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When did you switch to premium balls? At what point did performance matter more than cost?


TBS

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Over the past 2 years, I have been playing a lot more golf and taking it much more seriously. I've gotten fit for a few new clubs, taken some lessons, and increased the quality of my range/practice time.

I used to play whatever ball was cheapest or on sale at the time. Then I switched to the more value DTC brands. I never wanted to spend a ton on balls because I ended up losing 2-3 each round. My home course is pretty unforgiving if wipe a drive. I've gotten my handicap down from a 14 to a 9 and I'm losing 1 ball max a round, so I'm starting to think of making the investment in some premium balls, Pro Vs or TP5. New not found balls mint 5a grade. I have liked playing Snell MTBx currently.

So I wanted to ask the forum, at what point did you decide that a premium ball is absolutely worth the extra cost?

 :taylormade-small: M6 12* Oban Kiyoshi Purple 65g stiff

:titelist-small: TS2 16.5* HL Oban Kiyoshi Purple 75g stiff

:ping-small:  G410 Hybrid 19* Tour stiff 

:ping-small: i210 KBS tour stiff 4-GW

:cleveland-small: 54* RTX Zipcore

:ping-small: 58* glide 3.0

:taylormade-small:  TP Black Copper Juno 34in

Oncore elixr or Snell MTBx

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I switched when I started caring about my game and eliminating variables and that was long before I was a 15 or lower hdcp

Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4

Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white

Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid

Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120

Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60

Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1

Ball: Titleist Prov1

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55 minutes ago, TBS said:

Over the past 2 years, I have been playing a lot more golf and taking it much more seriously. I've gotten fit for a few new clubs, taken some lessons, and increased the quality of my range/practice time.

I used to play whatever ball was cheapest or on sale at the time. Then I switched to the more value DTC brands. I never wanted to spend a ton on balls because I ended up losing 2-3 each round. My home course is pretty unforgiving if wipe a drive. I've gotten my handicap down from a 14 to a 9 and I'm losing 1 ball max a round, so I'm starting to think of making the investment in some premium balls, Pro Vs or TP5. New not found balls mint 5a grade. I have liked playing Snell MTBx currently.

So I wanted to ask the forum, at what point did you decide that a premium ball is absolutely worth the extra cost?

I would still consider the MTB-X to be a premium ball, even if it is DTC.

I think more important is that you pick a particular ball and stick with it. That way, you end up with a good understanding of how that ball is going to react throughout your round. I typically play the MTB-X, and while I've found balls that behave similarly (Z-Star XV, ProV1X), they are not identical and I notice it on course.

I'd say, pick the best ball for you that your budget can afford to lose and stick with it.

Unofficial WHS Handicap: 7.5 / Anti-Cap: 13.0 (Last Updated Feb. 19, 2024)

Driver: callaway_logo.png.3dd18aa65544000dd0ea3901697a8261.png Callaway Paradym TD (10.5°, -1/N), 45.75", Fujikura Motore X F1 6X | Fitting Post
3 Wood: 
cobra_logo.png.190908c8b4518eec87c087429e4343ee.png Cobra RadSpeed Big Tour (14.5°), 43", Fujikura Motore X F1 7X
20° Hybrid: PXG_Logo.png.8401024d1fb8aec46f0e790c1aa5b80c.png PXG 0211 (2020 Model), 40.25", Mitsubishi Tensei AV RAW White 90X
4 Utility: 
cobra_logo.png.190908c8b4518eec87c087429e4343ee.png Cobra KING Utility (2020 Model), 38.5", Aerotech SteelFiber i110cw Stiff
5-PW:
logo-Ben-Hogan-large.png.98d743ae5487285c6406a1e30a0a63b5.png Ben Hogan PTx Pro, 37" 7 Iron, Aerotech SteelFiber i125cw Stiff | Club Champion Fitting
50°, 54°, 58°:
231036130_Edel_Golf_Logo_v2_grandecopy.png.13cc76b963f8dd59f06d04b1e8df2827.png Edel SMS, V Grind, Nippon Modus 125 Wedge| Official Review Thread
Putter:
image.png.49fcc172a1ed0010d930fbe1c5dc8b79.png L.A.B. Golf DF 2.1, 36", 68°, Black with Custom Sightlines, BGT Stability Tour, L.A.B. Press II 3° | Unofficial Review
Grips: 
stargrip.png.4285948f41f1409613266e7803f0bbaa.png Star Sidewinder, Undersized with Custom Tape Build-Up
Ball: :Snell:Snell MTB-X Optic Yellow

Tracked By: shotscope.png.4a7089f2bddff325285b1266a61dda03.png  Shot Scope H4
Bag: :1590477705_SunMountain: Personalized 2020 Sun Mountain Sync
Riding On: 
image.png.1db52ce91db040317a9ac580f1df8de8.pngBag Boy Nitron | Official Review Thread

WITB? | 2022 Reviewer Edel SMS Wedges | 2021 Reviewer Maxfli Tour and Tour X Balls2020 Participant #CobraConnect Challenge | 2019 Reviewer Callaway Epic Flash Driver

 

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I agree with Cody regarding Snell MTB-X (and the Black).  I've been playing premium balls for well over 3 decades.  Pro V1, TP5, Bridgestone BX and RX, etc, but for the last 2 years, I've been playing Snell MTB-X.  I have found that it performs on a fairly equal level with any of the premium balls that you're paying twice the price.  I don't play Snell simply because it's cheaper, though.  If I wasn't pleased with the performance of it, I would definitely move back to TP5 or Bridgestone.  Having said that, find a ball that you like and play it exclusively -- you will develop a feel for how the ball behaves on the green, as well as average distances and this will, in turn, work toward helping you play better golf.  I know plenty of good golfers that play any ball they find, including cheaper 2 piece balls, but most of the better players that I know are playing a particular ball they prefer and it's typically a tour level ball.

Driver: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max (10.5* set at -1 and neutral) -- Mitsubishi Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Fairway: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 3 wood (16.5*) and Heaven Wood (20*)-- Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Hybrids: :callaway-small: Rogue ST Max 5H (23*)--Tensai Blue 55g R shaft

Irons:  :callaway-small: Apex CF19 6-9, PW, AW -- KBS Tour Graphite  TGI 70 shafts R +1/2 inch 3* upright

Wedges: Edison 53* and  57* KBS PGI 80 Graphite +1/2 inch 2* upright

Putter: L.A.B. DF 2.1 -- BGT Stability shaft

Ball:  Maxfli TourX...Golf Bag: :ping-small: Pioneer...Shoes: :footjoy-small: Hyperflex... Glove: Red Rooster Feather

 

My Photography can be seen at Smugmug

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Even though I am a high handicapper, i almost always play a premium ball that i buy at a good price. My problem is i switch between so many different balls because i use whatever i get a good deal on. I am vowing to stick with one ball going forward (or try my best to).

I tried the Bridgestone XS yesterday, i wanted to see what happened with a spinny ball with my short game. That thing spins so much in the short game, i could see a big difference. Mostly a good thing. However, had one crazy shot yesterday where i was hitting a 40 yard blind pitch shot where i was hitting up to an elevated green. I hit it pretty well and i heard one of my playing partners who was standing on the green say "woah". I walked up and asked him what happened, since i couldnt see the result from where i hit the shot. He said that it landed on the fringe and instead of rolling forward, it spun back off the fringe and almost went through the rough into a bunker.

Now, that one example, was not a good result, but i do like the spinnyness of the XS. Feel like i can be a little bit more aggressive in how hard i hit my short game shots without worrying about the ball rolling too much. When I start worrying, i get timid and then start mishitting.

Follow my golf journey to break into the 80s

Tester for the Titleist TSi Driver

Spring 2020 MGS Tester for the Fujikura Motore X Shaft

Updated 07/15/2022
Driver:callaway-small: Rogue St Max LS - Autoflex
Fairway Woods:callaway-small: Rogue Max St 3HL and 7 Wood
Irons:mizuno-small: JPX 921 Hot Metal 5 to AW - Aerotech Steelfiber i95 Stiff parallel tip
Wedges:ping-small: Glide 4.0 54 and 58
Putter:  :ping-small: PLD Custom Kushin 4

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Bought 2-piece balls when I didn't know any better but I was losing 4-6 every round anyways. Played the Z-star exclusively for about two years once I got below a 10 HCP. Been playing the Maxfli Tour (which I consider a premium performing ball) for the last 2 seasons. You can find good performance that doesn't break the bank in the ball market! Pay extra attention to the MGS ball test results that will come out next week! 

Driver:  :titelist-small: TSi3 Tester Check out the Review HERE

2-Iron- :Sub70: 699-U

5-Wood:  :Sub70: Pro (18*) 

Irons :  :ping-small: i210 4-PW

Wedges:  :cleveland-small:  RTX-4 50* and 54* RTX-3 *58

Putter::1332069271_TommyArmour: Impact No. 3

Ball:  MAXFLI TOUR 

Tracked by: :Arccos:  

Bag: BagBoy ZTF Stand Bag (REVIEW HERE)

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For me, it was pretty recently that I stopped playing ionomer-covered balls. I make this distinction only to say that I don't think of balls in terms of "premium" or not but in terms of urethane or ionomer. Before about two years ago, I would buy a dozen Bridgestone BXS balls (or whatever "Tour" ball marketed itself as the softest and was on sale) and then scour the woods for additional balls, pocketing anything that wasn't scuffed/cut. If I had a round where I was really trying for score, I'd bust out the BXS or any ProV1s I'd found. If I was just messing around with my friends or otherwise not really keeping score, it was just whatever I pulled out of my bag.

Between the MGS 2019 ball test and just generally caring more (ok, and in addition to joining a club so I could play more often) I'm now exclusively playing urethane. I've hit some ionomers like the TruFeel or e12s, but now when I'm playing for score, it's a fresh sleeve and it's pretty rare for me to keep any of the balls I find in the woods. I can't say that it's making me a better player, but I do think it makes me more consistent. When I do hit a good shot, I am rarely surprised with the outcome: the ball flies the distance I expected and reacts on the green in the way I expected.

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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I also use Snell MTB-X  after switching from ProV1.  I don't see any performance difference.  Distance is the same through the bag and approach shots stop within 3' of where they hit the green.  Feels good on chip shots and putts too.

Modern Bag:  :ping-small: G410 LST 10.5*, Hzrdus Smoke RDX 6.5 Flex;   :titelist-small:  915F 3w, Diamana S+ 70 S flex;  Snake Eyes 18* 2h, 23* 4h & 27* 5h; :mizuno-small: JPX 900 Forged 6 - PW, PX LZ 6.0;  Edison 2.0 49*, 53*, 57* KBS Tour 120 S;   :ping-small:  Heppler Fetch;  Ball - :Snell: MTB-X; Bag - Jones MyGolfSpy Edition! 

Shot Scope H4, MG600 Rangefinder

Classic Bag:  Driver - :wilson_staff_small: Persimmon; 3w - :Hogan: Speed Slot; 5w - :wilson_staff_small: Tour Block; 3 - pw - :wilson_staff_small: Dynapower; sw - Ram Tom Watson;  putter - bullseye standard or flange.

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As several have already stated, the Snell MTB line of golf balls are "premium" in every way that matters and they perform similarly to that of more expensive options.

I have played Titleist Pro V1 & Pro V1x, Bridgestone Tour B XS, Taylormade TP5x, Vice Pro & Vice Pro+, Snell MTB-Black & MTB-X. The Snell MTB-X has been my favorite out of the bunch so far. If I were to switch to something more expensive it would only be because major OEM offerings are readily available at multiple locations near me. If I want Snell, I can only get it from one place and I have to wait for it to be delivered - not a bad thing when you remember to keep tabs on your stock and do a bag check before a round, but not so great when you forget...

As far as when I made the switch from ionomer covers to urethane? Well, that transition started when I began learning about the differences between the two and felt it was economically practical for me to do so. 

Driver: :mizuno-small: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S
Fairway Wood: :mizuno-small: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S
Hybrid: :mizuno-small: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB
Irons: :bridgestone-small: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: :taylormade-small: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200
Putter: :odyssey-small: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34"
Bag: :titleist-small: Players 5 Stand Bag
Ball: Maxfli Tour

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1 hour ago, Riverboat said:

I'm sure this post will immediately be attacked by the bots on here who think mgs testing is law and the Bible wrapped up in one, but all I'm saying is don't assume one ball or type of ball is best for every player. I think many, many players would benefit from a different ball and a more manageable style of play. 

Actually, MGS testing has shown that compression is less of a concern for slower swing speeds and while your speed is not slow in relation to what they've tested, it is slow enough that you probably wouldn't see as much of a difference. 

Also, I think the shots you described around the green have more to do with how people are trying to play shots than what ball they're playing. You aren't wrong, many golfers would be well served by hitting chips and pitches that landed short and rolled out to the hole, but a lot of golfers just don't understand how to accomplish that or even think to try.

Driver: :mizuno-small: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S
Fairway Wood: :mizuno-small: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S
Hybrid: :mizuno-small: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB
Irons: :bridgestone-small: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: :taylormade-small: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200
Putter: :odyssey-small: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34"
Bag: :titleist-small: Players 5 Stand Bag
Ball: Maxfli Tour

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I just got back into golf this season, and after a bunch of research leading up to the season, I decided to play premium urethane balls. Partially for the benefits in performance and consistency, partially because I'm now an adult with a stable career and I can afford to play premium balls.

Started out by trying a bunch of various dozens from all the big brands; Bridgestone first, then Titleist, TM, Callaway, and Srixon. Overall, I definitely noticed a difference compared to the older surlyn balls that I had left in my bag from various bachelor party outings of the past few years and random balls I picked up in the woods along the way this season. I knew I liked the urethane balls, but overall I had the feeling that there wasn't enough differentiation between them all where I needed to play a specific one out of all the options I was trying in order to maximize my game.

So, I tried the Maxfli Tour balls, to see if a "budget" urethane ball was in the same ballpark. Turns out, for my game, they definitely are, so there's no reason for me to pay $17-25 more per dozen for the premium brands. I'm sure there are people out there that really need to fine tune their game with a specific urethane ball, but overall I would say anybody that's not playing super competitive golf but wants to play urethane balls should definitely consider the Maxfli Tour balls, Vice, and Snell, to save a bit of money.

WITB

Driver: TM Sim Max 9.0, Ventus Blue 6S shaft, upright setting

Woods: Ping G30 14.5deg 3W, turned up to small + setting

Irons 3-PW: Mizuno MP-20, DG S300, GP Z-Grip Cord (life is too short to not play blades), MP-33s for special occasions now

Wedges: Kirkland Signature 3 Wedge Set; 52, 56, 60 deg.

Putter: Odyssey OG White Hot #1, 35" steel shafted

Ball: Maxfli Tour X

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It is a performance/price balance for me.  If I felt I was getting proportional performance enhancement from a $80/doz. ball, I would play it... but I don't pay for a name without performance.  If I can play a $30/doz. ball and I get an equivalent performance as a $50/doz. ball... I'll save the $20.  Thus my current gamer (subjective to my opinion and my game of course... YMMV).  Someone above said... play the best performing ball you can afford to lose (or something like that) - couldn't agree more.  It is kinda like going to the Casino.  Only take what you can afford to lose - never look back when you lose it.    ~Tim.

  • Titleist TSR3 9* (A2 setting) Driver - Graphite Design Tour AD UB-5 R1
  • Titleist TSR2+ 3 Wood - Graphite Design Tour AD UB-5 R1
  • Srixon ZX 5W
  • Callaway Paradym 4-PW
  • Titleist Vokey SM9 50-08, 54-10 & 58-08
  • Scotty Cameron Super Select Newport 2.5
  • 2023 Titleist ProV1
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Thanks for all the thoughts. I'll be sticking with Snells for now. 

 :taylormade-small: M6 12* Oban Kiyoshi Purple 65g stiff

:titelist-small: TS2 16.5* HL Oban Kiyoshi Purple 75g stiff

:ping-small:  G410 Hybrid 19* Tour stiff 

:ping-small: i210 KBS tour stiff 4-GW

:cleveland-small: 54* RTX Zipcore

:ping-small: 58* glide 3.0

:taylormade-small:  TP Black Copper Juno 34in

Oncore elixr or Snell MTBx

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I switched balls regularly trying to find a lesser expensive option that played like a premium ball, since I’ve really only been playing again for a little over 2 years and was losing a lot of balls. Then someone gifted me a box of Tour Speeds and I noticed a huge improvement in the balls reaction to my swing, putter, etc.

Then I played some new Pro V1s and I never wanted to play another ball again, but spending $50/dozen just seems so excessive. Tried the new Maxfli Tour after the reviews on here and they play so close to the ProV1s for me that I’m playing them exclusively at this point. It helps that I’ve improved enough that I don’t lose more than a ball or two in a round and regularly play the same ball all 18 holes. 

I’ve been playing the Maxflis for about 10 rounds now and I’ve had 4 of my 5 best rounds ever (81 last weekend, a sub 80 is coming soon!) and had my first ever 300 yard drives, tracked by Arccos. That’s my ball, and I’m sticking to it. 

Ping G410+, 9* with draw bias weight setting, 55g Alta CB stiff shaft

Taylormade Burner 3w, stiff shaft 

Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal 4-GW, regular flex

Cleveland CBX2 54* wedge

Cleveland Smart Sole 58* wedge

Ping Scottsdale Piper C putter

Titleist Tour Speed balls

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On 8/10/2021 at 7:13 AM, Riverboat said:

 

Final thought... My driver swing speed is mid 90s, and I've done innumerable side by side comparisons.  For my swing and my equipment, low compression balls are longer overall and react the way I want around the greens and, most importantly, yield lower scores. 

 

Can't attack cause I've come to the same result in the last 3 month, I've had a swing speed of around 95 at the start of the season, tried so many different balls, all my better drive out there are with the cheapest crappy ball you can get Wilson Staff elite 50, the ball is so expensive that it's only sold in pack of 24 for like 24$. 50 compression, last game lost one in the river at 300 yards dead straight (extremley hot and humid, fairway hard as rock, 5mph backwind, optimal condition for huge numbers (I use Arccos)), was happy to lose it at that distance.. for me the short game is way more consistent with those ball than most other harder model out there, yes the prov1 work very well too, as anyone would expect from a 4$ ball. I often outdrive my friend that have a faster swing speed than me and he is mad as hell when he see me play those ball... he often game bridgestone BX and I think his swing speed is not as good as it used to be to play those anymore... he tried softer compression ball on his drive and for some weird reason he got better result, maybe just luck not so sure...

Yes the harder is the better but we might see in the test soon enough that lower compression ball can often do a good job for slower swing speed player in specific temperature.

P.S. my swing speed might be around 100 at the moment, cant really test it for now, will go back on a gcquad at the end of the season to get refitted

 

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Echoing lots of other members thoughts, I also decided a couple years ago - regardless of my mediocre handicap - that a solid ball that could handle my SS would be appropriate, eliminate variables, and create more consistency. However, I couldn't justify the cost of a ProV ball since I am still loosing 2-3 per round.

I ended up going with Srixon Z-Star and looking for discounted versions, like buying a 2019/2020 version today, because I highly doubt the slight improvements in model years would greatly impact my game as long as I'm sticking with the same OEM and understand how it will perform. The base performance is there, solid compression #'s, and it's slightly cheaper at ~$30-35/dz so it get's the job done for me. Might check out the Maxfli Tour's as well since those are the about the same specs but a little bit better performance based on Ball Lab #'s

Honestly, waiting on the new Ball Test stats to come out before I look at any other models!

In my :ping-small: Hoofer:

:ping-small: G410 LST 10.5* - Kai'Li White 60 X-flex

:nike-small: VRS Covert 3W 15* - Kuro Kage 65 S-flex

  :titelist-small:  T200 4-GW, DG X100 Tour Issue - Tester

:ping-small: Glide 2.0 Stealth 54.12 SS & 58.10 SS

:ping-small:  Zing 2 LW - 60*

:ping-small:  Anser 2

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For me, the answer is when I knew I was going to be a "player" in high school, so like 2003-04 when I decided golf was going to be something I was decent at to something I was going to try and be great at. The good news? At that time there were players in the premium ball space that were affordable for me on limited budget being a kid who didn't have that membership or anything else. Stuff like Precept U-Tri Tour and Dunlop Loco Pro HT were staples of my early golf development. Now that I can spend a little bit an don't lose much, going to V1X or whatever comes out of the Ball Test today going forward is now where I sit.

In a :ping-small: Hoofer Lite bag

 :titleist-small: TSR2, 10 degrees, A1 setting, Fujikara Speeder NX Blue 50-S

:taylormade-small: Stealth, 15 degrees, VA Composites Nemesys 70-S 

:755178188_TourEdge: E722, 19 degrees, Oban Devotion 80-S

:mizuno-small: JPX 921 Hot Metal Pro 4-P, Nippon 950GH Stiff Flex

 :cleveland-small: CBX Zipcore 50* (bent to *49) and RTX Zipcore Tour Rack 54* (bent to *55), DG 115 Spinner, Tour Issue

:wilson-small: Staff Model TG 60*, Dynamic Gold 120 S300

 SIK Golf Flo-C

:bridgestone-small: Tour B-XS (2022 Model)

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On 8/16/2021 at 10:08 AM, Berg Ryman said:

For me, the answer is when I knew I was going to be a "player" in high school

Same here.  It was sophomore year.

 

On 8/16/2021 at 10:08 AM, Berg Ryman said:

so like 2003-04

🤦‍♂️ 

That would have been 1987 for me.  So premium balls for me were the Titleist Professional and the Maxfli HT.  Balata.  Lots of balls cut and knocked out of round.

I've been playing solid core urethane balls since the Strata Tour Ace and haven't looked back.  It's so nice to be able to play the same ball for an entire round.  Right now it's the TP5x Pix - hat tip to @chisag for pointing out the deal on the Practice balls.

I've gotten both of my daughters to stop using low compression ionomer balls and start playing urethane.  Neither of them are Nelly Korda long, but they both enjoy hitting pitch shots that don't roll off the green anymore.

 

 

What's in the bag:
Driver - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Wood (13.5*) - :titleist-small: 980F 
4 Wood (18*) - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Hybrid (19*) - :taylormade-small: RBZ
4i - PW - :wilson_staff_small: D7 Forged - Recoil 760 ( S )
52* - :cleveland-small: CBX
58* - :cleveland-small: CBX Full Face 2
Putter - :ping-small: Craz-e
Bag - :1590477705_SunMountain: 2.5 (Blue)
Ball -  :titleist-small: AVX
Instagram - @hardcorelooper
Twitter - @meovino
Facebook - mike.eovino

 

 

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Up until 15 years ago I played whatever mid price ball was on sale. Back then probably in the $25.00 a box range. Then my current manager at work left the company to be the engineering manager at a well know golf ball manufacturer. Three weeks later he was the Plant Manager. I received a care package in the mail from him one day and of course they were the premium tour balls. After playing with them I was hooked. I never realized how much a good ball could change your game and lower your score. 

:titleist-small: Driver, TSi 1 S Flex

:cobra-small: 3 wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex

:cobra-small: 5 wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 

:cobra-small: 7 Wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 

:cobra-small: 5 Hybrid King Tec MMT R Flex

:cobra-small: Irons, Tour UST Recoil 95 R Flex (6 - Gap)

:cobra-small: Wedges, Snakebite KBS Hi- Rev2.0 54* & 60*

:cobra-small: Agera 35"

image.png Ultralight 14-way Cart Bag

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11 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

I've been playing solid core urethane balls since the Strata Tour Ace 

 

No joke, those were the first solid core urethane balls I ever bought, but they were so expensive to me that I was scared to play them in anything but matches. Hence the other options taking slight precedence

In a :ping-small: Hoofer Lite bag

 :titleist-small: TSR2, 10 degrees, A1 setting, Fujikara Speeder NX Blue 50-S

:taylormade-small: Stealth, 15 degrees, VA Composites Nemesys 70-S 

:755178188_TourEdge: E722, 19 degrees, Oban Devotion 80-S

:mizuno-small: JPX 921 Hot Metal Pro 4-P, Nippon 950GH Stiff Flex

 :cleveland-small: CBX Zipcore 50* (bent to *49) and RTX Zipcore Tour Rack 54* (bent to *55), DG 115 Spinner, Tour Issue

:wilson-small: Staff Model TG 60*, Dynamic Gold 120 S300

 SIK Golf Flo-C

:bridgestone-small: Tour B-XS (2022 Model)

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1 hour ago, Berg Ryman said:

No joke, those were the first solid core urethane balls I ever bought, but they were so expensive to me that I was scared to play them in anything but matches. Hence the other options taking slight precedence

I know, right?  It was so crazy to spend so much on a golf ball, but the first time I played the same ball for 18 holes, I realized that it was worth the expense.  I was used to getting into a second sleeve of balls in tournament rounds without losing any of them.  In friendly rounds, those of us of modest means used to play old balls and putt a new one.  

The pro at the club where I worked used to play a ball for three holes or until he made a birdie (superstition of his), then he'd throw them into his bag.  Not the ball pocket - he'd throw then in with the clubs.  We may or may not have liberated some of those balls.

What's in the bag:
Driver - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Wood (13.5*) - :titleist-small: 980F 
4 Wood (18*) - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Hybrid (19*) - :taylormade-small: RBZ
4i - PW - :wilson_staff_small: D7 Forged - Recoil 760 ( S )
52* - :cleveland-small: CBX
58* - :cleveland-small: CBX Full Face 2
Putter - :ping-small: Craz-e
Bag - :1590477705_SunMountain: 2.5 (Blue)
Ball -  :titleist-small: AVX
Instagram - @hardcorelooper
Twitter - @meovino
Facebook - mike.eovino

 

 

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On 8/9/2021 at 12:19 PM, TBS said:

Over the past 2 years, I have been playing a lot more golf and taking it much more seriously. I've gotten fit for a few new clubs, taken some lessons, and increased the quality of my range/practice time.

I used to play whatever ball was cheapest or on sale at the time. Then I switched to the more value DTC brands. I never wanted to spend a ton on balls because I ended up losing 2-3 each round. My home course is pretty unforgiving if wipe a drive. I've gotten my handicap down from a 14 to a 9 and I'm losing 1 ball max a round, so I'm starting to think of making the investment in some premium balls, Pro Vs or TP5. New not found balls mint 5a grade. I have liked playing Snell MTBx currently.

So I wanted to ask the forum, at what point did you decide that a premium ball is absolutely worth the extra cost?

I did it this year. I admit I am a Ball snob. I donate the other balls I find to the first tee club. I changed when I started to see the integral details between the higher end balls and the lower. Sticking greens vs having the ball roll off. A poor driver swing results in what should be a high spinner resulting in a just off the fairway shot a few yards shorter. Plus I’ve gotten better where I lose very few balls on average which helps with the higher costs of premium balls

:taylormade-small: Stealth 2 Plus 9deg Kai' li Red

:taylormade-small:Stealth 2 13deg Aldilla Rogue Silver

:taylormade-small:Stealth 2 15deg Aldilla Rogue Silver

:mizuno-small: JPX 921 Hot Metal 4-PW Nippon Modus 120s

:vokey-small: SM8 54 and 58deg Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex

:titleist-small: Scotty Cameron Newport 2

Titleist ProV1

:ping-small: Hoofer Stand Bag

Stewart Q Follow Electric Caddie

:callaway-small: 300 PRO Rangefinder

Official Nippon Regio B+ Driver Shaft Review

Official Stewart Q Follow Review

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I played mid-priced balls up until a couple of years ago when I tried and liked Snell balls.  This spring, for the first time, I went with the Pro V1 because of their buy 4 dozen for the price of 3 program only because I had some left-over pro shop credit.  After the credit, the 4 dozen only cost me about $50.  I like playing the Pro V1 but when I run out, I will be ordering Snell again and save about $20 per dozen.  

  • Driver _ Ping G400 Max
  • Woods _ Ping G410 3 & 5 | Cleveland Launcher XL HALO 7
  • Hybrid _ Titleist 818 H1 5 
  • Irons _ Titleist T300 6-GW
  • Wedges _ Titleist SM9 52F & 56S
  • Putter _ Odyssey Dual Force Rossie 2 or Rife Two Bar Hybrid
  • Distance _ Bushnell Phantom 2 GPS | Precision Pro NX7 Pro
  • Ball _ Titleist Pro V1 yellow
  • GHIN _ HCP floats between 8 & 12

:ping-small:  :cleveland-small: :titelist-small:  :vokey-small:   :odyssey-small:  :rife-putters-1:  :918457628_PrecisionPro:  :sunmountain: :Clicgear:   :footjoy-small:  

"Never bet against an old man with old clubs that have new grips"

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I switched to TaylorMade urethane balls when I started coaching and I’ve been able to have access to them since. After the 2019 ball test, I switched to Pro V1X and got stocked-up the last two years when they offered the 4-for-3 deal. I’ve rarely ever bought the top balls for full price since I have access, or stock-up. Ten dollars more for a urethane ball is less than a $1 each, so I see it as a worthwhile expense to get the extra quality. I’m thinking of going back to TP5X since Tony had them in the “High Swing Speed/Mid Spin” recommendations, but I’ll have to test a sleeve before switching again.

I played cheap balls in college and just out of college, so until I had access and knew about balls I just played whatever.

Driver: Ping G430 Max 9*, Ping Tour 70X

Fairway: Ping G425 15*, Ping Tour 70X

Hybrid: Ping G425 22*, Ping Tour 80X

Irons:  Ping i230 4-GW, TT DG X100

Wedges: :edel-golf-1: SMS 50D/54V/58D:Nippon:Modus 130 stiff, +1”

Putter:  :edel-golf-1: EAS 1.0

Ball: Titleist 2023 AVX

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On 8/9/2021 at 12:19 PM, TBS said:

....at what point did you decide that a premium ball is absolutely worth the extra cost?

I played the original Spalding Top Flite, not the XL or later variations, from when it was first introduced  

all the way to when it went completely out of production.

When it came out, it was just as expensive as the once famous and classic Spalding Dot balata-covered wound ball.

By the time it went out of production many years later, the identical ball, completely unchanged, was a popular priced ball.

I played the old Top Flite back when wound balls predominated because every one behaved exactly the same-- and for me,  it was the easiest ball

on the market with which to make club selection. 

That's what it was.  Not distance.  Not trajectory.  Not spin.  Perfect consistency for club selection.  

Detractors, in fact, called them Rock Flites, but I loved them.

Now that wound balls have disappeared from the scene, we have urethane covered premium non-wound balls

and surlyn covered popular-priced non-wound balls.   We all know that.

 

On another thread, I described how I got a dozen Pro V1x balls as a gift, played well with them, and didn't realize how obscenely expensive they are until I bought a dozen on my own.   I got a touch of sticker shock to be sure, but I bit the bullet in order to once again stick with what I knew.  

When did I decide that a premium ball was worth the extra cost?  

In the end, I didn't consider value at all.

I considered indulging myself to stay in a comfort zone.

 

Louisville Golf Persimmon___2, 4, 5, 7-woods;    Epon AF-906___driving iron;   Titleist T100 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-irons; 

Titleist T100S___48°;     Edison 2.0___53º;     Titleist SM-9 (T)___58º;   Tad Moore Otto Hackbarth___putter;   

Titleist Pro V1x___ball

 

 

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When I was a high handicap I played Wilson  Duo soft: I was losing 3 -6 balls every round and didn’t care to spend more than $1 per ball. Once I got down to about a 14, I switched to chromesoft truvis: the pattern really helped me work on my putting and chipping. Once I was down into single digits I figured any price was worth a ball suited to my game. Since then, I’ve been a shameless ball flirt: I’ve tried everything and discovered that really any low spin premium ball works for me. My favorite 3 are -ProV1, chromesoft XLS, and Snell MTB-X. Left dash can hard to come by at a local shop, and I really love the triple track option on chromesoft. But you can’t beat Snell on price; and it’s as good as balls twice as expensive.

 

Driver - Cobra LtDxLS

3 Wood - Ping g410 LST

2iron - Titleist U505

Irons - Ping i59

Wedges - Vokey Sm9

Putter - Mizuno Mcraft IV

 

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I love Micah's bag.

No fairway woods and five wedges.

If I found that bag strapped to my cart, I'd just stay at the bar and drink instead!

Then again, I don't drive the ball 285 yards.  

 

Louisville Golf Persimmon___2, 4, 5, 7-woods;    Epon AF-906___driving iron;   Titleist T100 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-irons; 

Titleist T100S___48°;     Edison 2.0___53º;     Titleist SM-9 (T)___58º;   Tad Moore Otto Hackbarth___putter;   

Titleist Pro V1x___ball

 

 

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On 8/29/2021 at 6:05 AM, BostonSal said:

I love Micah's bag.

No fairway woods and five wedges.

If I found that bag strapped to my cart, I'd just stay at the bar and drink instead!

Then again, I don't drive the ball 285 yards.  

 

I’ve added a Ping g410 LST 3 wood, but I still have 5 wedges 😝

 

Driver - Cobra LtDxLS

3 Wood - Ping g410 LST

2iron - Titleist U505

Irons - Ping i59

Wedges - Vokey Sm9

Putter - Mizuno Mcraft IV

 

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