SNELL MTB-X

[mwmgolfx]

Just got my MTB-X balls last week and have spent week thoroughly testing them. Fully agree with some of the comments by Dean Snell about difference between MTB-RED and MTB-X. X definitely doesn't balloon into wind. Played last week into average 20-25 mph wind (mostly into) with some gusts over 30 mph. Ball definitely didn't balloon like Red did, especially high iron shots. RED was just like hitting balloon and no chance of flying thru wind, but acted just like balloon. Tried ball on Tee, 150 yards to pin, and ton of 70-100 yard shots. Fairly accurate and stopped pretty good on green. Further runout than MTB-Black but way better than most balls. In fact, ball flew much shorter for me than black. lost about 25% distance with ball compared to black but very straight into windy, especially cross-wind type shots. I'm a senior with super long drivers over 170. And BLack was almost always longer. X was less impacted by wind, but being a short hitter I can't afford the 10-20% loss in distance so will be shifting back to basic MTB-black as my go to ball and not the newer X. I guess it's really not for the slower older player. I must not put enough spin on the driver to keep it in the air versus the Black. In fact most of the clubs spin the black more than the X. Most times, I don't back a ball up on the green but ball hits green once rolls 3-5 feet and stops right there. X is definitely harder feel but no worse than PRO-Vs.

 

Tried the new Optic Yellow and it seems easier to see with that color so will be going to that with the Black on my next order.

[Myherobobhope]

Thanks for the write-up! I played the MTB-x poorly for a week and it was a decent fit for my swing and a good ball all around for a ProVx player... I need to get my game back into shape before I fully commit to a ball this season...

[crazygolfnut]

So what are your thoughts for the best ball for a slower swing lets say in the 80 to 90 range?

[North Butte]

If you want a ball that goes as far as anything out there, flies high off the driver and spins a lot on approach shots you can do a lot worse than 2019 Pro V1x. If you want similar performance but a little lower ball flight 2019 Pro V1 is an option.

 

I did not think the first generation Snell MTB Red was anything at all like a Pro V1x (or Pro V1) but I have an open mind about the updated Snell MTB-X ball which a lot of people say is very Pro V1x-like.

 

If you don't care about maximum carry off the driver and/or you're willing to give up considerable spin on iron shots, the AVX is quite amazing as a low-flying, wind-cheating, added-tee-shot-rollout monster that's beloved by a lot of slower swingers at my club and elsewhere.

 

I'm saying this as a 90mph driver swinger who has tried a lot of different golf balls. My subjective impression seems similar to what was found in the much-discussed recent "test" on another web site (which has its own thread here).

[thejuice]

> @crazygolfnut said:

> So what are your thoughts for the best ball for a slower swing lets say in the 80 to 90 range?

 

Try the Vice Pro Soft. Really good ball for slower swing speeds. The matte finish gets dirty pretty quickly, but it’s still a really good ball.

 

[bellairemi]

I put this in the ball test thread but it probably better fits here:

 

Tried the Snell MTB-X today for the first time and was pretty surprised at the results as they matched the **** test results almost exactly. Usual ball of choice is the ProV1x although I never buy new (my supply always come from those found by myself or playing partners). Temperature today was in the low 40s with drizzle while I played so did not expect to learn much about the ball. However, I hit, even in those conditions, 3 of my longest tee shots ever on three holes with the MTB-X. It was stunning. The mid irons were a few yards shorter than the Titleists (I hit 2-3 Snells each hole and 1-2 ProV1x also) but similar trajectory and spin. Full shots with the short irons were a little lower with the Snells with spin again being similar. Partial wedges were notably lower with the Snells, which meant more roll out even though the spin was similar. I am curious to see how the Snell fares in the wind, which has been my only bone of contention with the ProV1x.

[elwhippy]

Vice Pro Soft has the consistency of cold noodles. Awful ball. MTB Red is a great ball.

[Hubijerk]

> @"North Butte" said:

> If you want a ball that goes as far as anything out there, flies high off the driver and spins a lot on approach shots you can do a lot worse than 2019 Pro V1x. If you want similar performance but a little lower ball flight 2019 Pro V1 is an option.

>

> I did not think the first generation Snell MTB Red was anything at all like a Pro V1x (or Pro V1) but I have an open mind about the updated Snell MTB-X ball which a lot of people say is very Pro V1x-like.

>

> If you don't care about maximum carry off the driver and/or you're willing to give up considerable spin on iron shots, the AVX is quite amazing as a low-flying, wind-cheating, added-tee-shot-rollout monster that's beloved by a lot of slower swingers at my club and elsewhere.

>

> I'm saying this as a 90mph driver swinger who has tried a lot of different golf balls. My subjective impression seems similar to what was found in the much-discussed recent "test" on another web site (which has its own thread here).

 

I actually got a pre release test balls when the Red and Black were released and my comments to Dean privately were exactly what he said regarding the reasoning for the update... Inconsistent flight off the driver, prone to ballooning, outstanding wedge-short game ball, great long irons but too spinny and high launch off of the mid and short irons, the covers were also a cheaper formed urethane most likely to offset the cost of the extra layer. At the time I feel like my comments were kind of dismissed but obviously they ended up being echoed.

 

It's a tricky thing trying to maximize performance and value. Like the old adage goes: Lighter, cheaper, stronger... Pick two.

[elwhippy]

Sold out in the UK. MGS test obviously helping the marketing. Snell are superior to Vice in every way.

[Hoff_19]

I played MTB-X for probably the best 2-3 years of iron play i've had so far. I just recently thought, "I swing fast, big strong man, need low spin ball", so I bought a 5-box pack of the MTB-Black 18 months ago and I'm just about through the 5th box. I never compared them side by side but comparing those elongated tenures with each ball:

• Woods: They both fly pretty much the same off the tee. My 12 handicap a** can't tell any difference between both Snell's, but I can tell a Snell from other manufacturers (Snell flight is so piercing off driver)
• Iron Approach: MTB-X definitely spins more (again, my un-informed un-trained self can notice). MTB-Black holds greens and stays on greens and has a much more up-and-down ball flight (kinda like a punt, you can't see the spin change the ball flight). MTB-X has that elevator ball flight, which i love. I've learned that I would much rather play taking spin off, than trying to add spin so I'm going back to MTB-X.
• Iron Distance: I don't know about iron distances but i know my distances were a lot tighter/more consistent with MTB-X, which is what you want anyways. I just knew that I could trust my distances more.
• Wedge Feel: MTB-X is a little "tock"-ier that the Black. MTB-X has a softer skin, feels like it grabs the face more on short chips. It may seem like a contradiction but I think Dean Snell might say the same thing somewhere in the internet. Maybe its because it has a slightly firmer core but softer skin? who know, i sure don't.
• Durability: MTB-X (due to assumed softer skin) can maybe last 2 rounds if you can keep the ball. They look like they've been run over by a lawn mower after a round. MTB-Black looks like it could last at least double what the X lasts, but I lose my Black before that happens so I couldn't tell you.

[wantacigar]

14 hours ago, Hoff_19 said:

I played MTB-X for probably the best 2-3 years of iron play i've had so far. I just recently thought, "I swing fast, big strong man, need low spin ball", so I bought a 5-box pack of the MTB-Black 18 months ago and I'm just about through the 5th box. I never compared them side by side but comparing those elongated tenures with each ball:

• Woods: They both fly pretty much the same off the tee. My 12 handicap a** can't tell any difference between both Snell's, but I can tell a Snell from other manufacturers (Snell flight is so piercing off driver)
• Iron Approach: MTB-X definitely spins more (again, my un-informed un-trained self can notice). MTB-Black holds greens and stays on greens and has a much more up-and-down ball flight (kinda like a punt, you can't see the spin change the ball flight). MTB-X has that elevator ball flight, which i love. I've learned that I would much rather play taking spin off, than trying to add spin so I'm going back to MTB-X.
• Iron Distance: I don't know about iron distances but i know my distances were a lot tighter/more consistent with MTB-X, which is what you want anyways. I just knew that I could trust my distances more.
• Wedge Feel: MTB-X is a little "tock"-ier that the Black. MTB-X has a softer skin, feels like it grabs the face more on short chips. It may seem like a contradiction but I think Dean Snell might say the same thing somewhere in the internet. Maybe its because it has a slightly firmer core but softer skin? who know, i sure don't.
• Durability: MTB-X (due to assumed softer skin) can maybe last 2 rounds if you can keep the ball. They look like they've been run over by a lawn mower after a round. MTB-Black looks like it could last at least double what the X lasts, but I lose my Black before that happens so I couldn't tell you.

I like the MTB-X as well.  Lets see how the new ones work.  I always thought the MTB-X was a 4 piece for some reason, whoever, I looked at the boxes the other day and it sales 3-piece cast urethane.  hmmmm.  

[phizzy30]

3 hours ago, wantacigar said:

I like the MTB-X as well.  Lets see how the new ones work.  I always thought the MTB-X was a 4 piece for some reason, whoever, I looked at the boxes the other day and it sales 3-piece cast urethane.  hmmmm.  

Did Dean change the formula for this year?  I still have 2 boxes from last year and it's my go to warm weather ball.   

Edited March 23, 2023 by phizzy30

[wantacigar]

2 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

Did Dean change the formula for this year?  I still have 2 boxes from last year and it's my go to warm weather ball.   

I don't know.  There isn't any information out there to know.  My question is why would they let their current stock run out in favor of the new model if there weren't any changes?  So, I'm assuming, there are some changes but I wouldn't know if it's cover, mantle, core or any combination of the three.

[Hoff_19]

On 3/23/2023 at 3:00 AM, wantacigar said:

I like the MTB-X as well.  Lets see how the new ones work.  I always thought the MTB-X was a 4 piece for some reason, whoever, I looked at the boxes the other day and it sales 3-piece cast urethane.  hmmmm.  

Yup, I'm pretty sure Dean says he's always made 3 piece balls (a la original Pro-V1 that he co-designed). I think because its more efficient/effective to spend more $ on the higher quality material over more $ on adding another step in manufacturing more layers. Or maybe it was something else, I can't remember where I heard this, reading or watching a video or something. 

[cardigan]

2 hours ago, Hoff_19 said:

Yup, I'm pretty sure Dean says he's always made 3 piece balls (a la original Pro-V1 that he co-designed). I think because its more efficient/effective to spend more $ on the higher quality material over more $ on adding another step in manufacturing more layers. Or maybe it was something else, I can't remember where I heard this, reading or watching a video or something. 

The MTB-X has always been a 3 pc ball.  It replaced the MTB Red which was a 4 pc ball.

[VladDrag]

Is there any info regarding release date for the new MTB-X? I've seen it referenced, but I have not seen much info other than a few posts here.

[cardigan]

2 hours ago, VladDrag said:

Is there any info regarding release date for the new MTB-X? I've seen it referenced, but I have not seen much info other than a few posts here.

Presale starts Monday according to their site.

[VladDrag]

2 hours ago, cardigan said:

Presale starts Monday according to their site.

Thank you! A follow up and not sure if you know this, are there any articles about what to expect from the new models?

[cardigan]

30 minutes ago, VladDrag said:

Thank you! A follow up and not sure if you know this, are there any articles about what to expect from the new models?

None that I've seen.  I would imagine that there will be some coordinated effort to get information out once the presale starts.

[VladDrag]

Ended up buying a trial pack from Snell this morning. I'll take them to a launch monitor and compare them against either ProV1 or ProV1x when they get here. 

 

 

[scooterhd2]

RIP