"The Rankening" Vice ball mix refurbished

[richk9holes]

I picked up 4 dozen refurbished Vice balls for about $1 each as a chance to try them all out and see if one is suited to my game. If I find the right ball flight and spin, I'll be ready to jump on a promotion to get some customized.

I went with the all white mix to save a couple bucks. Only complaint is RockBottomGolf isn't putting together an even mix for these, 2 dozen were the same label and only got 1 "Vice drive" 

4 rounds in with them, I can report:

Vice drive goes directly OB left if you overswing on your first tee shot of the day and pull the ball left. Flew straight, out of my life.

Vice Pro Soft I got 3 of and made it 1 round with them. Can't fault the ball, I was hitting them crooked that day to shoot mid 90s. Need for data on this one and "drive."

Vice Tour is a decent ball for me. Good ball flight, something doesn't feel right about the spin and angle of descent on approach shots. I have 4 left to figure it out.

Vice Pro I didn't seem to get the same distance as with the Tour, could have been wind/slope conditions on the holes I used them respectively. I have about 10 left to put them h2h some more.

Vice Pro Plus is the one I got 2 dozen of so saving them for a long continuous run. 

I'll add to this thread as I lose the remaining 40.

[GregGarner]

4 hours ago, richk9holes said:

I picked up 4 dozen refurbished Vice balls for about $1 each as a chance to try them all out and see if one is suited to my game. If I find the right ball flight and spin, I'll be ready to jump on a promotion to get some customized.

I went with the all white mix to save a couple bucks. Only complaint is RockBottomGolf isn't putting together an even mix for these, 2 dozen were the same label and only got 1 "Vice drive" 

4 rounds in with them, I can report:

Vice drive goes directly OB left if you overswing on your first tee shot of the day and pull the ball left. Flew straight, out of my life.

Vice Pro Soft I got 3 of and made it 1 round with them. Can't fault the ball, I was hitting them crooked that day to shoot mid 90s. Need for data on this one and "drive."

Vice Tour is a decent ball for me. Good ball flight, something doesn't feel right about the spin and angle of descent on approach shots. I have 4 left to figure it out.

Vice Pro I didn't seem to get the same distance as with the Tour, could have been wind/slope conditions on the holes I used them respectively. I have about 10 left to put them h2h some more.

Vice Pro Plus is the one I got 2 dozen of so saving them for a long continuous run. 

I'll add to this thread as I lose the remaining 40.

Phew! You got the sampler pack! No real surprise that the Vice Drive was a bomber; higher launch, lower spin vs the Pro. Incidentally, one of the reasons I don't play the Pro is that it's longer than the ProV1 (and I like to be able to swap back and forth between ProV1 and balls that are basically the same performance as ProV1) - I would imagine you were getting a fair bit more spin ("control") with the Pro vs the Drive, especially as you got into less-than-full swings?

[richk9holes]

Played Vice Tour vs. Vice Pro today. No discernible difference in distance though I had no chance to hit the same shot twice with the course crowded and me keeping it in play all day. Both survived 9 holes for further testing. 

I think I like the way Vice Tour descends in its attack of a green, particularly in hitting a middle area of a hard green and holding at least the back fringe. The Pro may be descending later and steeper but I have to confirm next time I go out. Whatever it is, I don't like the way Vice Pro acts on mid yardage approach shots.

I found a Vice Drive I had missed in sorting, so it turns out I got 2 of them in the 4doz mix, I had another to give a smack and it started going left like the 1st one I lost, but wind and sidespin kept it in play. I put it back in my bag. Don't like that ball.

[richk9holes]

Today the Vice Pro Plus got a continuous 7 holes, then was replaced by Oncore Elixir to finish the 9 holes.

I'm prepared to give an early grade of B to the Vice Pro Plus. I still have 2 dozen to use, so this is preliminary but I don't love the descent of the ball flight. 

I must admit I get good distance with my driver but prefer the Vice Tour as well as the Oncore Elixir I picked up on course a few days ago in terms of a total package.

[richk9holes]

18 holes playing Vice Tour vs. Vice Pro vs. Vice Pro Plus today. Many opportunities to drop all 3 and attempt the same shot or tee up 2 at a time.

Par 61 gave me the distances I wanted to see more approach descent angles with each ball. Tight fairways was a good test for the distance/spin balance my happy ball should have.

I struck the ball well, noticed the flight on Vice Pro Plus still bugs me. Distance is better with Vice Tour and Vice Pro.

Picked up an Uther Pro Icon on the walk. Was looking at this ball in the store, funny enough. An Oncore Elixir has survived 3 rounds as well so the field is set, so to speak.

[richk9holes]

Rankening as of 4/8/23

1. Vice Tour

2. Vice Pro

3. Vice Pro Plus

 

Need more data to rank:

Vice Drive, Vice Pro Soft, Encore Elixir, Uther Pro Icon

[richk9holes]

Played 20 holes today (erm I got lost. Poor signage we'll blame) gave each ball their own entire hole played at a time this time. Played from blue tees at a 6600 yard course so I could hit long approach shots today after yesterday at the executive.

Encode Elixir impressed for 2 holes, then was lost on account of absent mindedness, forgot to take it out of the hole I think. It was being used as a 2nd ball for practice and I spun a wedge that didn't count in, then hit my real ball inside gimme range and picked it up, but not the one that went in. Oh well it was a good ball.

Vice Tour continues to be my favorite of the bunch.

[richk9holes]

Sad to report the Uther Pro Icon committed suicide yesterday. Tired of seeing me slice the ball off the tee, he took a hard left turn into the wind and jumped in a lake adjoining a par 3 green. I looked for him, but apparently he covered himself in mud to hide from me.

[richk9holes]

Rankening as of 4/11/23

1. Vice Tour

2. Vice Pro

T3. Oncore Elixir

T3. Uther Pro Icon

5. Vice Pro Plus

 

Need more data to rank:

Vice Drive, Vice Pro Soft

I got enough play with the Uther and Oncore to confidently put them above the Vice Pro Plus, but sadly they are both now lost to the muddy depths. Didn't get enough data to separate the two. I hope I can find some more of both in my travels.

For now 1 more Vice Drive, 2 doz Pro Plus and a handful of Tour/Pro left to test later in the week.

[richk9holes]

This popped up in my email.

Thinking about evening out the mix by picking up some Vice Drive and Vice Pro Soft at 30% off. 

Not sure if I want to spend any more on balls with about 40 of the refurbished left along with 100s I snagged on course sitting. I have to sort what I have first and see what's playable.

[richk9holes]

Today 18 holes at par 71 Shark River GC. Gave Vice Drive a legit continuous look to see if it could crack the rankings. Played the whole front 9 at +9 with it. Had said I would use it til I lose it, but the fact I switched to Vice Pro at #10 is evidence I don't like the Vice Drive. Too much spin on my drives vs. all others on this list. Seem to float in the wind and knuckle more than Vice Tour or Vice Pro. It goes at the bottom of "The Rankening."

[richk9holes]

Updated Rankening 4/12/23

1. Vice Tour

2. Vice Pro

T3. Oncore Elixir

T3. Uther Pro Icon

5. Vice Pro Plus

6.Vice Drive

Need more data to rank Vice Pro Soft.

Getting 24 more Oncore Elixirs as part of member testing  

[tony@CIC]

9 hours ago, richk9holes said:

Updated Rankening 4/12/23

1. Vice Tour

2. Vice Pro

T3. Oncore Elixir

T3. Uther Pro Icon

5. Vice Pro Plus

6.Vice Drive

Need more data to rank Vice Pro Soft.

Getting 24 more Oncore Elixirs as part of member testing  

I'm a fan of the Vice Pro. I have tried Vice Pro soft but definitely don't like them. I still have a doz of the Pro Plus left but they don't suit my game as well as the Pro. 

Just curious, you indicated originally that you're using refurbished Vice balls - do you feel that's the best way to compare the different models? 

[richk9holes]

31 minutes ago, tony@CIC said:

Just curious, you indicated originally that you're using refurbished Vice balls - do you feel that's the best way to compare the different models? 

Not the best way, no. The cheapest, yes. Although I guess it's an apples to apples, so to speak, because I had been using refurbished supersoft and  found balls prior. 

[richk9holes]

18 holes plus a bunch of extra swings today. Used Vice Pro Plus, Vice Pro, and Callaway Supersoft.

Did things like use 5i from blue tees with 2 balls, then both Apex and S70 7i from white tee pairing S70 w/ Vice and using Callaway products together.

Other little tests like that when I got opportunity. Teed off the last hole with 2 good efforts at similar power fades. The 2nd that didn't count was the drive of the day 225y into wind with Supersoft yellow.

Score one for the good guys. @Yellow Ball

[richk9holes]

9 holes walking a par 32 today. Callaway Supersoft yellow   great feels from yesterday played them most of the day. Hit 4/5 FW and the 1 miss was 230y a hair left aimed into to a bunker. The ball flight on this ball is still amongst my favorite for around $2 each new. Vice Pro Plus got a few holes and a couple extra swings for practice, nothing to move it up the list.

Elixir balls should be here for forum testing this week, so the h2h will be brandy new vs. brandy new until I lose 36 balls. Still 3 dozen + Vice of varying conditions left from the 4 dozen.

[edingc]

On 4/8/2023 at 11:26 PM, richk9holes said:

I struck the ball well, noticed the flight on Vice Pro Plus still bugs me. Distance is better with Vice Tour and Vice Pro.

"noticed the flight on Vice Pro Plus still bugs me"

What kind of flight are you seeing? The Pro Plus intrigues me as someone who typically needs the extra height and spin it promises. 

[richk9holes]

45 minutes ago, edingc said:

"noticed the flight on Vice Pro Plus still bugs me"

What kind of flight are you seeing? The Pro Plus intrigues me as someone who typically needs the extra height and spin it promises. 

I'm still trying to establish what it is. Yesterday I brought out my standard gamer, Supersoft, with the Pro Plus and hit a few of the same shots with both balls. A drive and a couple approaches, one from wedge distance another from 8i range.

The Vice Pro Plus seems to fly higher and have a tendency to knuckle in the wind on some shots. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the results when I get on a Trackman, waiting until the Oncore Elixirs come for member testing.

[richk9holes]

8 hours ago, edingc said:

"noticed the flight on Vice Pro Plus still bugs me"

What kind of flight are you seeing? The Pro Plus intrigues me as someone who typically needs the extra height and spin it promises. 

Found the perfect example on the 9th tee box today. Teed up both a Supersoft yellow and Vice Pro Plus.

Put very similar efforts into both both felt great off contact. The wind was helping but also helping my fade. I aimed left and the result is below. 

The Vice Pro Plus (white ball) isn't a bad result at all. I definitely think the yellow ball is drive of the week, another score for the old fighting @Yellow Balls

[tony@CIC]

1 hour ago, richk9holes said:

Found the perfect example on the 9th tee box today. Teed up both a Supersoft yellow and Vice Pro Plus.

Put very similar efforts into both both felt great off contact. The wind was helping but also helping my fade. I aimed left and the result is below. 

The Vice Pro Plus (white ball) isn't a bad result at all. I definitely think the yellow ball is drive of the week, another score for the old fighting @Yellow Balls

I believe you said the Vice Pro and Pro Plus are refurbished so my only question is:  should the comparison be between the Super Soft and the new Pro Plus?  Years ago I use to buy refurbished balls and found their performance between same brand and model varied greatly. 

[tony@CIC]

9 hours ago, edingc said:

"noticed the flight on Vice Pro Plus still bugs me"

What kind of flight are you seeing? The Pro Plus intrigues me as someone who typically needs the extra height and spin it promises. 

I found the flight and spin characteristics of the Pro Plus similar to Pro v1X  and Pro to Pro V1. 

[edingc]

15 minutes ago, tony@CIC said:

I found the flight and spin characteristics of the Pro Plus similar to Pro v1X  and Pro to Pro V1. 

That's what the internal numbers published by Vice and the MGS ball test led me to believe. 

Debating about picking up a dozen to give them a go.

[richk9holes]

29 minutes ago, tony@CIC said:

I believe you said the Vice Pro and Pro Plus are refurbished so my only question is:  should the comparison be between the Super Soft and the new Pro Plus?  Years ago I use to buy refurbished balls and found their performance between same brand and model varied greatly. 

It's true, I did try to pick the pro plus that was shinier of the 2 dozen I got. The one that says "Vice Pro plus" not "pro plus" I should look up which year that is. Also the yellow ball has a couple days not getting lost on it, so it's possible has more shots struck. Refurbished no telling when it was lost, but like I said I went with shiniest in the mix to compare today.

Another among a million reasons I'm excited to get fresh Oncore this week

[GregGarner]

On 4/17/2023 at 9:20 AM, richk9holes said:

The Vice Pro Plus seems to fly higher and have a tendency to knuckle in the wind on some shots. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the results when I get on a Trackman, waiting until the Oncore Elixirs come for member testing.

Pro Plus should spin more than a Supersoft (which could also be why it doesn't fly as far) which would mean that it would be less prone to knuckling, especially into the wind. I've not rigorously played either of these models, so I'm definitely interested to see what you find on Trackman!

[richk9holes]

Today's round and earlier this week used a mix of Vice Pro plus and Supersoft refurbished along with a couple TM TP5 pix and a chrome soft truvis I picked up on course. 

Enjoyed the Chrome soft for about 22 holes before losing it in water. If I could afford them this would probably be what I use. 

Supersoft continues to be the incumbent. Some excellent scoring using them. 

The TP5 pix was a distance gainer with my driver. Tested a lot of different tee boxes with 2 or even 3 similar swings and picking up the 2nd/3rd balls. TP5 continuously outgained the others.

Vice Pro Plus is not the ball for me. Too much spin and not durable enough for my off-grass adventures. I believe the wonkiness in ball flight on descent is because the cover wears quickly. By the end of 9 holes the Vice Pro Plus is ready to be retired to the shag bag. 

I get rounds from a supersoft matte finish or even the handful of Vice tours I used recently, which is why they continue to be the major contenders.

[BobBC78]

I'm really liking the Vice Pro Soft, which seems to be a good match to my slow swing speed. 

[richk9holes]

12 minutes ago, BobBC78 said:

I'm really liking the Vice Pro Soft, which seems to be a good match to my slow swing speed. 

The ones I have yet to use are going to my dad. He'll be home from FL May-August so he can get some use out of them. He plays Bridgestone e12 contact currently. I think the Vice Pro Soft would be a good match for him.

[Matt711]

I played whatever balls I found or were cheapest for the longest but have been playing Vice Tours for the last month and a half or so and have found them to be pretty good.

[richk9holes]

This thread has taken a back seat since I received the Oncore Elixir for the official member test. I've used new balls (Srixion divide z star and Supersoft yellow) to get better comparison. After some of the Elixirs get use on them I will go back to using the Vice Balls alongside the Elixirs.

[richk9holes]

About 234 holes of golf have happened since the last update to The Rankening Srixion Zstar divide has gotten use as a new ball in scoring rounds and a used ball in practice rounds. Vice Pro has gotten more looks in the form of 2 refurbished that were nice looking before I hit them off cart paths today. Elixir has gotten a ton of use in the member testing. (FINAL REVIEW POSTED GO LOOK)

Updated Standings 5/26/23

1. Oncore Elixir -Really read the review if you're curious how it jumped up above the more widely played balls.

2. Vice Tour -Value play here. $5 a dozen matters and the promos at times bring this one down pretty low below the $20 mark. Supersoft at $25 is cheaper at a 1 doz price so it is closely behind, but Vice bulk promos put the Vice Tour slightly ahead.

3. Callaway Supersoft -My old #1 was supplanted by both of the above because, ultimately, I prefer the ball flight. I still like the visibility of the lime green and yellow and the feel of the matte finish and will keep a couple bright color supersoft for end of twilight rounds.

4. Srixion Z Star divide -Just off the podium. A great ball. I like the divide line for alignment if I ever go through an OCD attack on course I will pull one out and fiddle with lining it up before every shot. Too much distance? Yeah it sounds crazy but with my swing path I don't want the extra yardage or ball speed. I want consistently consistent and the Z Star unfortunately was erratic. Routinely outgained others on this list by 10-20y with Driver if you want added ball speed try them.

5. Vice Pro -I like the drip colors. Ultimately not the ball for me, but I see the appeal. 

6. Uther Pro Icon -This wildcard could move up the list if I ever get more of them to play.

5. Vice Pro Plus -Meh.

6.Vice Drive -Yuck.