A Load of Balls!

[xander.uk]

over this side of thewater we have a magazine called todays golfer this months addition is about balls - all balls on the market in england in fact including lakeballs!
they are all hit by a tour pro and monitored with flight scopes etc etc.
i dont know if there is a canadian/u.s.a version of the magazine? http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/ its a good magazine and they are currently working on the website to relaunch it in the new year with all equipment reviews etc etc.

but in this months issue they talk about how important it is to use a ball thats good for your game.
fortunately for me ( or is it fortune? ) I am using the Srixon AD333 which according to their data and review suits my game.
I agree when i switched to the srixons i almost immediately improved 4 shots.

BUT the MOST INTERESTING point in the testing was that the tour pro who normally uses Pro v 1's rated the srixons as the best lower cost ball.
The DATA actually showed that the AD333's produced very very similar launch figures to the pro v 1 in fact it had slightly less driver spin but slightly more wedge spin and whilst it didnt feel quite as soft to him still felt good.
the dispersion was also slightly better than the prov v 1. and the srixons dont cut up as easily!
( i am talking about the new model AD333's ).
the pro v 1 did out distance the srixon with the driver by roughly 9 yards but hey when you consider the price difference that is impressive stuff for the srixon ( or maybe the pro v 1 isnt all its cracked up to be??)

but keep an eye on the magazine site ( i think you can subscribe mail order to the magazine too if you wanted too? its a decent magazine but the website if it lives up to its billing is going to be a very useful tool!)

In the meantime HOW ARE YOUR BALLS?

[gocchin]

I'm also using the Srixon AD333 balls. I tried a few other 3 piece balls, mostly Srixon and Tourstage but I prefer the feel of the AD333, they also fit my game and I feel they play well all around.

[golfinseb]

bullocks.

I've played both the AD33 and the ProV. There is non comparison, I personally find the Pro V to be a better ball for control, and definately when putting. That being said I would play the AD333 as I am not really good enough to take full advantage of the Pro V.

These tests are always hokey when it comes to ball performance. As a player you must try out individual balls and decide for yourself which is best. My personal favourite right now is the B330S. I am currently playing some Hogan Hawks as they were cheap.

[nearace]

anyone tried the nike juice ? nice soft feel imo.

[TourIQ]

In the meantime HOW ARE YOUR BALLS?
Hi xander.uk

What other ball was very similar to the Pro V1x?

[xander.uk]

the figures for the the balls where based on an average of the pro's shots using his own clubs!
He hit six of each type of balls with his driver ( Taylormade r7 425 8.5* stiff) and then 6 of each with his wedge (taylormade 48* rac forged).
The pro in question is Chris Ryan a PGA pro (who himself uses the Pro V1x) who is part of the custom fit team at the De Vere Belfry,very helpful bunch of guys down there and you can contact them by emailing enquiries@thebelfry.com or look on their website www.deveregolf.co.uk (http://www.deveregolf.co.uk) i am sure even you guys the otherside of the pond have heard of the Belfry?
All the data was monitored by FlightScope.

The figures for some balls were as follows:

Titleist Pro V1 driver launch angle:12.7*-backspin 2742-carry distance-273yd
wedge distance 105yd-backspin 5215

Titleist Pro V1x launch angle:12.5*-backspin-2905-carry distance-273yd
wedge distance 104yd-backspin 4593 (Pro's own ball of choice)

Srixon Ad333 launch angle:12.5*-backspin2673-carry distance 276yd (sorry didnt realise it out distanced the pro v's)
wedge distance 106yd-backspin 5447.
(Pro said: Ad333 gave the premuim cost balls a serious run for their money spinning wedge shots more than most of them and should be applauded)

Since you mentioned it Nearace:

Nike Juice launch angle:14*-backspin-2887-carry distance-262yd
wedge distance-103yd-backspin 3097
(Pro says the juice is a fun ball not for serious golfers as it does not offer any real benefits to your game.lots of other balls feel soft but give you more in his opinion)

sorry no data for hogan hawks ( as far as i know they arent sold in england and this is an english magazine testing balls on sale in england)

To answer your question TourIQ as i said the Ad333's were the most similar in terms of the data.
but the pro recommended the following balls!

Callaway HX Tour:launch angle:12.1*-backspin 2190-carry distance 270yd
wedge distance:103yd-backspin 4001
(Chris says the HX is aerodynamically fantastic and more stable in the wind has a very powerful flight that is noticeable over its rivals)

Nike 1 Platinum:launch angle-11.3*-backspin 1911-carry distance 280yd
wedge distance 101yd-backspin 5639
(Pro says: no wonder tiger wins everything look at his ball figures low driver spin adds distance and accuracy and good wedge spin maximises scoring round the greens)

It is worth pointing out that the optimum performance we are all looking for in a ball is low driver spin as that means distance and accuracy off the tee and hi wedge spin as that means control round the greens!

also given nice write ups were: srixon z-urs and urc, taylormade tp red and black, titleist nxt, callaway hx hot,pinnacle exception, nike power distance long, wilson staff px3 and dx2, srixon soft feel and a very big round of applause to the callaway warbird, not just because of its performance but also because (over here at least) it is a relatively cheap ball...its data was:

Callaway Warbird:launch angle: 11.3*-backspin 3156-carry distance 277yd
wedge distance:104yd-backspin 5702
(Chris said:the warbird is an exceptional golf ball that is longer than most premium cost balls and spins extremely well i think you will struggle to beat it)

If anybody wants the figures for a particular ball then please ask but remember they only deal with balls sold in the uk so i may not have the figures for you (all in all they tested 36 brands of ball including lake balls which varied so much the pro said playing around of golf with lake balls would be a nightmare and that you could not hit consistent shots as feel and distance changes massively)

in other words dont use them to play golf !

Lastly Golfinseb they agree with you (as i am sure we all do) that what ball works and feels good to you is individual and alters with differences in our swings but depending on the general strengths and weaknesses of our individual games then the data provided could help us all find a ball that might suit us better than the 1 we currently use!

But the reason they use a tour pro is because his swing is more consistent and repeatable than a handicappers and so the differences in the data are to do with how the balls themselves perform rather than how we hit them!

It may be a load of balls but interesting all the same and MAYBE it can help you shave 1 or 2 shots off your game?

[dohboy]

Thanks for the data, Xander. The data for some of the balls really surprised me.

Would you mind posting the data for the Callaway HX Hot and the Nike Ignite.

Also, and anyone can answer this, why is it that everyone is looking for a low back spinning ball? Isn't the optimum spin in the 2,500 to 3,200 rpm range, thus helping to get the ball to the apex of its flight without ballooning and allowing for the longest carry? If so, the Nike 1 Platinum, the ball with the lowest backspin and launch angle of all the balls, seems to defy this reasoning :confused:

Thanks!

[golfinseb]

Sounds like a great magazine article, lots of data to go over.

Alot of the performance of a ball has to do with the players swing speed. Really the performance depends on how far into the core the energy can be transfered on a driver, and how well it can be applied to the mantle for spin. If you are to weak to compress the ball enough, than the performance that a pro gets is not going to be anywhere near what you would expect.

If you can't spin a ball by compressing the mantle, than you're going to need something with a supersoft and tacky cover. I wish we could all get a computerized ball fitting, I would be interested in seeing how much difference a properly fitted ball makes to my game. Something a little more scientific than pure feel would be nice.

As for the spin issue, well optimum spin is different with different swing speeds (or more acurately ball speeds), as is launch angle. You'd have to get some input from one of the local fitters as to what is best as I am no expert.

[xander.uk]

Yes Seb you are right......and they point it out too that some balls are just not meant to be hit with the force that the pro hit them and also some of them need to be hit that way in order for them to perform at their best.
But overall its a guide that Maybe could help somebody shave a shot or too off their scores.
Dohboy the data you requested is as follows:

callway HX Hot:driver launch angle:11.5*-backspin 2718 carry distance 266yd
wedge distance 100yd-backspin 3952
(pro says: callaway says this ball explodes off the club face & hitting it i have to agree it flies off the club face like a rocket,feel in the short game is impressive too it feels softer than expected a great rival ball to the titleist nxt)

nike ignite:launch angle:14.3*-backspin 2847 carry distance 259yd
wedge distance: 99yd-backspin 5487
(pro says: a reasonably priced 3 piece ball with little feel difference over the juice ball and doesnt outperform the power distance long...i dont know why anybody would buy this ball)
he does say that in the slightly cheaper range of balls (english prices ) the nike power distance long is impressive.

personally not used any nike balls so i cant comment.

They do say at the end of the test that of the things they learned from it that custom fitting of your golf ball Would improve your game but (as we cant all do that) if you have a weakness in your game then buying a ball that is designed to improve that area might help you improve.

That distance balls dont really go as far as you might think

New model (2007) balls Do go slightly further than last years models.

Callaways warbird is the best overall performer for people on a budget (thats best value for your $ NOT best ball)

Most modern balls are very very good and the difference between them is narrowing.

Low spin off the driver doesnt mean just mean backspin but also means sidespin so lower spinning balls slice/hook less than higher spinning balls!

Just looking at the data can be misleading as everybody hits the ball differently.getting the right balance of spin and feel for you is trial and error (unless you go get custom fitted for your ball of course) but the data can GUIDE YOU towards a ball that might suit your game better!

[avidgolfer]

Just curious. Do you have the figures for the NXT and Pinnacle Exception. I read some where that the two are made at the same factory... thus could be the same ball except rebranded. :dunno:

The numbers will be the proof.

[xander.uk]

Titleist nxt:driver launch angle:12.4*-backspin:2448-carry distance:263yd
wedge distance:105yd-backspin:4908

Pinnacle exception:launch angle:12.1*-backspin:2859-carrydistance:262yd
wedge distance:102yd-backspin:5402


In case it helps???

Titleist nxt tour:launch angle:11.5*-backspin:2478-carry distance:260yd
wedge distance:106yd-backspin:4392.

the pro write up on those 3 balls says the nxt tour isnt really bothering with but he rates the exception and the nxt as good balls.

hope that helps?

[avidgolfer]

Titleist nxt:driver launch angle:12.4*-backspin:2448-carry distance:263yd
wedge distance:105yd-backspin:4908

Pinnacle exception:launch angle:12.1*-backspin:2859-carrydistance:262yd
wedge distance:102yd-backspin:5402


In case it helps???

Titleist nxt tour:launch angle:11.5*-backspin:2478-carry distance:260yd
wedge distance:106yd-backspin:4392.

the pro write up on those 3 balls says the nxt tour isnt really bothering with but he rates the exception and the nxt as good balls.

hope that helps?

Thanks for the post it was good timing for me.

I was on a quest to find balls that would work for my game. I avoided high end balls (not enough game yet and not enough funds) but I've tried some low to mid level balls. I tried the Titleist NXT, Srixon AD333, Wilson's PX3, Noodle and even Precept MC Ladies (supposed to be good on cold days). I wanted to try the Bridgestones E5/E6's but... season ended (well sort of :D ).

Out of the bunch, I like the Srixons the best and the numbers confirm what I suspected. Good spin on wedge shots. Also the price is great too.

[xander.uk]

I have to agree with you on that.
I was having a little trouble stopping the balls with short chips and bunker shots till i switched to the Srixons now not only do they stop but they are also spinning back!
Of course my game has improved a bit too so its not all down to the ball but i do believe they helped and that of course increases your confidence!

[Kace]

Sorry to bump this back up, but FYI, I found this magazine at the Chapters in Kitchener. Although they don't have the newest issue (with the ball review) they did have last month's issue (January) and I picked it up after taking a look at it.

So you may want to check your local Chapters for the Febraury issue for the ball review in the next couple weeks.

Although so far, from what I've read, I have enjoyed this magazine.

[xander.uk]

Glad you like it.

you may also want to try out their website which is currently undergoing massive re-working (so be a little patient guys n gals).

http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/

there are many interesting things on there including swing fault fixes and hints and tips plus you can now(or soon) send in your golf swing for analysis and rating plus course reviews and of course golf news!

and of course there is a big gear test section that gives their opinion (honest opinion not kissing the *rse of the companies who take out the big adverts)
on ALL golf gear including clubs, wet weather gear,balls and even trolleys.

by the way I DONT WORK FOR THEM :D

just think it is a decent golf magazine.

you have to register to get access to the site but that simply means put in a username and an email address but fear not they dont send you useless spam mail.

[Louie]

Good information here. Thanks I currently change between the Nike One Platinum and a Pro V1X but now looking at Srixon.:)

[GQuizzle]

In the meantime HOW ARE YOUR BALLS?

:rofl: He said balls

[owenmxz600]

ahhhhh very interesting, I have only hit a few Srixon balls in my day, but they sound good, might have to give them a shot... Im sure I can loose them as good IF not better then any other ball!!!

[Kace]

and of course there is a big gear test section that gives their opinion (honest opinion not kissing the *rse of the companies who take out the big adverts)
on ALL golf gear including clubs, wet weather gear,balls and even trolleys.

by the way I DONT WORK FOR THEM :D

just think it is a decent golf magazine.

I have noticed this so far...it's nice and refreshing to read a magazine like this that's not motivated by the companies that buy the largest advertisement space.

It's also nice to have the "non-American" opinion on all things golf...sometimes people are just too bias because of where something is or is from and not the quality of it.

ahhhhh very interesting, I have only hit a few Srixon balls in my day, but they sound good, might have to give them a shot... Im sure I can loose them as good IF not better then any other ball!!!

Hahaha...that's an interesting way to pick your balls. :D

[The Bun]

ahhhhh very interesting, I have only hit a few Srixon balls in my day, but they sound good, might have to give them a shot... Im sure I can loose them as good IF not better then any other ball!!!

Hey Owen, I'm sure those balls will fly just as far into the sh** as your pro-lows. 5-7:rofl:

-Bun-

[Louie]

Hey Owen, I'm sure those balls will fly just as far into the sh** as your pro-lows. 5-7:rofl:

-Bun-


Good one Bun, they really are 5-7 yards longer hahaha:confused: