Should I switch away from premium balls?

[Mward2002]

Can't spin a thing

Even with square grooves, the softest, thinnest cover ball etc. I can't spin a golf ball on full, pitch, chips, or sand shots. My pitch and chip shots I swear have top spin on them when they land as they jump forward when they land and roll out.

If I'm a low spin player, should I just ditch the premium balls and go with your cheaper ball?

[Hunyacka]

I'm sure they are still giving you way more spin than if you were hitting a rock hard ball. If you hit a pure distance ball I guarantee the roll out will be significantly more. Also the feel off the putter and irons will be much different.

I'd take a hard look in the $20 range for Top Flite Gamer V2 or Wilson if you want to save some dough and still get a good ball.

I just picked up a few dozen Gamer V2's at Target for $13.99.

[ronstars]

[quote name='Hunyacka' date='26 April 2010 - 08:17 AM' timestamp='1272295020' post='2401399']
I'm sure they are still giving you way more spin than if you were hitting a rock hard ball. If you hit a pure distance ball I guarantee the roll out will be significantly more. Also the feel off the putter and irons will be much different.

I'd take a hard look in the $20 range for Top Flite Gamer V2 or Wilson if you want to save some dough and still get a good ball.

I just picked up a few dozen Gamer V2's at Target for $13.99.
[/quote]


+1

I have heard nothing but good things about the Gamer V2, in fact I'm gonna pick some up this week and give em a try

[Mward2002]

"I'm sure they are still giving you way more spin than if you were hitting a rock hard ball. If you hit a pure distance ball I guarantee the roll out will be significantly more. Also the feel off the putter and irons will be much different."

I'm at the point where I'd rather know exactly what the ball's going to do so I can trust it. My mindset is, "this is a soft cover ball, it should spin. (Hit chip or pitch shot) "Yeah that didn't do anything like I had in mind. Now I have 10 feet for par."

At least with a distance ball I know it's going to roll out so I'll play shots accordingly?

[geronimo509]

[quote name='Mward2002' date='26 April 2010 - 10:43 AM' timestamp='1272296610' post='2401454']
"I'm sure they are still giving you way more spin than if you were hitting a rock hard ball. If you hit a pure distance ball I guarantee the roll out will be significantly more. Also the feel off the putter and irons will be much different."

I'm at the point where I'd rather know exactly what the ball's going to do so I can trust it. My mindset is, "this is a soft cover ball, it should spin. (Hit chip or pitch shot) "Yeah that didn't do anything like I had in mind. Now I have 10 feet for par."

At least with a distance ball I know it's going to roll out so I'll play shots accordingly?
[/quote]

I was going to say to play a 2 piece distance ball and when your going for the green make sure you hit it a little short so it will roll up to it.

just like you said, play accordingly

[Bilbo99]

Great advice on checking out the Gamer, Gamer V.2 and Wilson's new balls. You don't go into much detail so I don't know if your "top spin" comment in tongue in cheek or if you have a real problem. Are you just looking for a better short game ball or do you have a technique problem??

I had this same problem for a log time. Just like you my ball would "check" and the ROOOOOL way to far. After spending most of my practice time at the range's short game area I learned a few things.

Half my practice time is chipping and putting.
Make sure your wedges are clean and from this decade. Clean your grooves.
Make sure your technique is correct (Check out Mickelson's Secrets To The Short Game).

Good luck!

[Mward2002]

"You don't go into much detail so I don't know if your "top spin" comment in tongue in cheek or if you have a real problem. Are you just looking for a better short game ball or do you have a technique problem??"

I wish it were tongue in cheek, but my chip and pitch shots all do the same thing: land, and then jump forward with a ton of forward roll. I use primarily lob wedge and sand wedge around the green, and I keep my grooves clean. It's not like they're getting a foot off the ground either. They're getting about 3-4 feet off the ground, then doing this.

If I can't figure out technique, should I change balls? Or stick with the current and just play for the rollout 100% of the time and just be irked if they check?

[sk373]

[quote]I wish it were tongue in cheek, but my chip and pitch shots all do the same thing: land, and then jump forward with a ton of forward roll. I use primarily lob wedge and sand wedge around the green, and I keep my grooves clean. It's not like they're getting a foot off the ground either. They're getting about 3-4 feet off the ground, then doing this.[/quote]

sounds like you're scooping the ball. whether or not you want to correct this will determine what ball you should be playing.

[thenewbie]

Agree with sk373. My most spinning chips are the low ones. Those are the ones that check. If you scoop at it you can hit it higher but it will roll forever. Keep those hands ahead and try moving the ball back a little and see how it works out for you.

As for the ball issue, If your inconsistent, then a tour ball will be inconsistent. A cheaper ball will be more cinsistent because like you said, it won't spin no matter your contact. I've been playing the TM TP red which I like, but am pretty short on cash and will probably try the gamer.

[Dei3Nascar8]

Well my first thing would be to make some of the comments that have already been mentioned. Since you are still having concerns then I would look at the greens you are hitting in to. Is this just one course that it happens on? You mentioned that it was happening for a while I think but I don't know how much you play. A course that I practice on 3 times a week or so gets so hard that shots hitting the front of the green have a 80% chance of going off the back. I don't care what ball I play the goal is to land it 10-15 feet short of the green and watch it HOP. On these days I can not stop a ball to save my life. On a normal course I can hit shots pin high and they will stick. I can spin every wedge back or take spin off. I can play low skipping shots or those that hop and stop. I know it is the greens at the course I play. If you are having issues at multiple courses and are not interested in looking at technique then I would suggest hitting the longest, straighest ball you can find. There is no reason to play a premium ball if you can not tell the defference or see a difference. Find a ball that feels good aroud the green and goes longer off the driver than you are currently playing. There are a lot of choices out there for what you are looking for.

[moonshine]

I would at least try and make up a shag bag to take with you when you practice. Then, practice that chipping motion with the "spinners" before making the decision. Also, a nike vr wedge will spin a boulder, ebay one of those and give it rip..my buddy just bought a 60/10 and says it is so easy from the bunker.

[varsityhacker]

[quote name='Mward2002' date='26 April 2010 - 11:43 AM' timestamp='1272296610' post='2401454']
"I'm sure they are still giving you way more spin than if you were hitting a rock hard ball. If you hit a pure distance ball I guarantee the roll out will be significantly more. Also the feel off the putter and irons will be much different."

I'm at the point where I'd rather know exactly what the ball's going to do so I can trust it. My mindset is, "this is a soft cover ball, it should spin. (Hit chip or pitch shot) "Yeah that didn't do anything like I had in mind. Now I have 10 feet for par."

At least with a distance ball I know it's going to roll out so I'll play shots accordingly?
[/quote]

Give it a try and see how it works for you, but I don't see how going to a distance ball will help you.

[Mward2002]

"Give it a try and see how it works for you, but I don't see how going to a distance ball will help you. "

My logic is telling me this game's tricky enough at times as it is. If I can't spin the ball because my technique sucks, remove the temptation to rely on a ball that will spin, at least until I can learn the technique of creating spin. Confusing? I think so lol

[varsityhacker]

[quote name='Mward2002' date='26 April 2010 - 03:36 PM' timestamp='1272310605' post='2402013']
"Give it a try and see how it works for you, but I don't see how going to a distance ball will help you. "

My logic is telling me this game's tricky enough at times as it is. If I can't spin the ball because my technique sucks, remove the temptation to rely on a ball that will spin, at least until I can learn the technique of creating spin. Confusing? I think so lol
[/quote]

I understand where you are coming from but, I think you logic fails in two ways. 1) If you can't spin a premium ball then you won't ever stop a distance ball which is what you are wanting to do/learn. You can buy a high spin ball for cheap 2 that come to mind are the BS E5 and the Wilson Tx4 (get a box of these as they spin more then any ball I have ever played, to much for me). 2) Any amount of spin is better then none with the short game and approach shots so getting no spin will quickly frustrate you when the ball no longer stops rolling out 10 feet but off the green.

My buddy did this same experiment and his scores went way up.

[hsu.mitch]

Check out the Precept EV Extra Spin. Edwin Watts has two 15ball packs for 22.00. I loved these balls back in high school and they're back on the market and are a great ball. They were even good enough for Nick Price to win a couple majors.

[J9293]

i agree with the above poster. you are scooping the ball which is causing the excessive roll out. [b]hitting down on the ball with the your hands ahead of the ball at impact will cause the ball to spin.[/b] as soon as your divots appear ahead of the ball (towards the target) you will get the spin and check on the ball. i have had similar problems to you but just work hard at making proper divots ahead of the ball and your spin problems will go away.

also the try the bridgestone e5 ball. it is a mid-priced ball with a urethane cover (which helps spin). also try buying used premium balls like taylormade tp blacks, pro v1s, etc. you can buy mint condition premium used balls for 1/3 the price of new. i will never buy a box of balls from a golf store again.