Back playing after 10 years…Which ball?

[PAYLEE]

So I’ve been away from the game for 10 years due to setbacks from old back injuries. But been working hard and now have the green light to get back out there. Anyway, back then my first ball of choice was the Nike Tour D but when those were discontinued I moved over to the Taylormade Penta. So which new ball should I consider?

 

My swing speed at 103 with the driver isn’t far off from where I was before. I’ve been looking at several brands and really leaning towards trying the Srixon Z-Star balls that are going for $35 a box. But are there others I should try? I don’t want to buy in bulk initially and just want to try a few out. Thanks!

[SEP1006]

All depends on what you're looking for, especially if you only play one specific ball.

 

You looking specifically for distance, dispersion, bite on the greens? I guess the answer for most of us to that question would be "Yes".

 

I guess I should ask what is your priority? Any of the higher priced balls will give you most of the above in ball.

 

 

 

[PAYLEE]

@sep1006 Good point. I'm looking for a ball that'll be a bit forgiving (dispersion) when I miss (for me, cut across the ball) but the priority is to have good amount of spin around the greens and a softer feel. Suppose I was wondering which ball would be the closest profile to the Penta...didn't want to assume the TP5 but suppose that could be the closest.

 

[MattM97]

You will definitely need to buy and test a bunch of balls but try these: 

 

Snell - MTB Black or MTB-X (Dean Snell designed the Penta) 

Srixon Z-Star

Callaway Chrome Soft or Chrome Soft X

Bridgestone Tour B X or Tour B RX

Wilson Triad 

TM Tour Response 

[PAYLEE]

@MattM97Right on! I’ll grab these and test them out. Definitely grabbing the Snell. It’s crazy all the DTC balls that are out there these days. Thanks!

[SEP1006]

22 minutes ago, PAYLEE said:

@MattM97Right on! I’ll grab these and test them out. Definitely grabbing the Snell. It’s crazy all the DTC balls that are out there these days. Thanks!

 

Snell's are great balls, basically cheaper Pro V's.

 

You might try the Vice Pro as well.

[PAYLEE]

@SEP1006Will do! The Snells are sold out. Pretty popular I guess and they have a clock counting down the latest versions. I‘ll pick up a box of the Vice Pro since they’re available.

Edited March 6, 2023 by PAYLEE

[DE-ILLINI]

I believe Snell is releasing new models shortly so they have not restocked the older ones.  Keep an eye open, they should be available soon.

[PAYLEE]

@DE-ILLINI10-4, went ahead and grabbed some of the $35 Z Star. Not this year's model but I heard that not much has changed for that ball.

[IndyArcher]

2 hours ago, PAYLEE said:

@SEP1006Will do! The Snells are sold out. Pretty popular I guess and they have a clock counting down the latest versions. I‘ll pick up a box of the Vice Pro since they’re available.

I think it’s more that they did not have a means of producing the needed volume. They are popular, but I find Vice balls on the course probably 6 or 7:1 vs snell. Anecdotal of course but based on what I’ve read here it seems to be more about manufacturing than demand. 
 

I’ll add that I like Snell too. It’s not a bash comment. 

[PAYLEE]

@IndyArcherCapacity limits makes sense. Worth biting the bullet getting the 4+1? May just grab a dozen but that deal is enticing.

[IndyArcher]

2 minutes ago, PAYLEE said:

@IndyArcherCapacity limits makes sense. Worth biting the bullet getting the 4+1? May just grab a dozen but that deal is enticing.

 

I love the Vice Pro and have plenty of that and the Pro+. If you have a Walmart near by, you may find that you can pick up a dozen for $26-30. Both of our local Walmarts have some in stock (or did a few days ago). That would let you try without dropping a bunch of coin on 5 dozen. 

[Tanner25]

@PAYLEEI'd add Maxfli Tour. Great value, you can buy them at Dick's and Golf Galaxy and by all accounts seem to be as good as other premium balls at a lot less money. With that said, I also bought the $35 prior gen Z-Stars, in yellow and will try them out this spring. 

[PAYLEE]

@Tanner25I’ve the Maxfli Tour on here quite a bit which was honestly surprising. I’ve played a Maxfli in the past and it wasn’t good but appears they’ve upped their game and ventured into a more premium ball…more premium than they’ve had in the past. Will check’em out.

[PAYLEE]

3 hours ago, IndyArcher said:

 

If you have a Walmart near by, you may find that you can pick up a dozen for $26-30.

Had no idea they were Ava in store! Definitely they way to go before investing more money in a bulk purchase. Thanks!

[PAYLEE]

@IndyArcherI found one box of Vice Pro at Walmart for $30. Not too keen on the green/yellow speckled ball but at least it’s a chance to try the ball.

 

[IndyArcher]

4 minutes ago, PAYLEE said:

@IndyArcherI found one box of Vice Pro at Walmart for $30. Not too keen on the green/yellow speckled ball but at least it’s a chance to try the ball.

 

 

Sweet! Let us know what you think. 

 

Oh, and then just act like you’re a Packers fan! 

Edited March 7, 2023 by IndyArcher

[PAYLEE]

@IndyArcherHaha oh man! Box said it was for the Masters and I’ll just stick with that 😬 I’ll be sure to report back 👍

[chisag]

1 hour ago, PAYLEE said:

@Tanner25I’ve the Maxfli Tour on here quite a bit which was honestly surprising. I’ve played a Maxfli in the past and it wasn’t good but appears they’ve upped their game and ventured into a more premium ball…more premium than they’ve had in the past. Will check’em out.

 

 

... If I got all my balls for free I would play the Maxfli Tour or the ProV1. Testing ball to ball on the course these two are basically interchangeable but I got a few more yards off the tee with the Maxfli. I have not played Maxfli's since the HT-100 balata balls so I was a little surprised at how good these are. 

[st1800e]

1 hour ago, PAYLEE said:

@Tanner25I’ve the Maxfli Tour on here quite a bit which was honestly surprising. I’ve played a Maxfli in the past and it wasn’t good but appears they’ve upped their game and ventured into a more premium ball…more premium than they’ve had in the past. Will check’em out.

A good ball.  Tour or Tour X.  Played last years  Maxfli X on a recent trip, liked it better than the Prov1X. Most pro type balls are good.  Once you get your game in shape you can spend some time testing and deciding.  

 

Ps. You won’t find an equivalent ball from a decade ago, technology has changed.  And TP 5 has gone downhill.  

[PAYLEE]

@chisaggood to know. It’s good to hear that Maxfli has a great product. Come on Top Flight! now you! Haha 😂 

Thanks @st1800e. Agree, need to get my game back. Heck, I don’t even have a full bag yet. They’re ordered but still waiting. Figure to focus on finding a sub $40 ball. So value is at a premium.

 

[Tanner25]

Another option is to go to your local pro shop to try out sleeves. The problem there is you can't get balls like Vice or Maxfli.  

[PAYLEE]

@Tanner25True, but I’m actually going to give that a try. Cheaper than buying boxes. May get a sleeve of Bridgestone and Callaway.