What do you look for when choosing a golf ball?

Having started playing again after the winter break (the wettest ever in the UK) I've completed three rounds trying a different ball every three or four holes. The balls I've tried so far are as follows:

Bridgestone B330

Bridgestone E5

Titleist Pro 1v

Titleist NXT Tour

Callaway Tour IS

Nike One I20

Wilson DX2

Wilson DX3

Top Flite XL

I have other models to try too such as:

Bridgestone B330 S, B330 RXS, E6+, E7, Fix

Titleist Pro 1vx, DT Solo

Callaway Tour I (other versions)

Nike One (other versions)

and I expect more are lurking in my bag.

How do you tell which is right for you? I play off a 14 hcp (need to improve on putting to lower the hcp) and

carry a 7 iron about 150 yards (84 mph 7i ss) with the slightest of draws (when I nail it).

The worse ball was the Top Flite - I couldn't feel it around the greens (chipping/putting). The Wilson DX2/3 felt too marshmallowy. The rest I've tried so far felt very similar to each other and I could play any of them, I would probably say the best was the Bridgestone B330 and E5, followed by the Callaway for feel around the greens (maybe they felt softer). The Titleist balls felt a little firmer which is good for mid/long iron striking. Couldn't feel a preference for the Pro 1v over the NXT Tour. The Nike felt alittle more harder shelled which was a put off.

With my modest hcp and carry distance, and the fact I do not generate any back spin (not good enough) do I need a tour ball? I read the Bridgestone E5 is a 2-piece ball with a Urethane cover - isn't this ideal - two piece getting the distance but the cover generating spin and softness? Why are the E6 and E7 balls 3-piece but with a cheaper cover - doesn't make sense to me.

So all being said what do you guys (and gals) look for when choosing a ball to play? Do different model balls really make a difference? Thanks.

I look for a urethane cover, green side spin on 20-40 yard partials, wind performance, and feel. Then I compare distance before making a final call.

The e5 I've played (2 years ago) was hard feeling and just okay around the greens on partial wedges. I declined to play it.

This year, I am looking at the TM Project a, and the Callaway Speed Regime Balls .. I've liked Callaway in the past, and the new SR Balls are very soft feeling, and spin well off partials (SR1 and SR2) in initial testing. I may include a Bridgestone ball eventually, but doubt it ... will work with the Callaway.

For me, feel is the most important factor, then spin, and then distance. Try several balls, figure out what is most important to you, pick a ball and play it. Picking a golf ball is very subjective. However, if I were a 14 handicap, I would forego the tour balls, and play a good two or three-piece ball (e.g.,NXT Tour, E5, etc.).

Since most shots are played on or around the green I start at the green and work my way back to the tee. I look for feel off the putter and spin for chips and pitching. Then I look at flight for the irons and driver. IMO your not going to find much difference in distance between balls so I don't even consider it.

My main decision comes from feel around the greens.

1) Flies as far as allowed under the Rule of Golf

2) Stops quickly when a 7-iron approach shot lands on a firm green.

3) Durable.

4) Cheap.

Fortunately at least 90% of the balls on the market fly just as long as all the others. The other three criteria are all met by playing "Tour" style urethane cover balls that are two or three years out of date and available for cheap. Or one year out of date for TaylorMade balls like the Lethal, which is my current affordable ball. I paid about $16/dozen for them with "PRACTICE" written on the side but you can get them for a bit over $20/dozen without the PRACTICE stamp.

Spin on approach shots

Price

Distance

Urethane cover
Feel off the putter
Predictability around the green
Side spin off the driver


I play the Bridgestone 330 RXS.

Soft and round.

It totally depends on my mood.

I will pick up just about anything that is clean and round.

When I'm golfing well I won't touch the crappy balls, but if things aren't going well, I'll tee up the shags and play real aggressive. Some of my favorite shots come with a DDH or Molitor when I throw caution to the wind and pull something out of my arse.

I look for tall weeds and bushes. There is a mean large bamboo patch at my home course that is a ball factory.

The price of those balls is right in my affordability range.

Personally, I look for how a ball putts and chips around the green.
Also keep an eye on how approach shots react when hitting green.

For me it's the following:

1)Durability

2)Distance

3)Feel

4)Spin.

The Callaway Chrome does it for me and is my current gamer ball. I put it up against the Taylormade TP3 and the Bridgestone B300RX and it won hands down.

1) short game spin
2) partial shot spin
3) feel
4) Mid iron control (trajectory and spin)
5)Distance
6) Durability

[quote name='Pstar1978' timestamp='1396204642' post='8981125']
For me it's the following:

1)Durability

2)Distance

3)Feel

4)Spin.

The Callaway Chrome does it for me and is my current gamer ball. I put it up against the Taylormade TP3 and the Bridgestone B300RX and it won hands down.
[/quote]


Exactly the order I would choose. I however really like the Srixon XV (preferably the tour yellow). PRICE would be my fifth criteria and the XV fits them all for me.

Thanks for all your replies/input.
In keeping with the ordering of priority I will list mine:
1) Feel (Putting) - Bridgestone have felt the best so far.
2) Feel (Chipping/Pitching) - Bridgestone/Callaway/Srixon felt the best.
3) Feel (Irons) - Srixon/Titleist/Nike feel a little bit firmer for full strikes than the Bridgestone/Callaway.
4) Durability

The cost isn't a concern for me as I wouldn't buy them new anyway instead I would be top quality lake balls. I forgot to mention in my original post about Srixon balls. Of all balls the Srixon Z-Star felt the closest to the Titleist Pro 1v for me, but I did prefer the Srixon over the Titleist.

A few have mentioned that at my standard not to purchase the 'Tour' quality balls but instead buy the level below (i.e. the NXT Tour over the Pro 1v, or the E5 over the B330) but as I am not purchasing the balls new and therefore cost is no concern then is there any other reason for me not to use Tour quality balls? Thanks.

Spin reduction and reaction off the putter face are what I'm looking for. I spin the ball too much (wind is a big issue, and I'm looking to maximize driver distance, and to reduce unwanted curvature). I'd play a 2 piece distance ball, but I have a hard time putting with them if they jump off the face. B330 has been the best I've played recently. The pinnacle exception was an old favorite of mine.

I look for a mid-spin ball that will stay on the green and check up a bit, but as an 18 HCP do not want it to stop like it hit velcro. I need good distance for my 85-90 SS, durability, and value. So far the Gamer V2(discontinued), Gamer Tour, and RBZ U(discontinued) have fit the bill. I have a dozen 2014 Maxfli U/3's to try, and will probably give the e5, Callaway Supersoft, and Wilson Duo a try, especially if I can buy sleeves. As for value, I know that a ball like the Prov1x does not work well for me since I usually stick it on the green and come up short, so the expensive high spin balls are a waste of money for me. I also believe that there are some great balls out there for my game under $25/dozen, so why spend more, which is why I stopped playing the NXT Tour.

I know this is heresy for some, but buying a ball (or any other piece of equipment) directly from the manufacturer usually provides the best value. How can Dicks sell the Gamer Tour or Maxfli U/3, both fine 3 piece urethene covered balls, for such a low price? Because they are the manufacturer and retailer.

Interesting topic - have fun finding your ball.