What ball to use
I have been playing the Calaway Hot Bite.. but I hate them, I get very little if any control around the green, I got more response out of the DT solos that I used to play than these. I am not looking to spin the ball back 10 feet, I am just looking to have the ability to be agressive towards the pin and have the ball check up for me. An article I read recently tested 50 balls and made suggestions for you based on your style of play. I hit long drives and want a medium spin ball, they suggested the Calaway tour ix, Pro V1 and Pro V1x and also the Nike Black, I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on these balls, I have the the Pro V1 before, but not enough to make a decision.. I was also wondering if anyone had any other suggestions on something to try. Thanks
balls
Nike One black is definately the best for the money save about 4 bucks and go with them. They have great feel around the green and spin very nicely (controlled). Pro V's are great but when it comes down to it the Nike is longer lasting and better on and around the greens.
Callaway Balls
I used to be a big believer in Callaway golf balls, but I've recently gone back to Titleist Pro-V1 because of what I perceive to be better control around the green. I haven't liked a Callaway ball I've hit for a couple of seasons now.
Never played Nike. Some people I know swear by the new Bridgestone balls, but I haven't played those either.
Balls
I've long been a supporter of the Callaway HX Tour (now the iTour).
I've played around with the Nike One Platinums, but I may just stick with Callaway. Less spin off the driver, and pretty good spin with mid irons and on/around green.
TP Red
to be honest, iv always been a fan of the Pro V's... but i think i found a new ball thats top of the line. Taylor Made TP red. without a doubt best ball on the market. It gives grab when you need it, and it can be hammered down the fairway off the tee. A close second goes to the Callaway HX tour.
NXT-Tour
THe TP Red and Black are great balls but the best ball for your buck is the NXT-Tour. They are half as expensive as the ProV-1 and play just as well.
Show your balls some love
I still haven't found a comparable ball to the pro-v with both distance andthe amount of spin you can generate around the green. IMO, depending onthe course you'll probably want a couple different in your bag. I'd buy a
couple of sleeves of each and see which one goes with your game/course.
I recently played the Bridgestone e6. Very impressed with the ballflight. Great feel and trajectory with 8 iron - 4 iron. Loved w/ Driver. Played on some hard/fast greens and didn't get the spin i usually get with 9iron - 56 degree, especially with a tucked pin location or chipping above the hole. Played the rest of the round with a Pro V.
Another course I play hasmuch softer greens, slower greens. If I play the Pro V, the spin is outa control, so i jerk out the 'ol e6. Shot a great round and probably save 3-4 strokes by switching balls and not having to aim 5yards beyond hole and hope I pinch every shot. They even checked quite nicely on chip and sand shots.
Played some other high end balls on my home course. Hard/fast greens. Not a huge fan of the Nike, but they're ok. Not a calloway fan either, went through a box, not great, not bad either.
But After some of the posts, i'm definitely interested in the Taylor made TP red. Especially if itcan hold up better than the Pro Vs. I swear they're getting like the old balata balls.
Hope you find this helpful.
This may sound crazy, but
This may sound crazy, but try the Top Flite D Feel. They are long enough, and have good feel around the green. The best part is a box of 15 can be had for under $15 at your local Wal Mart. If you can put your "I have to play a premium ball" mentality aside, you'll see this is really a great ball, and a great value.
I would also, if you feel the need to spend the $$, recommend the Cally iTours. I just grabbed a dozen this week (had a $10 off from Dick's Sporting Goods) and I really liked them. My only gripe was that I cut a couple of the covers with my wedge.
balls
i used to play the top flite D2 feel and i liked them-great value...theyre long off the tee and can check a little around the greens but not much...i stopped playing these when i started playing a pro-v1 and fell in love with them...around the green its amazing you can drop the ball right on top of the hole and itll check up no problem...off the tee theyre good too...the only problem is that they can scrape very easily on the carpath and when you hit full wedges, it leaves some small chip marks...other than that the balls great and D2 is pretty good also...might also wanna try the hx tour by callaway i like those as much as pro v1s
Golf.com Tests
Golf.com did a feature recently using a robot with a 90 mph swing and tested many varieties of balls for distance and spin, and then ranked them into various categories.
I'm glad to see I'm supposed to be getting the best bang out of my buck for what I'm playing...
I've been pretty lucky when
I've been pretty lucky when getting my range balls and so far I've played Bridgestone's B330-S, e6+, Nike One Black, and a Titleist ProV1x. Initially I didn't expect there to really be a difference with the balls, but there was, especially around the greens. I've bought a sleeve of the e6+ due to the fact that they just worked for me, plus, they're much cheaper than the other 3. I still liked that one about the same, or maybe more than the Prov1x. I'd rank them in this order:
Bridgestone e6+
Titleist Prov1x
Bridgestone B-330s
Nike One Black
I'm by no means any good, I've just picked the game back up after 10+ years off (I'm 22) but I've chipped in (on a practice green) with the e6+, and had 2 chips (on course) within inches with the ProV1x. Hope I helped some.
golf ball
1. Hogan Tour Deep $39.95
2. Taylor Made TP/RED $45.99
3. Titleist Pro V1 X $49.99
4. Nike One Black $49.99
5. Srixon Z-URS $39.99
i say hogan balls are the best ones out there, but not too many players play them anymore...
Balls
I like the Wilson titanium ball you can kill it off of the tee and around the green it is controllable.But I advise don't try to putt it.Some times you don't have to pay $45 a dozen.Am I wrong?
Rules
I can't quote the rule # but I'm pretty sure you have to use the same ball for the entire hole providing you don't lose it during the hole. That's why you have to compromise on what is the "Best all-around ball" for your game. I have a friend who has a "lucky putting ball" and I don't care during casual rounds but when we play for money, drinks or in tournaments he is not allowed to swap out balls during a hole.
golf ball
I love the Hogan Tour Deep. Ever since I did a case study on Callaway for business school, I've been sold on their products. The Tour Deep uses a little deeper dimple to provide a "parachute" effect that floats them further. Now, all marketing rah-rah fluff aside... they scrape like butter slung down an Atlanta highway in July. I can't even take a 1/2 wedge on 'em.
1) Callaway Tour i
2) Hogan Tour Deep
3) Titleist ProV1
4) Bridgestone B330
I haven't really touched anything else in years... though I started with Pinnacle Gold's and Noodles and they worked great for my swing at the time.
DOn't just go with the expensive ones
I've played the Pro V and Nike One, as well as many others. Personally, I am a fan of the MaxFli Noodle, it has great feel.
Recently I tried the Slazenger Raw (honestly, because they were on sale). I tried all three versions (distance, titanium and feel). The distance reminds me of the Top Flite (like hitting a rock) but I really like the feel and titanium, they feel very soft off the club and I have been able to control them well.
The Nike platinum ball will
The Nike platinum ball will check great for you and is (for me) just a bit shorter off the tee than the pro v .I was totally amazed how much check these balls had over the prov . I actually had to take a little speed off my swing with my SW and lw due to spin back . I think you and who ever trys these balls would agree. Wal-mart sells them cheaper than anywhere Ive shopped them . Id like to hear anyones thoughts on the balls performance \ Peace The Silver Mann
Topflite Gamer
Hard to argue against the ProV1 but I refuse to pay the price. Of course I'm not the greatest golfer in the world and I suppose if my golf balls hung around a little longer I wouldn't mind. Anyway, I call the Topflite Gamer the poor man's ProV. Excellent distance, very good spin and very well priced at $19.99 per dozen.
Another vote for the Taylor
Another vote for the Taylor Made TP RED, you can get teh 2007 model at Dick's sporting goods for $29.00 a dozen.
Ignite
Nike ignite are great balls for the money. They have good control around the greens and are maybe the longest balls I have ever hit and they are only $25 dozen
what ball to use?
I used to play mid-level balls, $25-30, but since switching to tour balls I'll never go back. I'm currently playing the Bridgestone B330-S and absolutely love it. They're excellent in the wind and are the most "complete" ball for my game. I get the most distance with these also. The only downside is that the B330's seem to scuff easier, especially on full scoring iron shots. In close second is the new Callaway Tour I and IX. They seem to feel much softer than the previous HX Tour models. Another good option I've found is the Srixon Z-URS, a good all round ball. It's cool to play these because not many other people do, i.e. Pro V1.
Mid Level Balls
I started playing the ProV1 last year, and the check on chips and pitches is amazing but I lose 10 yards off the tee also being a married guy with kids it's hard to pay $45 a dozen. I start the season playing softer balls (ie. DT SoLo) in the spring and go to the NXT Tour or ProV1 when it warms up in the summer. It may just be a coincidence but my lowest rounds (79,80,81) of the year were with a NXT Tour and not the ProV1. I gave the Bridgestone E6+ a try after reading a lot of good reviews and I did not like them at all. I'm sticking with the NXT Tour they are $15 cheaper, longer for me off the tee, more durable and still check a little from shots around the green.