Theory behind choosing golf balls?

[nutsnbolts]

Help??

Ok, I have been playing with whatever is cheap and whatever I can find. Although I have been focusing more on Titliest balls, I really can't tell the difference between Callaways, Top Flites, Titliest, etc. Perhaps, I have been using the ones I find and that is not a good baseline.

Anyone can explain briefly what exactly to look for in feel with each ball. I know that there are several different variations between Callaway balls, Titliest Balls, etc., but if I can perhaps buy a sleeve of each and start testing them out, hopefully, I can see what I like best. The problem is, I don't know what I'm looking for in the feel. I know one thing....there are soft balls and hard balls, and balls that spin more versus another...

Please help...

[DaveLeeNC]

I'd suggest starting with performance around the greens - specifically spin and feel. Spin (for me) is #1 nad how soft a ball 'feels' is less important to me.

 

Once you find a couple balls that work well FOR YOU around the greens, then full swing performance can be the final selection critiera.

 

dave

[Famousdave]

Nutsnbolts ....

 

IMHO what you need to do is to decide what you need a golf ball to do. DaveLeeNC suggested that you should consider spin and feel around the greens and this is definitely an important aspect.

 

Another aspect to consider is what your current shot shape is vs. what you would like it to be. For example:

 

-If you hit the ball too high, try a ball to lower your trajectory such as Titlelist Roll or Bridgestone E7+.

-If you hit an large slice or hook, try a ball with a dimple pattern which reduces your sidespin. The Bridgestone E6+ is one of the balls geared to do this.

-If you hit it too low, use a ball which has higher spin and will raise your trajectory. When I want to do this (e.g. I have strong tailwind), I use a Bridgestone E5+, Srixon AD333 or a Titleist Carry. These balls, especially the E5+ with its urethane cover, also will have the side benefit of helping you hold the green.

 

If you want more information to help you choose, read the golf ball reviews on this site and/or go the ball manufacturers' websites which generally have good information regarding the characteristics of their products. Also, you did not say if you are a powerful hitter or a slower swinger like me. I normally hit my drives 220-240 yards and have had good success with soft-to-medium hardness golf balls. For me, a harder more expensive ball such as a Pro V1, Nike One or a Bridgestone 330 would be a waste of money. I cannot generate the speed to compress one of these balls, so I would be paying more money for a golf which hurts my game. These would not be a smart choice for me.

 

Good luck with your decision, and let us know how it goes.

[SpinMill75]

If you really can't tell much of a difference between balls, then why pay more for a ball than you have to?

 

I would suggest buying a couple sleeves of mid-priced balls and testing them out.

Personally, I am looking for feel off the putter face and spin......thats it.

[Hnixon12]

Just a tidbit here, Rick Smith said in a article "choose a ball that you like from the green back to the tee"...just a thought..

[Double Gee]

Just a tidbit here, Rick Smith said in a article "choose a ball that you like from the green back to the tee"...just a thought..

 

 

totally agree with you.

 

Golf Monthly this month in the Uk did a comparison of 23 different balls from budget and Premium. It was independently orgainised via a lab in USA and they revealed that the vast vast majority of golfers have virtually no difference in performance from the Tee. This was even more interesting as the balls were blanked out and thus anonymous.

 

However, the Wedge into the Green gave a different result and Players could differentiate between golf balls a lot easier.

 

So, if you need a soft ball for putting or high spin for wedge play, then choose a ball that you need (some of the Budget balls gave some great spin figures) .. but if your needs are more from the Tee, then go with the cheaper option as it wont make so much of adifference.

[Terpman]

This is how I ended up with my choices using the "from the green back to the tee" model. First I recognized that I have a low trajectory with all my clubs and really should use a ball that flies a little higher. So, I concentrated on that group of balls. And, from that group, and there are many, I selected a handful of balls that I liked the way they feel when I putt. Then, from that group, I played them and saw how they performed off the tee, in the fairway and especially from 100 yards and in. For me, the best performers with the best feel were the 3 Srixon balls that I play, particularly the Trispeed and AD333. But, also, I liked the Bridgestone E5+, the Nike One Black and the Callaway Tour i. Indeed, I just got a bunch of Nike Tour D balls to try. I found that, even with a mere 90 ss, I could still get distance and performance from a tour level ball.

[Sandman600]

Totally agree with trying to find the right ball that will perform well around the greens. Its funny to hear my playing partners say to my ball when I chip or pitch " Bite!" or "sit!"

and finally when the ball actually hits the green it stops on a dime. Love to see their faces and hear their comments. I was like you, I would buy less expensive ball all the time but now I'm on the ProV 1 banwagon. This ball is truely amazing!