Golf Digest

pavlam05 · April 5, 2009

Golf Ball Hot List

Haven't been around here in a while. Winter in Wisconsin...whattcha gonna do???

I got the newest issue of Golf Digest yesterday, and they have the new Golf Ball Hot List published in it.

I am tallying my vote as tired of seeing the same thing over and over and over.

Big surprise, the Pro V1(x) was voted the best tour-level ball. It is the same crap every year. Why do they even do testing when they the "results" always come out the same? They should have a half page article saying, "We at Golf Digest are part-time employees of the Acushnet Corporation. This in no way affects our judgement of the latest in golf ball technology. That being said, Pro-V1's are the best."

But wait, there's more...not only did the Pro-V1(x) get gold......but it was the ONLY one to get a gold rating. The rest; Bridgestone, Callaway, Nike, Srixon, Taylormade; all got silver. The only sub-category that Titleist didn't win was in innovation, and that went to Bridgestone thanks to the new B330-RX.

My first knowledge of any "Titleist Conspiracy Theories," and how they have "bought" all of their tour use and magazine ratings came from guys on this website. Well, I am now among you.

I've played with Pro-V1's, Pro-V1x's, Hx Tours, Tour iX's, One Blacks, One Golds, One Platinums. Never have I thought that the Pro-V1 was any better than any other ball. In fact, I would pick at least two or three others over the Pro-V1 line. I'm not a single-digit or scrath caliber player, but I can at least say that my best rounds have not come with a Pro-V1 on my tee.

I know that this is going to create a big stir...but I had to vent. Thanks.

flyhighandlong · April 5, 2009

I agree 100% with you, they could have provided results from the test and then given that let the data choose the winner!!!

blinden · April 6, 2009

That's disappointing. Even though I have found the best ball for my game, I still like to read all the tests.

Brian

18th Legion · April 6, 2009

Haven't been around here in a while. Winter in Wisconsin...whattcha gonna do???

I got the newest issue of Golf Digest yesterday, and they have the new Golf Ball Hot List published in it.

I am tallying my vote as tired of seeing the same thing over and over and over.

Big surprise, the Pro V1(x) was voted the best tour-level ball. It is the same crap every year. Why do they even do testing when they the "results" always come out the same? They should have a half page article saying, "We at Golf Digest are part-time employees of the Acushnet Corporation. This in no way affects our judgement of the latest in golf ball technology. That being said, Pro-V1's are the best."
But wait, there's more...not only did the Pro-V1(x) get gold......but it was the ONLY one to get a gold rating. The rest; Bridgestone, Callaway, Nike, Srixon, Taylormade; all got silver. The only sub-category that Titleist didn't win was in innovation, and that went to Bridgestone thanks to the new B330-RX.
My first knowledge of any "Titleist Conspiracy Theories," and how they have "bought" all of their tour use and magazine ratings came from guys on this website. Well, I am now among you.
I've played with Pro-V1's, Pro-V1x's, Hx Tours, Tour iX's, One Blacks, One Golds, One Platinums. Never have I thought that the Pro-V1 was any better than any other ball. In fact, I would pick at least two or three others over the Pro-V1 line. I'm not a single-digit or scrath caliber player, but I can at least say that my best rounds have not come with a Pro-V1 on my tee.
I know that this is going to create a big stir...but I had to vent. Thanks.

First off, if you are not in singled digits or a scrath (scratch) player as you put it, you really have no business playing any of the balls that you listed. You will not realize the potential of any of those without the swing speed or skill level needed, so it stands to reason that you have never noticed any discernable difference. Uh, and no, I don't play Titleist.

TheIronChef · April 6, 2009

Haven't been around here in a while. Winter in Wisconsin...whattcha gonna do???

I got the newest issue of Golf Digest yesterday, and they have the new Golf Ball Hot List published in it.

I am tallying my vote as tired of seeing the same thing over and over and over.

Big surprise, the Pro V1(x) was voted the best tour-level ball. It is the same crap every year. Why do they even do testing when they the "results" always come out the same? They should have a half page article saying, "We at Golf Digest are part-time employees of the Acushnet Corporation. This in no way affects our judgement of the latest in golf ball technology. That being said, Pro-V1's are the best."
But wait, there's more...not only did the Pro-V1(x) get gold......but it was the ONLY one to get a gold rating. The rest; Bridgestone, Callaway, Nike, Srixon, Taylormade; all got silver. The only sub-category that Titleist didn't win was in innovation, and that went to Bridgestone thanks to the new B330-RX.
My first knowledge of any "Titleist Conspiracy Theories," and how they have "bought" all of their tour use and magazine ratings came from guys on this website. Well, I am now among you.
I've played with Pro-V1's, Pro-V1x's, Hx Tours, Tour iX's, One Blacks, One Golds, One Platinums. Never have I thought that the Pro-V1 was any better than any other ball. In fact, I would pick at least two or three others over the Pro-V1 line. I'm not a single-digit or scrath caliber player, but I can at least say that my best rounds have not come with a Pro-V1 on my tee.
I know that this is going to create a big stir...but I had to vent. Thanks.

First off, if you are not in singled digits or a scrath (scratch) player as you put it, you really have no business playing any of the balls that you listed. You will not realize the potential of any of those without the swing speed or skill level needed, so it stands to reason that you have never noticed any discernable difference. Uh, and no, I don't play Titleist.

I am no single digit. But, after 100+ chip/pitch shots I took today I still am able to tell which ball works better for me, at least around the green. It doesn't take a single digit to beat tour avg distance, either.

Bomb and Gouge · April 6, 2009

Golf Digest's ball and equipment rankings are 100% BS!

HackerD · April 6, 2009

It's a simple fact that GD, GOLF, etc., get big advertising bucks from the same companies whose products they are rating. Hot Lists are just advertising, that's all. Advertisements can be helpful in buying a product but we should not mistake the Hot List for some kind of independent test.

ozgoodz · April 6, 2009

Didn't the "independent" test performed by Consumer Reports place the Nike PowerSoft 1st or 2nd. If that's the case, why aren't we all playing that ball? These list do what they are intended to do; generate conversation and possibly revenue. If GD picks the Nike PowerSoft then they I counter that they'd loose credibility. If GD picks Titleist then we'll just complain and keep on buying/reading.

Stepping down now...

slim16er · April 6, 2009

I actually played the PowerSoft for a while after that rating came out. I liked them and for 15 bucks a dozen they were awesome for my budget. I played to a 6 index when I used them and got a lot of guff from buddies who were scratch players. Since I have gotten better I have switched to the premium/pro level balls and am still struggling to find the right ones. I just find it hard to pay that much for 12 golf balls and may go back to them for a while - still have a few sleeves left.

classicbum · April 6, 2009

I don't generate the clubhead speed to benefit playing the top end balls but I have not been able to find anything that works as well around the greens as several of the top end balls. Several are very close to each other but it really depends on finding the ball that works to your strengths.

pavlam05 · April 6, 2009

First off, if you are not in singled digits or a scrath (scratch) player as you put it, you really have no business playing any of the balls that you listed. You will not realize the potential of any of those without the swing speed or skill level needed, so it stands to reason that you have never noticed any discernable difference. Uh, and no, I don't play Titleist.

18th...why do you automatically have to make assumptions about my game simply because I said I'm not a single digit handicap player? I didn't realize I needed to clarify for you in order to justify my use of a high-performance ball.

My driver swing speed tops out around 117-118, so I probably average around 112mph. I've played with cheaper balls, and they do not perform well for me. Mainly, because when I hit an approach to the green, they behave how I want them to. I'm perfectly capable of hitting a 300 yard drive down the middle, and then hit an approach shot that checks and rolls out, or a shot that hits and spins back 10 feet. I just can't do it with the level of consistency that would get me to a 5-handicap, or for that matter, on the PGA tour. I have never officially gotten a USGA handicap index, but I score in the 80's; sometimes low 80's, sometimes high 80's. I've come close to breaking 80 a few times, but haven't quite done it yet, though I'm sure I'll manage someday.

I'm tired of guys like you that think you have to go out and shoot 68 every day to justify playig a $40/dozen golf ball. If you don't mind spending the money, and most of all, if it helps you play better, than play whatever damn ball you want, and don't judge others who do likewise.

Volgolfer · April 6, 2009

I too am disappointed with these lists....tired of the bias and lack of meaningful results from the "major publications." How hard is it to take each ball on the Iron Byron, use three or four swing speeds and driver lofts, a 56 degree wedge, a 7 iron, and give us spin rates and distances? I call for Consumer Reports to issue an updated golf ball comparison....that's what I'm paying them for!

golfdad907 · April 8, 2009

Haven't been around here in a while. Winter in Wisconsin...whattcha gonna do???

I got the newest issue of Golf Digest yesterday, and they have the new Golf Ball Hot List published in it.

I am tallying my vote as tired of seeing the same thing over and over and over.

Big surprise, the Pro V1(x) was voted the best tour-level ball. It is the same crap every year. Why do they even do testing when they the "results" always come out the same? They should have a half page article saying, "We at Golf Digest are part-time employees of the Acushnet Corporation. This in no way affects our judgement of the latest in golf ball technology. That being said, Pro-V1's are the best."
But wait, there's more...not only did the Pro-V1(x) get gold......but it was the ONLY one to get a gold rating. The rest; Bridgestone, Callaway, Nike, Srixon, Taylormade; all got silver. The only sub-category that Titleist didn't win was in innovation, and that went to Bridgestone thanks to the new B330-RX.
My first knowledge of any "Titleist Conspiracy Theories," and how they have "bought" all of their tour use and magazine ratings came from guys on this website. Well, I am now among you.
I've played with Pro-V1's, Pro-V1x's, Hx Tours, Tour iX's, One Blacks, One Golds, One Platinums. Never have I thought that the Pro-V1 was any better than any other ball. In fact, I would pick at least two or three others over the Pro-V1 line. I'm not a single-digit or scrath caliber player, but I can at least say that my best rounds have not come with a Pro-V1 on my tee.
I know that this is going to create a big stir...but I had to vent. Thanks.

First off, if you are not in singled digits or a scrath (scratch) player as you put it, you really have no business playing any of the balls that you listed. You will not realize the potential of any of those without the swing speed or skill level needed, so it stands to reason that you have never noticed any discernable difference. Uh, and no, I don't play Titleist.

WOW, so to be able to tell a Pro V1 you have to be singel digits? Really? I'm low to mid singel digits and I play with folks sometime who are about 15s and I can tell who plays a Pro V1 watching chip shots. Half of them lose few strokes a round due to not being able to control spin (run out instead of check) but I know it saves them other shots. When you play premium balls the spin helps everyone around the greens....if you can't see that as a dingle sigit player, hmmmm

redlabel · April 8, 2009

After reading the review I'm anxious to try the bridgestone 330rx this spring after the flooding and snow go away

jwolfe910 · April 8, 2009

I'm just blown away by all the Titleist haters in here. First everyone says that the hotlist is bias toward Titleist cause they spend all this money in their magazine. Well look threw your GD magazine and see how many Titleist ad's there is. I just did and there isn't as many Titleist ads as Taylormade or Calloway. Every major company has an add in golf digest. The most going to Calloway than Taylormade. So maybe just maybe Titleist still is the best ball out there.

ScooterMcTavish · April 16, 2009

Well look threw your GD magazine and see how many Titleist ad's there is. I just did and there isn't as many Titleist ads as Taylormade or Calloway. Every major company has an add in golf digest. The most going to Calloway than Taylormade. So maybe just maybe Titleist still is the best ball out there.

Hahaha! You can tell the most ads belong to Callaway and TM based on the iron rankings. I'm guessing Mizuno buys an ad every now and then too.