Best performing DTC ball available?

[jjfcpa]

I've tried a number of DTC (direct-to-consumer) balls - Oncore, Snell, Vice, Cut, etc. and in my opinion, the best performing ball is the Snell MTB Black.  From tee to green, it just checks all the boxes.  What's your experience and favorite?

[Haig]

I agree regarding Snell. I’ve played the MTB black and it is an excellent ball. I’m currently playing the MTB-X. For me it feels a little firmer which I like a little better. You can’t go wrong with either. They are both great balls. 

[North Butte]

Performance you've got to find out for yourself. Try some and see.

 

I suspect when it comes to quality and consistency the Snells are going to be better on average than most of the cheaper DTC brands. I'd have a little better confidence in MTB Black or MTB-X than something like a Cut or Seed or whatever. 

[wantacigar]

I've found Vice to be good when I used DTC balls.  However, Snell just seems to be the top dog in DTC golf ball arena in regards to quality and performance.  I would put them up against ANY top tour ball on the market.

 

Edited June 23, 2021 by wantacigar

[scott406]

Last spring I decided to try as many golf balls as I could to settle on one ball for the summer

I tried the Snell, OnCor, Vice, and other over the counter balls

I finally settled on the Snell Black

Its the best for my game

I think its one of the best balls regardless of how you can get them

I think its a testament to Dean that he cant keep them in stock

 

[North Butte]

3 minutes ago, scott406 said:

Last spring I decided to try as many golf balls as I could to settle on one ball for the summer

I tried the Snell, OnCor, Vice, and other over the counter balls

I finally settled on the Snell Black

Its the best for my game

I think its one of the best balls regardless of how you can get them

I think its a testament to Dean that he cant keep them in stock

 

I don't really hold it against him but I tried the original MTB Red (if that was the name?) which was the TPU cover ball he introduced then almost immediately replaced with a new version that was cast urethane like his others. I think that replacement ball is what became MTB-X eventually.

 

That first four-piece TPU ball has to be just about my least favorite ball I've ever tried. What a dud. 

 

Full credit to Dean for not just fronting it out. He basically said sorry, that one didn't turn out like he hoped and he would stick to his preferred cast urethane construction in future. 

[jc2]

Definitely the Snell MTB-X, It's my normal gamer except when I can't buy them and go to the Bridgestone BX.  Last summer I did my own personal ball shootout while the courses near me were empty in the afternoons.  The MTB-X, Bridgestone BX and MTB were the top 3 in that order so I'm really impressed with the Snell offerings.  The MTB-X went a little further off the driver, and seemed to spin more on approaches over the MTB.  The MTB was a little more consistant off the driver with less side spin.  So I keep a sleeve of the MTB for when the driver swing just isn't quite there. 

 

I loved the feel and greenside spin of the Cut Blue, but it seemed very inconsistent distance wise if there was any wind and had terrible durability.  The Vice Pro and Pro Plus were both good balls, but didn't really excel anywhere compared to the Snell and Bridgestone

[cristphoto]

My vote is Snell. If you factor in price/value consider Kirkland.  It all depends on what features the golfer is seeking for the best match.  

[MattM97]

I have to try Snell again but I remember them being very good, I just don't play them cause they haven't been in stock in Canada for months, they come in and gone in days. But a lot of other DTC like Vice and OnCore are solid options, Kirkland for the price is solid as well. 

[pallmall]

RZN is another good option. I play MS-Tour, good performance with soft feel.

Adtech has a comparison chart of RZN now and RZN then (swoosh era). Attached PDF is from https://www.adtechdd.com/pages/brands

They have a new 4pc ball coming soon--RZN Pro, which they claim to be better than 2016 Platinum. Will keep an eye on it.

 

Here are some other options: https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/articles/direct-to-consumer-golf-balls-snell-vice-oncore

 

RZN_Technology_Evolution_12-03-2021.pdf

[snagy2000]

Give Sugar a try...Their overall performance is very sweet...

[gioreeko]

Snell, and it's not even close. Fun to hear people call out Snell after we get to our drives and check out which ball is the long one, and Snell keeps getting called out. Never fails that someone says, "I have to check out those Snell balls"

[Justsomeguy]

The mtb-x is just a great ball. That being said, the vice pro doesn't get the love it deserves.

I've never ordered them, but have found several on the course, and have always been impressed with distance, spin and durability.

I sometimes play multiple balls as a single if nobody is behibd me, and it's often the ball that ends up the best of whatever I hit.

[Stanks]

Snell. Snell is solid but, RZN released some MS / HS tours which are relatively equal in price if I am not mistaken which is a really decent ball. 

 

https://www.adtechdd.com/collections/brands/products/r2005-101

 

I don't know what the difference is between the Pro and HS Tour but the MS Tour is softer. They also have some "Tour" on sale for 25 a dozen.

[phizzy30]

Snell.  I switch between the MTB-X and Chrome Soft X LS.  If I remember correctly, Dean used to work for TM and Titleist at one point in R&D.

[crazygolfnut]

My vote is for Snell MTB-X.  Waiting for Yellow to get back into stock. 

[pallmall]

2 hours ago, Stanks said:

Snell. Snell is solid but, RZN released some MS / HS tours which are relatively equal in price if I am not mistaken which is a really decent ball. 

 

https://www.adtechdd.com/collections/brands/products/r2005-101

 

I don't know what the difference is between the Pro and HS Tour but the MS Tour is softer. They also have some "Tour" on sale for 25 a dozen.

There is a PDF attached in my previous post, which compares HS-Tour and Pro. The main difference is iron spin.

[DavidH88]

well for what its worth, just this past Wednesday i tried the Penfold Hearts which I read is actually tournament legal but they don't advertise that since they have to pay the USGA and RandA to be on the conforming list. (please correct me if I'm wrong) But anyway i use them for casual play so for the £25 plus £3 postage its worth having a go.

 

I got past the first three holes playing my Bridgestone Tour B-XS as a comparison and then switched to the Penfold for holes #4-9 (Par 3, 4,4,3,4,5) and I would say they were pretty much even. It is a good all round ball. great for distance as I was green side with a few shots though slightly left and right so had a bit of a two way miss going (poor Alignment on my part not the ball) finally chipping I did notice a small whisker after clipping a chip shot onto the 9th green (the tiniest piece of the cover came up but nothing terrible to make it unplayable. its a golf ball at the end of the day)  Putting just like any other ball really had 7 lip outs which hurt but that's golf lol. 

 

Will give it a full 9 holes the next time I play to give it a good work out. will post my overall thoughts then 🙂 

 

good golf

 

[Drewhill44]

Yep...Snell MTB is my Vote. 

Edited June 25, 2021 by Drewhill44

[Stanks]

15 hours ago, pallmall said:

There is a PDF attached in my previous post, which compares HS-Tour and Pro. The main difference is iron spin.

Don't know why my browser didn't originally show that. Looks good. Now, let's just dial in that Nike Volt Color they had on the RZN Tour Black ball. One of the best looking and playing balls I've ever used. Can't find them for less than $75 on ebay. At least, last I checked. 

[gioreeko]

17 hours ago, Stanks said:

Snell. Snell is solid but, RZN released some MS / HS tours which are relatively equal in price if I am not mistaken which is a really decent ball. 

 

https://www.adtechdd.com/collections/brands/products/r2005-101

 

I don't know what the difference is between the Pro and HS Tour but the MS Tour is softer. They also have some "Tour" on sale for 25 a dozen.

Interesting, never heard of these balls, but on the website, it seems as though this company made the old Nike balls?

[Stanks]

On 6/25/2021 at 10:58 AM, gioreeko said:

Interesting, never heard of these balls, but on the website, it seems as though this company made the old Nike balls?

From what I gather, they gained the rights to use the technology. I believe the original guy, Rock Ishii made the balls for Nike and since that line ended, he gained employment at Callaway. 

The guys that make the RZN golfballs knew there was a following for the microdimple pattern and there definitely is but, I'm sure it'll never be as big as the originals and never feel as good as the Platinum Tour or Black Tour though they're certainly trying and are definitely making sales. 

[MPAndreassi]

I tried the Snells and didn’t care for them spin wise. Had a partner event this weekend and played a Vice for some shots, and it seemed to hold its own just fine. The Left Dash is hard to replicate from other brands as it’s a small market item. 

Edited June 28, 2021 by MPAndreassi

[saminhouston]

I like Snell but nothing in their line aligns with my game. I've recently started playing the Vice Pro Soft and couldn't be happier.

[cardigan]

On 6/25/2021 at 7:55 AM, DavidH88 said:

well for what its worth, just this past Wednesday i tried the Penfold Hearts which I read is actually tournament legal but they don't advertise that since they have to pay the USGA and RandA to be on the conforming list. (please correct me if I'm wrong) But anyway i use them for casual play so for the £25 plus £3 postage its worth having a go.

 

I got past the first three holes playing my Bridgestone Tour B-XS as a comparison and then switched to the Penfold for holes #4-9 (Par 3, 4,4,3,4,5) and I would say they were pretty much even. It is a good all round ball. great for distance as I was green side with a few shots though slightly left and right so had a bit of a two way miss going (poor Alignment on my part not the ball) finally chipping I did notice a small whisker after clipping a chip shot onto the 9th green (the tiniest piece of the cover came up but nothing terrible to make it unplayable. its a golf ball at the end of the day)  Putting just like any other ball really had 7 lip outs which hurt but that's golf lol. 

 

Will give it a full 9 holes the next time I play to give it a good work out. will post my overall thoughts then 🙂 

 

good golf

 

If it's not on the conforming list, it can't be played in any tournaments that have that requirement (PGA, LPGA, Korn Ferry, etc...).  It's fine for casual play but I don't know if you can use it in rounds you are using as part of an official handicap.  It's somewhat expensive for a non-urethane ball as are most of the items on their site (especially if the gloves are just dyed versions of the GX gloves that go for a third of the price).  It appears that they are more interested in being a golf merchandise company banking on the Penfold name than being a serious golf ball company.  It's hard to imagine that the balls are a good value for the price considering the alternatives that are out there.

 

You don't simply pay to get your ball listed on the conforming list.  There is a submission fee to have your balls tested for conformance and those that pass are put on the list.  There is also an annual resubmission fee to keep the ball on the list each year.  At $1200, it's not really cost prohibitive but probably not a big deal for a company that only has one ball model and it's non-urethane.  Even if it was on the conforming list, it would be very unlikely to see it in any high level tournament.   

 

https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/Equipment/2021 USGA Golf Ball Submission Guidelines Final.pdf

[North Butte]

Anyone can order a few hundred dozen generic golf balls from various Asian factories and have them stamped with whatever name and logo they like. Somebody just had the Penfold stuff stamped on a cheap Surlyn ball and then didn't even pay to have them tested and listed as confirming. Ripoff unless you really place a lot of value on the throwback name. Hard pass.

[snagy2000]

Just me, not a big fan of Snell balls personally...I'd take Sugar over them any day of the week...They perform great in all outdoor conditions while giving you a power rush off the tee and very sticky on the greens...

 

 

See the TXG review...

 

 

[lefthack]

While not DTC, they also don't advertise. I just ordered 3 boxes of Spalding SD Tour X because they were $12/box with the promo they sent me. They have gotten good reviews, I'm looking forward to them.

[drumdude96]

30 minutes ago, lefthack said:

While not DTC, they also don't advertise. I just ordered 3 boxes of Spalding SD Tour X because they were $12/box with the promo they sent me. They have gotten good reviews, I'm looking forward to them.

I bought about 18 dozen of the Spalding SD Tour and SD Tour X on clearance at Walmart. I'm not impressed. Not very durable, distance is on the shorter side as well. I've been very pleased with the Vice Pro Plus. Every bit as good as ProV1x for a much better price. The Spaldings will be relegated to off-season use.

[DavidH88]

5 hours ago, cardigan said:

If it's not on the conforming list, it can't be played in any tournaments that have that requirement (PGA, LPGA, Korn Ferry, etc...).  It's fine for casual play but I don't know if you can use it in rounds you are using as part of an official handicap.  It's somewhat expensive for a non-urethane ball as are most of the items on their site (especially if the gloves are just dyed versions of the GX gloves that go for a third of the price).  It appears that they are more interested in being a golf merchandise company banking on the Penfold name than being a serious golf ball company.  It's hard to imagine that the balls are a good value for the price considering the alternatives that are out there.

 

You don't simply pay to get your ball listed on the conforming list.  There is a submission fee to have your balls tested for conformance and those that pass are put on the list.  There is also an annual resubmission fee to keep the ball on the list each year.  At $1200, it's not really cost prohibitive but probably not a big deal for a company that only has one ball model and it's non-urethane.  Even if it was on the conforming list, it would be very unlikely to see it in any high level tournament.   

 

https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/Equipment/2021 USGA Golf Ball Submission Guidelines Final.pdf

 

well like i said @cardigan I used mine for casual golf but i liked the ball for the history when it was used by Sir Nick Faldo and Seve both multiple Open champions i might add and made famous in the Goldfinger film with Sir Sean Connery and they are produced in the UK to boot. I guess I got misinformation i read on the web that was all but It was also just my two cents but there is very good DTC balls on the market that have been mentioned so thanks for the quote and reply ^_^