Switching from Pro V1X - Tour B X, Z Star XV?

[PMookie]

21 hours ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Interesting.  What did you find lacking with XV and Diamond?

Better feel with the BX, and a touch longer than XV. XV just didn’t wow me, so the feel alone was the deciding factor. Diamond just wasn’t good for me at all. Significantly shorter off driver was the main issue, and just not stellar anywhere else. Not a fan. Only took 4 holes to figure that out.

[GolfSpy AFG]

The testing begins.

Cold windy and wet here in Nebraska (still), so step 1 was rolling some putts on my basement green.  I honestly didn't expect to discern much from putting, but if any of these had an overly clicky sound and feel it would have been strike one.  I know that's a subjective thing, but at the end of the day this is all subjective in terms of what trade-offs I'm willing to accept when picking a ball, right?

So, after rolling about 200 putts over the last 36 hours, I'd have to rate the feel off the putter face as..

1) Z-Star XV

2) Tour B X

3) Pro V1X

4) Z-Star Diamond

The Diamond wasn't so bad that I can't game it, but it was noticeably more "clicky" to me than the others.  Of course, the White Hot insert might have the effect of muting that sensation a bit across the board; not sure on that point.

This is hardly a data driven test, nor will it be.  Over the next couple of days I plan to get in some greenside work, and then give each a 9-hole trial run.  Unless I'm striking it so awful that I can't draw any conclusions, I'll know the winner when I see it..

[GolfSpy AFG]

Gave the Z Star XV a 9-hole trial run yesterday.  Overall, meh...I could certainly game it, but feel-wise I wasn't thrilled with it, and I really didn't discern much difference from the Pro V1X.  Shot a 38 on it though, but with the Diamond and Tour B X still to take out for a trial, I can't see the XV being the choice since it really doesn't seem to offer me anything over my current Pro V1X gamer.

[GrumpyGolf]

On 5/10/2022 at 6:17 AM, Getoffmylawn said:

Gave the Z Star XV a 9-hole trial run yesterday.  Overall, meh...I could certainly game it, but feel-wise I wasn't thrilled with it, and I really didn't discern much difference from the Pro V1X.  Shot a 38 on it though, but with the Diamond and Tour B X still to take out for a trial, I can't see the XV being the choice since it really doesn't seem to offer me anything over my current Pro V1X gamer.

Interested to know how you did with the BX.  Were you able to give them a test round to see how well they worked?

[Muckinfiddle]

I just finished the last of the 2020-21 B-X's and still really like the ball, but the cover still seems less resilient than the Pro V1x. I tried and really like the left dashes so I bought a dozen and am pretty happy with the play. Less spin but still pretty good control. You should try a sleeve.

[GolfSpy AFG]

4 hours ago, GrumpyGolf said:

Interested to know how you did with the BX.  Were you able to give them a test round to see how well they worked?

Yes!!

Sorry I’ve sucked at updates, it’s been a crazy few weeks here…family emergency, promotion, and now packing up the house.

But, after giving several Srixon offerings a test drive I gave the Tour B X a full 18 and loved it.  Off the tee and on approaches I really liked it, and it seemed to do well in the wind, but what really won me over was that little bit more of release that I’ve been looking for.  I manipulate the club face around the green a lot, and on more lofted chips the ProV1X literally stopped dead with almost no release, which looks cool but was not quite what I wanted.  The Tour B X stops just fine but with just a little more runout that I want.

2 hours ago, Muckinfiddle said:

I just finished the last of the 2020-21 B-X's and still really like the ball, but the cover still seems less resilient than the Pro V1x. I tried and really like the left dashes so I bought a dozen and am pretty happy with the play. Less spin but still pretty good control. You should try a sleeve.

That’s really interesting, I found the Tour B X to be much more durable than the ProV1X.  Guess I’ll see, I stocked up on 5 dozen Bridgestone’s, so I’m committed!

[GrumpyGolf]

1 hour ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Yes!!

Sorry I’ve sucked at updates, it’s been a crazy few weeks here…family emergency, promotion, and now packing up the house.

But, after giving several Srixon offerings a test drive I gave the Tour B X a full 18 and loved it.  Off the tee and on approaches I really liked it, and it seemed to do well in the wind, but what really won me over was that little bit more of release that I’ve been looking for.  I manipulate the club face around the green a lot, and on more lofted chips the ProV1X literally stopped dead with almost no release, which looks cool but was not quite what I wanted.  The Tour B X stops just fine but with just a little more runout that I want.

Thanks for the update.  After looking at the MGS Ball review and doing my online diligence, it is good to see what your results were.  I am looking at settling on the Tour BX because everything  seems to point to them being good form my game setup.  I am going out to buy some tonight and get ready to use them during my next round.  Thanks again and I will post my findings after I get out and play.

[JalanK]

On 4/26/2022 at 9:30 AM, Getoffmylawn said:

I'm strongly considering a switch from the Pro V1X, largely because it's spinning too much for me on approaches and greenside.  I hit a couple approaches last night with PW and GW that landed at or near pin-high but then spun back, in one case off the green.  I like some good check obviously, but I'm getting too much.  Greenside, I hit several chips right where I wanted and got almost no release, or at least not as much as I wanted.

For the hell of it, I tried out a Tour B X (the Bryson ball) for my last couple holes and liked it; it definitely released a little more, and off the driver it felt good and was certainly as long as the Titleist.  And, I'm convinced the Bridgestone cover is more durable than the Titleist.  (I played the B XS a bit last year and the cover holds up well.)

A couple questions for the community...see any flaws in my logic or anything I'm not thinking about?  Anyone gaming the Bryson ball and have any feedback?  And, should I be checking out the Z Star XV in your opinion?  I played it a bit a couple years ago and was kind of "meh" about it.  Of course I've combed through the MGS ball test write-ups but I'm also interested in anyone elses feedback.

My playing speed with driver is around 107-110.

Thanks.

If you have an abundance of the current 2021 model, I'd be interested in seeing if we could agree on a purchase. Shoot me a pm if interested.

[GolfSpy AFG]

So right after I buy a large stash of the Tour B X,   @Tony Covey MGS releases a ball lab taking the Tour B XS to the wood shed for compression consistency.  So now I have to wonder if it’s a foregone conclusion that the Tour B X has that issue too?  Certainly poors cold water on my excitement to start gaming it..

[ejgaudette]

12 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

So right after I buy a large stash of the Tour B X,   @Tony Covey MGS releases a ball lab taking the Tour B XS to the wood shes for compression consistency.  So now I have to wonder if it’s a foregone conclusion that the Tour B X has that issue too?  Certainly poors cold water on my excitement to start gaming it..

Yeah that was not a good look on the B XS for sure. Maybe somehow the B X is better, but I agree seems likely there will be some issues.

[GolfSpy AFG]

Sigh.  Another Bridgestone ball does poorly in ball lab; think I’d better switch back to the Pro V1X and just learn to play with the spin I get…

[cnosil]

51 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Sigh.  Another Bridgestone ball does poorly in ball lab; think I’d better switch back to the Pro V1X and just learn to play with the spin I get…

AVX?  

[barryschwartz56]

On 4/26/2022 at 2:27 PM, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

ProV1. gives me check but not a ton

Interesting because I find the ProV1 spins a lot more on shots into the green than the ProV1X.  

[barryschwartz56]

 

Did you try the MaxFli Tour Ball?  CKSurferdude gave me a sleeve of them at Queenstown and I finally got around to put it in play yesterday.  Definitely spun less than ProV1 or PV1X, but still checked nicely on the green.  

[RDel90]

I used to game the Tour B X. Loved it off the tee but for me little too much run out on the green. Next up was the prior gen CS XLS. Again very good off the tee. It was a fine balance for me around the green with the older XLS. The softer/more wet courses I play in Florida I’d lose spin and still get more roll out due to the moist conditions and not as solid face contact with the stickier grass.

if you have already a high trajectory with your spin, than you can give up some ball spin. If you have more of a natural lower trajectory, then a V1X, CS X Snell MTB X would help. But sounds like if you may already have a natural higher trajectory like me and high spin. So I tend to now lean away from the X balls. I actually lost distance with V1X, CS X, and MTB X with too high trajectory and spin.

based on the MGS reviews I gave the Maxfli Tours a shot. Like MGS and many others found, for me they play exactly like the ProVs. I’m a believer now. I started with the Tour X with the higher compression as I’m also 105-108 SS. Same performance as the V1X/CSX/MTBX. So I gave in and gave the standard Tour slightly lower compression a shot. I was a little nervous with the slightly lower compression. For me again I think the play just like the ProV1s. That’s my new gamer. Love the Maxfli Tour! Can’t beat the price tag either. The mid launch is awesome. And just enough spin off wedges/approach irons I get 1-3 feet release from landing pitchmark on the green. The biggest difference is they don’t pop of the putter face like the firmer balls do so learning to adjust the feel and speed control.

I haven’t hit much of the 22 CS XLS but that would have to be my secondary ball.

BTW if it were retail, the left dot hands down for a low launch low/mid spin premium ball. But so hard to beat the Maxfli Tours for the value. Just picked up 4 doz for $105. 

[Micah T]

@GetoffmylawnMy experience with the Tour BX is the same as @RDel90: I couldn’t get the ball to check around the green. Too much roll out; but I loved this ball off the tee and from the fairway from 185 and out. Good wind ball too. CSxls, Snell Mtbx, and Maxfli Tour X would all be balls I’d recommend you try: with the Mtbx behaving like a cheaper tour BX, and the maxfli behaving very similarly to a prov1x as far as ball flight and spin, imo.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Check around the green is as much technique as it is the ball. 
 

I’ve seen good players check the old Bridgestone e6 balls. Did it check as much at the tour b balls?  No but it still checked up 

[GregGarner]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Check around the green is as much technique as it is the ball. 
 

I’ve seen good players check the old Bridgestone e6 balls. Did it check as much at the tour b balls?  No but it still checked up 

Not to mention equipment. I love when guys get frustrated that they can't check their short shots and they're using 3+ year old wedges...

[GolfSpy AFG]

Appreciate all the replies, but to clarify, my problem was/is too much spin from the ProV1X…approach shots peeling back off the green, green side chips that damn near dead stop, etc.  

Honestly, I am really liking the Bryson ball, the MGS Ball Lab has just torpedoed my confidence that I’ll get consistent yardage…

EDIT:

I’m actually wondering if I should just go Pro V1, which I would do if I didn’t think I’d be giving up some distance versus the X…

[bens197]

I am here to mention the Z Star XV.  The best golfball I have played in years. 

Durable

Long as long gets

Feel is good (I know it's firmer and on that scale it's palatable)

Spin around greens reminds me of playing pre-USGA grooves.  It feels illegal

Price is great

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

I flip flop between Bridgestone and Titleist. Just picked up last years BXs they were on sale at PGASS for 35 bucks couldn’t resist. But given the same price point usually give me V1X all day (recently swapped back from V1 felt better off the tee and with my struggles there lately I need all the mental help I can get)

[goaliedad30]

20 hours ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Appreciate all the replies, but to clarify, my problem was/is too much spin from the ProV1X…approach shots peeling back off the green, green side chips that damn near dead stop, etc.  

Honestly, I am really liking the Bryson ball, the MGS Ball Lab has just torpedoed my confidence that I’ll get consistent yardage…

EDIT:

I’m actually wondering if I should just go Pro V1, which I would do if I didn’t think I’d be giving up some distance versus the X…

You sound like the exact profile for the Left Dash. I switched from ProV1X to Left Dash when it came out, for exactly the same reason, and it completely solved the problem.

[GolfSpy AFG]

2 hours ago, goaliedad30 said:

You sound like the exact profile for the Left Dash. I switched from ProV1X to Left Dash when it came out, for exactly the same reason, and it completely solved the problem.

Haven’t tried it but the thought has crossed my mind.  Is it “clickier” than the regular X?  And are you having a hard time finding them or having to overpay?

[goaliedad30]

8 hours ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Haven’t tried it but the thought has crossed my mind.  Is it “clickier” than the regular X?  And are you having a hard time finding them or having to overpay?

I guess it's slightly firmer and "clickier". But it works. IMHO, "feel" is overrated. It launches high enough, and has the right spin characteristics for me.

Easy to find these days. Lots of on course shops carrying them (including my club's pro shop), and worst case, Golf Galaxy has them, shipped in 2-3 days.

[KC Golf]

On 8/20/2022 at 6:51 AM, bens197 said:

I am here to mention the Z Star XV.  The best golfball I have played in years. 

Durable

Long as long gets

Feel is good (I know it's firmer and on that scale it's palatable)

Spin around greens reminds me of playing pre-USGA grooves.  It feels illegal

Price is great

I totally agree that the XV is an awesome ball.  Great distance but still has good feel on the tee box.  I really like the trajectory and feel with my driving iron or FW as well.

The spin around the greens is very good,  I like the feel of it with my putter too.

The kicker is the price is awesome.  

[bens197]

2 hours ago, KC Golf said:

I totally agree that the XV is an awesome ball.  Great distance but still has good feel on the tee box.  I really like the trajectory and feel with my driving iron or FW as well.

The spin around the greens is very good,  I like the feel of it with my putter too.

The kicker is the price is awesome.  

I'd stopped a few with my 60 out of the rough and that was the selling point.  I couldn't believe how well it'd grab on pitches even when I wasn't in the fairway.  It kinda feels like cheating.

[Mike Coker]

Try the NEW Maxfli Tour Balls. 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

On 8/23/2022 at 9:01 AM, bens197 said:

I'd stopped a few with my 60 out of the rough and that was the selling point.  I couldn't believe how well it'd grab on pitches even when I wasn't in the fairway.  It kinda feels like cheating.

ya I am impressed with the XV this year. Its like left dash but with greenside spin.

[GolfSpy AFG]

Now with this new Ball Lab, maybe I should give Chrome Soft X LS a look…

[bens197]

2 hours ago, Vegan_Golfer_PNW said:

ya I am impressed with the XV this year. Its like left dash but with greenside spin.

I like that