MyGolfSpy 2023 Golf Ball Test!!!

[GolfSpy_BEN]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

Bought a dozen Bridgestone Tour BX to try out based on the ball test results. Haven’t played a Bridgestone since the B330 days, so I am curious to see what I’ve got.

[Collinwho]

5 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

I haven't, yet, only because I have too many brand new balls sitting in my garage already. That being said, I will definitely be trying both some Bridgestone and Maxfli balls I hadn't considered earlier because of the test. If it were easier to buy smaller quantities (say a single sleeve instead of a whole dozen) I would probably be picking up almost everything that showed on a mid swing leaderboard to try out. 

[russtopherb]

5 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

I'll be picking up some Maxfli Tours shortly to try them out based on the ball test (and the user reviews here as well).

[Byrnzee]

5 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

I would really like to get fitted for a golf ball to figure out what works best for my game. I have been strongly considering trying the Maxfli Tour X after the ball test to see how it compares to my current ball (Bridgestone Tour B XS). 

Have any other spies been fitted for golf balls before? Where did you go to get fitted? How was the experience? Did you feel like they got your fitting "right"? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

[IndyBonzo]

2 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

Bought a dozen Bridgestone Tour BX to try out based on the ball test results. Haven’t played a Bridgestone since the B330 days, so I am curious to see what I’ve got.

I hope you love them @Ben Joest.  Big fan here.    

 

[funkyjudge]

6 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

ME -- Bought 4 dozen assorted Maxfli 2023 balls (one dozen Maxfli Tour, two dozen Maxfli Tour X and one dozen Maxfli Tour S) to try out. So far, I am more impressed with the Tour S than I expected to be, but the Tour X are still my favorite Maxfli balls.

[Grip]

I played in a charity golf event Saturday. Two of the gentlemen who I paired up with were using Titleist Pro V-1s. I was using Snell MTB Primes. All of us had similar distance and dispersion off the tees. Iron and wedge shots were also similar. I putted better than they did. I'll stay with Snell. 

  

[CudaKota66]

10 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

Initially, I bought a dz of Maxfli Tour X based on the individual Ball Lab posted by MGS.

When Ball Test 2023 was posted, I purchased a dz Wilson Staff Triad (the optional choice for Mid Swing Speed.

First time I've backed-up a ball on the green that wasn't a ProV1. Great feel off the driver & plenty of bite with irons. Definitely a fan of the Triad now!!

[JohnnyO3478]

14 minutes ago, CudaKota66 said:

Initially, I bought a dz of Maxfli Tour X based on the individual Ball Lab posted by MGS.

When Ball Test 2023 was posted, I purchased a dz Wilson Staff Triad (the optional choice for Mid Swing Speed.

First time I've backed-up a ball on the green that wasn't a ProV1. Great feel off the driver & plenty of bite with irons. Definitely a fan of the Triad now!!

I, too amd seeing pretty noticable stopping power on the greens hit.  The Triad seems to fly straighter as well.  Going to give a sleeve to a playing partner who is a big fader of the ball and see what it does for him.  

[billybogey]

Some have said that I do not have Smarts!! But, I have Balls!!

So that is why I have been playing TM "Tour Response" lately.

& have been "quietly" gathering "Ah Ching", "Ah Ching" !!

 

[cnosil]

On 9/3/2023 at 5:17 AM, Rappers said:

The benefit from so-called real world data is contaminated because over several hours/days the weather including wind direction can change which will obviously skew the data.

 Most metrics can be achieved accurately with modern technology in a sterile environment i.e. indoors.  

Sure, many metrics can be obtained indoors, but the ones that people are curious about --- distance related metrics cannot.   The question is also whether the indoor captured metrics tell you anything.   Distance related metrics require full ball flight which can only be done outdoors.   Balls have different aerodynamic properties and even with the same spin and launch angle they can perform differently.   Radar systems are needed to track the full ball flight not just limited flight you can get indoors.  Camera based systems only look at initial launch conditions.   

While weather conditions can change,  the use of weather stations and the use of control balls help to mitigate the skewing of data.

 

13 hours ago, Rappers said:

I agree there is a difference from hitting balls off a matt and grass, where the turf interaction can have a significant effect on the ball dynamics. Testing clubs is also better in a real world environment, where flight, feel, sound is part of the feedback. However, much of this is down to aesthetics, which is not the case when testing golf balls for purely performance data. 

There is a difference for some people.  For me, my performance indoors is very similar to my outdoor performance.   Most definitely,  testing clubs in a real world environment is ideal,  but this isn't what the majority of golfers do.  Most golfers walk into a store and but what their favorite player plays or what won on the tour last week.   We can look at the sales for jailbird putters (Fowler, Clark, and Bradley,  LAB putters (Glover), and putting mirrors (Harman) after the mentioned players wins.   I am assuming that your mention of aesthetics means that people perform best with clubs that look best to them.  This is unfortunately not the case;  the aesthetics of the clubs can impact performance but saying something is a good looking club, it feels good, or sounds good does not equate to good performance.  

[mbrodeur86]

15 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

I think I'll be making the switch to the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS from the Titleist Pro V1. 

Still in testing phase. Yesterday I had good results with the LS but today I might have found the holy grail combo (for my driver at least)

I use the 2 3/4 4 yards more tees. I like these because I always have the same tee height. I noticed today my brother and I were getting ready for a "twilight match". We play 9 holes, 3 best ball, 3 alternate shot and 3 scramble. We decided to play that format as we were supposed to play tonight. 

Anyways, today I noticed a lower ball flight. First hole it's 290 downhill to a water hazard. Took a nice, easy controlled swing and put it right in front of the water hazard. I messed up my strike on holes 3,4 and 5 and use a 3 wood off of hole 6 but on hole 7 it's a 477 yard par 5 downhill. I decided to pull out a 3 1/4 4 yards more tee. BANG! Straight down the middle. Had 160 yards to the flag. Hole 9 do the same thing. This is a short par 4, about 320 yards to an elevated green. BANG again right up to the bottom of the hill to the elevated green. Had about 10 yards to chip on the green. The best part was that it flew very high and long! I am super-excited to keep going with this combo and see how things go. My driver has been my Achilles heel club for a long time now. I hope this is the start of something incredibly good!

[Javs]

2 minutes ago, mbrodeur86 said:

I think I'll be making the switch to the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS from the Titleist Pro V1. 

Still in testing phase. Yesterday I had good results with the LS but today I might have found the holy grail combo (for my driver at least)

I use the 2 3/4 4 yards more tees. I like these because I always have the same tee height. I noticed today my brother and I were getting ready for a "twilight match". We play 9 holes, 3 best ball, 3 alternate shot and 3 scramble. We decided to play that format as we were supposed to play tonight. 

Anyways, today I noticed a lower ball flight. First hole it's 290 downhill to a water hazard. Took a nice, easy controlled swing and put it right in front of the water hazard. I messed up my strike on holes 3,4 and 5 and use a 3 wood off of hole 6 but on hole 7 it's a 477 yard par 5 downhill. I decided to pull out a 3 1/4 4 yards more tee. BANG! Straight down the middle. Had 160 yards to the flag. Hole 9 do the same thing. This is a short par 4, about 320 yards to an elevated green. BANG again right up to the bottom of the hill to the elevated green. Had about 10 yards to chip on the green. The best part was that it flew very high and long! I am super-excited to keep going with this combo and see how things go. My driver has been my Achilles heel club for a long time now. I hope this is the start of something incredibly good!

I use the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS as my everyday ball. I have been very impressed by this ball. I only use the Titleist Pro V1X Left Dash for special events or serious games. Mainly because of the price point I save the Left Dash.

[mbrodeur86]

2 minutes ago, Javs said:

I use the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS as my everyday ball. I have been very impressed by this ball. I only use the Titleist Pro V1X Left Dash for special events or serious games. Mainly because of the price point I save the Left Dash.

That was the main reason for the switch. I don't "hate" the Pro V1 I just have a hard time justifying paying $75 bucks plus tax for a dozen balls! I'm saying a bit by going to the Chrome Soft X LS but so far I'm just about sold on it

[Javs]

4 minutes ago, mbrodeur86 said:

That was the main reason for the switch. I don't "hate" the Pro V1 I just have a hard time justifying paying $75 bucks plus tax for a dozen balls! I'm saying a bit by going to the Chrome Soft X LS but so far I'm just about sold on it

Especially since you can get 4 dozen on Amazon for 159.

[mbrodeur86]

Just now, Javs said:

Especially since you can get 4 dozen on Amazon for 159.

I went 1 dozen right now because obviously I wanted to test the ball first. I went white ball with triple track as I wanted to see if the triple track would work for me. I'm not sold on it. If I decide to go with it (strongly leaning that way) I may go with yellow version without the triple track. 

[Javs]

18 minutes ago, mbrodeur86 said:

I went 1 dozen right now because obviously I wanted to test the ball first. I went white ball with triple track as I wanted to see if the triple track would work for me. I'm not sold on it. If I decide to go with it (strongly leaning that way) I may go with yellow version without the triple track. 

I like the triple track

[PhilM75072]

On 9/4/2023 at 1:42 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

I've had previous success with the Vice Pro Plus despite having a driver swing speed in the low 80s, though I prefer a softer feeling ball. The latest test results show it is pretty much a toss up between the Vice Pro and Vice Pro plus, so I've ordered a dozen of the Vice Pro. I won't be able to put them into play until next week, though.

[skraeling]

15 hours ago, mbrodeur86 said:

I think I'll be making the switch to the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS from the Titleist Pro V1. 

Still in testing phase. Yesterday I had good results with the LS but today I might have found the holy grail combo (for my driver at least)

I use the 2 3/4 4 yards more tees. I like these because I always have the same tee height. I noticed today my brother and I were getting ready for a "twilight match". We play 9 holes, 3 best ball, 3 alternate shot and 3 scramble. We decided to play that format as we were supposed to play tonight. 

Anyways, today I noticed a lower ball flight. First hole it's 290 downhill to a water hazard. Took a nice, easy controlled swing and put it right in front of the water hazard. I messed up my strike on holes 3,4 and 5 and use a 3 wood off of hole 6 but on hole 7 it's a 477 yard par 5 downhill. I decided to pull out a 3 1/4 4 yards more tee. BANG! Straight down the middle. Had 160 yards to the flag. Hole 9 do the same thing. This is a short par 4, about 320 yards to an elevated green. BANG again right up to the bottom of the hill to the elevated green. Had about 10 yards to chip on the green. The best part was that it flew very high and long! I am super-excited to keep going with this combo and see how things go. My driver has been my Achilles heel club for a long time now. I hope this is the start of something incredibly good!

 

15 hours ago, Javs said:

I use the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS as my everyday ball. I have been very impressed by this ball. I only use the Titleist Pro V1X Left Dash for special events or serious games. Mainly because of the price point I save the Left Dash.

I just gave these a try and I quite liked them.  Even with my modest swing speed I had ZERO trouble getting them to stop on the greens.  Wish the left dash prov came in yellow, but they don’t so LS it is.

Edited September 5, 2023 by skraeling

[Ron Brangham]

On 2/16/2023 at 2:37 PM, GolfSpy SAM said:

Let's hear it - what absolutely needs to be included? PXG, MaxFli's new balls and anything new in the DTC space are what I'm most interested in. 

What about you?

Mizuno RB Tour & RB Tour X

[JerryB]

On 9/4/2023 at 1:42 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

 

I haven't made any purchases yet, but was starting to think about what to get for next season.  I've never played them too much beyond found balls, but I like that the Vice Pro and Pro Soft were pretty highly thought of.  These are pretty readily available and at a decent price at my local Walmart and I think will be my go-to "crap, I'm almost out of balls!" choice going forward.

I'd stocked up on OnCore Elixirs last winter when they had a pretty good BOGO (or maybe B2G1, I forget) sale and I was pretty happy with how they played.  They were mentioned a few times in the article and when I can get them at a discount I'm content.  Probably going to keep an eye out and go that route again for next year.

But I think the thing that really hit home for me was the Key Findings line:  There's No Such Thing as a Bad Golf Ball.  I'm not good enough to take advantage of minute differences, so as long as I find something that hits that sweet spot between value (for me) and performance (for me), I'm golden.  

[Preeway]

On 9/4/2023 at 1:42 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

I changed from Mizuno RBTour to Z Star a couple months ago but plan to try a dozen RB Tour X this fall and see where my preferences lie for next year. 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

On 9/3/2023 at 11:42 PM, GolfSpy_APH said:

How many of you have bought or changed golf balls since the ball test, because of the ball test?

I haven’t but did buy more z star diamond sleeves. I have about 18 xvs left so will use those up after the diamonds. Then Kirkland for the winter, although after the test results might have to look into the tour s for the cooler months. 

[Just_the_Chip]

On 8/31/2023 at 10:09 AM, Tsecor said:

chromesoft is a very under rated ball.....it does everything well.....switching balls to something "better" may not result in better scoring.....its rare a switch results in you actually SCORING Better.....thats the ultimate goal is to score better....not gain 2 yards of distance off the driver....

I missed this when you responded, but I'm happy to hear it. Honestly, I love the feel of it. I'm not good enough to get the most out of any ball, so I go with what has felt good so far. My last round of golf, I was able to get a solid check on the green with the chromesoft which made me happy. I figured just get used to one ball, until I'm good enough that it doesn't seem to do what I need it to anymore. So I'll probably be on this one for a while. Plus I like the fact it's made in the USA in my state of Massachusetts

Edited September 6, 2023 by Shakeyfly

[JStapp]

I've been playing the ProV1 again recently and I must say, NO IDEA WHY I EVER SWITCHED. 

[No3PuttLaLa]

Switched to the Bridgestone Tour B X for my last 2 rounds and am sold on them. The ball absolutely jumps off my club face and I am getting green spin that I have never had before. On Saturday I hit a 56° that shot back 10 yards on the green. Don’t know if I could do that again but certainly never happened with any other ball I played TP5, AVX, Project a, Kirkland Signature. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

1 minute ago, No3PuttLaLa said:

Switched to the Bridgestone Tour B X for my last 2 rounds and am sold on them. The ball absolutely jumps off my club face and I am getting green spin that I have never had before. On Saturday I hit a 56° that shot back 10 yards on the green. Don’t know if I could do that again but certainly never happened with any other ball I played TP5, AVX, Project a, Kirkland Signature. 

Tried the BX this past weekend, based on the ball test results. Admittedly, I am mixed on them. I liked the performance of the ball. I didn’t like that 3 of them showed scuff marks after a wedge shot. It’s minor, but I don’t personally like playing a scuffed ball, so on 3 consecutive holes I was swapping out for new balls. The 4 ball finished the last 12 holes without a scratch, so . 
 

I may have caught a bad batch, so I’ll play the remainder of the dozen and see how it goes. But again, performance overall was on point.

[Dooby]

10 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

Tried the BX this past weekend, based on the ball test results. Admittedly, I am mixed on them. I liked the performance of the ball. I didn’t like that 3 of them showed scuff marks after a wedge shot. It’s minor, but I don’t personally like playing a scuffed ball, so on 3 consecutive holes I was swapping out for new balls. The 4 ball finished the last 12 holes without a scratch, so . 
 

I may have caught a bad batch, so I’ll play the remainder of the dozen and see how it goes. But again, performance overall was on point.

I've been interested in the Bridgestone Tour BX as well but am looking at lower price point alternatives mainly (MaxFli TourX and Mizuno RB TourX).  If I remember correctly for the Golf Ball Quality testing, Bridgestone did not test very well for any of their balls - so it may not be a bad batch so much as it is just lower quality compared to some other brands.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

8 minutes ago, Dooby said:

I've been interested in the Bridgestone Tour BX as well but am looking at lower price point alternatives mainly (MaxFli TourX and Mizuno RB TourX).  If I remember correctly for the Golf Ball Quality testing, Bridgestone did not test very well for any of their balls - so it may not be a bad batch so much as it is just lower quality compared to some other brands.

Could be. They were on sale for $45 at golf galaxy, which is what prompted me to try them. As others have pointed out and I am in agreement with, the differences in performance between most of these balls is negligible for most golfers. So things like “scuffs easily” are a bigger deal breaker for me than “it carried 5 less yards” 

Also, the Maxfli balls are legit and I don’t recall them having any issues with scuffing. So maybe it’s time to re-up…

Interested in the Mizuno balls, so if you go that route, be sure to report back with your findings.

[JohnnyO3478]

20 minutes ago, Dooby said:

I've been interested in the Bridgestone Tour BX as well but am looking at lower price point alternatives mainly (MaxFli TourX and Mizuno RB TourX).  If I remember correctly for the Golf Ball Quality testing, Bridgestone did not test very well for any of their balls - so it may not be a bad batch so much as it is just lower quality compared to some other brands.

Tour BX was eliminated from my list based just upon the Ball Lab report. There seemed to be no reason to go down that road after reading it.