What made you choose the golf balls you were currently using?

[That’s Mr. Dirt]

I had meant I used to get whatever balls were the cheapest. Wilson duo soft 48 for $30, Maxfli 48 for $35, even Kirkland’s.  I have settled up on Vice Pro that I get from Sam’s Club. Honestly, it was for price, but now I keep buying them because I like the way they play and they fit my game.  I have never had an issue with Vice golf balls, they fly straight and true, at least when I hit them.  I did take their latest ball fitting questionnaire for the revamped line of golf balls and apparently I am supposed to be using their new Tour ball.  I will let you know how that works out when I finally buy them.

[The TXBexar]

I play the same Vice Pro golf balls from Sam's; choose them partly for cost and because I found that with my swing speed & style worked well their 3-pc layers (and that they had similar characteristics of the Pro V1's and other Tour style balls).

And just in case you didn't want to buy the new Vice Tours yet, the 2020 model Vice Pros that Sam's sales in a 24 pack, just went on sale for $30! 

[cksurfdude]

Yeah I started out with haha "value" golf balls, too .. figured I wasn't good enough to tell the difference. Plus at the rate that I used to lose them...

But a few years ago after reading about the revamped MaxFli on MGS, and many favorable comments, I bought some on sale - and have been doing that since.

The cube of 4 dozen for $100 - now $110 - seems like a pretty good deal for a pretty good ball that seems to work well (..or, well enough) for me. 

Although ... always open to trying something else that may work better; may try a Vice sampler pack someday. Or the updated Snell. 

Edited June 30 by cksurfdude

[Jmotro86]

I have a lot of trouble tracking and finding my ball so i started buying the Callaway Supersofts in bright green thinking it would help me find them but turns out color doesn't matter when i pipe them directly into the woods off the tee lol Still it makes it easy to identify them quickly and once autumn rolls around they end up sticking out like a sore thumb. Play wise they feel great to hit. A nice pure strike almost feels like a practice swing. They do feel a little muddy on the green but otherwise they're nice  

[RetiredBoomer]

I've admitted this several times. 
I think that my game would be pretty much the same if I played whatever ball was on sale at Dick's.
In fact, I HAVE played their Top Flite Gamers and their Wilson Duo Softs with no problems whatsoever.

I spring the big bucks for Pro V1x balls for a few reasons.
Vanity and listening to the guys..
The custom marking options, particularly.
Our course is fairly open and not a major ball stealer.

I just had a sim session, just fairway clubs from the deck, at Whirlaway,
hitting Pro V1x.

Five shots, really bad misses deleted and re-hit.
Don't know if it holds water outdoors, to be honest, but my gapping came out REALLY, REALLY  well.

4-wood___215
7-wood___201
5-iron___189
6-iron___176
7-iron___162
8-iron___153
9-iron___137
46°___126
50°___110
56°___97
60°___71

I'm glad to remain ignorant if I'm wrong,
but I think these are big numbers for my age.

 

 

Edited August 11 by RetiredBoomer

[Hacker1996]

Started picking up the Wilson Staff Triads, I like the feel of them on approach shots and they have decent stopping power. Be lying if I didn’t pick up the occasional box of Pro-v’s still though. 

[Golf2Much]

Prior to last year, I predominantly played Srixon QStar Tour balls.  White, yellow or Divides it didn't matter (though I liked watching the Divide balls spinning in the air, on chips and putts).  Last year I decided to try direct to consumer (DTC) brands of balls to check out all the hype and to see if the new kids on the block were worth playing. 

The first was OnCore.  Being born, raised and had my career in Western New York, the Buffalo-based OnCore gave me a chance to support a somewhat local company.  I tried the full range of balls from the Avant 55, Elixr (both years) and Vero X1.  I tended to like the Elixr (2020) and Vero X1 balls.  When I had a slight issue, I have to say OnCore was quick to respond with outstanding customer service.

As a University of Massachusetts-Lowell Plastics Engineering graduate, the next balls I wanted to test were Snell.  Come to find out, Dean Snell graduated from the same program as I did but two years after me.   So, I had to give fellow River Hawk (our sports team mascot) a try.  I purchased three dozen of the initial batch of MTB Primes.  I like the ball, but there was some cover "robustness" that showed up in their first generation and they tended to get marked up.   That was fixed in the second run, but since I don't loose too many balls, I didn't get a chance to try the second batch.  Since then, they have released their new 2024 series of balls.

Last Fall, MGS did a review of the Maxfli S balls and it got very good reviews.  In conjunction with Golf Galaxy/Dick's they ran an incredible joint promotion for the forum members that was too good to pass up.  So, I purchased two dozen.   Then, another two dozen.   Then 48 ball pack and four more dozen of personalized Maxfli S balls.  Needless to say, the MGS reviews were dead on and I really liked the ball.  Merely by the size of my new ball inventory, the Maxfli S is now my new gamer.

What made me choose the balls I play?  Wanting to try DTC balls, a former local connection, a fellow alumnus and an MGS review/promotion.  

[JAYER38]

Started with Callaway SuperSoft's then moved to the ERC Soft... Now its whatever I find on course, I try. If I don't like it ill give it away or donate it back and find another in passing. Still prefer the ERC Soft over everything thus far as it feels great off the face specially when putting.

[gavinski91]

I initially moved away from "value" balls to a urethane-cover ball a number of years back for more spin and control in my short game, and since then I'm always willing to try a different ball. Currently using the Callaway Chrome Tour (was previously using Chromesoft X LS, and Srixon Z-Star XV before that), primarily to reduce spin off the tee while maintaining ball speed. I know everyone says you should fit your ball green to tee, but for me off the tee is where I lose the most strokes, and the difference between a low-spin ball and something with more spin is significant - for example, I played the Z-Star Diamond for a couple of months and was consistently 25 yards shorter with driver.

[JB2334]

I had been playing Callaway Supersoft for the last couple of years. Feel is really important to me on and around the green, and of course the price point is fantastic...but I realized that with my swing speed, I was losing distance off the tee and from the fairway. I started doing more research, mostly on MGS, and realized that I needed to go with a urethane ball if I wanted the mix of distance/feel that I wanted. This led me on a year long journey to come to a pretty much foregone conclusion - you get what you pay for.

I was buying Vice Pro from Sam's until they jacked up the price. Then I thought I had found a unicorn with the Cut Blue/DC...great feel, decent off the tee...but the name 'Cut' is a very apropos moniker - one solid shot with a full wedge shreds the cover of these balls. Legato, Snell (prior to the recent review), OnCore all seemed to be fine - but I don't like that I can't just run into the store and grab a dozen when I need to. I know...old fashioned.

I tried the new TP5s with the $40 Golf Pass discount. Meh. They were good, but at that price, I'd rather buy ProV1s. Same with Chrome Tour...if you're not better than the best, then you shouldn't be the same price.

So right now, I play the Maxfli Tour CG, and spring for ProV1s once in a while when I'm feeling confident.

[Nickygolf]

I started off this year trying the Wilson Triad, as per a suggestion from the My Golf Spy Ball test for medium swing speeds. They we ok, great on approaches and around the green, but not the longest ball off the tee.

I've tried a bunch of premium balls recently like chrome soft x and Pro V1x, both felt amazing off the tee. But I struggle with spending that much money when I'm still gonna lose some to the tree gods.

I bought a few dozen vice balls on sale during Prime Day from Amazon, Vice Pro Soft and Vice Drive (2 piece ball)

I'm into the Pro soft, It feels great, It looks rad (I got this pale blueish one), and I holed out on the 18th from 35 yards the first round I used it. If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is.

The Vice Drive was 1/3rd the price of the Pro Soft, Its a 2 piece , softer ball (I think, at least felt softer) with a cover that can withstand 2 bunker shots and hitting a cart path, lol and it was still in great shape! I really like this one as well. My average drives are usually 245-250, but I was smooshing these 260 consistently.

So as for my pursuit for the perfect ball continues, I will be enjoy these vice balls for awhile and even confidently try some more from there line-up.

Here's a photo pf my dog Murphy appreciating the Vice Pro soft.

[PPP]

Currently gaming callaway chrome soft And its variations 

I was told their ERC is essentially the same but at a lower price point 

I’m a big fan of the supersoft but their colored versions are getting feeling clunky lately. 
 

pro v1 is the best feeling while putting, might be a mental thing 

[Jmotro86]

21 hours ago, PPP said:

Currently gaming callaway chrome soft And its variations 

I was told their ERC is essentially the same but at a lower price point 

I’m a big fan of the supersoft but their colored versions are getting feeling clunky lately. 
 

pro v1 is the best feeling while putting, might be a mental thing 

I've noticed this about the colored supersofts as well, when they hit pure it's like butter but a slight mishit is like hitting a mini water balloon.

 

[brewinbogeys]

I’m currently playing the Maxfli Tours, good deal, though a step up in price from most cheaper balls I played when I first started. After I read MGS’ praise for these balls and tried them and haven’t gone back. 

[PPP]

On 8/15/2024 at 11:14 AM, Jmotro86 said:

I've noticed this about the colored supersofts as well, when they hit pure it's like butter but a slight mishit is like hitting a mini water balloon.

 

And it feels like hitting a rock. 

[OB Specialist]

I've started gaming the Pro V1 x's lately and I've felt it has made my game a bit better with approach shots sticking more on the green. 

I've also started to just play a single type of ball instead of just throwing a handful of balls in the bag and that consistency in ball type has seemed to make a difference in my game as well. 

Edited August 21 by OB Specialist

[Quigleyd]

Been playing the new TP5x most recently. It just seems to put up the right numbers..

[bbreezy716]

I upgraded from Noodle balls to Bridgestone e12 contact and vice pro's. The Bridgestone are awesome off the tee and feel good off my irons. The Vice I really like in my approach as well but I'm still working on my slice with my driver so those only really get used on shorter par 3's. I wanted to actually invest in balls that were good quality and would feel better for my game and the Bridgestone was the one I gravitated towards after reading about them online. I was gifted a sleeve of vice pro and do still enjoy them, just cannot drive them as well.

[Wib081]

I was able to test the TO5 this year and the distance gain and stopping they provide great. I would have probably skipped them if not for the testing. Durability for me is a small issue wedges bite them hard but still like having them in the bag!

[Syks7]

In the last 5 years:

ProV1X's.  Loved them but always found myself having to yell at people that that's my ball (even with a mark) because LA Muni golf can sometimes be like that. 

MG C4's.   Super long, but I had a hell of a time getting them to hold a green or check up with pitch and chip shots.  Great ball though, shame it isn't made anymore.

Z-Star XV & XV Divides.  Good ball, but I hit them way too high.  (Still have a couple dozen of the divides that live in the shag tube for chipping or putting practice.

Z-Star.  Also good but a bit too spinny for me.

Currently:  Z-Star Diamond.  Its supposed to be in between the Z-Star and the XV and it seems to be for me.  Enough spin to hold a green, low enough spin to be pretty hot off the driver.   I hit them lower than the XV but can adjust trajectory with them pretty easily.  Greenside performance is good enough for me to get a ball to check up or release depending on the shot I play.  Plus -- after two years I'm so used to them and the flight I get out of them that I rarely lose a ball anymore.  In fact most of the balls I play end up getting retired to the garage hitting bay rather than lost.   The one knock I have on them is that they seem to scuff up pretty easily -- but I don't have huge performance issues when they do. 

[silver & black]

I use ProV1/1X. Reason: I like them... and I usually find a couple every round, so I rarely run out of balls.

[lyle]

honestly mostly the cost. yes I want to play the best balls but I definitely cant afford to be paying for the best balls all the time

[Righty to Lefty]

I tested the Wilson Staff Tour ball against all the others and found to be the best ball I have ever struck with a golf club.  Most spin off the wedges, yet the lowest spin off the driver.  I remember the good ole days when they would be discounted at the end  of the season to $17.98 a dozen and I would buy 20 ish dozen but those days are gone and I am lucky to find then for $33 a dozen.  Very underrated golf ball in my opinion. 

[jolter1]

I am currently using the Titleist Tour Speed and AVX balls as they seem to match my slower swing speed a bit better.

[NiallB79]

I used to buy the cheapest golf balls I could find, but now I’ve started to pay a bit more for a better ball.

My main problem is that as a newish golfer I’m not sure what would benefit me more, how do I figure out if need more spin or feel or a softer ball etc?

Maybe I should just go and have golf ball fitting session somewhere.

[RetiredBoomer]

If you like to play in the air, drop and stop, you really need a urethane cover ball for the spin.

I suppose a surlyn covered ball is fine if you're a run-on player,
although heavily sole-weighted irons will spin those a little if hit well.

I buy the Pro V1x, to be honest, because I can choose the custom ball number on it.
I don't have to mark my ball with a Sharpie when it's ball #79 with my name on it.

If you don't care about that, I'm guessing that there's a less expensive urethane covered ball
that plays similarly at a lower cost

 

 

 

 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

If your looking for a cheaper alternative to urethane but also plays well. Look at the Top Flight Gamer golf ball. You can get them in Dicks Sporting Goods / Golf Galaxy either in the store or on line. 
Go to the previous forum tests and I think it was around 2019 when the test was done. It was surprisingly good. Cheap enough to try and don’t get scared away by the Top Flight name. If I find the link I’ll post it back here.

It was in 2020

 

Edited August 30 by Tom the Golf Nut
Added link.

[jturner7499]

I’ve been playing the Oncore Elixir Ball for a couple years now. Being originally from Buffalo where the company is based out of, it was a little bit of the “buy local” mentality. However, after the reviews and numbers came out confirming its good performance compared to main brands I decided to stick with it. 
 

The company has since come out with a few new models meant for a little faster swing speed and I look forward to trying those out once my current reserve runs out.

Edited August 30 by jturner7499

[RetiredBoomer]

17 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

If your looking for a cheaper alternative to urethane but also plays well. Look at the Top Flight Gamer golf ball. You can get them in Dicks Sporting Goods / Golf Galaxy either in the store or on line. 
Go to the previous forum tests and I think it was around 2019 when the test was done. It was surprisingly good. Cheap enough to try and don’t get scared away by the Top Flight name. If I find the link I’ll post it back here.

It was in 2020

I can also confirm that the Gamer is a pretty decent ball for the money.

I regularly played Top Flites back when Spalding used to make them.
Those were much harder than the current Top Flites,
but were optimized for the investment cast stainless steel irons that were popular at the time.   

The current ones are a more modern ball, and they played pretty well when I tried them.

 

[Mpwsports34]

I shuffle through several different brands but mostly stay on the higher end of things. The data from all of the gold spy tests is just always in the back of my mind whenever I go to playa round. I would blame poor shots or under performing on the ball and not get down to the root of what is really happening that day. At least when I play a "higher quality" ball, it gives me the confidence that my equipment isn't what is failing me on that day and it eliminates another excuse. I've done well with ProV1s, v1xs, Tp5x, Callaway chrome softs(haven't tried the new ones yet), Vice pro plus, vice pro, Srixon Z star XVs. When I'm out on the course, I personally cant tell the difference between the balls with flight or distances. I'm not consistent enough to tell that at this time, but standing over the ball about to strike, having a quality ball gives me mindset that the ball will do it's job that day