Should a 3-pc non-urethane ball perform better than a 2-pc non-urethane ball?

Hi.

Is there much of a performance difference between a 3-pc non-urethane ball (in particular the Callaway CXR Control) vs a 2-pc non-urethane ball (in particular the Titleist Tour Soft)?

If yes, what characteristics should differ?

I ask as I'm having a little trouble currently keeping the ball on the fairway so I'd prefer not to play a urethane ball, however I would like to help as much biting power as I can around the greens too.

Thanks.

IMHO if you can't keep your ball in the fairway it makes no difference what ball you play. That's a swing issue not a ball or equipment issue.

> @Bad9 said:

> IMHO if you can't keep your ball in the fairway it makes no difference what ball you play. That's a swing issue not a ball or equipment issue.

Tend to agree. By far the biggest difference I've found with different balls is performance around the greens. Full shot differences are usually more feel than performance. A urethane cover is a must if you want to get the most out of your short game, and that's where most player's scores are determined.

It'll be an echo, but there is no difference from the tee between a urethane ball vs. other covers in either distance or accuracy; everything is maxed out to USGA standards for that. You might get slight variations in launch angle or carry distance or overall distance, but the differences will vary from player to player and will be SLIGHT.

So it's a matter of how much spin you want to pay for from 150 yds. in, really. Most good players are going to prefer a urethane ball for softer feel and sound and more spin, but there are good players who don't. The key is that you play the SAME ball all the time so that you are used to the spin rate and how that ball reacts off the putter and on partial shots around the green.

I concur with Bluedot

I have tried over 15 ball models trying to replace my Gamer Softs and the biggest differences are always around the green. I have adjusted my short game to surlyn and for me the 3 layer balls have a little more subtlety with short game shots than the 2 piece balls. I leave a lot of 40-60 yard shots on par 5's when I play casual rounds and more than relative spin it is the consistency of the ball reacting to the strike that seems to separate the 3 piece balls from the 2 piece ones. None of them spin as much as urethane but some are too variable in how they react. But you don't know until you play them on the course how they behave when the shot matters.

I agree with above. Depends on the amount of spin you want/need/can handle in the short game. I have a friend who is much better than I at a 2HC who spins the heck out of the ball. He plays a non-urethane ball and has for years.