THE Ball

In the past three years, I have been seeking THE ball. Yes, that elusive THE ball, where you get a ball that suits your game, and the price/performance ratio is there for you. Although I'll try to list all the balls I've played the last few years trying to find THE ball, you'll see I've gone all over the map trying anything I can get my hands on.

Precept:
Laddie X - no spin
IQ 180 - poor spin, average feel

Bridgestone:
RX330 - hard and short
e5+ - hard, short, and scuffs easy
e6+ - hard, putts clicky, and no spin

Top Flite:
Gamer v.1 - great ball, not durable
Gamer v.2 - too hard, not enough spin
D2 Soft Feel - not enough spin
XL Distance (yellow) - fun and long, putts like a rock

Callaway:
HX Tour - hard
Tour I - nice ball but pricey
Tour Ix - nice ball, also pricey, too much spin off driver
HX Hot - hard, bland, meh
HX Hot Bite - good, spins OK, not super durable, magnetically attracted to water hazards
Big Bertha Diablo - meh

Srixon:
Z-URS - firm, nice, pricey, discontinued
Z Star - great all around ball, pricey
AD333 - great in cold weather, surprisingly not durable, spin was not as advertised
Trispeed - meh again

Taylor Made:
TP Black LDP - nice ball, almost was THE ball
TP Red/Maxfli C3 - a bit firm, not as much spin as I'd like around the green, great in wind, discontinued
Burner TP - good compromise ball, spin was so-so

Wilson:
Staff 50/Elite - nice ball, balloons on drives a bit, moderate spin
Tx4 - QC wasn't great (bad shaped dimples on some balls), a bit firm, discontinued

Nike:
Vapor - also good compromise ball, spin was so-so
PD Soft - meh

Titleist:
ProV1 - Nice but pricey
ProV1x - Nice, like trajectory better, still pricey, other golfers steal your ball
NXT Tour - Good compromise ball, no better than the cheaper Vapor

And after all of this, just couldn't find the right ball. Some ballooned off the driver. Some didn't spin enough around the green. Some weren't very durable. Some just cost too bloody much! Regardless, I'd find the ball that I thought was THE ball, only to have it disappoint me at one time or another.

Then, based on positive feedback from others and attractive pricing from Golf Town, I found THE ball, the Wilson Staff Zip.

Feels nice off the driver. Has a soft yet solid feel off the irons. Putts like a dream. And even though it is an ionomer cover, it plays closer to urethane than any ionomer cover I've ever played, period.

Of course, they're now discontinued, to be replaced with the Wilson Staff C:25. Regardless, I've now gamed Zip's for three rounds, and I'm not sure I'll find a ball that matches my game better. And althoough many manufacturers promise "tour ball" performance in 3-piece ionomer balls, this is the first ball I've found that truly delivers on that without compromise.

Happy to have found my ball (at least until they're no longer findable), and hope you too can find YOUR ball.

Agreed.

C:25; almost the same ball. Enjoy.

[quote name='ScooterMcTavish' timestamp='1283309450' post='2672720']
In the past three years, I have been seeking THE ball. Yes, that elusive THE ball, where you get a ball that suits your game, and the price/performance ratio is there for you. Although I'll try to list all the balls I've played the last few years trying to find THE ball, you'll see I've gone all over the map trying anything I can get my hands on.

Precept:
Laddie X - no spin
IQ 180 - poor spin, average feel

Bridgestone:
RX330 - hard and short
e5+ - hard, short, and scuffs easy
e6+ - hard, putts clicky, and no spin

Top Flite:
Gamer v.1 - great ball, not durable
Gamer v.2 - too hard, not enough spin
D2 Soft Feel - not enough spin
XL Distance (yellow) - fun and long, putts like a rock

Callaway:
HX Tour - hard
Tour I - nice ball but pricey
Tour Ix - nice ball, also pricey, too much spin off driver
HX Hot - hard, bland, meh
HX Hot Bite - good, spins OK, not super durable, magnetically attracted to water hazards
Big Bertha Diablo - meh

Srixon:
Z-URS - firm, nice, pricey, discontinued
Z Star - great all around ball, pricey
AD333 - great in cold weather, surprisingly not durable, spin was not as advertised
Trispeed - meh again

Taylor Made:
TP Black LDP - nice ball, almost was THE ball
TP Red/Maxfli C3 - a bit firm, not as much spin as I'd like around the green, great in wind, discontinued
Burner TP - good compromise ball, spin was so-so

Wilson:
Staff 50/Elite - nice ball, balloons on drives a bit, moderate spin
Tx4 - QC wasn't great (bad shaped dimples on some balls), a bit firm, discontinued

Nike:
Vapor - also good compromise ball, spin was so-so
PD Soft - meh

Titleist:
ProV1 - Nice but pricey
ProV1x - Nice, like trajectory better, still pricey, other golfers steal your ball
NXT Tour - Good compromise ball, no better than the cheaper Vapor

And after all of this, just couldn't find the right ball. Some ballooned off the driver. Some didn't spin enough around the green. Some weren't very durable. Some just cost too bloody much! Regardless, I'd find the ball that I thought was THE ball, only to have it disappoint me at one time or another.

Then, based on positive feedback from others and attractive pricing from Golf Town, I found THE ball, the Wilson Staff Zip.

Feels nice off the driver. Has a soft yet solid feel off the irons. Putts like a dream. And even though it is an ionomer cover, it plays closer to urethane than any ionomer cover I've ever played, period.

Of course, they're now discontinued, to be replaced with the Wilson Staff C:25. Regardless, I've now gamed Zip's for three rounds, and I'm not sure I'll find a ball that matches my game better. And althoough many manufacturers promise "tour ball" performance in 3-piece ionomer balls, this is the first ball I've found that truly delivers on that without compromise.

Happy to have found my ball (at least until they're no longer findable), and hope you too can find YOUR ball.
[/quote]

Shot my best round with this ball last week. I am running out so will look into getting the C:25 soon. Should have bought more when they were $12/Doz.

PS: Tried the W/S FG Tour for a few holes and they seem ok. Need a few more rounds to see how they hold up. But I dont foresee paying $37/Doz for these when the C:25 is only $25/Doz.

I'm also playing the Wilson Staff ball but my choice is the Fifty series and at $10 bucks at Big 5 can't beat that!

Feel like hitting marshmellows. You're re-discovering balata balls.

When Wilson gave away a 2 ball pack of Zips a couple of seasons ago, I got a pack.

Didn't like them at all.

This is the only ball I've ever had the cover flake off on me...

my current gamer!

i think the C:25 is even better than the Zip, as in the best 3-piece ionomer cover ball on the market. ymmv.

I wasn't too impressed with the durability of these balls, either. You're right about the putting, though. The feel is really nice. I just find that I get alot more play out of the Burner TP, or even the Srixon Soft Feel.

[quote name='ScooterMcTavish' timestamp='1283309450' post='2672720']
.....I found THE ball, the [b]Wilson Staff Zip[/b].

Feels nice off the driver. Has a soft yet solid feel off the irons. Putts like a dream. And even though it is an ionomer cover, it plays closer to urethane than any ionomer cover I've ever played, period.
[/quote]

The Wilson Zip is my favorite low-compression ball and, at current close-out prices ($13/box), it's an absolute bargain! Have looked long and hard but found nothing in the sub-$30/box category that matches the feel and overall performance of the Zip.

Picked up a dozen today From EW, $13

I have loved Wilson balls since the Smartcore came out.

I too loved the Zip but also found the 50/50 to be playably.

Wally World has a 24 pack of "Wilson Staff" balls thats a mix of blem Zips and 50/50. $19 here in nor cal.
Do be afraid to try the smartcore (bit hard but spins good for me off wedges).

I sent wilson an email seeking info about my fat shafts and asked why no one sold the FG Tour around my local. They sent me a full dozen retail pack!!! Stupendous ball. Not as long as my gamer at the time (TM Red) but better feel, spin and putting. If the ProV's and Nike Tour's are a 10, these are a 9. They really are great balls.

I like the C:25 to be very good. Softer than my TM Red but just as long. Will be my gamer when I use the last FG.

I bought a bunch of Wilson balls this year. The FG Tour is a wonderful ball. It has very good distance, putts well and checks up great with my old man swing. I also bought a dozen TX 4 balls. I currently have one that just finished playing 54 holes with one ball over three days. It is so loyal it doesn't get lost. I may put it into play again tomorrow. it even looks good except for very minor cracking. I've never had a ball last this long and look this good. Then I'll be back the the FG Tour ball.

[quote name='bchester6' timestamp='1283383275' post='2674430']
Feel like hitting marshmellows. You're re-discovering balata balls.
[/quote]

Interesting thought. It is almost like an "old" style ball. Like an old Staff TC2 Tour or a Hogan 392 Tour. For feel players, one of the best I've played.

Ha ha ha, though I did pick up a 15 pack of refurbished e7's. Pretty sure they won't knock the Zips out of the bag, but I just can't leave well enough alone...

Given your extensive list I'm surprised you didn't try the B-330 and B-330s

Is the C:25 worth the extra $6-7/doz over playing the Gamer V2?

Why specifically is the C:25 better than the Gamer V2?

BTW, tried the e7s the other day, and were typical Bridgestone balls for me. Hard feeling and short, though they did spin better than I thought they would. Meh.

I did game the V2s earlier this year, and (assuming the C:25s are the same as the Zips) the differences are in feel and spin.

Although I liked the V1, and found it to be a good feeling, exceptionally good spinning 3 piece ball, it never became my regular gamer due to its flaking cover issues.


When I tried the V2, I wondered where the spin and the "springy" fun went. I found the V2 to be a harder, less spinny, but more durable ball that the V1. And, this made it a completely different animal than the Zip

Even at $6/doz, I'd gladly pay extra for the feel and spin of the Zip.

[size=2]Wilson Zip remains favourite.[/size][color=#333333][size=2]Wrap a high velocity mantlelayer and a resilient ionomer cover around this super soft core and the result is the ultimate combination of distance, feel and spin.[/size][/color]

I saw the Wilson Zip golf balls going for $9.99 this week at PGA Tour Superstore

[size="2"]I agree i think th ZIP is a wonderful ball especially off my putter+irons.I went 2 th C:25 wen it came out this time last year and i thro th FG Tour(also a great great ball,2 much spin 4 me tho) n a round or 2 every now and then.It seems like th C:25 performs jus a hair better than th zip off of every club except th putter(but th ZIP putts like no other ball out there)th C:25 is bout 8yards longer off th driver than th ZIP is(i went 2 a launch monitor 2 confirm this)spins a lil more with wedges,and feels better off irons.The C:25's r going 4 $14.99 at academy sports wer i live anyway,u cant beat that price i bought 10 of em last week,so i should b good on balls 4 quite a while.As long as my slice stays n hibernation that is,if it comes back i will have 2 buy 10more next week,along with a swing coach. [/size]

Were you sure it was the C:25 going for $14.99 and not the D:25? If so, that is an amazing deal.

[quote name='bigmoneyp' timestamp='1284654148' post='2700101']
Were you sure it was the C:25 going for $14.99 and not the D:25? If so, that is an amazing deal.
[/quote]
[size="2"]Yea im positive i bought ten dozen of em,the D:25 is $9.99.[/size]

[quote name='EdStraker' timestamp='1284216251' post='2690844']
I saw the Wilson Zip golf balls going for $9.99 this week at PGA Tour Superstore
[/quote]

Yep, better get'm while you can - they're nowhere to be found in most stores. Wilson has packaged them in a 15 ball pack that's going for $14.50 in Charlotte...

We cant even find these balls around here in Houston except at one public golf course. So far I like the D25 better than the Gamer V2 by far.

Where are you guys purchasing these balls from?

Played the wilson zip this past June for a couple rounds, and I thought they were a great ball for the $.

If you like the ZIP you should try the fifty. Pretty much the same except longer!

FTR, I picked up a few boxes of Zips, as they were on sale and Vancouver weather is wet in the winter and I wanted a winter ball. My game has been going downhill and I have been shooting in the high 80s to low 90s, with my index zooming up from an 11.

I have played two rounds with this ball and I have shot 81 and 82 respectively. Found the ball nice to putt with and I was getting good distance with it. Feel around the green was fine. Definitely reduced my sidespin on shots, maybe this was what was saving strokes. My current ball is a Callaway i(x), but I have also used the TP Red and will always play a ProV1x when I find one. I am happy to play these this winter. I am off to warm weather later this month and will take them along as my ball of choice.

[quote name='Timanator' timestamp='1286040768' post='2724794']
We cant even find these balls around here in Houston except at one public golf course. So far I like the D25 better than the Gamer V2 by far.

Where are you guys purchasing these balls from?
[/quote]

i found the c:25's for $14.99 and d:25's for 9.99 at academy sports in nashville,tn.i dont know if they are that price nationwide or not but i would say so.