Switching Ball for colder weather.

[Big Ben]

I don’t mind switching to less expensive softer ball once the temps drop into the 50’s and below. Don’t care about loosing them in the fall leaves and clutter. And when the temps drop below 40 degrees with windchill and the greens are semi frozen if not totally frozen what’s the difference. I usually find a deal on AAAAA Project A’s. Seem to do the trick and the urethane cover keeps things feeling pretty normal.

[tsecor]

Project a worked horribly for me in the cold weather. I think its one of the worst balls you can play in the wind as well

 

The Wilson DUO U worked wonders this past Friday in 40 degree temps and frozen greens. It warmed up into the 60's and the ball was perfect.

[XHoop24]

I've played the Bridgestone e6 soft in the winter and will do so again this year. I normally play TP5/Prov1X, but as located in the DC/Northern VA area, a premium ball is not needed when I do get a chance to play in the Dec-mid March time frame. The e6 Soft is a solid ball tee to green and winter green conditions to not require the spin that a TP5, Prov1 offer as a 12 HC. I'm sure better golfers can get a benefit all year. Also Bridgestone looks to have discounted the e6 if you look around the web.

[Big Ben]

Project a worked horribly for me in the cold weather. I think its one of the worst balls you can play in the wind as well

 

The Wilson DUO U worked wonders this past Friday in 40 degree temps and frozen greens. It warmed up into the 60's and the ball was perfect.

And thats why there are choices! YMMV

[sixtysevensixtyseven]

I switched to the Chrome Soft X after playing the Pro V1X for several years. I like the performance I saw during the regular season but I really love how it performs in cold weather.

 

Definitely worth a try.

[Tanner25]

I've played the Bridgestone e6 soft in the winter and will do so again this year. I normally play TP5/Prov1X, but as located in the DC/Northern VA area, a premium ball is not needed when I do get a chance to play in the Dec-mid March time frame. The e6 Soft is a solid ball tee to green and winter green conditions to not require the spin that a TP5, Prov1 offer as a 12 HC. I'm sure better golfers can get a benefit all year. Also Bridgestone looks to have discounted the e6 if you look around the web.

 

Seen some praise here for the e6soft. I do not like it. It has a plastic look and feel. I do like the optic yellow color, it really stands out.

[gvogel]

If the weather warms up just a bit (the last two weeks have been unusually cold and rainy), I am going to pick up some Srixon Soft Feel and Pinnacle Soft for comparison.

[blehnhard]

Happy with the Q Star after 2 rounds. No issues around the greens. Maybe spins a little less than Pro v1x but still checks up.

Definitely feels different off the putter, but creates no distance issues. Lost one in leaves so 5 left. Both rounds in breezy conditions and temps in mid 40's to low 50's.

[Tanner25]

If the weather warms up just a bit (the last two weeks have been unusually cold and rainy), I am going to pick up some Srixon Soft Feel and Pinnacle Soft for comparison.

 

Ive tried both and prefer the softfeel.

[DaveMac]

To those who thinking changing ball for the winter is detremtal to golf consistency, let’s qualify what constitutes winter conditions.

 

Temperatures hovering around -4 to +4 celsius. (~35 - 50 f)

The forced use of winter mats.

A drive down the middle is often lost in the leaves in the middle of the fairway.

Greens so waterlogged soft, that your landing point for chip shots, is essentially the hole.

 

This is winter golf in Scotland, playing a Pro V1 in these conditions doesn’t make any sense to me.

 

I intend to try the new Srixon soft feel for this winter, priced at £16.50 a dozen, I am happy to accept the performance compromises, if in fact there are any, given the conditions outlined above. Pro V1’s are around £42 by the way.

 

Just to add I have found ultra low compression balls like the Wilson DX2 lack feel (sound) when putting, they also bounce like superballs when the ground is frozen!

[sos7]

Tp5 is a great all year round ball

[Middler]

It's all personal preference but I play Snell MTB Blacks most of the season, and W/S DuoSofts when it's really cold early Spring/late Fall.

[Tanner25]

To those who thinking changing ball for the winter is detremtal to golf consistency, let’s qualify what constitutes winter conditions.

 

Temperatures hovering around -4 to +4 celsius. (~35 - 50 f)

The forced use of winter mats.

A drive down the middle is often lost in the leaves in the middle of the fairway.

Greens so waterlogged soft, that your landing point for chip shots, is essentially the hole.

 

This is winter golf in Scotland, playing a Pro V1 in these conditions doesn’t make any sense to me.

 

I intend to try the new Srixon soft feel for this winter, priced at £16.50 a dozen, I am happy to accept the performance compromises, if in fact there are any, given the conditions outlined above. Pro V1’s are around £42 by the way.

 

Just to add I have found ultra low compression balls like the Wilson DX2 lack feel (sound) when putting, they also bounce like superballs when the ground is frozen!

 

+1 We need a lower compression in colder weather, but, I do not like to go too low, like a super soft. I think you will like the soft feel and bridgestone extra soft is a similar ball. They are low-mid compression and 2 piece.

[Dustin_J]

 

Just to add I have found ultra low compression balls like the Wilson DX2 lack feel (sound) when putting, they also bounce like superballs when the ground is frozen!

 

Lol, I noticed the same thing yesterday playing in ~ 40 degree weather. The greens aren't frozen yet, but they're very firm. The first green I hit was from about 100 yards, and my Wilson Duo bounced about 10 feet in the air. I could only see the top of the pin and the ball bounced over it! Definitely a wtf moment

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Tried a Wilson Duo Urethane today. Very impressed, wonder how it will work when it warms up?

[Trane5]

AVX! Soft and long! Less spin off the tee will help you hit more fairways!

[macedan]

I'll typically stay with my Project A or RBZ Urethane, however I also don't mind playing QStars, 50 Elites, or even D2 feels in the cold.

[DaveMac]

Put the Srixon Soft Feel in play for the last 3 games, I wound up getting the 2016 version rather than the newly released 2018 version. Honestly, I have been disappointed with the feel and performance. Temperature’s with wind chill were close to freezing and there was some frost on a few holes. The ball just felt cheap, the cover felt firm and thick, the core never really compressed (60 compression same as new ball). Flight is a little higher of the driver, ultimately distance was down through the bag a little against my normal ball, short game chipping spin is pretty much nonexistent.

 

I have hit the Srixon Soft Feel the odd time when the temperatures are normal and from memory it feels a lot softer and more uniform in these temperatures. I don’t think it’s a bad ball just not what I was looking for for the winter. I might try the Wilson Urethane which comes in at £19 a dozen next.

[Tanner25]

Put the Srixon Soft Feel in play for the last 3 games, I wound up getting the 2016 version rather than the newly released 2018 version. Honestly, I have been disappointed with the feel and performance. Temperature’s with wind chill were close to freezing and there was some frost on a few holes. The ball just felt cheap, the cover felt firm and thick, the core never really compressed (60 compression same as new ball). Flight is a little higher of the driver, ultimately distance was down through the bag a little against my normal ball, short game chipping spin is pretty much nonexistent.

 

I have hit the Srixon Soft Feel the odd time when the temperatures are normal and from memory it feels a lot softer and more uniform in these temperatures. I don’t think it’s a bad ball just not what I was looking for for the winter. I might try the Wilson Urethane which comes in at £19 a dozen next.

 

It will be hard to find a good performer in those freezing temps. I have enjoyed the SoftFeel 2018 in 60-65 degree weather. I have found the Q Star Tour a bit firm in the same temps. But, the QST's look like my gamer come the spring and summer! I like the Srixon logo and the color (white or yellow) on their balls. It looks like they are running alot of deals lately too.

[scottaz]

I play Srixon xv. Started playing the Top Fight Bomb for rounds under 45* this year. I like the colored ones. Really easy to see with leaves. Fly high, low spin and they feel great in cold temps.

[alexdub]

Here's a pro tip for all you playing fall golf in the cold:

 

Get a couple of Little Hotties hand warmers for your round — put one in your pocket with your golf ball, and another in the bottom of the cup holder in your cart for your spare ball. Keeps the balls warm enough to feel like you're not hitting frozen rocks.

 

Here in Utah, the weather has dipped the last few weeks and I've had several rounds in the 20s and 30s. Nothing better than a few Little Hotties to save my hands and my $5 golf balls on the first tee.

[CGolf]

I have similar specs to original post....Recently found out about the Duo U.....Duo U in cold weather is an awesome urethane ball and checks nicely. It's soft but I like that especially in cold weather. Played Sat as it got to upper 40s and over thanksgiving in same temp with this ball and it won me over for fall/early spring golf. Now they will have Duo Pro so I will have to check that out. I Normally play Srixon XV most of the year and I do justify a change when it is colder out.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

I've been keeping 3 balls in my jacket, that way they are always warm for the next round. Also keep some shorter tees as they don't go in the ground and tend to get lost easily.

[bodhi555]

I've had great results this winter with the Tour Soft. Courses are generally that wet it has similar stopping power to one of my usual urethane balls in summer, and it flies straight through the wind and feels good off the Putter.

 

But then I was always a fan of the NXT Tour for a winter ball, so I guess this is the natural progression.

[cristphoto]

I play the same ball year round. The only time I switch is for the few weeks the leaves are out. Otherwise its the TP5X (mostly) or the PV1.

[flushem]

I have similar specs to original post....Recently found out about the Duo U.....Duo U in cold weather is an awesome urethane ball and checks nicely. It's soft but I like that especially in cold weather. Played Sat as it got to upper 40s and over thanksgiving in same temp with this ball and it won me over for fall/early spring golf. Now they will have Duo Pro so I will have to check that out. I Normally play Srixon XV most of the year and I do justify a change when it is colder out.

 

1+. Too bad I am almost out of Duo U.

[gripandrip]

I've played the Bridgestone e6 soft in the winter and will do so again this year. I normally play TP5/Prov1X, but as located in the DC/Northern VA area, a premium ball is not needed when I do get a chance to play in the Dec-mid March time frame. The e6 Soft is a solid ball tee to green and winter green conditions to not require the spin that a TP5, Prov1 offer as a 12 HC. I'm sure better golfers can get a benefit all year. Also Bridgestone looks to have discounted the e6 if you look around the web.

 

I've been pretty happy with the Bridgestone Treosoft in the winter. A little softer, and can get them at a price that I don't mind losing them when they plug in the mud!

[Hertsjoatmon]

If its a softer ball with decent spin for a non urethane option, I would suggest you read some forum reviews on the Wilson 50 elite. It’s extremely cheap and performs well for what it is

[flushem]

funny how this is very typical seasonal topic.

 

I may be very minority. I recommend Pinnacle Soft. you may have spinning issue on rock hard green. Otherwise, one of the finest 2 piece "El Cheapo" if you ask for distance and feel.

[Davidv]

Some very entertaining post.