Ball Test/Ball Lab Takeaways

[tdc1]

Like many of you I am intrigued by the ongoing MSG ball tests/ball labs.  Like some of you, perhaps, I am also confused by mixed messages I seem to get from the data.  Below are some things I see as recurring point.

About me:  70 years old; erratic with driver; solid distance, by my standards, with 30-degree 7 iron (145 carry); driver swing speed guesstimate of 88-90 (been a couple of years since accurate assessment); I do not have a favorite ball at this point.

Ball test/lab takeaways: (1) low compression (soft) balls are slower and shorter — except when they aren’t; (2) at my swing speed I’m leaving distance on the table with driver by using lower compression ball but probably gaining a few yards with irons; (3) around the greens I’m losing spin with lower compression ball; (4) matte finished balls spin less than gloss finish, and significantly less when wet; (5) non-urethane balls may give more distance off driver but less control on approach shots.

Am I badly misreading the test results?

Thanks.

Edited August 26, 2021 by tdc1
Added information

[DiscipleofPenick]

I think you've got it right. The MGS guys just did a No Putts Given podcast where they explain things in a lot more detail. I'm actually listening to it right now, it's only an hour long and it sheds a lot more light on their conclusions. They only point I would make would be to try the higher compression urethane balls, maybe you don't need to go to an X (though it seems like EvERyOnE ShOulD PLaY a PrO V LeFt DaSH) Try the Bridgestone RX, the Maxfli from Dick's, and Vice/Snell products. If you are happy with your greenside performance I wouldn't worry too much.

[cnosil]

I agree with the post above,  listen to or watch the latest no putts given.  F you want to know the answers to you questions investing an hour to listen to more details isn’t a bad thing.   

14 minutes ago, tdc1 said:

Ball test/lab takeaways: (1) low compression (soft) balls are slower and shorter — except when they aren’t; (2) at my swing speed I’m leaving distance on the table with driver by using lower compression ball but probably gaining a few yards with irons; (3) around the greens I’m losing spin with lower compression ball; (4) matte finished balls spin less than gloss finish, and significantly less when wet; (5) non-urethane balls may give more distance off driver but less control on approach shots.

But my interpretation:

1.  Low compression and named soft are two different things.  Chromesoft actually isn’t soft when looked at across other balls.  
 

2/3: sounds close to accurate

4. Lots of dynamics involved with spin especially when wet.  I am doing most wanted wedge testing now and while spin is lower when the ball is wet, the club plays a huge factor in the reduction of spin.   
 

5. probably true.

 

ultimately decisions on what ball to play is an individual thing.  You may deliver the club in a way that needs more or less spin.  The ball that flys farthest in the MGS test may not be your longest balls.   It is a complex puzzle that combines, compression, spin, launch, aerodynamics, trajectory, etc.   what the MGS test should do is give you information about what range of balls might work best for you.