MW03 said:

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I played up in Denver in a scramble this past week as part of a guys trip, and I took a bunch of random balls from leftovers I've purchased and found over the years. I think that of all the balls I played, the one that gave me the best results was the Callaway Chrome Soft. Just felt more stable for me, especially off the tee. Gonna play that one a while and see if it was a fluke good round, or if there's something there for me.

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This is the way.

A few years back, my instructor said I needed to be playing a make and model of balls consistently. So when I find a dozen of something I want to try, off we go.

98Ag99Grad said:

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Nom de Plume said:

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About 7 (?) years ago I switched from PV1x to Snell and never looked back. And I can buy a new club every two years with the savings. I'm not sure why they didn't test it.

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They tested it a year or so ago and it was rated the worst ball they ever did test. Snell switched factories after covid and quality went in the tank according to their tests. They were a fan of the previous generation but hated the new one.

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LOL! I totally missed this. I knew about the formula change. And it made zero difference in my game.

All I know is I can't buy a grocery store golf ball.

MW03 said:

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I played up in Denver in a scramble this past week as part of a guys trip, and I took a bunch of random balls from leftovers I've purchased and found over the years. I think that of all the balls I played, the one that gave me the best results was the Callaway Chrome Soft. Just felt more stable for me, especially off the tee. Gonna play that one a while and see if it was a fluke good round, or if there's something there for me.

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The thing is, if you were playing a collection of balls from multiple years you aren't going to replicate that.

The Chrome Softs have changed substantially from year to year -- and went through serious quality control issues a few years back.

So what you buy today will be very different (for most balls) than that 2022 ball you found in the woods.

Particularly for Chrome Soft.

Trinity Ag said:

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MW03 said:

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I played up in Denver in a scramble this past week as part of a guys trip, and I took a bunch of random balls from leftovers I've purchased and found over the years. I think that of all the balls I played, the one that gave me the best results was the Callaway Chrome Soft. Just felt more stable for me, especially off the tee. Gonna play that one a while and see if it was a fluke good round, or if there's something there for me.

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The thing is, if you were playing a collection of balls from multiple years you aren't going to replicate that.

The Chrome Softs have changed substantially from year to year -- and went through serious quality control issues a few years back.

So what you buy today will be very different (for most balls) than that 2022 ball you found in the woods.

Particularly for Chrome Soft.

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Just figure out which year you liked best!



And just hope it isn't the 2015 or 2016!

2024+ TP5X is money. Added noticeable distance to driver and reduced spin. First ball that got me buying new balls instead of playing whatever prov I could find in the junk. The 4 dozen packs for price of 3 boxes are fantastic. takes them down to $41 a doz.

I tried a sleeve of chrome tours on a whim recently and enjoyed it. Ordered a couple boxes with my reward points. They are running a 2 for $95 deal right now. Typically play prov1's and TP5's but I found these to be just as good for my game.

I've gone down the rabbit hole of trying to understand the driver swing speed, compression numbers, ball flight height, and spin data out there and tried to match it to match the best ball for my daughter and myself.

So far what has worked the best is to find a compromise between something that matches swing speeds and balances it with something you think feels nice to hit and has the desired spin / control around the greens. When she was first starting out we went with softer balls to maximize distance with her slower swing speeds. Now that she's in the mid ranges it's getting more important to hold shots into the green and get a little spin on chip / pitch shots. But still being a mid swing speed the high end balls aren't quite right yet either and cost her a club in distance.

I'm not sure it really matters or that there is a perfect match. I've definitely seen some ball that are a horrible matched and scratched them from the list, but can't see much difference in good matches between various brands.

And even according to the data, a lot of the differences are so minute, unless you play almost every day using a launch monitor every shot and are a scratch or better golfer, there won't be enough rounds with enough consistency to get practical data to figure it out anyway.

Thoughts...

In lieu of Titleist ProV1 ($55), try the Vice Pro ($40) or the Bridgestone Tour B RX ($45).

In lieu of Callaway Chrome Soft ($55), try the Vice Pro Air ($40) or the Bridgestone B RXS ($45).

I can usually play with the same ball all day, so whether I play a $4.96 ball for the round or a $3.61 ball for the round is a moot point - so it's really the principal and practicality of the purchase. Why pay more for the same results, right?

I will say with anything there is a trade off. I played a vice pro compared to a prov1 and I saw a noticeable loss of total distance with the driver because of increased spin. Carry distance was similar.

But everyone is different.

Rustys-Beef-o-Reeno said:

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I will say with anything there is a trade off. I played a vice pro compared to a prov1 and I saw a noticeable loss of total distance with the driver because of increased spin. Carry distance was similar.

But everyone is different.

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Yah, swing speed and smash factor (especially off the driver) is remarkably different for everyone.

I'm starting to become an 'old', but I've not seen a noticeable distance variance between any of the balls referenced above. Everyone has a favorite that gives them confidence - just like clubs!

Fore!

I honestly like how the new Kirkland's play as well. I mainly use the TP5/TP5x Pix because they are easier to see which ball is mine and I can use them on square launch monitor.

I know a lot of people don't like the Srixon Q Star Tour Divide because of the divide color scheme, but the yellow and orange was great for early morning rounds.

I would like to try the Mizuno Pro X as well, especially since they are buy 2 get 1 free right now.

Regularly find lost balls to try, as well as 10 gallons of them gifted from retiree & regular player + The Range reporting.

Love the visability of the green-yellow balls BUT they are the first to drown & others have said the same ... explain that to me Lucy.
Blue, black, pink, even red forgetaboutit finding them, sometimes even in fairway.

I love being spolied buy the Srixon Tri-Speed BUT a perfection ball needs a perfection swing w/no distractions, else these rockets sail off into neverland + they don't sell them at clubhouse. Good for short game as well. If rich, these would be The Ones, even if only used/mint/AAAA in bulk.

MyGolfSpy labs robot doesn't produce the same results found in my field o grass, no matter the swing speeds. Most brands were covered, sooooo something smells fishy.

Finally, if found in the boonies, a ball is suspect to being out-o-whack, unbalanced & hexed, more than the golfer's swing, else he would have spent the time/trouble to FIND it.

zip04 said:

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I honestly like how the new Kirkland's play as well. I mainly use the TP5/TP5x Pix because they are easier to see which ball is mine and I can use them on square launch monitor.

I know a lot of people don't like the Srixon Q Star Tour Divide because of the divide color scheme, but the yellow and orange was great for early morning rounds.

I would like to try the Mizuno Pro X as well, especially since they are buy 2 get 1 free right now.

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I love Q Star Tour Divides. The color scheme helps me line up drives and putts. Those have also been the longest balls for me with driver and irons.