My golf ball review may help you

[NCg0lfer]

Ive been hunting for a repalcement to the TP red and figured Id share my testing with everyone who may be in the same boat. About my game. Im a 6 hcp. Swing speed is around 110 with a driver. I play a stiff shaft in my driver and hard stepped s300's in the irons because that's what works best for me. I generate alot of spin. My irons are conforming but my wedges are not (I will rememdy this soon).

What I look for in a ball...I want a ball with very little spin off the driver. Must be soft off all shots, get good distance, not balloon and most important have CONTROLLED spin. I hate balls that rip back 15-20 ft from the hole on full shots with a 9 or less. (thats a proV for me). Problem with playing most balls that wont do this is you sacrifice alot of touch around the greens or they are to firm. Below are the balls ive tried ranked in the order I preferred.

 

Zstar

I tried this on a whim but figured it would have way to much spin. Man was I wrong on this one. This is the best ball Ive ever played. It is super durable. 1 dozen of these will easily last twice as long as the other tour balls ive played with the exception of the RX which runs a close 2nd to these in durability. The Zstar flies extremely straight for a tour ball feels good. the feel is slightly firmer than the Penta but very similiar to the TP red. What i loved about this ball is the spin control. You can spin them back easily with short irons but its not uncontrolled. Greenside touch is supurb. I have found my ball.

 

Penta

Great all around ball but the spin is just a little to much for me. Durability is pretty good but if you nail it will a wedge be ready for some scuffing. Cost plays a factor with these since I have trade offs that make it less attractive for my game.

 

330 RX

Feal is great. I like the reduced spin but i had a major issue with catching fliers with this ball when the grass was wet or out of even moderate rough. Im talking a good club or two at times which cost dearly into some greens. It's almost like the cover is to slick for those playing conditions. Ironically when it was hot and dry that did not happen. fliers out of the rough in those conditions were what you would expect with any ball. These are to expensive for the what I got out of them. Note* my father in law switched to these after i gave him a sleeve. His SP is slower and he gained a club on all shots. There is something to this ball for slower swing speeds.

 

330 RXS

Essentially what it says it is. RX that spins more. this ball was shorter off the tee than the RX but irons played the same. This ball will spin back and fits the control bill pretty good. Durability is good but not as good as the RX. Still had the flier issue but not as bad as the RX which im sure has to do with the increased spin that can be generated. I still think it's something to do with their cover.

 

NXT Tour

For a mid ball i was suprised how well it played. Didnt have the feel and greenside touch I was looking for but tee to green a very good ball.

 

B330

Just to firm for my liking and felt I had a hard time compressing the ball. That may be in my head due to the firmness since I lost zero distance with it. To much spin for me.

 

Callaway IX

Not very durable and to firm for me but no complaints with playability. I did not have a chance to try the replacement IX yet.

 

E5

I have 2 sleeves that will be going to a junior golfer near me ;). Way to hard for my taste. I couldnt get past that. It may be a great ball in it's category but I dont care for it.

 

Hopefully this will help you narrow down your choices somewhat.

 

 

[Sabaka]

Excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Did you ever try the Z-Star X? I too am in search of a ball to replace the TP Reds and currently play the Penta. It's OK but feels too soft at times. I liked the Z-Star but found it spins to much on mid iron approach shots, and I occasionally run into sidespin issues with the driver. I think the X spins less which may be perfect but I have not had an opportunity to give them a go yet.

[NCg0lfer]

I have not tried it yet. I Plan to but have a feeling it may be to firm for my liking. Then again. I was suprised the frist time around with the zstar and it would be great to have the zstar X as a different option depending on playing conditions. Im going to try the X and Callaway's IZ but i find the Zstar hard to beat overall. Did you find the Zstar spins more than the Penta?

[Dei3Nascar8]

I do feel the Z-Star spins better than the Penta but both are good balls. Soft feeling, long and have a good flight in the wind.

[Tuba]

I appreciate your take on the golf balls, but we differ. I love the B-330 and the B330S as well as the E5+ I probably don't generate near the club head speed that you have, however. Hence my appreciation for those balls. I also like the Wilson FG Tour. Long and very good control. I am 65 and have driver speed of 90-95.