Question about Nike Ignite and mid price balls in general

[TexasRig]

:: Kind of a long post

I have been playing a Nike Ignite golf ball for about the last 4 months and I thought that I was very happy with the results. I have been having some issue with distance lately, not so much with the driver but I am really not getting anything on my irons. I have been having some problems with my swing so I just assumed that was where I was losing distance.

Well after I hit my approach last night on 18 and was walking up to finish my round I scooped a Callaway HX Tour out of the pond that lines the fairway. I just stuck in my pocket and went on. I got to the green and went to putt out, left the putt short as usual so I dropped the HX Tour down and hit it. It was a completely different feel off the putter. Different sound, feel and I blew it by the hole. So I putted around a little bit and it really was a different ball compared to the Ignite. It was pretty much dark so I wasn't able to hit it with anything but my putter.

Now the question I have is.... Is this just a fluke thing? Are the Ignite balls that soft? Are the more expensive balls that much more responsive than the $20 to $25 balls? Will I see this same result when I compare the Ignite with the higher end balls on a regular club?

Thanks
Session