Low and Mid compression, urethane golf balls. Is there a list?

[icehorse]

I've been playing TaylorMade Tour Response and Wilson Pro Duo. I'd like to explore other URETHANE balls in the mid to low compression range.

 

Is there a list?

[rd1959]

What do you consider mid compression? The Wilson Triad and Maxfli Tour are 85 compression.

[icehorse]

26 minutes ago, rd1959 said:

What do you consider mid compression? The Wilson Triad and Maxfli Tour are 85 compression.

 

Good question, I guess 70 or below.

[rd1959]

47 minutes ago, icehorse said:

 

Good question, I guess 70 or below.

The only ones I can think of are Bridgestone Tour B RX/RXS models and the Callaway Chrome Soft. All of these are mid 70s compression. I don't think there are any urethane balls lower than this.

Edited October 9, 2022 by rd1959

[Tanner25]

2 hours ago, icehorse said:

 

Good question, I guess 70 or below.

 

Qstar tour. 

[Jon Gee]

Titleist AVX is right around 80...

[tomuch23]

Q star tour is a great one. 

[swine7777]

Volvik XT Soft  ,  Vice Pro Soft

[TheBear95]

The Vice Pro Soft is the best ball I have played in this category. My least favorite is the Q Star Tour. 

[JAM01]

Seed SD-05 Pro Soft. 

[storm319]

ATTI compression numbers from MyGolf$py 2021 ball test (all models under 80 compression):

 

Bridgestone Tour B RX - 75

Bridgestone Tour B RXS - 71

Callaway Chrome Soft - 75

Oncore Elixir - 78

Srixon QStar Tour - 72

Taylormade Tour Response - 71

Titleist Tour Speed - 78

Vice Pro Soft - 71

Wilson Duo Professional - 63

[cardigan]

1 hour ago, storm319 said:

ATTI compression numbers from MyGolf$py 2021 ball test (all models under 80 compression):

 

Bridgestone Tour B RX - 75

Bridgestone Tour B RXS - 71

Callaway Chrome Soft - 75

Oncore Elixir - 78

Srixon QStar Tour - 72

Taylormade Tour Response - 71

Titleist Tour Speed - 78

Vice Pro Soft - 71

Wilson Duo Professional - 63

 

Here is the chart:  https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/golfspy.t/viz/MyGolfSpy2021GolfBallTest-CompressionBallSpeed/CompressionDashboard

[icehorse]

1 hour ago, cardigan said:

 

Here is the chart:  https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/golfspy.t/viz/MyGolfSpy2021GolfBallTest-CompressionBallSpeed/CompressionDashboard

 

Really interesting chart, thanks. How do you think "compression" factors into these numbers? Because if compression is factored in, then it looks like - regardless of swing speed - we all ought to be playing the highest compression balls, and that doesn't sound right?

[vandyfan]

12 minutes ago, icehorse said:

Really interesting chart, thanks. How do you think "compression" factors into these numbers? Because if compression is factored in, then it looks like - regardless of swing speed - we all ought to be playing the highest compression balls, and that doesn't sound right?

 

I think that is if out and out ball speed is the end goal. But even then conventional wisdom says you need a swing speed high enough to get the most out of a high compression golf ball. For me, I have started playing a softer golf ball because I prefer it around the greens and off the putter. If I am giving up a few yards or rpm of spin, I am okay with that (currently) because I think short game feel is more important for my game. Also, I know almost nothing about how golf balls will work for all the different swing speeds and delivery types and varying conditions other players play on. For me, I just try to test different balls every season but ultimately I have found that I can shoot similar scores with Pro V1s and Snell MTB Blacks and Taylormade TP5s and even Taylormade Tour Responses and Titleist AVXs. Not a fan of Pro V1x or MTB-X but that is probably because I only swing my driver about 105 mph. 

[icehorse]

For most of us, I suspect it's less concerning to hit a too soft ball rather than a too hard ball. And I agree about the importance of short game feel, which is why I'm looking for soft urethane balls 🙂

 

I'm fast approaching being a "senior" golfer, and I'd guess there are millions of us. Given that, it seems strange that so few soft balls are urethane.

[jarediogolf]

I’m doing some similar testing. 
Currently Trying out: 

Callaway Chrome Soft - 75

Srixon QStar Tour - 72

Taylormade Tour Response - 71

Titleist Tour Speed - 78

 

Currently Enjoying Tour Response the most. 

[rd1959]

20 hours ago, icehorse said:

For most of us, I suspect it's less concerning to hit a too soft ball rather than a too hard ball. And I agree about the importance of short game feel, which is why I'm looking for soft urethane balls 🙂

 

I'm fast approaching being a "senior" golfer, and I'd guess there are millions of us. Given that, it seems strange that so few soft balls are urethane.

For us old geezers, especially when living on a fixed income, cost becomes a big factor and my game really doesn't require a urethane ball. I use the Wilson Staff 50 Elite and ZIP. They are inexpensive, soft, and they perform better than most 2 pc. balls.
 EDIT: Wilson has a big gap in their ball lineup between the lower compression balls, which they have covered very nicely, and their higher compression Triad. It would be nice, especially for us die hard Wilson Staff fans, if they would fill that gap with a 70ish compression ball, maybe take the 50 elites and bump it up to around 70 or do the same with the Zip. If they chose to use a urethane cover on it and keep the price reasonable I'd be willing to spend a little more.

Edited October 12, 2022 by rd1959

[cardigan]

On 10/12/2022 at 1:32 PM, rd1959 said:

For us old geezers, especially when living on a fixed income, cost becomes a big factor and my game really doesn't require a urethane ball. I use the Wilson Staff 50 Elite and ZIP. They are inexpensive, soft, and they perform better than most 2 pc. balls.
 EDIT: Wilson has a big gap in their ball lineup between the lower compression balls, which they have covered very nicely, and their higher compression Triad. It would be nice, especially for us die hard Wilson Staff fans, if they would fill that gap with a 70ish compression ball, maybe take the 50 elites and bump it up to around 70 or do the same with the Zip. If they chose to use a urethane cover on it and keep the price reasonable I'd be willing to spend a little more.

Tour Velocity Feel?

[rd1959]

52 minutes ago, cardigan said:

Tour Velocity Feel?

Do you have first hand experience with these? 

Edited October 14, 2022 by rd1959

[cardigan]

46 minutes ago, rd1959 said:

Do you have first hand experience with these? 

I do not.

[rd1959]

40 minutes ago, cardigan said:

I do not.

The compression spec is in line with what I'm looking for but I'd like to find out how they perform. The 50 Elite and the Zip both have satisfactory performance in all facets and they're both a little less expensive. I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has tried them and, if they perform like the 50s and Zips I'd be willing to check them out.

[rd1959]

On 10/11/2022 at 11:02 AM, icehorse said:

 

Really interesting chart, thanks. How do you think "compression" factors into these numbers? Because if compression is factored in, then it looks like - regardless of swing speed - we all ought to be playing the highest compression balls, and that doesn't sound right?

You're right, it doesn't. I find the section  where you can compare different balls at different swing speeds is more helpful. 

[cardigan]

3 hours ago, rd1959 said:

The compression spec is in line with what I'm looking for but I'd like to find out how they perform. The 50 Elite and the Zip both have satisfactory performance in all facets and they're both a little less expensive. I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has tried them and, if they perform like the 50s and Zips I'd be willing to check them out.

Tour Velocity Feel is a 15 pack so may be a bit cheaper than the 50 Elite.  They've been around for years but I've never seen much discussion about them.

[gridironesq]

On 10/11/2022 at 2:09 PM, icehorse said:

For most of us, I suspect it's less concerning to hit a too soft ball rather than a too hard ball. And I agree about the importance of short game feel, which is why I'm looking for soft urethane balls 🙂

 

I'm fast approaching being a "senior" golfer, and I'd guess there are millions of us. Given that, it seems strange that so few soft balls are urethane.

The best urethane low compression balls are Bridgestone RXS and Taylormade tour response. “Best” meaning great short game spin and distance off all clubs. IMHO the RXS is superior because it has much better short control than Tour Response. Tour Response is longer off the tee by BBC a smidge but not enough to make up for the lack of short game spin compared to the RXS. As always YMMV

[icehorse]

I'm going to try the RXSs. I just found some yellow, used/mint Project (a)s. I know they're a slightly older model, but I think I like them just a little bit more than the Tour Responses.

 

Lots of great feedback on this thread, thanks!

 

Now I'm wondering whether there is a website that tracks all the new balls that come out each year?

[gridironesq]

13 minutes ago, icehorse said:

I'm going to try the RXSs. I just found some yellow, used/mint Project (a)s. I know they're a slightly older model, but I think I like them just a little bit more than the Tour Responses.

 

Lots of great feedback on this thread, thanks!

 

Now I'm wondering whether there is a website that tracks all the new balls that come out each year?

The new 2022 tour response is supposed to be much improved. Look at my golf spy ball lab test. It’s their testing that lead me to try Maxfli tour and now it’s my gamer, except for winter when I go back to RXS. 

[scott406]

In my experience testing out golf balls, anything lower than 80 compression feels dead off of the putter to me.

I had real trouble hitting the ball hard enough to get it to the hole

I had no trouble with distance or spin.

It was purely feel off of the putter

 

For example, the new TaylorMade Tour Response with the stripe was a wonderful ball

Great distance, flew high and stop on a dime

Could not putt with it to save my life

 

I am now onto the Wilson Triad

 

Good luck in your search

[NRJyzr]

On 11/8/2022 at 1:56 PM, scott406 said:

In my experience testing out golf balls, anything lower than 80 compression feels dead off of the putter to me.

I had real trouble hitting the ball hard enough to get it to the hole

I had no trouble with distance or spin.

It was purely feel off of the putter

 

For example, the new TaylorMade Tour Response with the stripe was a wonderful ball

Great distance, flew high and stop on a dime

Could not putt with it to save my life

 

I am now onto the Wilson Triad

 

Good luck in your search

 

 

It's all about what you're accustomed to.  I've spent a significant portion of my golf playing wound balls, both "true" wound and the Maxfli solid core wound layer balls like the Revolution, A10, & M3.  Because of that, the even the softer level Tour balls like ZStar or TP5 sometimes feel hard to me.

 

Which is what led me to playing the Duo Professional for so long, and now looking at the QStar Tour as a replacement.

 

<shrug>

 

[Longdriver295]

On 11/12/2022 at 8:23 AM, NRJyzr said:

 

 

It's all about what you're accustomed to.  I've spent a significant portion of my golf playing wound balls, both "true" wound and the Maxfli solid core wound layer balls like the Revolution, A10, & M3.  Because of that, the even the softer level Tour balls like ZStar or TP5 sometimes feel hard to me.

 

Which is what led me to playing the Duo Professional for so long, and now looking at the QStar Tour as a replacement.

 

<shrug>

 

The QST in my opinion is the best mid compression ball out there and it's only 34.99

Edited November 16, 2022 by Longdriver295

[Dpavs]

It's definitely horses for courses when it comes to balls. I played the QST's two years ago and lost 15-20 yards off my drives with it. Irons were shorter too. It did have good feel for me though. Switched to Oncore Verio. I gained distance, but side spin was a killer for me on slight mishits. Tried the Oncore Elixr 2022... much better than the Verio imo. Good distance with the driver and irons, decent feel off everything and greatly reduced spin. Played them all year this past year and was happy enough with them to be honest. Still there is always the search for a bit more distance ergo I will be trying the 2022 Tour Response next year based on the MGS test results.

Edited November 16, 2022 by Dpavs