Average Swing Speed Thread: What ball are you playing?

[Jmccas]

7 hours ago, hammergolf said:

The swingspeed compression myth was busted years ago. 

I am interested in more info on this topic and below is my interpretation from what I have found. I haven’t seen many articles on this topic outside of MGS.  
 

After reviewing the MGS data (mid swing speed) and it does reflect that firmer balls go further with a driver. But after diving into the data it also seems to suggest a lower compression ball goes further with irons.

 

Those distance gains off irons potentially come at the expense of spin however. Take for instance the Bridgestone Tour B RX/RXS. Those two performed very well in the iron carry distance results but were among the bottom performers in spin. They did offset that loss in spin with a higher flight and descent angle. Based on the flight characteristics I was thinking about picking up some of the Tour B RX/RXS but then looked at how those balls performed with the driver. They performed terribly on carry distance. The B RX was eight yards behind the Vice Pro!

[phil75070]

I'm old (76 later this month) with a driver swing speed in the low 80s. I play mostly the Snell MTB Black and Callaway ERC Soft. Last year, however, the best performing ball for me was surprisingly the Vice Pro Plus, despite it being marketed as a ball for high speed swings. 

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Jmccas said:

I am interested in more info on this topic and below is my interpretation from what I have found. I haven’t seen many articles on this topic outside of MGS.  
 

After reviewing the MGS data (mid swing speed) and it does reflect that firmer balls go further with a driver. But after diving into the data it also seems to suggest a lower compression ball goes further with irons.

 

Those distance gains off irons potentially come at the expense of spin however. Take for instance the Bridgestone Tour B RX/RXS. Those two performed very well in the iron carry distance results but were among the bottom performers in spin. They did offset that loss in spin with a higher flight and descent angle. Based on the flight characteristics I was thinking about picking up some of the Tour B RX/RXS but then looked at how those balls performed with the driver. They performed terribly on carry distance. The B RX was eight yards behind the Vice Pro!

I tested all the Tour B balls. For me, the RX and RXS were shorter off all clubs. However, I am a lower spin player so besides less ball speed, the lower spin of the RX and RXS from the irons also was a factor in loss of distance. That being said, for higher spin guys I could see where for them the reduction of spin could make up for the loss of ball speed and may gain distance for them.  

[Augie53]

4 hours ago, Jmccas said:

After reviewing the MGS data (mid swing speed) and it does reflect that firmer balls go further with a driver. But after diving into the data it also seems to suggest a lower compression ball goes further with irons.

I believe this to be absolutely true, in my experience.  The low compression balls are shorter off the tee but longer off of irons from 6 iron to PW.

[AngryGilmore]

My speed has gone down to "hovering around 100" and I'm really liking the Maxfli Tour.

[PersimmonEra]

Vice Pro and Maxfli Tour.

[betarhoalphadelta]

13 hours ago, Jmccas said:

After reviewing the MGS data (mid swing speed) and it does reflect that firmer balls go further with a driver. But after diving into the data it also seems to suggest a lower compression ball goes further with irons.

 

Those distance gains off irons potentially come at the expense of spin however.

 

Yep, which makes a ton of sense. Higher compression is higher ball speed (in general) and higher spin (in general). 

 

For a mid speed player who doesn't generate enough speed to spin the crap out of the ball, ball speed matters on driver. That's where you get distance from a higher compression ball, because they're not spinning it enough to be counterproductive. But for that same player, they can't get the spin they WANT on irons with a lower compression ball, so the lack of ball speed is offset by the lower spin and they get longer carry (but less ability to stop it). 

 

I think for a low-speed or mid-speed player, a high compression ball that spins a decent amount is ideal. You get higher ball speed (and longer distance) with driver. With irons, you're not looking for "more distance" as much as you're looking for performance approaching the green, so the higher spin of a higher compression ball helps you stop it because you have trouble generating that spin on your own. 

 

For a high-speed player, you start getting into the point where you want high ball speed but low spin, because your swing speed generates plenty of spin on its own. So you need low spin off the tee to maximize driver distance, and you don't want high spin on approaches because you can start ripping balls back off the green too easily. 

 

[The Pearl]

Nobody with average swing speed playing the Left Dash?

[North Butte]

22 hours ago, The Pearl said:

Nobody with average swing speed playing the Left Dash?

It's been several years but I did, in fact, play Left Dash for about three months in lieu of my beloved Pro V1x. I liked it a lot and for me it seemed to play like a Pro V1x with an extra 5-10 yards of driver distance and better wind performance. I also liked the very firm "feel" (i.e. sound) when putting and chipping.

 

Around that time they started making Pro V1x in yellow and I wanted to play a yellow ball so I switched (back) but the thought has crossed my mind to maybe try Left Dash again one of these days.

 

FWIW, I swing a driver in the high 80's (absolute max of 90mph trying to swing out of my shoes last time I was on a launch monitor, probably can't even do that nowadays). 

[this_is_golf]

I always go back to Maxfli Tour or Tour Response. 

[dono]

On 7/6/2023 at 10:07 PM, The Pearl said:

Nobody with average swing speed playing the Left Dash?

Yes, for all of the reasons @North Butte listed. Longest ball off the tee I have played. No problem with green side performance. 

[North Butte]

For us 85-90mph swingers, the Left Dash is IMO long off the tee like AVX without the drawbacks of lower descent angle and slight less short game spin. But I guess AVX is better if you really, really can’t live with a firm click. Left Dash is the opposite of soft feel. 

[vernon]

Seventy years old and 90 - 94 mph.

 

Previously played Q Star Tour, QStar and XV and Bridgestone BRXS Tour but am now completely sold on the Kirkland V3.

 

Honestly think it's the best overall ball I've ever played.

 

Average 240 - 250's yards with this ball and occasionally get a couple in the 280's to 290's.

 

Drove a 307 yard par four a few days ago.

 

Great distance, feel, spin and trajectory.

 

And they're quite durable.

 

$27.99 for two dozen is stupid cheap.

 

And I used to be a ball snob........

 

 

[jordan2240]

Wilson 50 elite.  You can send me half the money you save.

[Bobb3rdown]

100-105mph driver ss.

 

I've bounced around from z star, to xv, to prov1x, and back into z star.

 

Though I did win some tp5s at my last comp, so I'll have to give them a go.

 

I dont mind the firmer balls. But really prefer something softer.

[North Butte]

On 7/7/2023 at 8:37 PM, North Butte said:

It's been several years but I did, in fact, play Left Dash for about three months in lieu of my beloved Pro V1x. I liked it a lot and for me it seemed to play like a Pro V1x with an extra 5-10 yards of driver distance and better wind performance. I also liked the very firm "feel" (i.e. sound) when putting and chipping.

 

Around that time they started making Pro V1x in yellow and I wanted to play a yellow ball so I switched (back) but the thought has crossed my mind to maybe try Left Dash again one of these days.

 

FWIW, I swing a driver in the high 80's (absolute max of 90mph trying to swing out of my shoes last time I was on a launch monitor, probably can't even do that nowadays). 

I dug out a Pro V1x Left Dash ball and played it for a few holes today. I must be getting old and jaded, admittedly a few holes isn't much of a test but I couldn't tell a lick of difference between it and the regular old Pro V1x I've been played recently. 

 

I'm pretty sure I read they haven't updated the Left Dash design in several years, maybe they've sneakily made the 2023 Pro V1x really similar to the old Left Dash?😵

 

Or maybe I'm just not able to notice differences without a longer, more meaningful comparison...🤔

[c50sooner]

95 swing speed

 

Trying to stick with one but have been rotating these this year:

CSXLS

Triad

Diamond

ERC Soft

Z star

[North Butte]

On 7/11/2023 at 8:12 PM, North Butte said:

I dug out a Pro V1x Left Dash ball and played it for a few holes today. I must be getting old and jaded, admittedly a few holes isn't much of a test but I couldn't tell a lick of difference between it and the regular old Pro V1x I've been played recently. 

 

I'm pretty sure I read they haven't updated the Left Dash design in several years, maybe they've sneakily made the 2023 Pro V1x really similar to the old Left Dash?😵

 

Or maybe I'm just not able to notice differences without a longer, more meaningful comparison...🤔

I played that same Left Dash for a full round except on 3 holes I swapped in a regular Pro V1x. One Par 5 I even played both balls side by side on the same hole for a comparison.

 

I'll be darned if I can detect any meaningful difference between them with the driver, irons, wedges, chipping, whatever. Going back and forth from hole to hole it was like playing exactly the same ball. There is a tiny bit firmer click to the Left Dash off my putter but even that I can only hear putting them side by side on the practice green.

 

I swear I remember a noticeable difference in performance a few years ago. For my game at least, the 2023 Pro V1x might as well have a left dash drawn on it. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. 

[xkilgorextroutx]

97 mph driver on the trackman here. I really like the E12 Contact. Great distance off the driver and pretty straight, and OK around the greens. It won't check like a high end urethane ball, but it performs predictably which is fine by me.

[phizzy30]

2 hours ago, North Butte said:

I played that same Left Dash for a full round except on 3 holes I swapped in a regular Pro V1x. One Par 5 I even played both balls side by side on the same hole for a comparison.

 

I'll be darned if I can detect any meaningful difference between them with the driver, irons, wedges, chipping, whatever. Going back and forth from hole to hole it was like playing exactly the same ball. There is a tiny bit firmer click to the Left Dash off my putter but even that I can only hear putting them side by side on the practice green.

 

I swear I remember a noticeable difference in performance a few years ago. For my game at least, the 2023 Pro V1x might as well have a left dash drawn on it. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. 

I too tested the left dash and '21 ProV1x on trackman and saw some very discernible spin numbers in irons and wedges.  However, launch and apex were very similar.  Driver, fairway and hybrid spin numbers were similar as well.   

[Jmccas]

On 7/14/2023 at 8:57 AM, c50sooner said:

95 swing speed

 

Trying to stick with one but have been rotating these this year:

CSXLS

Triad

Diamond

ERC Soft

Z star

 

That’s an interesting range of balls. Is one floating to the top of the list as a favorite?

[North Butte]

I decided to keep playing that same Left Dash Pro V1x until I lost it or it got damaged. Nine more holes Saturday the eighteen today. Again, I put a regular Pro V1x in play for two random holes Saturday and three today. And again, darned if I can tell any difference. 

 

But today, wouldn't you know it, I equaled my personal best score ever. Another round like that and I'll end up buying a whole box of the darned things!

[JetPilot]

This has been a fascinating and surprising journey for me this summer.  I've never really paid too much attention to the ball I've played.  ERC Soft in the winter the TP5 or Pro V1 in the summer.  This year I noticed I was consistently and substantially longer off the tee with the ERC Soft.  To make a long story short - anything in the ERC Soft, Titleist Tour Soft, Q-Star category blew away the premium balls for me off the tee.  Consistently 10-15 yards off the tee.

 

My SS is 95 mph and getting 250 yards from the mid-tier balls.  About 235-240 with the premium balls.  I have to think that it comes down to spin performance off of the driver.  Getting that extra distance and a shorter club into the green is worth sacrificing green side spin.  

[Tyler724]

I’m around 95MPH and I prefer ProV1. Have played the AVX and Bridgestone RX some in the past as well. Interested in Chrome Soft and TP5 but don’t have much experience with either ball. 

[c50sooner]

On 7/16/2023 at 8:56 AM, Jmccas said:

That’s an interesting range of balls. Is one floating to the top of the list as a favorite?

@JmccasThey all unfortunately have a characteristic or two that the others don't, so I keep switching around. Have played Triad the most which is the most well rounded, but chase distance with CSXLS, chase short game/putting feel with Diamond, straight flight of ERC Soft, and the all around feel of Z Star. 

[IdahoHacker]

95ish mph swing speed.  I have been trying some new balls this year.  Normally a ProV1 player.  But played the Q-Start Tour in early spring season and liked it.  Switched to the Vice Pro and really like it alot.

[Mike_Honcho]

the new kirkland.  

[vernon]

12 hours ago, Mike_Honcho said:

the new kirkland.  

This ^

[Striker Ace]

DUO Soft matte red and yellow for fun

 

ZIP for the less than snooty 9 hole course that I walk alone often (thick rough and I tend to forget where exactly along with poor depth perception)

 

Triad and Maxfli Tour S for the nicer 18 hole course that I play two or three times a month.

 

 

[Boricua Golf]

This is why I love GolfWRX, "mere mortals", don't you know our average swing speed with the driver is in the 125s?!?!?!? on a bad day, these guys are being so nice to you, love it!!!...ok my hypocrisy only goes so far, I have to say everyone here is correct, there is no perfect ball, we all swing different, even at the same speed. Really enjoyed the fellow friend here that stated "I don't have a specific ball, I get a sleeve and see what happens" (paraphrasing), as you've seen, some guys with slower swing speeds have opted for the harder ball, then again, others prefer the softer more spinier ball, I am not in this category, I am in the 112-115 and I currently play the Z Star Diamond (you should give it a try), it was a surprise to me, 3 piece ball, softer feel, but it performs really well, again for me, long with the driver, perfect spin with the irons, great spin around the green and feel softer off the putter. You have to try and see what works best for you, and remember, no one here is a mere mortal, we are Gods of the game!!!...lol, take care, hope this brought a smile...