The Poor-Man's Pro V1

[cnosil]

6 minutes ago, MrShowbiz999 said:

Think I already asked this, but any thoughts on any of the Volvik balls for me? They are running some sales now as well.

Volvik balls aren’t bad balls.  The one you asked about isnt like a prov, but it is adequate.   Lots of Players on the lpga tour play Volvik and they are one of the long drive sponsors 

[revkev]

32 minutes ago, MrShowbiz999 said:

It's not that I believe that I need a Pro V1, it's that I don't know if I should be playing a Pro V1 in regards to what advantage (or disadvantage) I have with that ball.

And for those who keep saying "take lessons", please read that I have been taking lessons, that on a regular (public, less challenging) course I am losing about 4 - 6 balls in 18 holes. This 24 was anomaly. And thanks to everyone for their advice. I will continue to play anything I have in the garage until I run out and then I'll look at others, based in part from all the great advice I have been receiving here! 

I will say that as much respect as I have for ggarner I agree with the MGS axiom of picking a ball and playing it for the season.  I've done this forever and a day - well prior to the existence of MGS.  Your strategy of using what's in the garage first makes perfect sense - then instead of buying dozens try some sleeves of stuff, find one in the your price range that you like and stick with that one for a while.

[release]

19 minutes ago, MrShowbiz999 said:

It's not that I believe that I need a Pro V1, it's that I don't know if I should be playing a Pro V1 in regards to what advantage (or disadvantage) I have with that ball.

And for those who keep saying "take lessons", please read that I have been taking lessons, that on a regular (public, less challenging) course I am losing about 4 - 6 balls in 18 holes. This 24 was anomaly. And thanks to everyone for their advice. I will continue to play anything I have in the garage until I run out and then I'll look at others, based in part from all the great advice I have been receiving here! 

When I was new in the game, The budget golf balls were the Top Flite, Not much other choices besides the Ram, Ping , and Titleist.   played the top Flite until I got below 15 index.  Nothing wrong with any golf balls if I was mindful of how the golf balls would react  around the greens.  Allow for the extra movement with the hard two piece golf balls had worked out well.

Although I had never lose more than a couple of golf balls per round back then, the premium golf balls were balata cover and wound center.  A thin shot would put a big smile on the golf ball.  I just didn't have the heart to play a $3.20 golf ball ( equivalent to today's $10.00 ).  Some of the guys I knew will toss the Titleist after a few holes even if the cover was still good.  Their reason was the golf ball would be out of rounds....then again, they received their golf balls at no cost from the OEM as part of their professional status.  I had to pay for mine.

I was luck, since one of the local brick and mortar golf specialty store will sell the golf balls by the sleeves.  Usually they'll surcharge 30% per golf ball from the price of a dozen.  I would get a sleeve of the brands I'd like to try and find out on the golf course of whether I'd like to get a dozen later.

There is no secret in golf to reach your personal best in this game.  It can not be rushed.  Practice and play will be the ticket to reach one's personal best.  Although, I did see a few cases of golfers not able to over come the score of 90, no matter how much they played and practiced.

However, nothing wrong if they could extract the pleasure of playing this game.  Not everyone could reach the single index.  Either they could not devote the time and financial commitment or perhaps this is just not the right competition sports for them.

As long as one could enjoy the game, and play it within one's financial means... why not ?  It certainly is one of the best sports we could get into without mortgage our house . 

[release]

9 minutes ago, MrShowbiz999 said:

Think I already asked this, but any thoughts on any of the Volvik balls for me? They are running some sales now as well.

I liked the Volvik 3 piece with matte color.  Their MSRP is not cheap.  But quality golf balls if you could find them with discount.

[Golfspy_CG2]

22 hours ago, Riverboat said:

The ONLY people who benefit from prov1 and other tour balls are single digits with 100mph plus swing speeds.   The rest are kidding themselves and feeding their own ego playing those balls.   Slower swing speeds (that's you and me and virtually everyone else our age) can't compress balls that hard, so gain none of the benefits of them.   Softer balls will be better for your aging skeleton and will perform much better for you at any handicap level.   FYI, my handicap runs between 4 and 6 from the regular men's trees and I never play anything harder than a 50 compression and never spend more than 20 bucks a dozen, absolute max.   Ignore the ball snobs and play what is appropriate for your age and game. 

This is such an incorrect post, but I can tell by tone you won't listen, so I wont bother.

I just want the rest of members to know not to give this post any credence. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

21 hours ago, dkoenig said:

I know you are looking for something today and Snell is out of stock but I would definitely recommend circling back and trying them when they are back in stock.  They're a good price for a premium ball. 

Also, I wouldn't listen to the people saying, buy the cheap ball.  Buy the best ball that fits your game, that you can afford and afford to lose.  I've been on a quest to find a lower spinning ball myself.  I like the Snell and I currently play the MTB black but I would benefit from less spin from driver to wedge and am looking for something that fits the bill.  Problem is that pretty much leaves me with the AVX or the left dash proV1X.  I also don't want to spend that much on a dozen balls if I can help it.

This post unlike the one I quoted above, is full of great information.  Play the best ball that you can afford that fits you is as simple as it can be.   If someone chooses not to pay the price of a Pro V or Chrome Soft...etc, that's fine.   The MTB is a fine ball as mentioned, as is the OnCore ELIXR.  

[Berg Ryman]

I'm going to offer a bit of crazy idea to some, but for someone who hasn't done a lot of ball testing or is still searching for their best ball it could be the right play, and that's the idea of trial packs.

I know that limits you a bit OP to DTC brands, but you can find yourself a heck of a deal from the DTC brands and still get an awesome product. For example, Vice offers for 20 bucks 5 2 ball sleeves with one ball style per sleeve. I think Snell does a split dozen with half being MTB Black and Half being MTB-X. Cut golf offers trial sleeves of the DC, their best ball for 9.95 and I think Oncore still does the free trial sleeve for going through their online fitting, you just pay shipping.

Could give you some other options than the big box store and the numerous options even in a store.

[fixyurdivot]

4 hours ago, MrShowbiz999 said:

Think I already asked this, but any thoughts on any of the Volvik balls for me? They are running some sales now as well.

I just learned about this company/source for golf balls on another thread.  This would allow you to still play better rated balls if you don't mind some minor marks.

Premium Used Golf Balls - Lostgolfballs.com

 

[RollingGreens]

I think objective characteristics only go so far until you get in the course. I thought I would hate the feel of the vice pro plus and I love them as opposed to the prov1x which I actually don’t love. In my opinion grab a stash of a few different balls and see what you like or dislike. It can’t hurt to try a few and get a feel. It’s all about having fun on the course and making the game easier

[TBT]

I have seen several mention the Kirkland balls,I thought the current version wasn’t very good? 

[cnosil]

5 minutes ago, TBT said:

I have seen several mention the Kirkland balls,I thought the current version wasn’t very good? 

It isn't supposed to be as good as the original version.  I mentioned it because it is a lower cost options that has similar performance to the ProV. 

[Tyler86]

2 hours ago, TBT said:

I have seen several mention the Kirkland balls,I thought the current version wasn’t very good? 

I believe that the issue, correct me if im wrong, was cover durability, a couple years ago. I believe they pulled what was left off shelves. I grabbed a few double dozen packs, for friends that are cheap and for days that im feeding the woods, last year when they were “back on shelves”. Literally tried to rip the cover off with brand new wedges and in the sand. Gave up. Could definitely put some wear in them, but no tears and definitely nothing that should deter people from buying playing them at that price point. I dont think they play as long as other balls, but soooo cheap! HAVE NOT PLAYED THIS YEARS NEW MODELS.

Edited June 24, 2021 by Tyler86

[MadMex]

5 hours ago, TBT said:

I have seen several mention the Kirkland balls,I thought the current version wasn’t very good? 

I found several dozen of the original Kirkland’s while moving, just for GP’s, I bought 2 dozen of the new 3 piece, am 59, average 82-84 with occasional yearly 79, I found no difference between these two and the Pro-V1’s.

I don’t think am consistent enough to be able to notice a difference, in every par 3 , I hit all three , could not tell difference, 

The have helped my game since at $25 a dozen, there is no worry about loosing or dunking them. 

[bens197]

14 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

This post unlike the one I quoted above, is full of great information.  Play the best ball that you can afford that fits you is as simple as it can be.   If someone chooses not to pay the price of a Pro V or Chrome Soft...etc, that's fine.   The MTB is a fine ball as mentioned, as is the OnCore ELIXR.  

Another upvote for the OnCore Elixr.  I found a couple sleeves in my basement last week and played them last Friday.  While I love the new TP5, this Elixr is still as good as anything, the price just makes it that much better.

 

[WaffleHouseTour]

Also an OnCore Elixr gamer. I’ve tried numerous balls from previously used ProVs to Srixon, to TaylorMade and Vice. This is the first I’ve stuck with for two seasons. I like that I can afford the new ones and can get a choice in color (old eyes need that yellow ball…). I like that I can buy in bulk and save some dough. I’ve been very happy w the performance. I’ve hit them side by side w the ProV and for me could not see a difference. Now I’m measuring by hitting half a dozen of each down a fairway - at the time I didn’t have access to a radar or ability to measure spin, so I’m just looking at final result. 

[GregGarner]

21 hours ago, revkev said:

I will say that as much respect as I have for ggarner I agree with the MGS axiom of picking a ball and playing it for the season.

I should have clarified. I aspirationally agree with this axiom and wasn't trying to knock it. If I'm buying golf balls, I buy the same ones every time. But if someone gives me balls as a gift, if I win some in a giveaway, or if I find some decent ones in the woods, I have a hard time not using them. I would describe myself as frugal. My wife prefers the term "cheap."

[MrShowbiz999]

3 hours ago, WaffleHouseTour said:

Also an OnCore Elixr gamer. I’ve tried numerous balls from previously used ProVs to Srixon, to TaylorMade and Vice. This is the first I’ve stuck with for two seasons. I like that I can afford the new ones and can get a choice in color (old eyes need that yellow ball…). I like that I can buy in bulk and save some dough. I’ve been very happy w the performance. I’ve hit them side by side w the ProV and for me could not see a difference. Now I’m measuring by hitting half a dozen of each down a fairway - at the time I didn’t have access to a radar or ability to measure spin, so I’m just looking at final result. 

What about the OnCore Avant 55? Looks like might be a better fit for me, and they are on sale?

 

Edited June 24, 2021 by MrShowbiz999

[revkev]

1 hour ago, greggarner said:

I should have clarified. I aspirationally agree with this axiom and wasn't trying to knock it. If I'm buying golf balls, I buy the same ones every time. But if someone gives me balls as a gift, if I win some in a giveaway, or if I find some decent ones in the woods, I have a hard time not using them. I would describe myself as frugal. My wife prefers the term "cheap."

Totally understand that. Most of my golf ball trials come from found balls. I can’t recall the last time that I purchased a ball other than my 4 dozen Pro VIxs at Christmas 

[Berg Ryman]

3 hours ago, MrShowbiz999 said:

What about the OnCore Avant 55? Looks like might be a better fit for me, and they are on sale?

 

If you wanted to go Avant or Elixr, Oncore has two packs for both. 29.99 for 2 dozen Avant, 49.99 for 2 dozen Elixr

[MrShowbiz999]

7 hours ago, Berg Ryman said:

If you wanted to go Avant or Elixr, Oncore has two packs for both. 29.99 for 2 dozen Avant, 49.99 for 2 dozen Elixr

Yes, that's why I as asking about the Avant 55 vs. the Elixr, if the Avant was a good choice for me?