Birdie balls - feedback for beginners?

[Rodoalo]

Hi!

I am a beginner who doesn’t get to golf too much. Still struggle with fat shots and topped shots. I am taking some lessons but driving ranges are far from my home.

I thought of buying some birdie balls to practice at my local park, but I wanted to know how effective they are with swing and contact improvement. I know there’s nothing like a golf ball, but I wanted to see the view of those who tried birdie balls.

All the reviews I read are old, therefore, I wanted to update myself and the forum.

[carrera]

My boys used to hit them around our lawn (we had a big lawn) and they were fun to hit. I think they are good idea if you are trying to make a swing change/adjustment and there is no range close by, because there is _something_ to hit, so better for sure than just taking practice swings without a ball. Use an iPhone to record your swings while you practice so you are just not practicing "blind".

[jonsnow]

The Palmetto Dunes Fazio course on Hilton Head doesn't have a range, they've got an area where you can hit birdie balls to loosen up. They feel surprisingly similar to a golf ball & seem to flight like a golf ball. A swing that feels like a draw or fade produces a similar flight, just much shorter. I don't think they will fly more than 30-40 yards so you don't need a lot of space. Much better than just taking practice swings in my opinion.

[DShepley]

I have these and live on a big yard. I use them a lot and they give pretty decent feedback. Draws and fades react as expected, meaning that a draw does draw and a fade does fade though you can only loosely correlate how much draw and fade there would be with a real ball. You can also hit wild hooks and slices, so in that regard, you can tell when you have overdone it. I find it difficult to flight them high and low, they basically fly all the same height. The wind really messes with the flight, so on windy days you can't really tell much from the ball flight. Overall they are great for being able to hit something and gain feedback, you can tell when you strike them solidly, thin or fat, and the 'whizzing' noise they make when you hit them flush is fun. If you want a deal, look on the website for the blemished ones, they are logo over-runs and cheaper to buy.

 

[Nickc]

Beware if near Windows - they will go through the glass (neat hole though) I know.

I have used them in the past - a bit noisy & if hit someone could hurt them.

I now sometimes use "almost golf balls" on the common outside my house for a warm up - fly about 1/3 distance of a golf ball - very light so can be a bit susceptible to the wind.

[Rodoalo]

Thank you all for the comments! I have bought some used dozen for 18 dollars shipped from a particular. I found they are pretty good and looking forward to try them on on any place!

> @Nickc said:

> Beware if near Windows - they will go through the glass (neat hole though) I know.

> I have used them in the past - a bit noisy & if hit someone could hurt them.

> I now sometimes use "almost golf balls" on the common outside my house for a warm up - fly about 1/3 distance of a golf ball - very light so can be a bit susceptible to the wind.

I have the Callaway HX Foam golf balls, are they similar to the almost golf ball or is the almost golf ball better?

EDIT: Have you seen any improvement on your ball striking or in your performance with real golf balls on the course thanks to the birdieball?

[jc4birdie]

I have a 75 yd long paved driveway; 7 yards wide. Hit SW w/ Almost Golf balls by Pelz, 9i/PW w/ Callaway yellow foam balls (the best foam ball by far, IMO), and 6/5/4i using Birdie Balls. That combo keeps my shots no worse than in the road, and not in the neighbor's yard.

 

BBs give you a good feel and direction feedback. Height tends to be kinda flattish. The Almost is the truest w/ best flight, closest to feel of a real ball.

 

Bottom line, they are all good for home practice.

[Rodoalo]

> @jc4birdie said:

> I have a 75 yd long paved driveway; 7 yards wide. Hit SW w/ Almost Golf balls by Pelz, 9i/PW w/ Callaway yellow foam balls (the best foam ball by far, IMO), and 6/5/4i using Birdie Balls. That combo keeps my shots no worse than in the road, and not in the neighbor's yard.

>

> BBs give you a good feel and direction feedback. Height tends to be kinda flattish. The Almost is the truest w/ best flight, closest to feel of a real ball.

>

> Bottom line, they are all good for home practice.

 

More clear, impossible!

I have seen the Callaway regarded as one of the best ones. I own 9 of them and I really liked them. Only played them in short game, not tried them yet in long distances.

Nonetheless I don't know why people speak about the Almost Golf Balls being better! Would love to try them too.

[Nickc]

> @Rodoalo said:

> Thank you all for the comments! I have

> I have the Callaway HX Foam golf balls, are they similar to the almost golf ball or is the almost golf ball better?

> EDIT: Have you seen any improvement on your ball striking or in your performance with real golf balls on the course thanks to the birdieball?

The almost golf balls are harder than foam ones or even the callaway rubber ones - almost like a golf ball!!!

Yes using these and birdie balls can be useful where you don't have space to hit a real ball. Used to sometimes have a hit with a birdie ball by first tee as a warm up.

I suppose because birdie balls are heavier more like the feeling of hitting a real golf ball. But for practice where others around with dogs /children etc I prefer the "almosts".