Lost in the sea.

[RichL85]

So, I'm going to admit, I'm pretty much lost at the moment when it comes to current golf ball offerings. I have spent a number of years away and obviously technology has come a long way. I'm at a point now where I'm not even sure where to start so I'm looking for a few recommendations. 

To start, I'm not good enough to nitpick the minute differences between many of the balls out there, but I do prefer a softer feel. As an example of past premium balls I have liked, the old Srixon Z-URS is probably my favorite of all time. Having said that, I could play the Srixon AD-333 or a Callaway Chrome Soft and the only huge difference I noticed between the three was spin around the greens. Would anyone be able to recommend a couple balls to try out? I don't mind paying for Pro V1s, but I'd rather find something a little less for now because I still lose a few here and there and I honestly don't notice a lot of the performance benefits. My game is still in a place that my consistency and swing are far bigger factors than the ball to my scores. Thanks in advance. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

You are asking the right questions at the right times!
Check this out and there will be a lot of new data and information to come and hopefully some that will be able to help you make your choice.

For what its worth you can also check out the ball lab on the main site linked here: https://mygolfspy.com/category/mygolfspy-labs/

You can find all sorts of info on golf balls and it has prices with them which can likely help with your decision. Quick few off hand to try TP5, Srixon Z Star, TM Tour Response in the cheaper bracket and Maxfli Tour which we will have a test coming very soon on. 

[tony@CIC]

6 hours ago, RichL85 said:

So, I'm going to admit, I'm pretty much lost at the moment when it comes to current golf ball offerings. I have spent a number of years away and obviously technology has come a long way. I'm at a point now where I'm not even sure where to start so I'm looking for a few recommendations. 

To start, I'm not good enough to nitpick the minute differences between many of the balls out there, but I do prefer a softer feel. As an example of past premium balls I have liked, the old Srixon Z-URS is probably my favorite of all time. Having said that, I could play the Srixon AD-333 or a Callaway Chrome Soft and the only huge difference I noticed between the three was spin around the greens. Would anyone be able to recommend a couple balls to try out? I don't mind paying for Pro V1s, but I'd rather find something a little less for now because I still lose a few here and there and I honestly don't notice a lot of the performance benefits. My game is still in a place that my consistency and swing are far bigger factors than the ball to my scores. Thanks in advance. 

Don't discount DTC balls like Snell and Vice. Lots of great performance without the high prices. 

[Middler]

3 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

Don't discount DTC balls like Snell and Vice. Lots of great performance without the high prices. 

I’ve been playing Snell MTB for years, and I just bought two dozen Maxfli Tours. Both compare very well with Titleist ProV1’s in terms of performance & durability based on MGS ball labs and my personal experience over years. Snell quality is above average, but no brand has yet matched ProV1’s quality/consistency - you get what you pay for (which includes $$$$ endorsement contracts with Titleist, Callaway and TaylorMade especially).

[Beakbryce]

Also if you want to go a little cheaper with last years offerings, search for Pro V1 or TM TP5 practice balls. They are legal for play and will offer all the playability you want.

Don

[Onestoptech]

Hey I would recommend some of the Snell MTB balls. Everything is going to be alot firmer than what your normally used too. Wilson also makes a soft ball I haven't tried it but seems to do well in tests. Solid core balls are very firm in comparison to the early 2000's balls in my opinion. They have changed the game in a big way. 

[StateOfMyArt]

Check out Rick Shiels' YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFHZHhZaH7Rc_FOMIzUziJA

Rick reviews golf balls - and other equipment - in a real world way IMHO. At least one might get some ideas on what to look for. Otherwise a great channel I find very entertaining. Love the way he cuts the ball in half with his giant cutter!

[ajdegeno]

Tony,

Hopefully, your new ball test will compare with different swing speeds.  I am 74 and still have between 86 and 90MPH club head speed.  Many of my friends and playing partners are older with slower swing speeds so we need to know how the balls react to different swing speeds.

[PMookie]

6 hours ago, StateOfMyArt said:

Check out Rick Shiels' YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFHZHhZaH7Rc_FOMIzUziJA

Rick reviews golf balls - and other equipment - in a real world way IMHO. At least one might get some ideas on what to look for. Otherwise a great channel I find very entertaining. Love the way he cuts the ball in half with his giant cutter!

TXG, Crossfield, and others all do ball reviews, but what they say and show are only for them and they offer only limited “testing”. 20-50 shots just isn’t a sample-size that can relate to the masses. Add-in the built-in bias these reviews have due to contracts with OEMs and there’s little much in them that helps other than some numbers displayed on-screen.

MGS Ball Test from 2019 is the best place to start, then looking at MGS Ball Lab would be number two, then the soon-to-come 2021 Test results will be moved to the top of the list.

[Shankster]

The way I use any data, is to narrow down the contestants.  MGS ball review is top notch, it offers so much information on the premium ball range of today.  
 

That said, I still only use it as a starting point.  We all have built in biases, and using the information that MGS gives can let you see how it ranks up against the other balls in the same price range, in an unbiased way.  You literally get data from the same swing, and same launch monitor.  And the balls have had the snot knocked out of them.  Information like this does not exist anywhere else… best part is… it is free information to consume!
 

It all boils down to what you like.  I’d recommend buying a few sleeves of each that you are interested in.  Hit some putts, some chips, pitch shots... maybe throw in a few iron and wood shots.  You’ll most likely find one or two that you really like.  Then narrow it down from there.  Unless you go to a professional fitter and are optimizing numbers on a launch monitor, I think the eye test will do just fine.

 

Don’t discount Wilson’s premium offerings either.  I have not him them this year, but they are good ball.

[MichaelJW]

On 7/11/2021 at 2:55 AM, RichL85 said:

So, I'm going to admit, I'm pretty much lost at the moment when it comes to current golf ball offerings. I have spent a number of years away and obviously technology has come a long way. I'm at a point now where I'm not even sure where to start so I'm looking for a few recommendations. 

To start, I'm not good enough to nitpick the minute differences between many of the balls out there, but I do prefer a softer feel. As an example of past premium balls I have liked, the old Srixon Z-URS is probably my favorite of all time. Having said that, I could play the Srixon AD-333 or a Callaway Chrome Soft and the only huge difference I noticed between the three was spin around the greens. Would anyone be able to recommend a couple balls to try out? I don't mind paying for Pro V1s, but I'd rather find something a little less for now because I still lose a few here and there and I honestly don't notice a lot of the performance benefits. My game is still in a place that my consistency and swing are far bigger factors than the ball to my scores. Thanks in advance. 

Go and try the Kirklands from Costco. You really can't find much better of a deal for the price (not even close) and it is a performance urethane covered ball.