Golf Balls...........Are they really all that?

Felexicon

Being new to the game I'm finding it quite easy to get blinded by the science of golf technology.

The biggest area is in choosing which balls to buy.
From reading the manufacturers description I'm fairly sure that if I play with certain balls I'll be saying goodbye to the day job and packing up for the pro tour by summers end.

So my question is, to the newcomer/high handicapper do the balls make that much of a difference to our overall score.

TheDoc

It's about being comfortable.

While different balls have different characteristics, I think it's good to settle on one or two brands that you like using, and keep using them.

You typically have a softball and a hardball. A softball is gives some better feedback, feels better on the strike and will spin that little bit more. I find them more comfortable to use because of the feel on the clubface, and using while putting and chipping.A hardball typically travels longer, but can be hard to control and doesn't generate great spin. When you strike it feels blunt and there isn't great feedback and I don't like using them at all, unless it's a really wet time around winter, even then I don't use a full hard ball.

You can pickup bags of lakeballs and the likes for good value. Pickup some mixed bags and when you play a few holes with a ball that feels good, remember the name and then move onto something else.

Most people will go with Prov1's and for good reason, they are one of the best balls in golf. But they can be pricey.
I personally use Srixon AD333's. They have really good feedback, good spin characteristics and they are relatively cheap aswell. Although I tried out their Soft Feel balls over the last few rounds and have to say, I like them.

Felexicon

TheDoc wrote: »

It's about being comfortable.

While different balls have different characteristics, I think it's good to settle on one or two brands that you like using, and keep using them.

You typically have a softball and a hardball. A softball is gives some better feedback, feels better on the strike and will spin that little bit more. I find them more comfortable to use because of the feel on the clubface, and using while putting and chipping.A hardball typically travels longer, but can be hard to control and doesn't generate great spin. When you strike it feels blunt and there isn't great feedback and I don't like using them at all, unless it's a really wet time around winter, even then I don't use a full hard ball.

You can pickup bags of lakeballs and the likes for good value. Pickup some mixed bags and when you play a few holes with a ball that feels good, remember the name and then move onto something else.

Most people will go with Prov1's and for good reason, they are one of the best balls in golf. But they can be pricey.
I personally use Srixon AD333's. They have really good feedback, good spin characteristics and they are relatively cheap aswell. Although I tried out their Soft Feel balls over the last few rounds and have to say, I like them.

Yeah I've bought a couple of bags of Lake Balls from Halpennys in Airside but I'd like to find a ball I like as the difference in feel can be fairly substantial.
Not going near the Pro V1s for the moment unless someone wants to give them to me for free.


In saying all of this, I did get the greatest ball ever in a bag of lake balls. It's a Nike ball and on one side it has "hit me bay one more time!!!" and the other has a picture of the guy who originally owned it. I'll never play the ball for fear of losing it. I take it out during any bad holes I'm having to cheer me up.

GreeBo

I'd recommend the ADD33 or the NXT Tour for a mid/beginner.

Note that the harder the ball the straighter it will fly (due to less spin)

Felexicon

GreeBo wrote: »

I'd recommend the ADD33 or the NXT Tour for a mid/beginner.

Note that the harder the ball the straighter it will fly (due to less spin)

Yeah I was looking at the AD333 alright.
I like the soft feel but I could certainly do with an extra few yards off the tee

Brewster

Titleist Velocity is a good ball for the mid to high man. They are decent value and are long off tee.

DuckSlice

The nxt is a great ball I used to use it all the time. These days I use prov1 or the Bridgestone equivalent, partly because I like the extra spin the give, but mainly I love the feel of them for putting. Hate putting with a hard ball.

I'd recommend the NXT for you.

tayto lover

I use Pro V1's in competitions. (get them @ 20 for 15 euro used but good quality)
Ultra, Pinnacle, Nike or Callaways are grand for practice rounds.
I avoid DDH (ditches, drains and hedges)

EvanCornwallis

They can make a difference, but no once you have a good ball they aren't really all that, in terms of huge difference.

People just need mentally need a different type, because they probably hit it well once and so they stuck. There are as many prov1s at the bottom of lakes as any other.

IMEO go and buy cheap balls, lake balls and the like. As a new player the last thing you want on top of everything else, is worrying about losing expensive balls.

lester76

Have used sirxon a lot & nike but got a bridgestone e6 balls last wk find it great ,flies off the driver & nice on the g
reens cheap 2

Senna

If you are new to the game and a high handicapper, the ball is probably the least important, due to the cost. You are going to be losing balls and whether its soft, hard, long, spin etc isn't going to make a big difference to your game, only to the bank balance.

If you do want to stick to using one ball, then I'd suggest the Srixon Distance or Soft feel, both cheap enough to lose a couple without breaking the bank, both very good at what they are designed for.

geeksauce

I was looking at buying prov1's the other day for a competition 3 for €15, I actually seriously considered it but thankfully I didnt in the end as I lost two balls during the round so it would have been the same as throwing a tenner into the gorse bushes.

I buy the mid priced ones as I find these to be decent and I dont mind losing them which is going to happen anyway. I might treat myself to some prov1's at some stage or if I get a GUI voucher then I will pick some up. I use callaways and nike balls which I find grand to use.

redzerdrog

I use the pearl grade pro Vs from eurogolfballs they are excellent quality and you get 48 balls for about €90 quid

Dr_Colossus

I don't think I've bought a ball in about 3 years, always seem to find more than I loose. Keep all the soft ProVs and equivalent for competitions and practice putting and the likes of the NXT Tours, Srixon AD333 etc for winter golf and practice rounds. Hate the hardness and lack of feel from Ultras, Pinnacles, Top Flights etc so usually just throw them in a bucket when I periodically clean out the golf bag.

Kace

Senna wrote: »

If you are new to the game and a high handicapper, the ball is probably the least important, due to the cost. You are going to be losing balls and whether its soft, hard, long, spin etc isn't going to make a big difference to your game, only to the bank balance.

+1. You're going to be losing balls left right and centre for a good while. Golf is difficult enough when you're starting. Don't get hung up on the ball as well.

Buy a pile of balls secondhand - white, yellow, pink, it doesn't matter. Use them and you'll lose them.

Personally I like to start off a round with a nice ball. If I lose it then I'm down to whatever's in the bag. Heck, I used an old yellow ball in last week's Medal myself, once I had lost the nice ProV1 (secondhand) that I started with.

Like the Doc there, I can't even remember the last time I bought a ball. Between finding them, winning them and being given them in some of the nicer outings, I rarely use more than I lose (and some days I really do lose - I'll admit here than I played a round less than 18 months ago where i lost 11 balls yes it's possible and was one of my darker times in golf)

Ilik Urgee

Can't say I'd agree with beginners using any ole ball to get them around the course, just it should be the same ole brand all the time imo.
Pinnnacles, Srixons, NXTours whatever cheap, definitely in the short game and especially putting it's important to know whatway the ball is going to consistently react.

DuckSlice

Was playing this morning, very very windy. I decided to use a Nike "PD Long" as I was afraid a proV1 would spin too much into the wind. Found them great and they have some control around the green.were great into the wind tho didn't balloon up in the air like the prov1 would

Only 2O euro for 12 too

Jimdagym

etxp wrote: »

Was playing this morning, very very windy. I decided to use a Nike "PD Long" as I was afraid a proV1 would spin too much into the wind. Found them great and they have some control around the green.were great into the wind tho didn't balloon up in the air like the prov1 would

Only 2O euro for 12 too

You can normally get them 2 dozen for 30. I use the pd soft myself, but thinking of switching to ad333's. doubt it will make difference to me but why not.

millerj

Having tried most brands at this stage I have settled on Wilson Staff DX2 soft as my ball of choice. Reasonably priced and a nice feel. Most importantly for me I find they don't scuff or tear too easily unlike most others. Can often look as good as new at the end of a round and as if it was being hit for the first time. Value for money for me.

Macker1

Are the Callaway Hex Warbird recommended ?????



2 dozen for €35

eagle eye

Strata is a decent ball at the right price I think.

geeksauce

Macker1 wrote: »

Are the Callaway Hex Warbird recommended ?????



2 dozen for €35

I have used them recently and found them to be ok, would say I prefer the Nike PD Long mentioned previously.

hades

A slight aside to the conversation, what are peoples views on lake balls versus new balls.

I need to get some balls and in the past i've generally bought lake balls when they are on offer from EuroGolfBallsIreland, but since they have no decent offer at the moment, i'm thinking of getting new balls.

So you could get 4 dozen new Srixon AD333 for €64 in GolfStoreEurope or i could get 50 TM Penta pearl grade lake balls for €70.

Do you go with "better" second hand balls or new balls?