Best Modern Golf Ball for Persimmon Woods (Pictures welcomed)

[KC13]

Hi my fellow "Classic" WRX'ers!  

 

Recently getting into playing and collecting classic persimmon drivers/woods.  Wife picked these up for me off eBay as a early birthday gift; 

 

Titleist Tour Model - 1, 3 and 5 with S300's

 

 

Driver - Face/Topline 

 

 

Any-who, looking for some suggestions, insight and/or education regarding modern golf balls and classic persimmon woods.  Would a harder/softer ball make a difference in use to preserve the wood?  I have heard stories regarding harder balls cracking woods.  Any experience with optimizing yardage/spin with specific balls?  Again, newbie here.. any tips, tricks or advice is always welcomed. 

 

Feel free to post a persimmon wood/ball combo picture for our viewing pleasure!  

 

Best, 

Kris 

 

 

[deejaid]

Nice pickup of the Titleist woods there and welcome to the persimmon side of the golfing world KC13.

 

I’ve tried a lot of balls with my persimmon woods and have come to a pretty easy formula.  Soft cover (urethane) /high compression like a Pro V1 or especially a Vice Pro Plus work well.  A hard cover (ionomer)/low compression like a Wilson Zip work well too.   
 

Ive found the soft/soft combination to play the worst for me.  So a soft cover (urethane)/low compression like a Callaway Chrome Soft or a Top Flite Gamer Urethane just don’t fly great of a persimmon driver.

 

 

I went out last week with some Maxfli Tours and they played really well with persimmon.   For the cost and easy availability (Dicks Sporting Goods) I might stick with them for awhile.

[Foozle]

18 hours ago, KC13 said:

Hi my fellow "Classic" WRX'ers!  

 

Recently getting into playing and collecting classic persimmon drivers/woods.  Wife picked these up for me off eBay as a early birthday gift; 

 

Titleist Tour Model - 1, 3 and 5 with S300's

 

 

Driver - Face/Topline 

 

 

Any-who, looking for some suggestions, insight and/or education regarding modern golf balls and classic persimmon woods.  Would a harder/softer ball make a difference in use to preserve the wood?  I have heard stories regarding harder balls cracking woods.  Any experience with optimizing yardage/spin with specific balls?  Again, newbie here.. any tips, tricks or advice is always welcomed. 

 

Feel free to post a persimmon wood/ball combo picture for our viewing pleasure!  

 

Best, 

Kris 

 

 

I am not sure my swing speed these days presents any real threat even with rocks. However, last season I switched from ProV to Wilson Staff DX and they seemed to work well with persimmon. 

Generate a good level of top spin too when struck above the middle with a blade iron.....

[KC13]

1 hour ago, deejaid said:

Nice pickup of the Titleist woods there and welcome to the persimmon side of the golfing world KC13.

 

I’ve tried a lot of balls with my persimmon woods and have come to a pretty easy formula.  Soft cover (urethane) /high compression like a Pro V1 or especially a Vice Pro Plus work well.  A hard cover (ionomer)/low compression like a Wilson Zip work well too.   
 

Ive found the soft/soft combination to play the worst for me.  So a soft cover (urethane)/low compression like a Callaway Chrome Soft or a Top Flite Gamer Urethane just don’t fly great of a persimmon driver.

 

 

I went out last week with some Maxfli Tours and they played really well with persimmon.   For the cost and easy availability (Dicks Sporting Goods) I might stick with them for awhile.

 

Awesome!  Currently a Pro V1 player. 

 

Will definitely give the Vice Pro Plus and Maxfli Tour a test.  Thanks for the info.  

[KC13]

45 minutes ago, Foozle said:

I am not sure my swing speed these days presents any real threat even with rocks. However, last season I switched from ProV to Wilson Staff DX and they seemed to work well with persimmon. 

Generate a good level of top spin too when struck above the middle with a blade iron.....

 

I've heard many people having great success with Wilson Staff balls, just might be a little to soft for me.  I am interested in the new Wilson Staff Tour Model ball though, might give it a try.  

[Celebros]

I play the same Snell MTB Blacks I use with my modern clubs.

[Fellaheen51]

With some experimentation, I've found that I prefer the a ball that offers a bit more "pop" when I make solid contact with persimmon.   I've gravitated towards mid-compression balls.  When I play wood, they're typically accompanied by classic blades (usually Hogans).  So how a ball plays with irons is also part of the equation.  Lastly, do not like how a ultra soft (low compression) feels when putting.  May want to avoid using the modern, low spin types.  A measure of spin is beneficial off wood.  

 

Wilson Duos are certainly popular with persimmon players.  Many prefer the softer feel off the face.  TI find that they feel to soft.  And don't seem to realize the best relative distance compared to others.  The older Wilson Staff FG Tours were an excellent all-around ball.  No experience with the newer version.  Read that the Duo Professional is a good ball, mid-compression, urethane, reasonably priced.  For a cheap ball to play in the fall (often persimmon time for me), the Wilson Staff 50 Elite plays way above its pay grade.  

 

Also agree with the Snell MTB Black.  Find it feels and plays very similar to the older FG's mentioned.  Firm without feeling hard.  Use these with both modern and classic. 

 

Late last season, found a couple Bridgestone e12 Softs.  Again, mid-compression (50 IIRC).   Really liked how they worked with the modern implements.  Only one outing with persimmon, but felt they performed well.  Ticked most of the boxes for further use.  Heading into this season with two doz. for modern and classic use.  

 

Guess I trend towards using the same ball type, whether classic or modern.  They tend to get commingled anyway.   If you already play Pro V's, that's a good starting point.  You may not have to evaluate any further.  If not, grab a few different sleeves and do some testing.  Good luck.  Have Fun.

 

 

 

[KC13]

18 minutes ago, Fellaheen51 said:

With some experimentation, I've found that I prefer the a ball that offers a bit more "pop" when I make solid contact with persimmon.   I've gravitated towards mid-compression balls.  When I play wood, they're typically accompanied by classic blades (usually Hogans).  So how a ball plays with irons is also part of the equation.  Lastly, do not like how a ultra soft (low compression) feels when putting.  May want to avoid using the modern, low spin types.  A measure of spin is beneficial off wood.  

 

Wilson Duos are certainly popular with persimmon players.  Many prefer the softer feel off the face.  TI find that they feel to soft.  And don't seem to realize the best relative distance compared to others.  The older Wilson Staff FG Tours were an excellent all-around ball.  No experience with the newer version.  Read that the Duo Professional is a good ball, mid-compression, urethane, reasonably priced.  For a cheap ball to play in the fall (often persimmon time for me), the Wilson Staff 50 Elite plays way above its pay grade.  

 

Also agree with the Snell MTB Black.  Find it feels and plays very similar to the older FG's mentioned.  Firm without feeling hard.  Use these with both modern and classic. 

 

Late last season, found a couple Bridgestone e12 Softs.  Again, mid-compression (50 IIRC).   Really liked how they worked with the modern implements.  Only one outing with persimmon, but felt they performed well.  Ticked most of the boxes for further use.  Heading into this season with two doz. for modern and classic use.  

 

Guess I trend towards using the same ball type, whether classic or modern.  They tend to get commingled anyway.   If you already play Pro V's, that's a good starting point.  You may not have to evaluate any further.  If not, grab a few different sleeves and do some testing.  Good luck.  Have Fun.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the insight and detailed response.  What I gather is I will need to do some testing of my own but love hearing what works and doesn't work.  So far, Wilson Staff looks to be a favorite from the above posts.  Will def give the Duo's a try.  My only concern is with the soft wood and soft ball, feel may be a bit "marshmallowy".  

 

Current irons are a Titleist 620 CB/MB combo but have some Titleist DCI 962B on my radar to pair with my Titleist Tour Model persimmons.  

 

 

[EDT501]

I use the Bridgestone B RXS and find the results enjoyable. I don’t have a lot of experience w/ other balls as I’m new to this whole “classic” endeavor, but Tad Moore - an expert in persimmon in the modern era - suggested it in social media so I just went with it. 

[Hammer_Hands]

21 hours ago, KC13 said:

Hi my fellow "Classic" WRX'ers!  

 

Recently getting into playing and collecting classic persimmon drivers/woods.  Wife picked these up for me off eBay as a early birthday gift; 

 

Titleist Tour Model - 1, 3 and 5 with S300's

 

 

Driver - Face/Topline 

 

 

Any-who, looking for some suggestions, insight and/or education regarding modern golf balls and classic persimmon woods.  Would a harder/softer ball make a difference in use to preserve the wood?  I have heard stories regarding harder balls cracking woods.  Any experience with optimizing yardage/spin with specific balls?  Again, newbie here.. any tips, tricks or advice is always welcomed. 

 

Feel free to post a persimmon wood/ball combo picture for our viewing pleasure!  

 

Best, 

Kris 

 

 

That's a nice collection of golf goods in the background.  Cool headcovers, bags, and more persimmons.

[tomc262]

On 1/27/2021 at 1:27 PM, KC13 said:

 

Thanks for the insight and detailed response.  What I gather is I will need to do some testing of my own but love hearing what works and doesn't work.  So far, Wilson Staff looks to be a favorite from the above posts.  Will def give the Duo's a try.  My only concern is with the soft wood and soft ball, feel may be a bit "marshmallowy".  

 

Current irons are a Titleist 620 CB/MB combo but have some Titleist DCI 962B on my radar to pair with my Titleist Tour Model persimmons.  

 

 

962b are the best. I lament the day I sold mine. 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 1/28/2021 at 4:27 AM, KC13 said:

 

Thanks for the insight and detailed response.  What I gather is I will need to do some testing of my own but love hearing what works and doesn't work.  So far, Wilson Staff looks to be a favorite from the above posts.  Will def give the Duo's a try.  My only concern is with the soft wood and soft ball, feel may be a bit "marshmallowy".  

 

Current irons are a Titleist 620 CB/MB combo but have some Titleist DCI 962B on my radar to pair with my Titleist Tour Model persimmons.  

 

 

 

First, nice set of Titleist woods there. I've thought about getting a set of the Tour Models myself, because I played Tour Model Irons for some years as a junior, and still have those irons in the UK. However, where I live now (Japan), the Titleist persimmons tend to be priced for more than I'd like to pay.

 

As for balls to use, all the posters above me have given great suggestions, so I will just add my thoughts on using a very soft ball. I used to use the Wilson Duos (or DX2s as they are called here), but I found them too soft--too marshmallowy--so I gave up on them.

 

I did like the Bridgestone BXS, which might be the successor of the B-RXS. I haven7t tried the Snell Blacks yet, but I have used the MTB-X, and it worked fine.

 

I actually picked up a couple of dozen wound surlyn balls, and like using those more than anything.

[bl8d]

The best modern ball for persimmon would have the spin characteristic of the  mid '80 balata.

Give the Volvik S4 a try

[Soloman1]

I've been using Trufeel lately with persimmon and can't say enough good things about them.

[Robert7148]

I am 75 years old and play a Toney Pina driver and Ping Zing 4 wood, laminated maple..my irons are Reid Lockhart RL blades.. I have found two golf balls that perform very well with my clubs. Wilson Staff Duo Soft and the Titleist Tour Soft.

the Wilson is less expensive and plays just as well!

[smashdn]

On 1/27/2021 at 10:21 AM, deejaid said:

Nice pickup of the Titleist woods there and welcome to the persimmon side of the golfing world KC13.

 

I’ve tried a lot of balls with my persimmon woods and have come to a pretty easy formula.  Soft cover (urethane) /high compression like a Pro V1 or especially a Vice Pro Plus work well.  A hard cover (ionomer)/low compression like a Wilson Zip work well too.   
 

Ive found the soft/soft combination to play the worst for me.  So a soft cover (urethane)/low compression like a Callaway Chrome Soft or a Top Flite Gamer Urethane just don’t fly great of a persimmon driver.

 

 

I went out last week with some Maxfli Tours and they played really well with persimmon.   For the cost and easy availability (Dicks Sporting Goods) I might stick with them for awhile.

 

On 1/27/2021 at 11:52 AM, KC13 said:

 

I've heard many people having great success with Wilson Staff balls, just might be a little to soft for me.  I am interested in the new Wilson Staff Tour Model ball though, might give it a try.  

 

I actually like the Chrome Soft balls with persimmon.  Good performance with woods and nice spin with short irons and wedges.

 

I tried the Wilson Duo Soft and they were mushy feeling to me.  Maybe too soft.  They just didn't feel right off the face.

 

I tried the Titleist Trufeel as well and can't say I really liked those either.  Have not had the opportunity to try the Titleist Tour Soft.

[Dr. Block]

Any premium tour type ball will do, but the Bridgestone Tour B-XS (the Tiger ball) is the winner for me when I'm using my vintage clubs. I think once you hit a few short irons and wedges with it, you quickly realize that Tiger was after a soft and spinney ball to compliment the way he likes to shape his shots. That extra spin helps you get that late-rising ball flight with the persimmon. Catching one on the screws and getting that fighter jet zooming off the runway ball-flight with the persimmon is about as good as it gets when it comes to golf shots. 

 

 

Edited August 26, 2022 by Dr. Block

[SnowbirdTom]

I’ve been trying the Callaway SuperSofts and they feel ok to me. Go far pretty well  too. The Bridgestone TreoSoft are good IME.

[Jadic294]

Guys, just wanted to add this one to the mix. Noodles. Yeah you lose some greenside spin, however at 30 compression, it seems to be the safest ball for the face of the persimmon. cheers!