Best Modern Ball for Laminated Driver, Woods, and Forged Irons?

Hi All,

Can anyone recommend a modern ball to hit with my vintage clubs?

Wilson K-28 Driver, 3, 4 wood

Ginty 4

Wilson k-28 Irons

RAM Forged Pitching Wedge

I am assuming that softer is better, correct?

Or, point me to the right place on this board.

Thanks a Bunch!

On recommendations form here I use the Callaway Supersoft and have had no problems at all.

Also consider the Wilson Duo.

I am assuming that softer is better, correct?

Or, point me to the right place on this board.

Yes. Softer is better. Some ladies balls work very well but be aware that some of them are really not as low a compression as the better men's balls.

As stated above Chrome Soft and Duo are two of the favorites of many on this board.

Thanks for the advice. :-)

Two more questions:

1. I have a box of golf balls containing a variety of hard, soft, and everything in between. As far as older brands go, Noodle & soft Nike balls would probably be ok, right?

2. Is there a modern ball that will damage a laminated wood? Any that are just too hard, or is it more of a performance issue?

I guess I am wondering if my Titleist and Pinnacle balls are capable of damaging these clubs. My swing speed is 90 and under, fluid tempo, so I do not crush the ball or swing hard or violently.

Thanks again!

Doug

Ps. I've been told to go with hard golf balls for modern clubs for pure distance sake, and go soft with vintage clubs. Is this generally correct for someone who is a borderline senior golfer with a relatively slow swing speed?

I'm a senior. My SS is ~85 with the driver. I play soft balls with everything for the most part. I've been using Noodles mostly, but keep a few Callaway Supersoft aside for when I play the lumber. I don't hit range rocks with my wooden clubs.

Louisville Golf used to have a blurb in their FAQ that stated you could use any modern ball with a persimmon, that they were not as hard as the two piece balls of old that caused breakage issues.

If you're still leery, there are plenty of softer balls, several of which with some lovely spin properties, that would fit the bill. I'm personally fond of the 2016 version of the FG Tour, and the 50 Elite has shown itself to be surprisingly good.

Plenty of options. :)

Before Nessism comes in here to tell us all there is another post about this Im gonna say that Ive played just about every kind of ball and the best for me are the low compression balls. I stay away from Top Flite rocks and range balls but as NRJ says you should be fine because balls back in the day were stones compared to modern stuff.

Yeah, I was going to ask: Aren't all modern golf balls relatively soft as compared to the balls that those clubs were designed to hit???

I just don't want to hit anything that is going to damage the face, so I guess I need to figure out what to stay away from. I never hit Top Flight...

I've never been a ball snob. Any ball works. The missus just bought me a 4 dozen bag of assorted balls for $14 at Ollie's. Pinnacles, Top Flights, and other gently used cheap balls, with a couple Callaways and Bridgestones thrown in, some pretty old.

Played and lost four already, in the heavy rough, caused by all the rain this Spring.

Never had a problem with any ball damaging clubs.

Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, I was going to ask: Aren't all modern golf balls relatively soft as compared to the balls that those clubs were designed to hit???

 

my advice. your vintage woods need as much ball speed (and a little more spin) as you can get for distance. try a "non premium" price point ball with a urethane cover. these balls range $30-$40 a box. in order I'd recommend Srixon's 2017 Q-Star Tour (3 piece), Callaway's 2017 Chrome Soft X (4 piece) or Taylormade's The Project A (3 piece).

Using z stars this year. They work well.

Since the old golf ball thread never got pinned, we'll leave it in the mists of time.

Of note, I have given a couple of Srixon balls a bit of a workout this year - the new Q-Star Tour, and the Soft Feel.

The Q-Star Tour is quite nice, and with the urethane cover, may be a good ball for playing persimmon. New balls don't get enough backspin on them compared to the balata balls of old, so any bit helps. Plus they are reasonably priced.

That being said, I also picked up a 6-Ball Soft Feel pack last time I was at the golf store. In general, it felt as nice as the Duo, and spun surprisingly well for a two piece ball. On a day where the drives are a bit erratic, I'd have no issues switching to the Soft Feel. At its current pricing ($30 for 3 dozen at RBG) it is a great alternative to the pricer Duo, and is nicer feeling than the Staff 50 Elite.

Scott, good to hear from you again!

Hey Alan, life has been a track meet for the last 18 months. I'm hoping things will slow down enough for me to get some quality golf in this year. So far, I've only squeezed in about 6 9-hole rounds, and haven't even cleaned the Hogans up.

Scott, PRIORITIES!!! Wait, I haven't even played yet myself and only hit the range once, who am I to talk??? I hope all is well in the Great White North! Get those Hogans scrubbed and bagged! They were made to be played!

The Wilson Staff Duo is the only ball I use with persimmon clubs and forged blade irons.

I still have a couple dozen each of unused Titleist Balata 100's and DT90's sitting in my garage from around '97. I know my old Haig Ultras and Wilson staff irons would be just fine with them. Trying them with my newer MX-23's might be interesting, too. Hmmmmm..may give it a try. Thanks.

Played the TaylorMade Project A ball this past weekend and I think it is in the very good category for persimmon woods

I played Top Flites back in the day and never had a ball damage a wood, as long as I hit the insert. Fiber inserts, Cycolac, firing pin, never hurt the face. Peeling the finish off the crown was easy, and in a very dry climate (where I live), I've seen woods get so dry they would crack. Hit them on the insert and no problem.