Gamer, NXT Tour, Burner TP review

[gumpy]

Today I was fortunate enough to play 27 holes testing some balls out.

 

I'm trying to decide between the tour balls and then soft 3 piece surlyn balls.

 

For the above balls, I never had a chance to do a direct comparison off the tee but was able to get some head to head around the green.

 

Feel:

Gamer is the firmest of the three. This doesn't mean it's hard or bad but of the 3 balls it was definately the firm ball. It was reasonably hot off the face of the iron, similar to the Burner TP.

Between the Burner TP and the NXT Tour, the NXT Tour felt heavier. The Burner TP was softer but also felt hotter off the irons. For this reason the NXT Tour felt more controllable...

 

Distance:

I honestly couldn't really tell them apart... very similar from the driver to the irons. (Note I didn't get to do a direct head to head off the tee but i never got the feeling that one was longer/shorter than the other)

 

Spin:

Burner TP has the softest cover and it translated to the most spin for the 1/2 swing pitches into the green. It also had the most check on the chips. (not as much as the urethane balls).

 

Burner TP stopped within 3 meters of its pitch mark on a 170m shot into head wind. Yes the wind help but i was still very pleased.

 

The Gamer had the least spin for pitches and chips but still was respectable.

 

All three balls had no problems holding the green and staying withing 2 meters of the pitch mark on a 150m 7 iron.

 

All three balls had no problems staying within 30 cm of a pitch mark with a sandwedge.

 

Durability:

The Gamer was the least durable against my wedges with shavings quickly developing on the ball. In comp I'd only use then for 9 holes.

 

NXT Tour and Burner were neck and neck. Both balls could last a full round.

 

Other:

 

The Burner TP has a big seam... it looks cheap next to the others with barely visible seams.

 

The Gamer is a very cheap ball.

 

Overall, I'd have no issues playing any of these three balls. I'll probably stick to the NXT Tour for the feel. In terms of green side spin they don't really compare to the urethane cover balls which seem to spin much more on the partial swing shots. These balls are very good for most applications however.

 

thanks,

[AUwheels]

I like the NXT tour and it has been my gamer for the past year or so (I can't remember exactly when it came out)

 

It is a great all around ball for my game (SS ~100 - index 13.5) but two things have turned me away:

 

1. I shred the cover on short irons and wedges

2. They raise the price $5 a dozen to $30 - for $20 I can play the E5+; a ball that offers the same playability as the NXT Tour

[gumpy]

At your ss don't you find the e5+ to flight a bit too high?

 

I find myself searching/wishing I had the e5+ for long par 3's.