Cheap Golf Balls for Tall Fall Rough

[Stuthedog]

The rough around here is left very long in the fall/winter and it's easy to lose balls out there so I'm looking for relatively cheap balls I don't mind losing (about a buck a ball or less ideally)

My main concern is reliability which makes me hesitant of kirkland balls. 2 pc balls are okay in the fall and winter since greens are soft.

Top Flites are very cheap but I've used some XLs that have done some weird stuff in the air, the cheap vice balls are also in that range, any other thoughts?

[russtopherb]

If you're going Top Flite, go with the Hammer Control or Distance over the XLs. Both are often on sale at Dicks and are great for cooler weather, especially the HC. The 50 Elite mentioned above is also a ball that punches way above it's cost.

[DiscipleofPenick]

Look at the inexpensive Wilson balls. Much prefer those to any Top Flite or value distance ball from major mfgs.

[brutal brutus]

On 10/19/2021 at 11:01 PM, Stuthedog said:

The rough around here is left very long in the fall/winter and it's easy to lose balls out there so I'm looking for relatively cheap balls I don't mind losing (about a buck a ball or less ideally)

My main concern is reliability which makes me hesitant of kirkland balls. 2 pc balls are okay in the fall and winter since greens are soft.

Top Flites are very cheap but I've used some XLs that have done some weird stuff in the air, the cheap vice balls are also in that range, any other thoughts?

Have you thought about refurbished balls? They sell used Titleists at Walmart... Titleist Golf Balls, Used, Mint Quality, 15 Pack - Walmart.com or some NXTs... Titleist Golf Balls, Used, Good Quality, 24 Pack - Walmart.com

[GregGarner]

54 minutes ago, brutal brutus said:

Have you thought about refurbished balls? They sell used Titleists at Walmart... Titleist Golf Balls, Used, Mint Quality, 15 Pack - Walmart.com or some NXTs... Titleist Golf Balls, Used, Good Quality, 24 Pack - Walmart.com

As long as you're going in with your eyes open to what you are or aren't getting...

[00sportsman]

On 10/20/2021 at 8:45 AM, DiscipleofPenick said:

Look at the inexpensive Wilson balls. Much prefer those to any Top Flite or value distance ball from major mfgs.

I'll second this.  When I'm sick of spending money on "good" balls, it's Wilson Zip at $20 for two dozen at Walmart.  They're surprisingly good for what they are.

[brutal brutus]

1 hour ago, greggarner said:

As long as you're going in with your eyes open to what you are or aren't getting...

Yep... but the way i figure, even a semi well used ProV1 is better than most used cheap balls.

[MNUte]

On 10/20/2021 at 6:45 AM, DiscipleofPenick said:

Look at the inexpensive Wilson balls. Much prefer those to any Top Flite or value distance ball from major mfgs.

 

41 minutes ago, 00sportsman said:

I'll second this.  When I'm sick of spending money on "good" balls, it's Wilson Zip at $20 for two dozen at Walmart.  They're surprisingly good for what they are.

Or the Wilson Ultras at target where 15 balls are about $10. 

[silver & black]

I usually play Srixon AD333's in the Fall. I see the price has gone up more than I'm willing to pay for a ball that I know I'm going to lose under leaves...lol.

 

[NC Golfer]

DSG usually offers a 10 coupon for Black Friday and Christmas, great opportunity to get their house Top Flight brand (which will be on sale) and in the past they worked for Srixon's. I suspect Callaways and Titleist are price protected. Srixon Soft Feel in yellow for 12 is great for cold weather golf. Ksig at Costco is a great value. But, in white.

[fozcycle]

On 10/23/2021 at 8:31 AM, silver & black said:

I usually play Srixon AD333's in the Fall. I see the price has gone up more than I'm willing to pay for a ball that I know I'm going to lose under leaves...lol.

 

In the U.S. that’s the AD333 is the Q Star.  BTW, I loved the AD333 when it was available.  

[MNUte]

Also, now that MGS has done their ball report on the Kirkland Performance V2's, I'd definitely say throw them back into the mix as a cheap fall/winter ball. 

OP was previously concerned about consistency/reliability issues with kirkland. From the ball test, those seem to be gone and being the 9th ranked ball with a 97% score is more than respectable, especially at its price.

Yes, MGS noted that, as a mid-launch high-spin ball, they're normally relegated to a particular niche of player. But a consistent, 3 piece urethane ball for less than $13 per dozen is a really good blend of value and quality for a ball you just want to have fun with while still getting some performance from. 

 

 

Edited November 5, 2021 by MNUte
Added Screenshot.

[Stuthedog]

After playing with em for maybe 6 holes today the Top Flite Hammer Controls were definitely no good.  Did similar weird things I experienced with XL distance where they carried maybe 40 yards less than normal balls, one ball practically couldn't get airborne, another duck hooked on a shot that really didn't feel like should have duck hooked.  

Afterwords I played a taylormade distance+ which was actually pretty good but at 20 a dozen is a bit more than I'm lookin for essentially a throwaway ball.

[NC Golfer]

HC's are disappointing, they should have kept D2+ Feel.

[Stuthedog]

Going to try the kirklands... hopefully the high spin doesn't have too huge of an effect.  

Has anyone tried either the Inesis 500 Distance (10 a dozen and comes in yellow) or the MG C4/Cut Blue?  The C4/Cut is a bit off topic but theyre suspiciously cheap and MG was in the ball test without anything explicitly negative said about it.

Edited November 14, 2021 by Stuthedog

[NC Golfer]

You can't go wrong with the Ksigs. 

[HDTVMAN]

From fall into winter I use the junk I find in the woods and water! Just a word to you fellow golfers. Please, stop using those cheap two piece crappy balls!!!  I just hate going into the woods or fishing off the green to find this junk! Come on, get with it.  At least 3-piece, if not Pro V1 or even TP5 (my favorite). Thank you!

[funkyjudge]

On 10/19/2021 at 11:01 PM, Stuthedog said:

The rough around here is left very long in the fall/winter and it's easy to lose balls out there so I'm looking for relatively cheap balls I don't mind losing (about a buck a ball or less ideally)

My main concern is reliability which makes me hesitant of kirkland balls. 2 pc balls are okay in the fall and winter since greens are soft.

Top Flites are very cheap but I've used some XLs that have done some weird stuff in the air, the cheap vice balls are also in that range, any other thoughts?

OnCore Avant 55

[funkyjudge]

On 10/21/2021 at 8:59 AM, brutal brutus said:

Have you thought about refurbished balls? They sell used Titleists at Walmart... Titleist Golf Balls, Used, Mint Quality, 15 Pack - Walmart.com or some NXTs... Titleist Golf Balls, Used, Good Quality, 24 Pack - Walmart.com

No, no, a thousand times NO!!!!! Have you not read the MGS articles and watched their videos regarding refurbished golf balls?

[ZenGolfer]

On 10/19/2021 at 11:01 PM, Stuthedog said:

The rough around here is left very long in the fall/winter and it's easy to lose balls out there so I'm looking for relatively cheap balls I don't mind losing (about a buck a ball or less ideally)

My main concern is reliability which makes me hesitant of kirkland balls. 2 pc balls are okay in the fall and winter since greens are soft.

Top Flites are very cheap but I've used some XLs that have done some weird stuff in the air, the cheap vice balls are also in that range, any other thoughts?

Nitro.  Theyre so cheap if you lose one you wont even care.

[brutal brutus]

4 hours ago, funkyjudge said:

No, no, a thousand times NO!!!!! Have you not read the MGS articles and watched their videos regarding refurbished golf balls?

Exactly. Nobody is hitting at their best this time of year between being bundled up, fall winds or that the balls just don't carry as far when it's colder. So why not hit balls that you don't really care about losing, are still better than a lot of others and relatively cheap if you can pick them up in person and not have to pay shipping.

Edited November 16, 2021 by brutal brutus

[BIG STU]

I am going to throw one in the mix here--- The Srixon Marathon which is a 15 ball pack and it hits pretty well for a 2 piece ball--- I will confess I do not know the price point because the ones I have I won in various events at my course. I use them quite a bit just knocking around and such. 

Edit Just flipped screens and checked those balls are around $15 for a 15 pack at places like Carl's etc. So they may not be as good of a value as some of the others mentioned

Edited November 16, 2021 by BIG STU

[dabigkahuna]

Despite my high handicap, I play used Pro V 1's on holes without water, and will switch to used Bridgestone e6 and e 12's, Top Flight Hammer Distance, Noodles, and Callaway Super Softs on tougher holes.  My water balls consist of every make imaginable, and if they last a few rounds, could then wind up in my shag bag.  Anything red or yellow would probably aid with visibility in finding them.  

[Stever39]

I seriously love playing the Wilson Ultra 500 ball.  Long as anything else I play, durable, and cheap!

[PBH3]

I picked up a dozen yellow Titleist TruFeels.  They aren't bad for fall golf, but I am really liking the yellow ball and will probably switch to yellow full time with the Snells in the spring.  It is definitely easier to see and for some reason seems to look a little larger than a standard white ball when standing over it.   

[TMAC]

Did they stop making the Precept Laddie?  That was my go-to winter ball for many years (along with the Lady).  They used to come in the big, square box (15 or 18 pack) for dirt cheap and I always thought they were a great ball for the money.  This winter I picked up some Wilson Duo's and they're not bad.  A little too soft though, even in the winter.  I also grabbed some Noodles and they're alright.

[DiscipleofPenick]

46 minutes ago, TMAC said:

Did they stop making the Precept Laddie?  That was my go-to winter ball for many years (along with the Lady).  They used to come in the big, square box (15 or 18 pack) for dirt cheap and I always thought they were a great ball for the money.  This winter I picked up some Wilson Duo's and they're not bad.  A little too soft though, even in the winter.  I also grabbed some Noodles and they're alright.

As far as I know Bridgestone still makes it. I used to like the Laddie too, when I lost balls by the bunch. I heard a rumor back then that the Laddie & the MC Lady were the same ball. Too many guys were playing the Lady and getting tired of being made fun of so they made the Laddie.

 

https://www.bridgestonegolf.com/en-us/balls/precept/laddie-extreme

[TMAC]

14 minutes ago, DiscipleofPenick said:

As far as I know Bridgestone still makes it. I used to like the Laddie too, when I lost balls by the bunch. I heard a rumor back then that the Laddie & the MC Lady were the same ball. Too many guys were playing the Lady and getting tired of being made fun of so they made the Laddie.

 

https://www.bridgestonegolf.com/en-us/balls/precept/laddie-extreme

Yep, I remember people saying the same thing.  I used to play the Lady before the Laddie came out.  I think someone on Tour won a tournament playing with the Lady ball and that's how it became popular (unless that was also a rumor).
I saw the Laddie's at my local golf stores last summer but when I tried to buy some for this winter I couldn't find them anywhere.  I also tried to buy some for my nephew for Christmas (he's just getting into the game) and still couldn't find any.  Maybe my local stores are simply sold out and there may be some supply chain issues, like with so many other things.
Thanks for the link.  Gotta love that double-dozen pack for a buck a ball.

Edited January 19, 2022 by TMAC

[No3PuttLaLa]

Pretty late here, but just getting back on the forums. 
 

I always use LostGolfBalls.com. Can get 5A Mint which look/play brand new. Or even 4A which still look good, but definitely more used. All great, affordable options for “Fall/Winter” Golf. 

[Tyler86]

Never understood switching balls for “water holes”. You’re basically throwing in the towel right outta the gate and encouraging negative thoughts. Not to mention a lot of people switch to a slow 2 piece ball that may get wet cause it was 5+ yards shorter than the one that you bagged for the “water hole”.