Need some suggestion on a new ball(s) to try

[edwelly]

Hello all. I was hoping to get some advice concerning a new golf ball(s) to try out. My old ball was a Srixon Z-URS and while I liked the ball, I felt it was ballooning on me some. So I have been trying a few different balls but haven’t found anything I really am happy with and it is starting to get expensive. I would like a few suggestions –

 

Here are the balls I have tried over the past few weeks: TaylorMade TP RED, TP Black, Burner TP LDP; and Bridgestone B330-RX.

 

I was thinking about trying the Nike Tour Vapor since I have a slower swing speed than most – thoughts?

 

My current numbers:

 

Driver: swing speed 95-100, carry 245

 

8 iron: carry 145-150

 

 

 

Please let me know if you need any further details. Thanks very much for your suggestions!

[manbearpig]

I'll try and help as I am going through your exact situation. Same swing speed as you and I play about a 280 driver and 145y 9 iron.

 

I fell in love with the ProV1 last month for spin and feel but felt it was not going anywhere off the tee. So here we go.

 

Srixon Z-Star:

Best putting ball ever. Consistent iron yardage and really good spin. DURABLE for a tour ball and goes pretty far off the tee as well. But my issue with it is I find it gets up there really high on my driver and fairway woods(when tee'd up) I'll play this as one of my 2 daily balls and just get over the high driver flight as long as I don't play in heavy winds.

 

TaylorMade TP Red LDP:

Much lower ball flight and huge drives. Easy to keep straight off the tee. Not quite the buttery feel off the putter but very, very good. Less spin as advertised but enough spin. Played some fairly firm greens this weekend and it was mainly hop and stop. They will spin back when you fire them into a mild slope as I sucked back 2 a good 15-20 feet that way with a 9 and a 52 degree. Had some chip shots that didn't roll out anything crazy so RED seems fine. Once again these could go into my bag until the end of the season as well.

 

I'm would try other balls, but for now either of these will play well. I'm leaning more towards the TM Red simply for the lower ball flight.

[edwelly]

thank you very much for your advice. I may try the new TP Red w/ LDP as I have read nothing but good stuff lately.

[DFinch]

I'll try and help as I am going through your exact situation. Same swing speed as you and I play about a 280 driver and 145y 9 iron.

 

I fell in love with the ProV1 last month for spin and feel but felt it was not going anywhere off the tee. So here we go.

 

Srixon Z-Star:

Best putting ball ever. Consistent iron yardage and really good spin. DURABLE for a tour ball and goes pretty far off the tee as well. But my issue with it is I find it gets up there really high on my driver and fairway woods(when tee'd up) I'll play this as one of my 2 daily balls and just get over the high driver flight as long as I don't play in heavy winds.

 

TaylorMade TP Red LDP:

Much lower ball flight and huge drives. Easy to keep straight off the tee. Not quite the buttery feel off the putter but very, very good. Less spin as advertised but enough spin. Played some fairly firm greens this weekend and it was mainly hop and stop. They will spin back when you fire them into a mild slope as I sucked back 2 a good 15-20 feet that way with a 9 and a 52 degree. Had some chip shots that didn't roll out anything crazy so RED seems fine. Once again these could go into my bag until the end of the season as well.

 

I'm would try other balls, but for now either of these will play well. I'm leaning more towards the TM Red simply for the lower ball flight.

 

I agree with this. I have both these balls in the bag at the moment and I give the edge to the TP Red due to trajectory. I'm also a high ball hitter.

 

After reading other reviews I was worried the TP Red wouldn't have enough check around the greens, but after a lot of time at the chipping green I'm convinced it has plenty of greenside spin.

[manbearpig]

I really like the TM Red but if you wanna experiment more do what I've been doing.

 

Go here and look at the chart:

Golf Digest ball test

 

Find a ball that has lower launch than the Srixon and equal or less driver spin. Next look at the wedge chart and find a ball in the higher spin rate chart. I find with my game all the balls I've tried mimic these charts to a tee.

 

Next ball for me would be Callaway Tour i. I've read it is a great wind ball and good greenside spin. Only real negative for me and the reason I didn't try it first is they let me putt all these balls at my shop and it was to clicky. They may not bother you though.

 

Then the Bridgestone B330-S or maybe the Nike Tour D... and so on and so on........

 

You say you tried the BS B330-RX, how was the spin and putting feel?

[manbearpig]

DFinch how do your Red's look after a couple of 52 degree wedges? I find them not the best in durability but good.

[DFinch]

DFinch how do your Red's look after a couple of 52 degree wedges? I find them not the best in durability but good.

 

I've been surprised by their durability. The Z-Stars have a big reputation for durability, but so far I haven't shredded either one of them. After a Father's Day morning 9 holes with my dad on a short course, with lots of wedges, my TP Red looked brand new. Time will tell, but I was pleasantly surprised.

[Baconator]

Maybe it's because I'm not a high hitter, but I can't find any faults with the Z-Star. I would be perfectly happy playing this ball from now on and I'm a ball ho.

[manbearpig]

Maybe it's because I'm not a high hitter, but I can't find any faults with the Z-Star. I would be perfectly happy playing this ball from now on and I'm a ball ho.

 

Don't get me wrong, if the Z-Star launched lower off my equipment they would be the ball for sure in a heartbeat. I envy you if Z-Star flights lower for you. OP mentioned he found their predecessor ballooned a little so it's a good chance he'll get similar results with the Z-Star.

[edwelly]

Thanks again for the advice. I am going to try a 3-pack of the TP Reds this weekend.

 

BTW, I love your handle - manbearpig- great episode!!!

[cpcameron20]

i have been in the same boat as you with similar swing numbers. Based on the golf digest article, i tried Bridgestone E5+. It is now my favorite ball. Best spin on the green you can get for under $30/dozen.

[manbearpig]

i have been in the same boat as you with similar swing numbers. Based on the golf digest article, i tried Bridgestone E5+. It is now my favorite ball. Best spin on the green you can get for under $30/dozen.

 

How's the putter feel? I'm one of those softer ball guys :)