Good Balls For Bad Golfers?

Terpman · April 6, 2009

Who Should Be Using What

I have read a bunch of threads over the past few months that contained comments about whether bad golfers (by thread definition as anyone with a handicap over 10) should be using good, tour-level balls. On the yes hand is the theory that everyone needs spin and control and feel within 100 yards to help improve their game/score. On the no hand is the theory that you don't have the skill to spin the ball or utilize its technol,ogy so just forget it. Here's my take since I am a way bad golfer by definition: a 24 handicap and I've used every type of ball there is in the last year since really getting into playing this great game. I hit my driver on average of about 220. Some days I am a consistent 240 out. My 150 yard club is my 7i. That's carry. I use my sand wedge from 70 and in. Obviously, I don't always get the ball high into the air or hit it straight. That's a swing/grip issue--it has nothing to do with the ball. I don't have a hook or a slice. Point is: I hit the ball pretty far for a 56-year old; sometimes I wish the ball wouldn't go so far. So, using a 2-piece distance ball, though it feels good, doesn't really do me any good. What's another 5-9 yards? But, every now and then I'll hit a great approach shot, high and on target, and I want it to stop on the green. Shots like that that run off the green are frustrating. The better spin balls and premium balls will stay put much better. And, believe it or not, around the green I can actually get some spin on a ball every now and then. So, it will help my short game to have a ball that will take the spin or at least not run out the way a 2-piece distance ball will run. And if my short game improves, even a little, my scores come down a bit and I'm having more fun. So, in the end, I look to play a ball that gives me some spin and feels good off the driver, irons and feels great when I putt. For me, that's the Srixon AD333. But, lately I'm playing the Srixon Z-URS since its on such a great sale and I just bought a sleeve of callaway Tour i just to check them out. The Z-URS and the Callaway are great. Even my 12 handicap playing partner was jea;lous of my spin on a couple of sand shots and short chips yesterday. So, bad golfers: Play whatever ball makes you happy and know that your not wasting technology when you choose to play a premium ball.