What is the first thing I will notice?

[supernads]

If I start playing a decent ball?

I just got back to playing after 15 years without a single round. When I started again last fall I bought a bunch of cheapo slazenger raw balls because I had a tendency to knock a lot of them into the tall grass and lose them forever.

I'll probably try a few of the mid-priced Bridgestone or Srixon balls and see what I like the best, but I'm wondering what kind of performance difference I should actually expect to see.

[buttuh]

Mostly feel. It won't feel like you're hitting a rock with your driver and it won't feel clicky when you make putts. Other than that your approach shots are more likely to stay on the greens instead of rolling off.

[Bobbers]

And a lot will depend on whether you use a high or low spin ball, etc., etc., etc.

 

Reality, overall, is that after fifteen years away, unless you played a balata cover before you stopped, you're going to be amazed at how soft most balls feel, and how much more responsive all of them, except the worst, have become.

[DaveLeeNC]

I just got back to playing after 15 years without a single round. When I started again last fall I bought a bunch of cheapo slazenger raw balls because I had a tendency to knock a lot of them into the tall grass and lose them forever.

 

I'll probably try a few of the mid-priced Bridgestone or Srixon balls and see what I like the best, but I'm wondering what kind of performance difference I should actually expect to see.

 

The biggest thing that I notice is the ability to put spin on the ball with partial wedge shots. Next will be spin on full wedge shots - and sometimes this is not a good thing. I quite playing the 2004 vintage Pro V1 because I would occasionally hit this wildly spinning full SW shots that would suck back 30 or more feet (unpredictably).

 

dave

[Desert Golf]

I noticed that I had less money in my wallet when I switched to a decent ball :D

Joking aside, I agree with the others who talked about improved feel and greenside performance/spin.

[clothier]

you'll notice how much more time you'll spend looking for a lost ball when you realize that you just hit 3 bucks into the weeds.

[Hnixon12]

I am using the Srixon Z-Star, awesome ball, and like the others have said, when you are chipping on the green, and say you hit it thin by accident, it will roll , but won't go flying off the green like a bullet..it will spin and hold on the dance floor, and save you 2-3 strokes...so as the others have said, geen holding ability

[Hnixon12]

I am using the Srixon Z-Star, awesome ball, and like the others have said, when you are chipping on the green, and say you hit it thin by accident, it will roll , but won't go flying off the green like a bullet..it will spin and hold on the dance floor, and save you 2-3 strokes...so as the others have said, geen holding ability

[longballjs]

I would think that you would notice that when you used to hit a fade to the right edge of the fairway or a draw to the left edge, now you will probably be in the rough

[arkstorm]

The biggest difference that I notice is spin on chips and pitch shots. I can play a low aggressive chip almost to the hole and get it to stop reasonably quickly. A cheapo ball will skid right past. But the good ball will be just as long off the tee as el cheapo.

[caller]

Mostly feel. It won't feel like you're hitting a rock with your driver and it won't feel clicky when you make putts. Other than that your approach shots are more likely to stay on the greens instead of rolling off.

 

 

+1

 

sounds like Srixon zstar

[supernads]

I would think that you would notice that when you used to hit a fade to the right edge of the fairway or a draw to the left edge, now you will probably be in the rough

 

Will a Bridgestone e6+ or Srixon AD-333 exacerbate a slice far more than a slazenger raw I was playing last fall?

 

I did have a pretty bad slice with my driver that I've mostly cleared up, but I do manage an unintentional fade ever 9 holes or so.

[sandman31774]

I would think that you would notice that when you used to hit a fade to the right edge of the fairway or a draw to the left edge, now you will probably be in the rough

 

Will a Bridgestone e6+ or Srixon AD-333 exacerbate a slice far more than a slazenger raw I was playing last fall?

 

I did have a pretty bad slice with my driver that I've mostly cleared up, but I do manage an unintentional fade ever 9 holes or so.

 

both the bridgestone e6+ and Srixon AD-333 I have found to be pretty darn straight flyers. I have a slice tendency. I can slice the heck out of any ball on the market if i let my swing get wild...I am currently gaming the Srixon AD-333. I get good distance with it, flies straight, and actually spins decently around the greens for me. I haven't played the slazenger balls though. Just giving you my take on the bridgestone and srixon though

[Mtngolfer1]

I just got back to playing after 15 years without a single round. When I started again last fall I bought a bunch of cheapo slazenger raw balls because I had a tendency to knock a lot of them into the tall grass and lose them forever.

 

I'll probably try a few of the mid-priced Bridgestone or Srixon balls and see what I like the best, but I'm wondering what kind of performance difference I should actually expect to see.

 

There are alot of good ball choices out there. Most will fly long and striaght off the driver and a few will have decent feel and performance around the green. You don't need to spend alot of money to take advantage of some good technology. The biigest difference you will see is in the pocket book once you start to play a premium or better ball. To hold on to some money consider the following all under $20.00 a doze. The Taylormade TP is a excellent performing ball it is long and straight off the driver, a good wind ball too and it performs well around the greens and is durable for $19.99 a dozen Costco it is a excellent subsitute to a premium ball at half the price, my next suggestion may surprise you, the Top Flite Gamer $19.99 a dozen alot of performace packed into this budget ball. It is a al around performer long off the driver great spin/feel around the greens .Another surprise is the Pinnacle exception Golfsmith double dozen $25.00 does everthing pretty good not great but a great ball at this price $12.50 a dozen.

[yoonie]

The biggest difference that I notice is spin on chips and pitch shots. I can play a low aggressive chip almost to the hole and get it to stop reasonably quickly. A cheapo ball will skid right past. But the good ball will be just as long off the tee as el cheapo.

 

Mainly this for me. Lately, I've been hitting ~10 yard wedge shots that are spinning sideways 5-10 feet upon landing. A 2 piece ball on short shots will on roll in one direction upon landing- forwards.

 

Edit: oh yeah, playing hx tours

[mozgolf]

Compared to most balls 15 years ago, the majority of mid even lower priced balls will feel pretty damn good (softer) , longer and with at least some stopping power. What was around 15 years ago below the balatas, Wilson Ultras, Pinnacle Golds, Rock Flites??