Should a ball last more than one or two shots?

[HISPL]

Hi folks, as the thread title states should a ball last more than a shot or two?

 

Now, I’m not talking thinning a ball with the leading edge of a club cutting the cover, or losing it in the rough… I’m talking about the cover shredding from a solid wedge shot.

This goes back a few months, first hole I played, hit a 60 degree wedge into the green (Vokey tour issue, bought online and definitely used not brand new) I gather that the grooves on the wedge should be legal, also there is no obvious damage to the face that would seemingly damage the ball. 

 

Result of that shot was that the cover of the ball (Pro V1 X left dash, bought from my club’s Pro Shop) was destroyed where the wedge contacted it, it wasn’t fit for play after that. 
 

Went through 6 balls that day… so I took one of them into the Pro Shop and mentioned that I didn’t feel that the durability of the balls was acceptable, I have one of the shredded balls to the manager to send back to the supplier, told them that I was using an SM8 that wasn’t brand new too.

Am I expecting too much from the balls to last, or that they might be replaced?

 

I’ve used the ProV1X Left Dash before and not had issues, however I bought these from an off course retailer, perhaps I got some that were a bad batch from the Pro Shop?
With the Left Dash that I got from the off course retailer I was using Callaway MD4 wedges and could get an entire round out of the ball.

 

More recently I’ve been using other balls and their durability is much better than the Left Dash, and that is with the same SM8 wedge that tore the Left Dash balls apart.

 

Frustratingly this club’s Pro Shop has done a deal with Titleist so that they are an exclusive supplier of balls, which means that any Shop credit I have I’m kind of stuck with… 

 

Keen to hear your feedback on whether my expectations are too high for a ball that is marketed as being “The #1 ball in golf”. (Based on tour play)
 

 

 

 

 

 

[A.Princey]

I use the most durable balls that give me the performance I’m looking for. I’ll even sacrifice a little to gain more longevity, in fact.  Noodle Easy-Distance are very, very durable and these are my indoor simulator ball. Outside on course, and a close second in durability, is the Pinnacle Rush. Being a Titleist production, the quality/consistency is there and its flight characteristics give similar results to the Noodle on sim. 
 

To answer your question though, a single ball should last 3-4 holes, at the very least

Edited July 28, 2022 by A.Princey

[Roejye]

Definitely seems like a bad batch to me. I'm not a titleist guy, but I do think they have very durable balls. Granted I don't know much about the more niche offerings like the left dash and left dot.

[jwb10]

I use the same ball; no issue. It’s the wedge 

[cristphoto]

I play the "normal" ProV1x and have no problem with durability.  Earlier this year I purchased new Ping sand and lob wedges and the combo gives good action on the greens with full shots. For me the ProV's have been very durable.  

[jomatty]

Obviously a ball should last for longer than a few shots.  I had to go away from Vice pro plus because it just wasn’t very durable.  After 18 holes the balls were showing a lot of noticeable wear even if they didn’t hit a cart path or have hard tree contact etc.  I really liked the way the ball performed but just couldn’t get past the durability.  I’ve never had an issue with pro v1/x.  I’m currently using Max fli tour x and it’s durability and characteristics are really good for a ball that can be bought for less than $30 a box.  

[gioreeko]

3 hours ago, jomatty said:

Obviously a ball should last for longer than a few shots.  I had to go away from Vice pro plus because it just wasn’t very durable.  After 18 holes the balls were showing a lot of noticeable wear even if they didn’t hit a cart path or have hard tree contact etc.  I really liked the way the ball performed but just couldn’t get past the durability.  I’ve never had an issue with pro v1/x.  I’m currently using Max fli tour x and it’s durability and characteristics are really good for a ball that can be bought for less than $30 a box.  

Odd, the Pro plus is one of the most durable balls I play. I've played multiple rounds on one ball, with very little scuffing.

[me05501]

This probably sounds crazy to some but I tend to avoid products that are most likely to be inauthentic or counterfeited.

 

I think counterfeit merch is way more prevalent than most of us assume.

 

If someone is going to go to the trouble of passing off inauthentic items they’re going to go for the leading product in the class. In other words, they’re going to make fake Titleists and not fake Srixons. And they’re probably going to make the regular Pro V1 and not the left dash or some niche model. 
 

I’m not saying that’s the case here, but one should at least consider that possibility. It may also apply to the wedge for that matter. 

Edited July 29, 2022 by me05501

[Pepperturbo]

I play DASH -ProV1x and AVX and at times, hit them hard using wedges or irons.   Average ball lasts 4-6 rounds before simple discoloration has me replace it.   A premium ball properly struck with wedge or iron should last a lot longer than the OP talks about.  Mine do.

 

Most people think they are striking the ball well, not realizing that's not the case.  They do NOT know the face is not square at impact.  Even though the ball might travel in a planned direction, that doesn't mean the ball won't quickly show wear. 

 

Let me point out, I get my DASH -ProV1x balls from a reputable dealer.  As large as the LGS is, they do not have them in volume like ProV1 or ProV1x.

[alittleoverpar]

Sounds like someone used a groove sharpener on your wedge.

Edited July 29, 2022 by alittleoverpar

[elwhippy]

Got to be the wedge. Titleist balls have exceptional durability. Borrow someone else's 60 and hit a few shots.

[betarhoalphadelta]

My money is on counterfeit or bad batch. 

 

Per OP's statement, he's used that same wedge on other brands and not had issues, so I'm not necessarily ready to assign blame to the wedge. And he's had other Left Dash that have had different and better wear characteristics, so it's not like he's saying Left Dash is a poorly designed golf ball. 

 

For this to happen to two whole sleeves of balls doesn't seem to implicate poor manufacturing. If the entire batch was that poor, I don't think Titleist QC would let it out the door. If a single ball was that poor, I'd understand, because Titleist can only test a sample of each production run, not every ball. But for two whole sleeves to do it? No... Doesn't make sense. 

 

Wouldn't shock me one bit if these were counterfeit. 

[hammergolf]

On 7/27/2022 at 10:47 PM, HISPL said:

Hi folks, as the thread title states should a ball last more than a shot or two?

 

Now, I’m not talking thinning a ball with the leading edge of a club cutting the cover, or losing it in the rough… I’m talking about the cover shredding from a solid wedge shot.

This goes back a few months, first hole I played, hit a 60 degree wedge into the green (Vokey tour issue, bought online and definitely used not brand new) I gather that the grooves on the wedge should be legal, also there is no obvious damage to the face that would seemingly damage the ball. 

 

Result of that shot was that the cover of the ball (Pro V1 X left dash, bought from my club’s Pro Shop) was destroyed where the wedge contacted it, it wasn’t fit for play after that. 
 

Went through 6 balls that day… so I took one of them into the Pro Shop and mentioned that I didn’t feel that the durability of the balls was acceptable, I have one of the shredded balls to the manager to send back to the supplier, told them that I was using an SM8 that wasn’t brand new too.

Am I expecting too much from the balls to last, or that they might be replaced?

 

I’ve used the ProV1X Left Dash before and not had issues, however I bought these from an off course retailer, perhaps I got some that were a bad batch from the Pro Shop?
With the Left Dash that I got from the off course retailer I was using Callaway MD4 wedges and could get an entire round out of the ball.

 

More recently I’ve been using other balls and their durability is much better than the Left Dash, and that is with the same SM8 wedge that tore the Left Dash balls apart.

 

Frustratingly this club’s Pro Shop has done a deal with Titleist so that they are an exclusive supplier of balls, which means that any Shop credit I have I’m kind of stuck with… 

 

Keen to hear your feedback on whether my expectations are too high for a ball that is marketed as being “The #1 ball in golf”. (Based on tour play)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a pic?

[jordan2240]

This can't be a serious question.  Unless it's an exploding gag ball, it should obviously last waaaaaay longer than one or two shots.

[GingerBubba]

People keep the same ball for six rounds!!?! Does your course not have OB/water/rough/trees/grass/stuff? I'm glad when I hold onto one for six holes!!!

[Cicero]

I had the same issue.  I love these balls, but I’m cutting them like crazy, with 20 year old set wedges.  TG2 just had a tour pro mention them cutting easily.  I hope Titleist can address that, knowing that it’s something that a tour pro has noticed, because it’s a great ball that I’d like to be able to continue playing down the road.  As it is, I can’t afford it if I’m going through as many balls as I am.  I’m probably gonna test something else for the durability in the near term, but I’m hoping to come back to these.

[me05501]

Follow “Golf Ball Guts” on Instagram. He cuts through dozens of balls and measures how consistent the cover thickness is on premium balls. Starting in 2020 he noticed a drop off in Titleist quality and consistency. I have no vested interest in this, I just think it’s interesting. 

[SteelieD]

Never had any issues with the Left Dash (or any Titleist really). 
 

Never gotten SIX rounds 😳 out of a ball but definitely a couple w/o a problem. 

[HISPL]

On 7/30/2022 at 8:18 AM, jordan2240 said:

This can't be a serious question.  Unless it's an exploding gag ball, it should obviously last waaaaaay longer than one or two shots.

Absolutely it is, when I took the balls into the pro shop and spoke to the manager I felt the tone of the conversation coming from him was that I should just “suck it up” and deal with it…

Likely he is the same person that recommended the club sign the exclusive supply deal for balls with Acushnet.

[HISPL]

20 hours ago, me05501 said:

Follow “Golf Ball Guts” on Instagram. He cuts through dozens of balls and measures how consistent the cover thickness is on premium balls. Starting in 2020 he noticed a drop off in Titleist quality and consistency. I have no vested interest in this, I just think it’s interesting. 

I do, and that’s why I refuse to play the standard model Pro V1X as the current model has an issue with off centre cores.

[mshills]

20 hours ago, SteelieD said:

Never gotten SIX rounds 😳 out of a ball but definitely a couple w/o a problem. 

No way. A ball just wants to be lost way before six rounds are complete!

[me05501]

2 hours ago, HISPL said:

I do, and that’s why I refuse to play the standard model Pro V1X as the current model has an issue with off centre cores.

So you’re avoiding one kind of Titleist ball over quality issues to play another Titleist ball? Bet they’re all made in the same place. 

[Jeff58]

Sir, would you please kindly attach an image of the affected area or areas?

 

[jwb10]

On 7/31/2022 at 7:29 AM, HISPL said:

I do, and that’s why I refuse to play the standard model Pro V1X as the current model has an issue with off centre cores.

You don't like Titleist, that's cool. But carving up golf balls with ordinary wedges doesn't happen. Please show us what you are claiming.....

[hammergolf]

38 minutes ago, jwb10 said:

You don't like Titleist, that's cool. But carving up golf balls with ordinary wedges doesn't happen. Please show us what you are claiming.....

Exactly, without pics it isn’t possible to judge the damage. What some people may call “unplayable” is just a scuff to others. 

[ezpz]

Barring some kind of bunker or tree situation this doesnt happen with any premium ball or most non-premium balls for that matter.

[jwb10]

3 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Exactly, without pics it isn’t possible to judge the damage. What some people may call “unplayable” is just a scuff to others. 

Agreed, I like the ball to be pristine. One little nick, and it's in the shag bag. But i have friends who will hit a road, wipe it off and keep playin.. They think I'm nuts, and me, them; so let's see....

 

[Bakes0]

Have played left dash for the last year or so and honestly can count the number of times on my hand that I’ve had to take a ball out of play due to damage (aside from hitting a cart path). 
 

A ball lasting one or two shots is insane, bad batch likely.

[hammergolf]

2 minutes ago, Bakes0 said:

Have played left dash for the last year or so and honestly can count the number of times on my hand that I’ve had to take a ball out of play due to damage (aside from hitting a cart path). 
 

A ball lasting one or two shots is insane, bad batch likely.

Even a bad batch couldn’t be that bad. I regularly restock my shag bag with x outs and they aren’t “unplayable” after 2 shots. All balls will scuff with a full sharp wedge, but don’t see how it could be unplayable 

[Bakes0]

2 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Even a bad batch couldn’t be that bad. I regularly restock my shag bag with x outs and they aren’t “unplayable” after 2 shots. All balls will scuff with a full sharp wedge, but don’t see how it could be unplayable 

I’m not saying it’s probable but I’ve had it happen once before. Every shot I hit with a wedge or iron cut up an entire sleeve within three holes. Scuff marks where you could peel back the outer layer. Premium ball too, TP5x, I’ve used them before and after that instance and never had that issue, it was truly bizarre.