Limited Ball Selection - Need Help

[theironchique]

I am in the 2nd full year of golfing. I shoot in the mid 80's, with occasional rounds in the low 90's.

I have a SS of 95-98, and a driving distance of ~245.

I hit fairways consistently, with very minimal slices/hooks. However, I have yet to dial in on the greens, and therefore hit very few GIR. I spend a lot of time around the green, and have pretty good touch within 50 yards. I putt very well.

 

I am looking for a ball that will fit my game. I typically play whatever I can get my hands on. But I have a very limited selection of available balls. The nearest golf shop is over an hour away. My pro shop has a markup on their balls of almost 100%, so I refuse to buy anything from them.

 

My local sporting goods shops sell some of the following balls (and this is about it):

 

Bridgestone e5, e6, e7

Titleist NXT and NXT Tour, also DT Solo and other lower end Titleist balls

Callaway Hex and Callaway Hex Tour

 

Will any of these fit my game well? I'd like a little more distance off the tee, and a little more touch around the greens.

[rhyno18]

What ball are you currently playing? Of the balls you listed, the e5 and the NXT Tour are the 2 I would consider.

[theironchique]

I bought a few sleeves of the TM Penta at the end of last year from my pro shop, and loved that ball.
But I refuse to buy any more balls from them.

I've used a Srixon TriSpeed Tour, and liked that.

But unfortunately, none of those are really an option for me.

[grochol17]

Golf galaxy has the penta practice balls on sale for $19.99. The practice balls are cosmetic blemishes (e.g., stamping in the wrong place), but perform exactly the same as the regular ball, they just have practice on the side. If you don't mind that, its a great deal. Plus they're offering free shipping for orders over $99.

As for the others you've listed, I've only played the hex black tour, and only for one round. Its a good ball with pretty good feel and spin. No extensive testing, but I'd say it is comparable to the Penta in performance, at least for me. But I think it is intended for players with higher swing speeds than what you give. For more distance off the tee, you'll probably benefit from the hex chrome over the black since the chrome is designed for slower swing speeds. It still should give you good feel and spin, but you'll likely sacrifice some spin around the greens compared to the black or the penta. The chrome is getting some good reviews, so it might be worth a shot. If your store sells sleeves, maybe pick up two of each (chrome and black) to give them a good comparison.

[mozgolf]

I would give the DT Solo and the regular NXT a go for decent bang for your buck. They are surprisingly good for the cost. I think the e5 you get a urethane cover for about $5/ box more and may help out on holding greens etc.

I think at your level you do not really need to go the expense of a Tour ball.

[choppstixxx]

I really enjoy the Bridgestone e6+ (replaced by the e6). I would recommend the Bridgestones or Titleist NXT line for what you have access to. I also really like Srixons (order some online?).

[theironchique]

A local shop has the titleist hp3 distance and performance for 17/case. Are they any good?

[theironchique]

Anyone have any input on the HP3s?

[mozgolf]

I have never seen the HP3 in the flesh but form what I have read it is a fairly firm distance ball, that will not behave well around the greens. Sneaking suspicion its a department store special

[theironchique]

Just went to Walmart and they had the same HP3s as my local sporting goods store. Staying away from those.
Went went some sleeves of the bridgestones to help make a decision.
Some e5 and e6 as well as the 330rx

[choppstixxx]

[quote name='theironchique' timestamp='1335288604' post='4781384']
Went went some sleeves of the bridgestones to help make a decision.
Some e5 and e6 as well as the 330rx
[/quote]

Can't go wrong with any of those Bridgestones :0)

[pork rind]

ive been using pentas for over a year now and love them. i bought some of the buy 2 and get 1 free last year but i also bought some used balls in mint condition from ond ot the online used ball stores. i recommend this. i will use a variety of balls to practice with depending on what im practicing and the time of year. in the winter our greens tend to be softer and i can get away with a lot of different balls.
i really cant tell any difference between balls that are used in mint condition and new ones and i dont believe anyone else can.
there are guys who believe that balls that have gone in the water want to go in the water but that is so much bs.
good luck and keep golfing
tom

[theironchique]

[quote name='pork rind' timestamp='1335309494' post='4783318']
ive been using pentas for over a year now and love them. i bought some of the buy 2 and get 1 free last year but i also bought some used balls in mint condition from ond ot the online used ball stores. i recommend this.
[/quote]

I live in Canada, so the shipping of balls makes them more expensive then buying them from my local pro shop

[newjedi]

I think you will be fine with either the e6 or the 330RX if you have problems hook/slice I would stay with e6 if you are fairly straight shooter and need spin into the green then go with the RX.

[quote name='theironchique' timestamp='1335316032' post='4783978']
[quote name='pork rind' timestamp='1335309494' post='4783318']
ive been using pentas for over a year now and love them. i bought some of the buy 2 and get 1 free last year but i also bought some used balls in mint condition from ond ot the online used ball stores. i recommend this.
[/quote]

I live in Canada, so the shipping of balls makes them more expensive then buying them from my local pro shop
[/quote]

[AFatMonkey]

+1 for the practice penta, can't beat that ball, especially at that price

[grochol17]

[quote name='newjedi' timestamp='1335316365' post='4784024']
I think you will be fine with either the e6 or the 330RX if you have problems hook/slice I would stay with e6 if you are fairly straight shooter and need spin into the green then go with the RX.
[/quote]

Punctuation and capitalization are your friend and would help your sentence make way more sense the first time someone reads it.

This is what you meant, right?

"I think you will be fine with either the e6 or the 330RX. If you have problems hook/slice, I would stay with e6. If you are fairly straight shooter and need spin into the green then go with the RX."

[newjedi]

This is what was meant...

I think you will be fine with either the e6 or the 330RX. If you have problems with a hook or slice then I would say go with the e6. If you are a straight shooter and need more short game spin then I would say go with the 330RX.

Lack of sleep is currently frying my brain. I have been taking care of my wife while she is on medical leave and I have been getting about 2 hours of sleep a night for the past month.

Feel free to correct anything else you see above. You can just attribute that to the unedumacated redneck in me.


[quote name='grochol17' timestamp='1335368037' post='4787164']
[quote name='newjedi' timestamp='1335316365' post='4784024']
I think you will be fine with either the e6 or the 330RX if you have problems hook/slice I would stay with e6 if you are fairly straight shooter and need spin into the green then go with the RX.
[/quote]

Punctuation and capitalization are your friend and would help your sentence make way more sense the first time someone reads it.

This is what you meant, right?

"I think you will be fine with either the e6 or the 330RX. If you have problems hook/slice, I would stay with e6. If you are fairly straight shooter and need spin into the green then go with the RX."
[/quote]

[allegrolink]

2011 RX's do not have dual dimples. The 2012's have dual dimples and are more expensive. I am playing 2011 RX's and like the soft feel around the green. Very soft off the putter. I think it feels softer than a ProV off my White Ice insert. RX do not spin off short irons and/or around the green as well as the Pentas (my old ball).

e-6 is the ball the Bridgstone guys fitted for my driver swing. My SS is near the OP's. It is longer and straighter than anything else I've played. It spins even less than the RX's which requires planning for the rollout. It putts great. Firmer than the RX but very nice. Both 2011 and 2012 e-6 have dual dimples.

I'd say old RX's and current or 2011 e-6's are both great. Playing one ball will help you get constant around the greens even as you get used to more rollout from less spin and a firmer ball.

BTW, yellow balls are awesome and both e-6 and RX come in yellow.

[theironchique]

Thanks for all the help!