Same balls

[benforeagle]

Should I stick to one?

I am interested in hearing what you guys think on this subject.



I have always had a mixed bag of balls. How much does it matter I you do not consistently play the same ball? By the same ball I mean the same kind like if I play the e6 should I stick with it always? Is it a big help to always have the same ball characteristics? I hope you guys catch my drift.

[Scungi]

I don't have an answer, but it is a good question. Having searched this previously people suggested more so to stay with one, and I agree. I am no authority, because I do not believe I am good enough yet. Only thing I notice with balls is the softness, which feels much better to hit. But I picked a well liked cheaper ball (Precept Laddie or Noodle) and stuck to it, and seem to hit it more consistently then a variety of balls.


I was buying cheaper WIlson,Top Flites, Slazengers etc. and felt like I was hitting hard plastic. Spending an extra 5 more bucks a dozen has helped me.

[turnbowm]

I practice and play using the same brand/model ball. That way, I know exactly how the ball performs around and on the green. There are enough variables in my game without introducing additional ones.

[RightHandRough]

[quote name='turnbowm' timestamp='1334243932' post='4707866']
I practice and play using the same brand/model ball. That way, I know exactly how the ball performs around and on the green. There are enough variables in my game without introducing additional ones.
[/quote]


This would be my answer as well. If I'm at a range and have no choice I'll use the rocks they have. But if I'm playing or at the short game area I'll use "my" ball. This year I'm back to the prov1. I have a bag of used ones I use for practice and will use a new sleeve on the course. No suprises on chip shots with run out, or drives that don't have the right amount of spin. Consistency is king IMO.

[WilburnLong]

I would recommend sticking with the same ball. I do agree that most of us don't need or even would be able to get the full benefits of a tour ball but I don't think we should just hit whatever we can find in our bag either. Even if you are using a distance ball if you are using the same one at least you will know how it will come off the putter and how much it will release or check on shots chips and pitches. I'm all for anything that will bring more consistency.

[StrokerAce]

[size="3"]I was in this same situation and posted a similar question - does the ball really matter? I got a TON of replies that stated 1- that it does and 2- you should use the same one every time or else you'll get different results.

I was a bit skeptical but decided to give it a try. Wow! What a difference. Just the consistency itself probably shaved a few strokes off my score. Shot one of my lower rounds.

I used to be like you. Go ball-trolling while walking down the fairway, find a top flite, noodle, etc. and throw them in my bag. Chunk one into the woods, grab one that I found and tee it up and it's 5-10 yards shorter than normal. I'm like ... WTF?

I'm sold... and I forgot the most common and simple maxim in Golf. [u][b]CONSISTENCY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME[/b][/u]. In everything - swing, clubs, balls, tees... you name it. If you're not consistent with what you do then how can you expect to (a) perform the best each time or (b) make a correction to what is wrong and have it apply ALL the time?

Would you have a Ping 5 iron, Callaway 6, Titleist 7, Mizuno 8, Taylor Made 9, Nike PW? It's the same idea. You can't be consistent and be the best you can be unless you stick with the same ball. AND it doesn't have to be a $35+ ball. There are plenty out there that are good and 20 or under. (do a google search for Golf Digest hot list balls)

My advice - narrow it down to a few choices based on how you play, play one for a round and see how you like it. If not try a different one the next round. If so... stick with it![/size]

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

It depends on whether you know actual yardages for your iron shots and how precise you expect to be with partial wedge shots and chipping. Good players value and can take advantage of exact consistency in how the ball flies and how it reacts when it hits the ground. But weekend golfers and other not-so-accomplished players seem to come in two types:

I play with some double-digit handicappers (and I'm a 20-ish myself) who have only a vague idea how far they actually hit, say, a 6-iron. They just pull a 6-iron on such and such a Par 3 because that's what everyone else was hitting or it's what they usually use on that hole. And they when they miss a green they just pull their usual gap wedge or whatever and try to knock the ball up there toward the part of the green where the hole is. These guys could play a ProV1 on one hole and a Noodle on the next and never be surprised by the difference because they don't have precise expectations. They also tend to be a little more relaxed and un-stressed than some of us.

I play with other guys who are as exacting in their shot selection as a better player, their execution is just lacking. It's fine to know you average 102 yards with a full-swing gap wedge but if that 102 average consists of shots anywhere from 90 to 110 plus a few bladed over the green that knowledge doesn't matter much. But these guys definitely ought to stick to a single type of ball from hole to hole and round to round. Because they know when they've hit a "perfect" gap wedge that's supposed to go 102 yards but a ProV1 and a Noodle are not going to end up in exactly the same place with that exact same "perfect" swing.

So it depends on what your expectations are. I try to change golf balls or equipment from time to time just so I don't start expecting to nail perfect yardages and consistently pitch the ball right up to the hole. I know my execution is so sloppy that's not going to happen anyway so why let my expectations get sky-high. But in the past when I actually practiced and worked on my game hoping to "improve" heck yeah, I used the exact same type of ball for every round. I'd stick to a ball at least several months because that consistency mattered to me.

[allegrolink]

From 150 yards, a 20 handicapper's swing has more variance than two different balls. But on the green, even a 20 can benefit from playing one ball consistently. Would you change putter inserts and just play whatever insert you found in the woods? That's what putting with a volunteer ball is like to me.

I try and find one ball that will be my ball for the season. Right now, I looking to replace my old friend the Penta TP. Bridgestone RX and E-6 are auditioning this Saturday. RX feels better around the greens. E-6 is longer off the tee. I will get used to the winner on the greens. Consistency is King on the greens.