IF YOU KNOW GOLF BALLS, PLEASE ANSWER THIS THREAD

Clarky · June 16, 2006

HI,

I am usually just a lurker here, but a recent convo with my golf buddies has caused this thread. We were talking about all the new balls on the market and it snowballed from there. So I told them the perfect forum to answer all of our questions was this one and I would post and report back to them. Here they are in order of importance and I thank all in advance for any input.

#1 - What is the absolute best premium ball for someone looking for a higher ball flight off the tee while maximizing distance.

#2 - What is the best ball for a scramble to hit off the tee only just for maximum distance. This was a biggie in out discussion as some said the Pro V1 series is actually longer than some of the distance balls on the market (which I disagreed with)

#3 - If price is not an issue, what is the best current ball on the market combining distance and the ability to spin it into the green.

#4 - If price is an issue, what balls closely match the characteristics of the biggies. (pro v1, v1x, b330, platinum, etc. )

Last, what is the best website for galf ball reviews, or what is the best link from the past on this site discussing these topics.

I know this is alot to ask from a lurker who does not contribute much to the forum, but I really do appreciate the insights on this forum and I will appreciate any and all comments.

Best regards,

-Clarky.

Gxgolfer · June 16, 2006

This will be very difficult to answer because optimum numbers will only be derived with mating of Clubs. Each driver/player has different launch and spin characteristics...Also, a premium balls and distance balls are not necesarrily the same category. Some Pinnacles go extremely long but, you lose feel.

Also,

Posts numbers don't necesarrily indicated quality. Lurkers questions are always welcome!

xjustice09x · June 16, 2006

There is gong to be many different answers to your questions. Every golfers swing is different so they will get different results.

Here is a site that compares a bunch of golf balls. It isn't up t odat with all the newest models, but you can get an idea for how certain balls differ. http://www.golfballtest.com/

1. If you have a low swing speed you may benifit from a higher spinning ball. If you have a higher swing speed you may want a lower spinning ball like a Pro V1x or B330.

2. I don't know

3. For me its the Bridgestone B330 and the Nike ONE Black

Clarky · June 16, 2006

HI, Ok, well for me, I don't know exactly what my swing speed is, but I hit my 8 iron 155 yards with a full regular swing. I am a 7 cap and play the Pro V1 exclusively. The first question I posted is the one most important to me.

I would like to know the one premium ball that promotes a higher launch and ball flight off the tee. I can spin my Pro V1 fairly easily but I would really like to get some more carry off the tee. I know other factors influence the tee ball, lofts, shaft, etc. But if there is a ball out there that promotes a higher trajectory while still maintaining prov1 characteristics around the green please let me know. I would sacrifice some of the spin around the greens for a higher launch. I just don't want to give up any distance off the tee.

Thanks again,

-Clarky.

taylormadefan · June 16, 2006

HI, Ok, well for me, I don't know exactly what my swing speed is, but I hit my 8 iron 155 yards with a full regular swing. I am a 7 cap and play the Pro V1 exclusively. The first question I posted is the one most important to me.

I would like to know the one premium ball that promotes a higher launch and ball flight off the tee. I can spin my Pro V1 fairly easily but I would really like to get some more carry off the tee. I know other factors influence the tee ball, lofts, shaft, etc. But if there is a ball out there that promotes a higher trajectory while still maintaining prov1 characteristics around the green please let me know. I would sacrifice some of the spin around the greens for a higher launch. I just don't want to give up any distance off the tee.

Thanks again,

-Clarky.

This is going to be a little out of a golf ball's ability. Balls like the Pro V1 and B330S promote higher flight off the tee compared to lower spinning balls (V1X, B330). However, neither will turn a low ball hitter into a high ball hitter or vise versa.

You could look at something like the Bridgestone E5. It's supposed to promote a higher bal flight, but I just played a dozen and they're rocks around the green, no spin. Even though I'm not a low ball hitter, I didn't notice any extra height off the tee or irons.

What kind of driver, loft, and shaft are you playing. The answer could be there :friends:

As far as best premium ball, the bridgestone's perform incredibly well, and are cheaper initially, but if you look at them wrong, they scuff. When I play them, I end up changing balls once every thee holes. It's a pain going through 2 sleeves of balls in 18 holes and not losing one.

I've decided to stick with Pro V1's, they're $5 more but a sleeve will last me an entire round.

I can't think of one value ball that comes close to mimicing high end balls characteristics. The closest is Precept's U Tri Tour (if you can find it) which is a great golf ball, fantastic performance and great durability. I bought 3 dozen for 9.99 each at Target because they're discontinued.

bd8802 · June 16, 2006

1) Each ball is going to have different charecteristics depending on your swing. I find the Callaway HX.Tour to be the ball that I get the best of everything out of. The Bridgestone B330 is a close second. My swing speed is around 105-100 with a driver. I hit my 8I 155-160 yards on normal swings.

2) I have not played with many of the "distance balls" but I get about 1/2 club more distance with the Callaway HX.Hot. On the other hand, I do not hit the NXT Tour's farther. I hit them much lower, and they seem to fall out of the sky for me. I hit a B330 and a HX.Tour 25 yards farther off the tee one day, all on what I thought were well struck shots.

3) Callaway HX.Tour 56 or Bridgestone B330s. Both of them spin the ball to much for me, so I use their harder brothers.

4) Nothing. The Precept U-Tri Tours would be the closest thing you can find, but they are discontinued. There is a Nike ball that people are raving about, but I have not hit it. I think the HX.Hot's are good balls. They do not spin like the HX.Tour's but I didn't really expect that. I just play for a little more release and I am fine.

Really, finding the right ball is all about trial and error. With that being said, I am glad I am pretty comfortable with my ball choices for this year. The trial and error involved with finding the right ball is tiresome. Good luck.

IHFN · June 16, 2006

The answer to #1 is easily the Taylor Made TP Black. Higher ballflight than most, less spin, higher ball speed for more distance. It is a little firmer than most, but around greens it does not hit and run. It lands soft and rolls out. Not much check in it...

Jer-Jer · June 16, 2006

1. I don't know

2. I don't know

3. HX.Tour or Pro V1x

4. Wilson Staff TX4...$30 a dozen and spins great

Wilson Staff PX3...$25 a dozen and spins great too

geeza_1 · June 16, 2006

I have to say, I read the post about the Nike super soft ball and bought 2 dozen for $14 a dozen. This ball is amazing. It is amazingly soft, beautiful to putt with and stupidly long off the tee. What more could a person ask for? Well maybe a little more spin off the short pitches and chips, but my spin milled wedge kind of took care of that- At the price an obscene bargain!! Buy some right now.

nick01 · June 16, 2006

go with tp red if u like the prov1 its longer off the tee than the prov with more controlled spin great ball thast an inbetween of prov1 and prov1x

scotte · June 17, 2006

Clarky, from a guy who plays everday, here are the answers I have for you.

#1 - the callawy hx tour, or the nike platnum

#2 - hands down Pro V1x, I havent found anything longer, even the b330, the srixon ad333 is really close to the v1x

#3 - for me, it's the pro v1x, hands down

#4 - Srixon Ad333, hands down this is the king of cheap balls.

Last, what is the best website for galf ball reviews, or what is the best link from the past on this site discussing these topics.

I don't think you will find a good one, the golf ball review one says that the pro v1 is longer than the v1x. that just isn't so. Also, consumer reports said that the nike super soft and the nike platnum were the longest balls, this can't be so.

IMAGOLFER · June 17, 2006

#1 - What is the absolute best premium ball for someone looking for a higher ball flight off the tee while maximizing distance.

Callaway HX TOUR

#2 - What is the best ball for a scramble to hit off the tee only just for maximum distance. This was a biggie in out discussion as some said the Pro V1 series is actually longer than some of the distance balls on the market (which I disagreed with)

Callaway HX HOT

#3 - If price is not an issue, what is the best current ball on the market combining distance and the ability to spin it into the green.

Bridgestone B330S

#4 - If price is an issue, what balls closely match the characteristics of the biggies. (pro v1, v1x, b330, platinum, etc. )

Bridgestone E6

profsanjo · June 17, 2006

#2: Believe it or not, but some 2-piece-balls fly farther than these 3-piece-types.

markus1* · June 17, 2006

#1: Taylor Made TP Black

#2: ???

#3: Bridgestone B330s

#4: Bridgestone e6

HipCheck · June 17, 2006

I've still have never found a ball longer than the Pro V1x. I've never been on a launch monitor (Golfsmith doesn't count...those things are jacked!), but I don't think I'm a high spin player either and I can play that very well.

lysaght68 · June 17, 2006

As a 2-piece ball player who has used quite a few sleeves of different premium balls I can answer question #4 by agreeing completely with Scotte = Srixon AD333 - I love this ball, for me it's as long as most of the other 2 piece balls I've tried (Pinnacle Exception seems to give me slightly more yardage with all clubs), and it's just as soft with similar spin properties as the premium's that I've used. I might not have the SS or consistant ball striking ability to get the most out of the premiums (Driver SS = 100+, 7 iron carry = 150-155, HDCP = 15), but for around $20 per box the AD333 is a phenominal value IMO.