Hypothetical: PGA player uses $1 ball. What Happens?

[Barfolomew]

Ive done this before, play all day with a hard distance ball......I expected to have issues around the greens but I was totally surprised how well I was able to play...I prob shot a few over.

 

I really liked how consistent the ball came off the face around the greens.....its not gonna spin so just play the roll out which was very predictable compared to when I play a spiny ball it sometimes checks up more/less then wanted and then you're screwed where as the hard ball behaved the same always

 

So playing hard balls is underrated if you know what you're getting into.....plus great to bomb out there lol

[AC168]

$1 ball players would need a new profession.

[GMR]

There would be a lot of shots lost around the greens. When chipping from above the hole there would be virtually no way to stop the ball on the firm/fast greens they play without some degree of greenside spin. Longer hitters would be disproportionately advantaged by having shorter approaches with some prayer of actually stopping the balls on the greens by hitting high spinny (relatively) wedges into the greens. As mentioned previously it would of course depend on the course setup though, as on links courses it would make very little difference given they allow you to run the ball and are generally set up with significantly slower (but still rock hard) greens. On a typical PGA Tour setup though...forget it.

[Spongerob]

They would hit it high and stop it with trajectory. They would also play to the middle of every green, never risk short siding them self, make a few putts and shoot the easiest 68 you ever saw.

[Colonel_Steelhead]

They couldn't stop the ball on most of the greens they see, the surface is just too firm, gotta have spin.

Wanna bet? I've watched a guy named Mike "18 Putts" McGee zip a range ball back 10' on a concrete green.

[GMR]

They couldn't stop the ball on most of the greens they see, the surface is just too firm, gotta have spin.

Wanna bet? I've watched a guy named Mike "18 Putts" McGee zip a range ball back 10' on a concrete green.

I can do that too, but the question is with what club? Remember these guys are playing some par 4s that are stretching over 500 yards. Good luck stopping a range ball on a dime on a rock hard green with a 6i from 200.

[Colonel_Steelhead]

They couldn't stop the ball on most of the greens they see, the surface is just too firm, gotta have spin.

Wanna bet? I've watched a guy named Mike "18 Putts" McGee zip a range ball back 10' on a concrete green.

I can do that too, but the question is with what club? Remember these guys are playing some par 4s that are stretching over 500 yards. Good luck stopping a range ball on a dime on a rock hard green with a 6i from 200.

They would adjust. Game would be played on the ground more.

[Dave230]

Ask Bubba Watson.

[GMR]

They couldn't stop the ball on most of the greens they see, the surface is just too firm, gotta have spin.

Wanna bet? I've watched a guy named Mike "18 Putts" McGee zip a range ball back 10' on a concrete green.

I can do that too, but the question is with what club? Remember these guys are playing some par 4s that are stretching over 500 yards. Good luck stopping a range ball on a dime on a rock hard green with a 6i from 200.

They would adjust. Game would be played on the ground more.

Of course they would adjust, they would have to. Does not mean they would score as well, though, unless the course design was amenable to being attacked in a ground game (e.g. links layouts)

[c7015]

scoring average has not changed all that much over time even with all the technological advancements. I know some will say courses have evolved with the changes in tech ( a valid argument) however, I think my takeaway is the same as many on here they would find a way to score, the game would adapt.

 

Since I think the question is stated in a vacuum how many strokes is a premium ball worth all other things being equal.. going to go with +1.2 strokes a round

 

Probably some net gain in terms of driving distance and accuracy and the biggest loss coming from short sided shots

[rkelso184]

Yesterday my playing partner (-2) and the 3rd in our group (scratch) were discussing balls on the first tee. Tim the -2 player usually uses a pro v1 but at the comp the week before he won a chrome soft box of balls so decided to use these. After 4 holes the scratch golfer gave him a sleeve of the new pro v1s and said it's the ball (was sitting at 1 over and struggling around the greens) so on the 5th a long par 5 he went back to the pro v1. The additional distance, combined with huge gains in regards to stopping power were instantly noticable. He ended up net -3 for the day.

 

If a local handy golfer can notice that much difference between a premium ball and a top quality ball imagine a $1 ball!

[Brass_Bullseye]

Depends on the course.

 

If they were playing on a links course, I think they could make it work. There aren't many forced carries and you can run the ball into the greens. I seem to remember back in the 70's and 80's talk of players changing when they came over for The Open for that reason. The harder ball back then would definitely go further than the old balata's and they didn't need the spin to attack the pins.

 

I think that Johnny Miller won his Open Championship with a Top Flite.

 

Johnny used a Tourney ball in '73. Same one Jack played.

 

Pretty sure he changed to a two piece solid ball just for that tournament. He did it because it was windy, and he could also play short of the green with some run.

 

https://www.golfdige...20070727johnson

 

"I used a Surlyn-covered Slazenger model that just went forever," said Miller. "You couldn't spin the ball much anyway because it was so dry, so why fight it?

 

https://www.golf.com/photos/johnny-millers-clubs-1973-us-open

[Charlie1961]

Depends on the course.

 

If they were playing on a links course, I think they could make it work. There aren't many forced carries and you can run the ball into the greens. I seem to remember back in the 70's and 80's talk of players changing when they came over for The Open for that reason. The harder ball back then would definitely go further than the old balata's and they didn't need the spin to attack the pins.

 

I think that Johnny Miller won his Open Championship with a Top Flite.

 

Johnny used a Tourney ball in '73. Same one Jack played.

I played those. They were out of round by the third hole.

[indianalawnguy]

Given time to adapt to a Duo or Pinnacle, they would figure out a way to play. Distance not being an issue, maybe irons with weaker lofts to come in softer, run the ball up? Scores would probably go up, but the skill level might over come the ball limitations. To an earlier post, Top Flites were never considered a premium ball. In 1976 at the Open, JM was using a British small ball two piece Slazenger with a surlyn cover.

 

Spaulding did have the Tour Edition ball back in the mid 80's. Greg Norman played it as well as Craig Stadler and others.

They also had the Top Flite Strata which won a little later on Paul lawrie and Mark Omeara were a couple guys that won majors witj a TF!!!!

[wfrogge1]

Hypothetical situation, for some unknown reason half the PGA field switch to a $1 ball (whomever they are under contract with) Perhaps to pay respect to the guys and gals who play these .

 

What kind of results do we see from the Pros who play the $1 ball?

 

Would the premium ball guys have a big advantage?

 

Or Would it make a difference?

 

Just thought it would make for interesting convo.

 

Ask Bubba Watson what would happen

[Steele47]

Depends on the course.

 

If they were playing on a links course, I think they could make it work. There aren't many forced carries and you can run the ball into the greens. I seem to remember back in the 70's and 80's talk of players changing when they came over for The Open for that reason. The harder ball back then would definitely go further than the old balata's and they didn't need the spin to attack the pins.

 

I think that Johnny Miller won his Open Championship with a Top Flite.

 

Johnny used a Tourney ball in '73. Same one Jack played.

I played those. They were out of round by the third hole.

 

 

 

Those balls were awful. They were as lively as damp cardboard. Liquid center I believe but not sure.

[Matt J]

It's common on this forum for users to work an argument like this backwards.

 

I don't want to spend 5 dollars per golf ball and there is no way a ball is 4 dollars better than another.

 

It has been said many many times around here, but I will say it again, if you do not compete in state or regional amateur events you likely have not played a course with greens that are "firm and fast."

 

No, even the pros would shoot higher numbers trying to skip everything into the right places on the green. Yes, their short games would suffer not having spin as an option.

 

No it isn't open for debate, these are plain facts.

 

If you want to speculate that some are "so good" they could compensate.... sure, on their best days with some luck you would see some great scores, but the whole field would score higher, no doubt.

[2putttom]

Depends on the course.

 

If they were playing on a links course, I think they could make it work. There aren't many forced carries and you can run the ball into the greens. I seem to remember back in the 70's and 80's talk of players changing when they came over for The Open for that reason. The harder ball back then would definitely go further than the old balata's and they didn't need the spin to attack the pins.

 

I think that Johnny Miller won his Open Championship with a Top Flite.

 

Johnny used a Tourney ball in '73. Same one Jack played.

I played those. They were out of round by the third hole.

out of round, ... love it.

[stryper]

It's common on this forum for users to work an argument like this backwards.

 

I don't want to spend 5 dollars per golf ball and there is no way a ball is 4 dollars better than another.

 

It has been said many many times around here, but I will say it again, if you do not compete in state or regional amateur events you likely have not played a course with greens that are "firm and fast."

 

No, even the pros would shoot higher numbers trying to skip everything into the right places on the green. Yes, their short games would suffer not having spin as an option.

 

No it isn't open for debate, these are plain facts.

 

If you want to speculate that some are "so good" they could compensate.... sure, on their best days with some luck you would see some great scores, but the whole field would score higher, no doubt.

 

Well, I guess that settles it.

[NJpatbee]

The tour pros would adjust and still shoot rounds in the 60's playing a different type of golf. TF Strata made a legitimate tour ball but they were not $1 each.

[Rangeballz]

Depends on the course.

 

If they were playing on a links course, I think they could make it work. There aren't many forced carries and you can run the ball into the greens. I seem to remember back in the 70's and 80's talk of players changing when they came over for The Open for that reason. The harder ball back then would definitely go further than the old balata's and they didn't need the spin to attack the pins.

 

I think that Johnny Miller won his Open Championship with a Top Flite.

 

Johnny used a Tourney ball in '73. Same one Jack played.

I played those. They were out of round by the third hole.

out of round, ... love it.

 

Pretty much true as I remember them. They were truly dreadful balls.The balls they supplied to Jack and Johnny must have come from a special run.

 

Anyone remember the Spalding Molitor? Supposedly a premium Top Flite.

[BB28403]

We made the front page!

http://www.golfwrx.com/545462/forum-thread-of-the-day-what-would-happen-if-pga-tour-players-played-with-a-1-ball/#comment-686302

 

I feel we all deserve Zimas

 

http://

[LeoLeo99]

I've been playing with a Wilson Ultra ball. Got a free sleeve with a scramble last year. I'm very impressed with it. Granted, the greens are very soft here in NJ right now, but I've been backing them up on the greens. There are some decent balls out there for a $1 a piece.

 

Guy I played with 2 weeks ago hit a chip and the ball stopped way short. He started yelling and cursing about the gosh darn Titleist ball and how they don't roll.

[Matt J]

They couldn't stop the ball on most of the greens they see, the surface is just too firm, gotta have spin.

Wanna bet? I've watched a guy named Mike "18 Putts" McGee zip a range ball back 10' on a concrete green.

 

With a legal club from more than 150 yards? Did he also knock a pelican off of a post from inside the bar? Asking for a friend.

[grm24]

The tour pros would adjust and still shoot rounds in the 60's playing a different type of golf. TF Strata made a legitimate tour ball but they were not $1 each.

And that ball won 2 majors in 1998 with Mark O'Meara.

[BB28403]

They couldn't stop the ball on most of the greens they see, the surface is just too firm, gotta have spin.

Wanna bet? I've watched a guy named Mike "18 Putts" McGee zip a range ball back 10' on a concrete green.

 

With a legal club from more than 150 yards? Did he also knock a pelican off of a post from inside the bar? Asking for a friend.

 

Gary , you know where the door is ;). Haha

[Man_O_War]

pros actually use 0$ balls, which are worth 1$ but we pay 5$+ for that ball.

 

 

I used to play with a former pro football player..favourite ball = pinnacle. With his swing speed he had no problem backing this thing up whenever he wanted. fly it high and land it soft too..from 5 iron to pw. balls to the moon and down. very jealous.

[sdandrea]

Aren't the $1 balls today better than the crap the pros played 30 years ago? Those guys went low back then.

[MikeN67]

They should have a top flight tournament lol

 

Or the dreaded Molitor tourney. Closest thing to a rock I've hit on purpose!

[cardoustie]

Guys used to carry a ring to make sure the balls were not out of round

 

I think Jack said 2-3 per doz were out