What Golf Ball Are You Playing In 2024?

[chisag]

17 hours ago, Arbee456 said:

As for price and value (my two cents), unless you lose a handful of balls per round, golf balls are the least expensive part of your game. And, given the fact that balls are the one and only piece of equipment you play on every stroke, and if consistency matters to you, best to find a ball that works for you and go with it.

 

... This can be radically different depending on how much you play. If you play once every weekend, the cost of the ball probably won't make a huge difference. But if you live in a year round golf climate and play 250 rounds a year, the difference between a ProV1x and a Maxfli Tour X is eye opening.

Assuming an average of 2 ball per round ProV1x's would be $2292 a year and Maxfli Tour X's $1146 so right at 1/2 the price. 

But playing one a week ProV1x would be $440 a year and Maxfli Tour X $220 a year so the difference is far less demanding of your wallet. 

Somewhere in between 48 and 250 rounds a year is probably a better estimate of how many rounds most play and savings would depend on individual factors and preference. 

... That said I completely agree everyone should find the best ball that works for their game.

[KOG]

If people struggle with a slice or consistant contact, the harder tour balls will amplify your problems. TP5/x, Prov1x, pro plus, srixon diamond/z are really not meant for average players. Kirkland I dont think excell in any area. If you are a kirkland fan and you do tend to slice or have too much spin change balls asap. 

I suggest everyone try the Wilson Staff Zip (Im sure you found one at a time) or other good 2 piece balls unless you are an excellent player. Even the Pinnicle Rush is an excellent 2 piece ball made in the Titleist plant. Try to use it as an experiment one round and see how it does for you. You can find many gems in 1 dollar balls. Precept Laddie X, WIlson Staff Zip, Pinnicle rush.... try using them for a round or two if youre over a +10

[MrBandit]

I was going between TM Tour Response (Casual Rounds) and MaxFli Tour X for (Tournament Rounds).
But after the last 10 rounds or so, I feel am going to play the MaxFli Tour X for all rounds. Its an all around good ball, Driver, Irons, Wedges and Putting the stats don't lie.  And for the value you can beat it.  I need to stock up before everyone catches on. 

[KevB_44]

I love the Bridgestone Tour BX, but have and use Vice Pro or Pro Plus without hesitation.   The Vice balls all seem to be bright orange or green so I tend to use them when visibility is enhanced by their use---otherwise Tour BX.

[russtopherb]

So I recently started playing the Chrome Soft... and wow am I loving it. I actually picked up 2 doz of the "practice" grade at DSG for $20/dozen and it's doing everything I want a ball to do. I'm going to go stock up on more, at that price it's an an incredible deal.

[RyanGi]

I’ve been preferring a softer ball. Played a couple different balls but settled on Vice Pro Soft/Air. I really like how they feel and have been getting great results. They had a sale going on so I picked up several boxes of Airs, but also a couple boxes of Pros to try out something a little higher compression. Definitely seeing more distance from them, but I like how the Airs feel off the club and and around the green. 

Only one round on the Pros so far, but I was over-clubbed all day with them. I might get used to them, we’ll see.

Regardless, I’ve been enjoying the Vice brand quite a lot!

Edited September 7 by RyanGi

[Shankster]

Pro V1 for this guy.  Reminds me of a time I was playing a round with my dad and his old league buddy.  He always hit punch shots and tried to “run the ball up” pretty much every approach shot.  He used the hardest, crappiest balls he could find.  This particular round he must have found a ProV1 and it didn’t “run” like he wanted it to.  Proceeded to call it a sh!t ball and attempted to hit it into the woods before I stopped him and said, give me that thing…

Just goes to show that there are many ways to play the game, but don’t be dissing my Pro V1 man…

[skraeling]

22 hours ago, RyanGi said:

I’ve been preferring a softer ball. Played a couple different balls but settled on Vice Pro Soft/Air. I really like how they feel and have been getting great results. They had a sale going on so I picked up several boxes of Airs, but also a couple boxes of Pros to try out something a little higher compression. Definitely seeing more distance from them, but I like how the Airs feel off the club and and around the green. 

Only one round on the Pros so far, but I was over-clubbed all day with them. I might get used to them, we’ll see.

Regardless, I’ve been enjoying the Vice brand quite a lot!

The one thing I do like about a harder ball aside from well... it just flat out going farther.. I immediately know when I miss hit and where.

 

That said... with callaway nuking the chromesoft X LS... has anyone got any feedback on the chrome tour line?'

I think... the Chrome Tour might be the replacement I need (**** you for making that now a 55 dollar dozen pack... assholes).

 

[Summit1986]

Just picked up 48 of the Maxfli Tour X's (hard not to at the current price). Probably too much ball for my play, but I'm ambitious that I'll get better. At the very least, it'll have to be better than playing different balls from one round to the next (or one hole to the next, depending on the kind of round I'm having). I'm sure I'll still grab one of the cheap balls from my bag on water holes.

[Erin B]

7 minutes ago, Summit1986 said:

Just picked up 48 of the Maxfli Tour X's (hard not to at the current price). Probably too much ball for my play, but I'm ambitious that I'll get better. At the very least, it'll have to be better than playing different balls from one round to the next (or one hole to the next, depending on the kind of round I'm having). I'm sure I'll still grab one of the cheap balls from my bag on water holes.

I just tried these balls out this weekend. I am liking them. They don't produce as much spin as the Chrome Tour X's and Pro V1X's I normally play so I am getting a little bit of roll-out with them that I haven't been getting with the above mentioned.

[chisag]

2 minutes ago, Erin B said:

I just tried these balls out this weekend. I am liking them. They don't produce as much spin as the Chrome Tour X's and Pro V1X's I normally play so I am getting a little bit of roll-out with them that I haven't been getting with the above mentioned.

 

... Balls and shafts with individual preference and performance is always so interesting. Granted this is last years Chrome X, ProV1x snd Maxfli Tour x from the MGS Ball Test but the Maxfli spins more than the other two. I have played the new Chrome Tour (non x) and PoV1x and don't find any quantifiable spin difference with any of the 3. 





 

[Erin B]

41 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Balls and shafts with individual preference and performance is always so interesting. Granted this is last years Chrome X, ProV1x snd Maxfli Tour x from the MGS Ball Test but the Maxfli spins more than the other two. I have played the new Chrome Tour (non x) and PoV1x and don't find any quantifiable spin difference with any of the 3. 





 

I noticed a slight difference when I tested the CT/CTX earlier this year with MGS vs the PV1/1X, mostly on the course performance. The CT/CTX held the greens slightly better than the PV1/1X. I already generate quite a bit of spin so playing the MaxFly Tour X and seeing it roll out a bit for me was interesting. 

[chisag]

1 minute ago, Erin B said:

I noticed a slight difference when I tested the CT/CTX earlier this year with MGS vs the PV1/1X, mostly on the course performance. The CT/CTX held the greens slightly better than the PV1/1X. I already generate quite a bit of spin so playing the MaxFly Tour X and seeing it roll out a bit for me was interesting. 

 

... I hear ya! One of my visiting amigo's is a high swing speed player. He was playing the Chrome Soft LS and when he visited from Tampa he forget to pack balls. He was staying at a B&B close to a 2nd swing that had some Chrome Soft X balls on sale so he picked up a dozen. At the highest swing speeds MGS test has those 2 balls with a 3 yd difference at 341.15 and 344.77 but CJ was losing about 15 yds. Just the way he attacks a driver and his AOA caused much more spin with the X compared to the LS. He played 9 holes and bought some ProV1's in the clubhouse at the turn. 

... We are all individuals with our own performance when it comes to golf equipment. Tests are nice starting points but they may or may not apply to our games. For me the Maxfli Tour X spins as well or better than every premium ball I have played, yet you find almost the opposite. Equipment and how it plays for each of us is always so very interesting. 

[Erin B]

3 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I hear ya! One of my visiting amigo's is a high swing speed player. He was playing the Chrome Soft LS and when he visited from Tampa he forget to pack balls. He was staying at a B&B close to a 2nd swing that had some Chrome Soft X balls on sale so he picked up a dozen. At the highest swing speeds MGS test has those 2 balls with a 3 yd difference at 341.15 and 344.77 but CJ was losing about 15 yds. Just the way he attacks a driver and his AOA caused much more spin with the X compared to the LS. He played 9 holes and bought some ProV1's in the clubhouse at the turn. 

... We are all individuals with our own performance when it comes to golf equipment. Tests are nice starting points but they may or may not apply to our games. For me the Maxfli Tour X spins as well or better than every premium ball I have played, yet you find almost the opposite. Equipment and how it plays for each of us is always so very interesting. 

I couldn’t agree more! For instance, I love the steadfast Jupiter 1+ shafts. I’ve not met many people in this space that like them. I love my new level irons, but am open for anything that can help my performance. Most are brand centric. It’s all about what fits each individual’s game.

[HikingMike]

On 9/7/2024 at 8:58 PM, skraeling said:

The one thing I do like about a harder ball aside from well... it just flat out going farther.. I immediately know when I miss hit and where.

 

That said... with callaway nuking the chromesoft X LS... has anyone got any feedback on the chrome tour line?'

I think... the Chrome Tour might be the replacement I need (**** you for making that now a 55 dollar dozen pack... assholes).

 

I have not bought any Chrome Tours, but I got 2 freebies from a Smoke AI fitting and found a few others in good shape this year. I did like them a lot when I played them. 

Balls I have played lately include: Wilson Staff Model, Titleist Pro V1, TaylorMade TP5, Srixon Z-Star, Titleist AVX, Bridgestone Tour BX. 

I stay away from the "x" models usually since I don't need more spin for greens, and more spin is bad for my tee game. The Chrome Tour seemed to fit me well. I'd definitely play them again. I don't know if I would buy them though. I bought 3 dozen Wilson Staff Models (buy 2 get 1) after going through my Wilson Triads, and I like those and would buy again. I'd be willing to try the Maxfli Tour as well - I don't find enough of those to know whether I like them.

[chisag]

10 hours ago, HikingMike said:

Balls I have played lately include: Wilson Staff Model, Titleist Pro V1, TaylorMade TP5, Srixon Z-Star, Titleist AVX, Bridgestone Tour BX.

I stay away from the "x" models usually since I don't need more spin for greens, and more spin is bad for my tee game. The Chrome Tour seemed to fit me well. I'd definitely play them again. I don't know if I would buy them though. I bought 3 dozen Wilson Staff Models (buy 2 get 1) after going through my Wilson Triads, and I like those and would buy again. I'd be willing to try the Maxfli Tour as well - I don't find enough of those to know whether I like them.

 

... I wouldn't just lump X Balls into a high spin category, especially compared to the premium balls you listed that spin more than some X Balls. I find the spin very similar with the Maxfli's but the Tour X is a little longer off the tee so I made the switch. Check out the Driver spin rates from the MGS Ball test:








 

[Javs]

I might give the new PXG Tour ball a try when I get back from vacation.

[HikingMike]

4 hours ago, chisag said:

... I wouldn't just lump X Balls into a high spin category, especially compared to the premium balls you listed that spin more than some X Balls. I find the spin very similar with the Maxfli's but the Tour X is a little longer off the tee so I made the switch. Check out the Driver spin rates from the MGS Ball test:







 

Yeah that is very true. Kneejerk reaction there on my part. It looks like I definitely need to give the X a try for some of these - particularly the Maxfli Tour X. And it looks like Pro V1x should be good, with lower driver spin than most, though I thought I did better with the Pro V1. (Caveat - These are 2023 test numbers from September 2023 I believe. Some of the balls have been updated since then.)

[chisag]

48 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

Yeah that is very true. Kneejerk reaction there on my part. It looks like I definitely need to give the X a try for some of these - particularly the Maxfli Tour X. And it looks like Pro V1x should be good, with lower driver spin than most, though I thought I did better with the Pro V1.

 

... You are not alone Mike and many lump X Balls together. That's why we are on a golf forum and learn about equipment from others. 

[Rob Person]

So the day before I tried a sleeve of the new tp5x. Very very spinny for me. But tons of rollout too. Dispersion was not consistent at all though.

Then I tried a sleeve of last years chormesoft Supersoft. I used to play the triple track version but don't have many left.  I like this ball! Medium rollout in the fairway, but they stuck like glue on the greens!

I still have a few sleeves of the new Bridgestone tour B balls in various models. I think I'm going to revisit those again. I had.mixed results,  but since I've been improving my swing  and contact,  they may prove themselves worthy.

I tried the maxfli trusoft last week, and they are just a smidgen behind the chrome soft performance wise.

[RyanGi]

I continue to be impressed with the Vice Pros around the green. While my wedges were on the fritz yesterday, of the shots I managed to land several stuck within 2 feet of their ball mark…and more than one was within a foot! The greens aren’t overly soft, so I’m impressed! The rest of my game sucked yesterday…

[Lefty11]

I’m still using the Vice Pro Air because I really like them.  However, I’ve tried the Srixon Z-Star XV, and it offers both impressive distance and a soft feel.

[St_Jimmy]

39 minutes ago, Lefty11 said:

I’m still using the Vice Pro Air because I really like them.  However, I’ve tried the Srixon Z-Star XV, and it offers both impressive distance and a soft feel.

Srixon is definitely getting my attention, the divides look cool and I've seen some good reviews on their products... was really hoping to get some freebies from the testing session for their product earlier this year.
I usually go with Vice Pro or Bridgestone e12, I had a few secondhand Vice ProSoft and just couldn't get the consistency in flight or or around the green. I've seen some YT reviews of the new Air line and it sounds like a better fit. Did you transition from the ProSoft to the Air line this year or were you using something else?

[Lefty11]

 

9 minutes ago, St_Jimmy said:

Srixon is definitely getting my attention, the divides look cool and I've seen some good reviews on their products... was really hoping to get some freebies from the testing session for their product earlier this year.
I usually go with Vice Pro or Bridgestone e12, I had a few secondhand Vice ProSoft and just couldn't get the consistency in flight or or around the green. I've seen some YT reviews of the new Air line and it sounds like a better fit. Did you transition from the ProSoft to the Air line this year or were you using something else?

I only started using Vice golf balls this year when I was selected as a tester for the Vice Pro Air through My Golf Spy. I was previously using Taylormade TP5, Srixon soft feel and Chrome soft. 

[RyanGi]

Not to hijack the answer, but I was hitting Vice ProSofts before the Pros, and will probably be going back to the Pro Airs when I lose all the Pros. The Softs were more consistent for me than the Pros, and the Airs that I’ve hit have been pretty consistent with the Softs.

I get more distance with the Pros, but that could also be that my swing is getting more consistent with more umph behind it (not much, but more!). I’m actually really interested to see what happens when I move to/back to the Airs. The Pros have me clubbing down almost every shot from what my GolfShot caddy calls at this point but, as I said, the dispersion and consistency is less (for me). 

[Lefty11]

7 minutes ago, RyanGi said:

Not to hijack the answer, but I was hitting Vice ProSofts before the Pros, and will probably be going back to the Pro Airs when I lose all the Pros. The Softs were more consistent for me than the Pros, and the Airs that I’ve hit have been pretty consistent with the Softs.

I get more distance with the Pros, but that could also be that my swing is getting more consistent with more umph behind it (not much, but more!). I’m actually really interested to see what happens when I move to/back to the Airs. The Pros have me clubbing down almost every shot from what my GolfShot caddy calls at this point but, as I said, the dispersion and consistency is less (for me). 

You’re not hijacking the conversation at all. I actually prefer the Vice Pro Air balls over the TM and CHROMESOFT.   They’re softer, and the distance is similar. Plus, they’re finally available in stores here, but I'll order them online since it’s the less expensive route.  

[ChiefMikeOfficer]

Well, I guess I'm a big TP5x pix guy now... been playing a lot of their limited designs, and just got back from a buddies' trip to French Lick to find this new ball advertised (and yes, we played a fair amount of Craps while there - not a lot of money, but definitely a lot of time): 

Between my stock-up on the US Open Adirondack chair design, Pac Man, the new Stripe, and now this, I'll probably need to use TP5x all season in 2025 to work down the stash. 

[Chux13]

20 hours ago, Javs said:

I might give the new PXG Tour ball a try when I get back from vacation.

I second this thought (just wish I was on vacation too) and moved forward with the purchase of Xtreme Tour with the NAVY design. I loved the first iteration of the PXG Xtreme, but found it is just way too spinny for me. Enter a ball that is allegedly more like the ProV1 with lower driver spin, flatter flight, and still more distance. Will definitely update y'all once I get them in and get a few numbers to compare 

[chisag]

1 hour ago, ChiefMikeOfficer said:

Well, I guess I'm a big TP5x pix guy now... been playing a lot of their limited designs, and just got back from a buddies' trip to French Lick to find this new ball advertised (and yes, we played a fair amount of Craps while there - not a lot of money, but definitely a lot of time): 

Between my stock-up on the US Open Adirondack chair design, Pac Man, the new Stripe, and now this, I'll probably need to use TP5x all season in 2025 to work down the stash. 

 

... While I agree that money has no value unless you spend it and as much as I love the '24 TP5x I find it annoying that Callaway offers limited designs for the same price as their white and yellow balls. Taylor Made's money grab tacking on $5 for their limited balls over the cost of white, yellow and even PIX balls is a tough pill to swallow. 

Edited September 11 by chisag

[Javs]

2 hours ago, Chux13 said:

I second this thought (just wish I was on vacation too) and moved forward with the purchase of Xtreme Tour with the NAVY design. I loved the first iteration of the PXG Xtreme, but found it is just way too spinny for me. Enter a ball that is allegedly more like the ProV1 with lower driver spin, flatter flight, and still more distance. Will definitely update y'all once I get them in and get a few numbers to compare 

I agree with you that their original ball has too much spin for me. I also will be looking at the tour. I want to see less spin and a more penetrating flight. Oh and mine will have the Marine logo!

Edited September 11 by Javs