What are you doing with the '21 Ball test data?

[skiguy327]

I'm intrigued by the Chrome Soft X LS... Based on the data for my mid swing speeds it is longer than the Pro V1 I usually play with similar spin numbers.  I'm gong to pick up a sleeve and alternate with the Pro V1 the next time I play and see if I like them.

FWIW - my brother and nephew play the AVX and they routinely outdrive me by 30 yards.  Hmmm.  I may try the AVX too...

[MichaelJW]

Delete my comment

 

Edited August 20, 2021 by MichaelJW

[mywong23]

I love golf.  I study it to some degree.  probably more than the average 20 handicapper.

I think your golf ball test was a huge undertaking...possibly with unexpected results...  that you would publish

no matter what, because that is your mantra.  

I thank you for trying to test balls, in the best manner.  Obviously, you cannot please everybody !!!

 

How will I use the data?

Since I never buy new balls; just playing with what I find.... I play with all brands and models.

However with your data, I will pay more attention to balls that might be better suited to my game;

and save as many of them as possible, to use.

I actually have a hard time differentiating between balls...  only a few that seem very hard, that I usually don't 

play with.   and obviously certain balls, expecially used, will not perform as well.

 

But I still have fun with my friends, and don't blame any missed shots on the ball... it's on me.

 

Mike Wong

[Steven Stuebner]

Your tests confirmed my thoughts and I am using the right ball for me the Avx Titleist and Pro VX left dash

[tigerpill]

23 hours ago, TBS said:

The ball test in '19 is what drew me to MGS and I've loved going through the '21 data and discussing it on the Ball test thread. I wanted to start a new thread for everyone to share what they are going to do with the data they received. 

So, what is your next move after reviewing the '21 ball test data??

For me, I'm going to try out some of the Vice Pro and Pro Plus. I fall right in between Mid and high swing and although my current gamer Snell MTBX faired well, it was not a standout like last year. Although I think ProV1x left dash would be a good fit, I'm not willing to pay the price at this point, so I like to look at the more premium budget (DTC) options. I've posted this elsewhere but this ball test showed that you really need to find the ball that is best for you, your equipment, and your game. I think Big Box stores should start offering ball fittings for a small price that can be applied when you buy 2 or more boxes of balls. 

Great thread. I have tried several balls out this summer and was looking forward to the latest testing. I did a Vice sample box, The Snell sample box and the maxfli tour. I bought more of the Vice Pro Soft after looking at my notes and seeing the test results. I like the Snell as well and realize they are very different. My swing speed would seem to fit with the Pro Soft or Pro. I'm in search of my ball  . I do think the testing helps direct you. I am also not interested in paying for the Pro Vs.

[bobsarobot]

I have played Z Star, Pro-V and a bit of Bridgestone X for the last 10+ years.  This last season I have been playing the Maxfli Tour CG X.  After seeing the driver data (I am over 100 mph on driver but not near 115 so I went out and bought two boxes o of the Maxfli Tour CG.  The X rated way lower on distance (even though I was driving them considerably further than the Srixons and Pro-V's).  These are every bit as good as any other ball and the price......buy something cheap at Golf Galaxy, fill out the survey on the receipt to get $10 off your next purchase.  Buy two boxes of Maxflis for $60, throw on the coupon and you have two boxes of exceptional balls for $50.  That deal cannot be beat.

[Chopperdr]

Loving the Maxfli. Replacing TP5x

[Billy MacGregor]

I have 110mph driver speed and have been playing various high compression balls in order to maximize my driver distance.  I have a high trajectory and I out drive all my buddies... but they usually have an easier time finding their balls.  I've also lost about 1 club of yardage in my irons over the past couple of years.  I just chalked it up to getting older...I'm 56. 

After seeing the latest ball test I had an epiphany.  The high compression balls only give you an advantage off the driver, as long as you put a good swing on it.  The irons are the equalizer.  The ball doesn't know what club is hitting it.  It only knows how hard it's being hit.  I went out and bought a dozen TM Tour Response and played 18 with them today.  My driver trajectory was lower, I hit more fairways, and my iron yardages are back to where they were before.  I shot 80 which included a quad bogey (I made a mess in a bunker).  This ball test is probably the best thing that's happened to my game since cavity back irons were invented.

[HappyPappy]

Great test! However,as I am sure the disclosure was made, the test is not the be all end all. Everyone strikes the ball differently which will create different results for different players. I would fall in the mid swing speed and have been bouncing between the TM Tour Response, the TM TP5 and the B XS over the last few months. Off the tee and irons there is negligible difference between the three. Short game and around the green, the TP5 and Tour Response perform almost identical. The B XS has more short iron and green side spin. All three can be worked left to right, high to low and reduce or increase spin when needed. I have tried the B RX, B RXS, Z Star and Pro V1X. For me, the B RX/RXS are both short off the tee, inconsistent with the irons and green side spin is not up to par. The Pro V1X is a good ball, but does not offer anything the 3 aforementioned balls cannot do.  IMHO the B XS is the most complete ball for me. But, I will stick with the Tour Response due to the price point and the fact that all I am giving up is a small amount spin. Once again, great test and report.

[funkyjudge]

20 hours ago, Mtbryant01 said:

My neighbor’s boys go and find “lost” golf balls off of a course nearby and sells them for cheap to the neighborhood. I asked if they had any Vice golf balls in his stash. They said no one ever wants those and walked out with some Vice pro and pro plus. Will have to give these a try and see how they compare with my current gamer, Snell MTBx.

I have been playing the Snell MTB-X for the last few years, and it is still among my three favorite golf balls (along with the  2021Maxfli Tour X and OnCore VeroX1).  I would never have considered trying any recent Maxfli golf ball until I saw the results of the MGS 2019 Golf Ball Test.  When those results came out, I was intrigued and tried both the 2019 Maxfli Tour and Tour X.  Both were pretty nice, but didn't knock the MTB-X out of my bag. However, when I tried the 2021 Maxfli Tour and Tour X, the Tour X was (and IS) an absolute standout in every performance metric that matters to me (distance, feel, spin, consistency).

As for the OnCore balls, I had to try the Elixr when it came out a few years ago because OnCore Golf is a Buffalo, NY company and I am originally from Buffalo. The Elixr is pretty nice and performs well, but the Vero X1 is a whole different animal for me, and that animal is a beast!  My first 9-hole round that I played with the VeroX1, I didn't miss a fairway or green in regulation, and I shot a 3-under 32. I have had very good results with the VeroX1 since last summer when I first tried the prototype version of the ball (I am also an official OnCore tester, so take that as you please), and I find it to be particularly good in the wind, giving me the best control that I have ever seen from a golf ball on extra windy days.

Dean Snell would probably be disappointed to read this, but right now I am torn between the Maxfli Tour X and the OnCore VeroX1 as my #1 golf ball.  The MTB-X is still a very good ball, and I still occasionally play them, but the other two balls have been battling it out for the prime spot in my bag for the last three months (about 40 to 45 rounds of golf).

[Siamese Moose]

1 hour ago, skiguy327 said:

I'm intrigued by the Chrome Soft X LS... Based on the data for my mid swing speeds it is longer than the Pro V1 I usually play with similar spin numbers.  I'm gong to pick up a sleeve and alternate with the Pro V1 the next time I play and see if I like them.

FWIW - my brother and nephew play the AVX and they routinely outdrive me by 30 yards.  Hmmm.  I may try the AVX too...

My range has a special on the Chrome Soft going on, and I think it's everywhere. But a dozen and get a two ball sleeve for free. Play the sleeve, and if you don't like them return the dozen for a full refund. 

[rga68]

I am still playing with the 2019 Maxfli Tour golf balls, when I use those up I will try the 2021 Maxfli Tour golf balls. 

[oldguy819]

Oddly enough, I've always been conscious of the ball I play both playability and feel.  Back in the 60's I played Top Flights. Through today as I play the Left Dash. I decided on the Left Dash beginning of summer and the 2021 ball data only confirms what I've always felt or believed.  Not only is the premium ball better in most ways but as MGS has determined by looking at the actual price of each ball.  The consistency of the ball throughout the box of 12.  I'm not supposed to hit the Left Dash that long because of my swing speed (95 to 98mph) BUT!  I hit it as far as any ball right now and I LOVE the feel and action I get on the greens.  But again, let me thank all of MGS for performing this test.  A 30 minute read and MONTHS of brain fodder.

[frankast23]

I enjoy looking ad data and analyzing my game. I enjoy the analysis of my game and the game in general quite a bit. The first thing I did after looking at the data was schedule a virtual golf fitting with Titleist. 
 

My typical gamer ball is the Kirkland signature and callaway hex tour. This is due to price because I’m a 20+ hcp, and I lose about a sleeve per round. However, I have played with TP5s and ProV1s before that I’ve gotten as gifts from family. I will say that I tend to play more conservative and score slightly better when using premium balls. I attribute that to loss aversion because that stops me from trying to carry 200yds+ of water with my 5w. 
 

The data showed how spinny the Kirkland balls are, and I had already noticed that when I took a sleeve of them to a PGA SS. The backspin with my driver was 3500+.  The courses where I live are pretty windy, and high spinny drives are not a good shot. I will use this data to select a ball with a with a penetrating flight and lower spin. 

Anyone else looking forward something similar that has some suggestions?

[CrazyGolfNut]

I like to look at data so I filtered out balls that I would never use and ended up with 10 possible balls.  I filtered the chart to my slow swing speed specs and entered the data into a spreadsheet.  The results are not overwhelming which tells me that just about any of the 10 balls would do the job.  I was hoping for dispersion or shot area for each ball which might have help to bring the winner to the top of the pile.  Still looking over the numbers....

[midwestgolf]

Last mgs test I bought 6 dzn  Snell MTB-x when they showed up 'made in taiwan' I was less than impressed. After this years mgs ball test I got 5dzn Titelist Tour Speed...great ball!

[T McKinnon]

It appears to me that the golf ball manufacturers have taken note of your 2019 golf ball analysis and have made improvements in their ball quality/manufacturing processes.  

MGS is having a positive impact on the quality of new ball offerings  -  THANK YOU!

[Tim A]

I have been a supporter of Maxfli before Dicks and now with Dicks. The second test again showed them at the top of the pack but I already knew this. The Tour is the better ball of the two. Never cared for Titleist but always test stuff for the knowledge. Played the left dash and loved it test confirmed they play pretty much the same. The new Maxfli out this year is even better and the test confirmed that. Dicks runs a deal two dozen for $60. Have converted a lot I mean a lot over to Maxfli. A week ago I had finally one person that didn’t take to the ball. No ball is for everybody but the test is great for giving you a small window to experiment with versus a big window. The Maxfli pros are

Cost

Distance

Spin - Do not over spin tend to hit and sit

Quality

Perfect flight

 Con - Do not contract pros to play and name exposure not like big boys 

This is a big boys ball right along side the Titleist left dash both balls awesome. You have the option to save or spend more bucks. 

 

 

 

[russtopherb]

Well, first I'm going to play my way through the 7+ dozen balls in my closet that are mostly e12 and Duo Soft, with some QST mixed in. 

Then I'll probably pick up some MTB Blacks. Because hopefully by the time those 7+ dozen balls are gone, my driver has completely straightened out and I'm not losing a sleeve+ of balls off the tee. 

[acemaker]

12 hours ago, CrazyGolfNut said:

I like to look at data so I filtered out balls that I would never use and ended up with 10 possible balls.  I filtered the chart to my slow swing speed specs and entered the data into a spreadsheet.  The results are not overwhelming which tells me that just about any of the 10 balls would do the job.  I was hoping for dispersion or shot area for each ball which might have help to bring the winner to the top of the pile.  Still looking over the numbers....

Ii did the same thing as you with the spreadsheet. I am 67 yrs old and have been playing since I was 9. I am a golf ball snob. I play the Titleist ProV1x based on the 2019 test.  I purchased 4 dozen in 2019 and still have a dozen left and when they are gone I may try the Bridgestone B RX and the B RXS.  I like the feel of a softer ball. The Titleist Tour Speed felt good too.