I didn't take any meaningful data or observations so I won't update till I get a chance to get out with them for a few holes.

Also, took a picture of the cut halves of the balls and found out that the cover itself is what glows and not the core itself. 

20201228_221206.jpg.adec4b446c423fbd59e6463c8dd39b48.jpg

Wonder if the greenish hue of the core of the RL ball is what contributes to it being the best glow performer of the 3. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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1 hour ago, golfish! said:

Glow in the Dark Performance

So I took the balls out to a dark corner of my apartment complex (which was actually hard to find, which is a good thing in terms of safety but difficult for this test!) and used my phone camera to take photos and videos of the balls charging and discharging their glow. The results were surprising. I assumed that the technology for all 3 would be relatively the same but turns out there are some big differences between the balls.

Other than the second batch of time delay pictures not being able to see the balls, amazing effort here. Great writeup! 

WITB:

Driver:   :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 12° - Accra TZ6 M4

FW Wood:     th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg Gen5 0311 7w  Fujikura Motore X F3

Irons:   :srixon-small: ZX7 PW-7i, ZX5 6i-5i

Wedges: :cleveland-small:  Zipcore 50°, 58°

Putter:   :taylormade-small: MySpider X

Cart: image.png.5aa5e9b8c0d6e08a2b12be76a06a07ca.pngOnewheel XR+

Ball: :srixon-small: Z-Star Diamond/ Z-Star XV

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On 12/28/2020 at 10:55 PM, Thin2win said:

Other than the second batch of time delay pictures not being able to see the balls, amazing effort here. Great writeup! 

Yep in the first group of pictures which is the GlowV1 you can barely make it out but still can see a feint outline. In the second row for the Lite4Nite balls you cant make out the balls because they have all but lost their glow.

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 12/28/2020 at 9:08 PM, golfish! said:

WINNER : RL Ball from Amazon

Not sure when I would use this, but as I have a Prime membership with Amazon they will be easily procured should the opportunity arise.  Thanks for doing the work testing these !

I'm decidedly brand agnostic -- but a bit less so with my recent change from a PING driver

:titelist-small: - TSi2 10.5 Driver - Tensei AV Raw Blue 55 R

:titelist-small: - TS2 4W - Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6 RS TS2 7W - Alta CB 65 R

:cobra-small:- Baffler 23* - Aldila NV-HL 65 R

th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg - Original Series 0211 - 5-PW - MMT 80 S

:cleveland-small: - CBX2 50 / 54 / 58 - Rotex

image.png.49fcc172a1ed0010d930fbe1c5dc8b79.png - Directed Force 2.1 (Nickel) - KBS Tour - Press No. II 3*

:Snell:- MTB  Black

datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg - DG Lite II cart bag attached via Top-Lok to image.png.77fe07cbfea697deca64bd4a4263a151.png - Quad XL and Tracked by :ShotScope: - V3

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2 hours ago, Lajgolfer said:

I liked the performance testing for the visibility of the balls. Did you get a chance to test the playability of each ball, did any one of the glow balls play better than the others?

I did get a chance to play them on the 18th hole of my home course. They honestly didnt feel very different from each other ( tested the glowv1 and the amazon RL balls) but one thing i noticed ia that the glow balls arent really usable until it gets pretty dark.  Twilight is too bright to really see them.  Once it gets dark then you can really see them take off and find them in the grass. In terms of feel, they really didn't feel much harder than my tp5x. 

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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We used to play a glow ball scramble in the summer when I lived in Maine.  The balls we used had a hole drilled through, with a small glow stick that was activated the same way bigger ones are.  Light the glow stick, push it into the ball and play for about 2 hours.  We'd only play 9 because that was about all the ball would last.  They weren't particularly hard, but the performance wasn't great.  We always had a great time, though.

I always try to remember that I'm not good enough to get mad!

 

My Bag:

:ping-small:  G400 Max

:ping-small:  G30 3W

:cobra-small: King S9-1 5W

:taylormade-small: Aeroburner 3 Rescue/Hybrid

:ping-small: G400  5-UW

:cleveland-small: RTX4 52* and 56*

:rife-putters-1: 2Bar Mallet

:ping-small: Traverse II Cart Bag

 

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1 hour ago, 00sportsman said:

We used to play a glow ball scramble in the summer when I lived in Maine.  The balls we used had a hole drilled through, with a small glow stick that was activated the same way bigger ones are.  Light the glow stick, push it into the ball and play for about 2 hours.  We'd only play 9 because that was about all the ball would last.  They weren't particularly hard, but the performance wasn't great.  We always had a great time, though.

Played with that same type ball in MN (early 90's), the problem was that sometimes the glow stick would come out of the ball, so you'd find the stick some distance down course, but NOT surrounded by a ball - at that point you were SOL 😁

I'm decidedly brand agnostic -- but a bit less so with my recent change from a PING driver

:titelist-small: - TSi2 10.5 Driver - Tensei AV Raw Blue 55 R

:titelist-small: - TS2 4W - Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6 RS TS2 7W - Alta CB 65 R

:cobra-small:- Baffler 23* - Aldila NV-HL 65 R

th.jpg.d6e2abdaeb04f007fd259c979f389de6.jpg - Original Series 0211 - 5-PW - MMT 80 S

:cleveland-small: - CBX2 50 / 54 / 58 - Rotex

image.png.49fcc172a1ed0010d930fbe1c5dc8b79.png - Directed Force 2.1 (Nickel) - KBS Tour - Press No. II 3*

:Snell:- MTB  Black

datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg - DG Lite II cart bag attached via Top-Lok to image.png.77fe07cbfea697deca64bd4a4263a151.png - Quad XL and Tracked by :ShotScope: - V3

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On 1/22/2021 at 9:29 PM, Tom D. said:

Played with that same type ball in MN (early 90's), the problem was that sometimes the glow stick would come out of the ball, so you'd find the stick some distance down course, but NOT surrounded by a ball - at that point you were SOL 😁

So did you play from where the stick landed at that point? Or add a few yards and say I am sure the ball went further lol. The glow in the dark balls definitely solve the issue of lighted balls turning off/glow sticks falling off etc but for sure they are not as bright as LED or glow stick illuminated balls. Trade offs I guess. The last time I used these on the course, the group behind us had the LED balls and you could definitely tell they were much brighter. 

Driver : :taylormade-small: SIM2 Max 9* MC Kuro Kago Silver 60 Stiff

Woods : :benhogan-small: GS53 3 Wood 14* Mitsubish Tensei Blue 73g Regular

Hybrids: sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 949X Project X HZRDUS RDX Black 

Irons : sub70logo.png.3c207e4e90c1eeca7b9a917b5fa4b848.png 699 Pro Black 5-AW 1* flat KBS Tour V 90 Stiff Shafts 

Wedges : File:Kirkland Signature logo.svg - Wikimedia Commons 52, 56, 60 

Putter : :taylormade-small:Spider Red

Bag : datrek-brand_1456761019__86876.original.jpg.7c24f9ae71c7730ce29a828226731487.jpg lightweight cart bag | motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgDry Series Bag

Ball :  :taylormade-small: TP5 PIX (2019) | Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-7_24.05-AM-300x118.png.9f1c4cb1d62511ee40a05bd6d5795f97.png ProV1x (2021)

Rangefinder : 836d5c8b9e44880db86abcd3b735255d.w2480_h836.jpg.bcd4050c642957abbdca7453a6cb0469.jpg ULT-X

Pushcart : motocaddy.jpg.258c0b46e60c2804fc6b1f64bca0aef3.jpgM5 GPS DHC Electric Push Cart

SoCal, USA

Right handed HDCP 16.4

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