HELP me find my ball for 2024!

[gpatgolf]

Ok - I need some help from the WRX’s!  I’ve been reading ball reviews and articles about finding the right ball until I can’t take it anymore, so I’m wondering about what you’all think!

First, some background on me and my journey so far.  I consider myself the typical WRX club ho - I usually have new irons in my bag, sometimes I keep them longer.  Coming off a set of JPX-923 Pros which I’ve had for the past two years and thoroughly enjoyed, but being the ho I am I just bought a new set of PXG GEN5 0311P’s, with the Mitsubishi MMT 70R shafts.  Handicap floating around 14, and would like to get it down around 10.

My driver swing speed is 87-88, and usually hit it 230 with a slight fade, when I’m hitting well.  Sometimes I battle side spin which makes that fade bend more, which cuts my distance.  My iron swing is slower in proportion to my driver, as I like to focus more on control and consistency.  7 iron is my 145-150-ish club.  I have no problem hitting a high ball, sometimes to a fault especially in windy conditions.  I usually don’t run it through the greens with my ball height, but I don’t throw aloof check-up spin on it.  I’m 71 years old.

 

If I understand anything about what ball I should be targeting, I would say I want a ball with lower spin off the driver, to combat side spin.  I’m guessing I want compression somewhere around 75-low 80’s, and maybe something that gives me a little spin around the greens.  I’ve hit a myriad of balls, but having trouble finding one that fits my game the best.  I’ hit the  Cally Supersoft, the ERC Soft, and 2022 Chrome Soft and soft X.  I like the Supersoft and especially ERC, as they are long and soft.  Not great around the green, but with my height it doesn’t kill me, although sometimes the SS and ERC just seem to balloon and fall out of the sky on me.  I hit the Chrome Soft well, tee to green, but the Chrome X is hard for me to control off tee.  Just doesn’t seem like a good fit.  I’ve hit the Mizuno RB Tours as well, and like them, but I’m not sure I have the swing to get the most out of them.  Pro V1 works great with irons, just not the best off tee with my power fades. V1 X - too firm. The Tour RXS doesn’t work well for me, just doesn’t seem to go off the tee well, and not a great spin for me around the tee.  I’ve tried a lot more, but trying to shorten an already long post.  I just picked up a dozen Vice Pro and a dozen Pro Soft’s but have never hit them.

 

Anyway, the mind boggles; I’d love to settle on one, or two for different conditions or weather or course, but I can’t seem to get there.  I think all the research has given me analysis paralysis, and quite honestly, I don’t know if it’s based on fact or marketing.

 

so - Looking for input.  I know that balls seem to act differently depending on who is them (or so I heard), but if your game is anything like mine, tell me what has worked for you!

Gary

[MattM97]

Get on a launch monitor, hit a bunch of balls, get info with driver and 7i. Go do a Ping Ballnamic fitting with info, get results, buy balls suggested, test, hopefully come to 1 ball. 

[phizzy30]

Go test the Vice Pro that you got and report back.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.  My father who's a little older and shorter than you off the tee loves them. 

[Jeff58]

Two things to keep in mind IMO.

 

The ball is a tuning element, not a generic performance factor. In other words, if your inherent swing mechanics produce too much spin, you can counter that with ball selection. However, if your friend who can’t produce enough spin tries your ball, it likely won’t be pleasant. That should be fairly obvious. Somewhat less obvious is that a robot is effectively just another golfer as well, but with very good shot-to-shot repeatability.

 

The greatest variation between balls is due to compression. Within a rough category, the standard Tour (V1) for instance, there is objectively so little difference that anyone that isn’t close to a scratch player will overwhelm the various model’s variation with their own.

 

For yourself, you appear to want/need a slightly higher trajectory ball with good approach spin on irons that doesn’t balloon easily (which ERC Soft and RXS tend to do). 
 

Wilson Triad

Vice Pro

Vice Pro Plus

 

Get all three. Play each for a few rounds. The ball will tell you which is correct.

[brutus27]

Gpatgolf,

I’m an 8 and driver ss low 90’s. 
I have been playing Oncore Elixer and really like it. Straight off the driver and has good spin with irons. Seems to be good into wind. It’s a 3 piece ball and good around and on the greens. Not clickey at all and not mushy either. $30 a dozen. 

[ChrisATL]

Try the MaxFli Tour S - I game the normal Tour, but it sounds like the S could be a good fit.  And if they work out, you can get 4 dozen for $120, which is a steal at DSG / GG.

[Notsohotshot]

Have you tried the Q-Star Tour? Great golf ball that’s has a lower compression, but is still a 3 piece urethane ball and spins great around the green. 
 

Plus they are usually sold at a great price point. 

[aquapig]

On 2/12/2024 at 8:52 PM, brutus27 said:

Gpatgolf,

I’m an 8 and driver ss low 90’s. 
I have been playing Oncore Elixer and really like it. Straight off the driver and has good spin with irons. Seems to be good into wind. It’s a 3 piece ball and good around and on the greens. Not clickey at all and not mushy either. $30 a dozen. 

Take this man's advice. 

 

The Elixr is a fantastic ball for the price and suits your needs.

[jjfcpa]

On 2/12/2024 at 8:06 PM, ChrisATL said:

Try the MaxFli Tour S - I game the normal Tour, but it sounds like the S could be a good fit.  And if they work out, you can get 4 dozen for $120, which is a steal at DSG / GG.

 

I'd have to recommend the Tour S from Maxfli.  I've played the Chrome Soft for the last couple years and decided to try the Tour S.  Soft feel, good spin into the greens, very good distance, great feel off the putter, at a bargain price for this kind of ball.

[Eesh]

Srixon Z star Diamond

[scott406]

 

Maxfli Tour S

TaylorMade Tour Response

BridgeStone RX

Titleist AVX

 

If you want a ball to be a bit fimer:

Triad

Maxfli Tour

 

 

 

[JohnnyO3478]

Seems to me that they designed the Maxfli Tour S SPECIFICALLY for you ....