Ok, no, this is not a NSFW post. This is definitely golf related.

How much do you really think the ball plays in how well you play? For the first time since picking up the clubs again a few months ago, I put some decent balls into play. Again, this is definitely SFW.

Granted, they were probably 10 years old. They were Nike One Platinums that I've had since the mid-2000's. I've never considered myself a "great ball striker" and I never played for the ball to back up or even one bounce and stop. I've always relied on my trajectory to stop the ball because I hit a fairly high ball and many times, it comes in so steep, it stops near the ball mark.

Anyway, I got in 18 yesterday, and though I did not score well and lost 2 sleeves of balls, I hit some chips that I checked up faster than I ever have before. I hit a draw 8i into a par 3 that backed up about 2'. Now, I realize these aren't "Tour stats", I feel like once I get control of the ball and stop losing so many, a decent ball might help me out a bit.

Thoughts?

There are a lot of really good balls available these days, not all of them expensive. To me, once one figures out how to hit the ball solidly and has the reasonable ability to control where it's going - it ultimately comes down to what one is looking for as far as performance.

So to keep it short and sweet - yes. Having confidence in your equipment can give you a mental boost, whether it's a club or a golf ball. And having a pretty reliable idea of how the ball will react in certain situations is a huge advantage.

I've actually been thinking the other way a lot lately. Mainly because I put into play a couple of crap balls that I found on the course that were scuffed and everything. Played just fine with them.

2 things I notice, I have to be more "on" to use a tour ball or the things hook further. The get a ball to check up on chips the way I anticipate, softer covers are better.

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Where I notice the most diff is on chips, pitches, and partial wedges and partial irons that come in on a lower trajectory....certainly on full wedges and other full shots with irons, but not as much as the less than full shots. Being that I prefer to hit it low, I like a ball with some spin into the green without being crazy spinny off the big stick.....there will always be trade off.

DC is spot on, if I'm not hitting this partial shots clean, then they don't check....not as well anyway.

Just ordered some Nike RZN Black and Platinum balls from LostGolfBalls.com... hoping they perform alright. I picked up some 3rd quality balls to try out before I drop the money for 1st quality.

sdandrea1

I find that most of the balls today go about the same distance. The only big thing is urethane covers. If you play a ball with that cover the ball checks up and does not run out like some of the two piece balls do. That being said, when the Pro V1 first came out the first hole I played it was a short par 3. The ball landed just past the pin in the middle of the green and spun all the way back off the green. Never did that before even with a balata ball.

    For me, nah, not much difference. Just shot my lowest round in 11 years with some old Titleist NXT Tour. In fact, I think playing a cr*p ball makes me relax just a little bit more. I hit the ball high anyway, so my approach shots tend to come down with a thud and stop, soft cover or not.

      Sparky

      I find the same thing, but around the green I prefer a little bite on my chips instead of the ball rolling too far. It is hard for me to ascertain how much it will roll out each time. I prefer a mid priced ball that does have a little more spin around the greens. I hit the ball very high and for the most part don't need the Premium Tour balls. I am more of a old fart hack these days and don't have the ego I used to have when shooting in the 70's was the goal. I just want to go out and get some exercise and enjoy a nice sunny day in a great setting with friends.

        Not sure if anyone remembers the Wilson 50/50 (50 compression ball) several years back... had to be mid-2000's.

        Anyway, someone gave me a sleeve of these and I played them one day. I shot 75 that day. Couldn't have been more than $19.99/doz maybe? Maybe it was a good day of ball striking and a good day of putting, whatever. But I think it just reinforces the point that if you're swinging well, thinking well and putting well - the type of ball being used ain't gonna equate to an enormous difference in scores.

        I'm sure just about everyone remembers the Precept Laddie... same thing. Low-compression, and I most always used them in the offseason when the temps dropped and the leaves were falling.

        I prefer a softer-feeling ball for sure, but again - when it comes to tournament play I most always revert back to the type of ball that has performed well for me in the past. When I'm not playing tournaments, I tend to use whatever stock I have in the basement.

        For the money though, the Srixon Z-star 3-piece is a very good, durable ball that is very close in performance with the more premium ones. They're roughly $29.99/dozen. They're just as good as anything else I play.

          Just had a dozen Volvik "red" arrive from RBG, imprinted with FauxAmish lettering. 👌

          PA-PLAYA Not sure if anyone remembers the Wilson 50/50 (50 compression ball) several years back... had to be mid-2000's.

          Golftown is still selling the Wilson 50 Elite in double dozens for the last couple of years.
          Used it as a cold weather ball in spring and fall scrambles off the tee.
          Otherwise, it does nothing for me.

          Srixon Z Star may be the most under-rated ball on the market and is a better deal if you can scoop some on sale (regardless of what year it was made), imo.

              The Wilson 50 was a pretty good ball, especially off the putter.

              Spuzz I am a big fan of the Z-Star X(XV) thing is a monster for my game. Gives me great greenside spin, but it actually in control off the tee. Every year they go in clearance for $30 a dozen and I pretty much always buy one.

                  DC300

                  It and the Q star have been my go to ball of choice for a few years now. I bought some mint used Cally Chrome and Supersofts but prefer the Srixon

                    I am liking the b330 rxs at the moment....it's a really really good ball.....it performs.a lot like the less spinnier urethane balls....think srixon xv or even the regular b330, but not quite as firm. Spins enough on chips pitches etc., But not quite as much as the b330S or balls in that same category.

                      ode

                      I don't mind the B330RXS. Decent ball, good quality, good value.

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                          PA-PLAYA sorta the way I feel about it, was kinda meh, but after playing it regularly for a month or so, the results are $....doesn't wow in any one category, but good in all IMO + consistent.