Do premium Golf balls make a difference?!

[@jopo7996]

Premium golf balls are worth it for me. They fly farther and I enjoy walking in the woods.

[@boswellwhanau]

😂😂

[@toddc3988]

🍺😅

[@SurrealEtc]

😂😂😂

[@rxg6948]

LOL 😆

[@jfellows81]

Beautifully said😂😂😂

[@G0LDSNAKE]

I had a Callaway ball that lasted me over 5 rounds. We developed a relationship, memories - tears of joy and anguish. I'll never forget the day I lost it. It was like losing a friend. Balls have come and gone since but nothing could replace my Callaway and I've been trying to fill the void ever since.

[@OLDMANTEA]

That was one special ball

[@davyroo1875]

He was a good ball

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

lol. Sounds like you loved the ball more than your dog!!!

[@steffanbull4671]

I had a tee like that

[@tyrantbalrog5769]

I'm picturing some kind of "CALLAWAAAAY, I'm Sorry, I'm so Sorry!" (in the style of Tom Hanks in Castaway).

[@bloodydominations992]

For me the key is consistency. Whether it’s a $2 ball or a $4 dollar ball, you should always be using the same ball. High handicappers tend to play whatever they find in the woods or pond and you can get wildly different results.

[@hunterreeves6525]

Can confirm I get wildly different results but I don’t think the ball is what’s making the difference between topping it off the tee box and slicing it off into the desert

[@darkcarnival5207]

Trues and even more so with practicing your short game. I'm always surprised when I see a scratch level player using range balls in the chipping area but use ProV's or the like during game play.

[@DGRRvideos]

Came to say this. Especially if you're a person with higher swing speed. Once you get to the level of making reasonable contact consistently, playing the same type of ball is the single biggest thing that will help improve your game bc you'll actually know how far you hit each club. The distance difference between an older cheap ball and a new high end one can be 20+ yards in the mid irons. And of the many letdowns in golf, few hurt more than making a good swing and line at a pin with what you think is the number that day, but bc you swapped to a different ball due to loss it ends up either massive or well short.

[@jeromesaint-omer3325]

This is exactly what a store assistant told when I was about to buy a mix of high end refurbished balls. And now, I try to stick to one model for a while until I find something I like better. However, I still would say that better balls make your best shots better whether it's distance off the driver or control and spin with the wedges. Yet they don't change you and your bad shots stay as bad😁

[@StylishIrisman]

Expensive golf balls are worth it when you aren't losing a full box every round. 🤣

[@kenrehill8775]

I stuffed 6 into the hedging on one round on the 6 hole a couple of weeks ago. I cried.

[@PaulSmith-yu6qk]

As a man in his early sixties and have a a slow down in my swing speeds,I like to use two different balls depending on weather. I use a ball for the spring and fall and another for the summer, that seems to works best for me here in Canada. I do use a high visible ball as it makes it easier in low light conditions. Love the show. Loyal fan

[@mdp4656]

Callaway Chrome Soft fan here. I can't explain it other than the feel off the clubface suits me and after I switched my chipping and putting got a lot better, scores have definitely improved.

[@AM-my3jk]

I’m a TaylorMade guy but Callaway makes an amazing golf ball.

[@sma3429]

Them and Tp5s. Superior to prov1 for me

[@JustAFan444]

The Kirkland balls are the perfect option for high hc players. Cheap enough where you don't hate yourself for losing a few, but excellent quality.

[@scotnommensen9576]

I agree. Hitting what you find works while you figure out how to hit the ball. Once you have anything that can be considered a consistent swing, you want a ball that reacts the same way every time.

[@socalgolf9978]

Maxfli tour at Dicks are a great deal

[@jmwolfega]

I've been playing with them for the last couple of months on both hard dry greens and now very soft greens and I love them.

[@JohnGriffith222]

i like the cost of the kirkland balls but as a beginner that slices alot the high spin ball sees it slice even further in the wood. At one point i bought a titleist velocity at a pro shop to try it out. played the entire round and didnt lose the ball... from that point forward i knew id found my ball. maybe when i get my slicing under control ill move to something with soft feel but for now the velocity works for me... costs more upfront but i dont lose them as often. They're $30 for a dozen so not super expensive compared to some balls.

[@sethlover6498]

@@JohnGriffith222 wrong. you are slicing it really bad. spin on the ball helps you control the shot. spin on the driver will help your control.

[@lukepooch100]

“Vice are as good as ProV1’s”…..says the man in the Vice t-shirt 😂😂

[@chunkychew]

Funny that... Rick's channels sure have been giving a lot of talk/praise/screentime to Vice lately. 🤔

[@timshears2099]

Forget the shirt, they actually are. And half the price. And I have plated Titleist for over 50 years, but no longer.

[@HypeWrecks]

Or maybe… just maybe… he’s only accepting a sponsorship from a brand he respects and then endorses them as such. Just a thought.

[@Jiff321]

@@HypeWrecks oh man what a world you live in lol

[@commonsense8870]

None of you can even compress a pro v1 😂❤

[@jessecollingwood1002]

I’m a tp5. I love how smooth that ball feels off my club face. Especially my irons. I feel like prov1 are a bit on the hard side. They sometimes feel like I’m hitting a stone.

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

Not wrong. What did you think of the Kirkland balls?

[@saxboss1]

I’m a terrible golfer but when I play with a premium ball I score lower. I’m totally convinced it’s mental and not a physical quality of the ball. That being said, golf is such a mental sport so maybe there’s some value in the mentality alone

[@bradfortner8921]

This one always cracks me up. People buy the expensive balls for their increased spin, control, distance…then immediately swap to a garbage ball on the one shot that requires the performance of the better ball, lol.

[@FoxxyCZ]

I'm the opposite, I play horrible with expensive balls because I'm afraid to lose them. With cheap balls I don't care and just hit them and it goes great.

[@hikingwithhollywood]

It's 100% mental

[@jeromekemmer8148]

I definitely play the best urethane ball I can find for the best price, except for the Kirkland or the Cut. Kirkland's are shorter off every club for me and the Cut's covers are terrible. I sometimes only get one shot out of them.

[@stevecourtois3741]

lol ok sure

[@temporarystranger95]

Premium balls are great for premium players. There is zero reason why a high handicap golfer should use a premium god ball.

[@michaelfrankling]

Literally just dealing with this issue on my golf journey! I’ve decided to play the Titleist Trufeel, solid price point and allows me to play good quality new balls. Already seeing the benefits.

[@randallsavagegaming6638]

I use Callaway Supersoft. I LOVE being able to stop the ball on the green on a dime.

[@colinruane8826]

So this is a fun one. There isn't a true handicap per say for when you can start to think that equipment is holding you back. Guys can be ripping courses up with clubs and balls from 30 years ago. What it does come down to when thinking about equipment is when you can feel that strike is consistent enough and/or you can see differences in performance, mainly how the ball reacts when hitting onto the fairway and or greens. One ball may carry a little further but doesn't stop on the green, while a different ball doesn't even make the green on carry alone. Finding a ball that fits your game isn't that hard, as most brands make balls that can be very forgiving in the market. Not many people are going to be getting the full benefit of having a ball like a Pro V1 or a TP5 or a Chrome Tour style ball, but they still use it as it is the premium ball. I think once you can see a consistent strike pattern with short clubs, you can reasonably start to think about golf equipment and how it can elevate your game.

[@curtbrown554]

I play Vice and Encore balls. I think it's important to play urethane covered balls, but the difference between a Vice Pro and ProV1 isn't enough to make a ProV worth the extra cost for me.

[@timshears2099]

I hack my way round of 3.2 using Vice. They are so cheap I bought 50 for my practice bag. As good as a Prov1 IMHO.

[@lostpuppy4785]

I play Oncore as well. I like the quality for the price. I also like being the only person I know who plays Oncore.

[@lkae4]

Titleist NXT Tour was better than a few urethane golf balls. Best 9 iron I ever hit was with an NXT Tour. Pured it, sounded and felt like fairy dust.

[@chevy4x466]

Vice is not a cheap ball

[@timshears2099]

@@chevy4x466 In the Uk they are 60% the cost of a Pro V1. That’s cheap IMHO.

[@robertwilliams2959]

I used lots of golf balls over the years. Found the vice pro plus for my slower swing speed & it flies 10 to 20 metres further for me than the others but in warmer weather above 20° C. It's soft cover around the greens works for me as well. I use the neon lime as well as I can see it fly through the air with my old eyes as well as see it more easily in rough. Win. Win.

[@kirkshammett94]

I would never buy premium balls until I started only losing 0-2 balls a round. At that point I think it’s well worth it to buy new balls

[@alanwood4968]

It is what makes you feel good with balls. with clubs if you play with the best you can afford and you play badly or not up to the standard you want then you know to blame yourself.

[@boboman-98]

The newer Maxfli Tour line of golf balls are a fantastic value. You can get four dozen for just over $100. I've shot my best rounds with them and love the responsiveness/feel.

[@1averageamerican]

Trying out the Tour CG. So far I really like it.

[@drummerAVA]

When I was younger junior golfer, I swore by the Maxfli Noodle… those were my favorite balls for years, until I matured into my adult swing… how do their tour balls feel now compared to Pro V’s?

[@REDSWEAT25]

Swing speed and compression matters also. If you are swinging slow at a tour level ball you're gonna get punished due to not compressing it correctly. Also if you don't hit a tour ball ball flush it'll lose massive distance. I use a Wilson Zip as it's a very forgiving ball wherever you hit it on the club.

[@tool46296]

My sweet spot is Calloway Superfast. $25 for 15 balls. Play well and don’t break the bank. I like the matte yellow as well.

[@casesully50]

I play a Callaway Supersoft or the Srixon Qstar. Wallet friendly, quality balls, and love the feel when I compress the soft series balls with my irons.

[@saxmanryan1187]

I love that guy is wearing a Vice shirt as well 😂

[@paulmcgee1867]

Complete coincidence 😂

[@ClassicGolfSwings]

😂

[@TheGolfingGinger]

I am an 8 handicap and I play the Bridgestone tour b xs. you can get them at Walmart for 40 dollars and they perform just as well as pro v1 but are 20 dollars cheaper. I can't say enough good things about that ball. I've also played with the vice pro plus which is the same price point as the Bridgestone, and they are very good golf balls as well. I like the neon green balls they have, they are definitely different but I actually enjoyed the look and feel of them.

[@tipsy09]

When I started shooting in the 80s consistently I started looking at better golf balls. I first began buying the recycled prov1s from wal mart. And i noticed an immediate difference in distance. It’s like how could you ever go back? Then I wanted to see what balls tiger uses. I love when the tour b xs comes on sale. The past couple years the black box from a few years ago would come on sale and I would scoop some up. The ball feels so soft when you hit them well and they spin so nicely on the greens. The only problem is they scuff easy.

[@danielhowell167]

I think using the same ball every time you play is probably more important than using the best of the best golf balls. I started exclusively using Kirkland balls when I was around a 15 handicap and I’m now down to an 8. Using the same ball has increased my consistency with approach distance and short game so much

[@AshxMayxBurn]

I will say, I’ve found that chrome supersofts fit my current play style the best. I used to just grab the “premium balls” but it wasn’t working for me.

[@geoffcohen613]

Things to think about and evaluate when selecting ball, deprnds on uour own circumstances.Winter ball vs summer ball. Fast greens vs slow greens. Wind links course vs park course.

[@kellyharbour7140]

I like any premium ball I find. ProV1, Chromesoft, TP5’s. They all feel good and I don’t fret when I lose one.

[@mrstowe12]

I definitely feel the difference around the green in the cover, and have a rotating selection of premium balls some new, some found. Recently though I got tired of feeling guilty when I lost a nice ball, and was tired of playing used ones so I bought a box of cut reds just for fun. The best way I can put it is that they are definitely more suited for a bump & run style of golf than a nicer ball, but they putt surprisingly well for how much they explode off the face with an iron. I’ve had some very enjoyable rounds using them, and now only feel shameful instead of shameful guilt when I lose one.

[@heatguy100]

Dunno why-but I like Taylormade, Callaway, and Titleist in that order..softer balls, usually get the medium range super soft, tour soft, or speedsoft balls.

[@allydougall6486]

High teens handicap, start consistently using the golf ball you prefer, once down to mid/low teens premium balls will start making a difference as you start to gain control in your short game

[@jonnyharding3646]

I'm a high handicapper. I use Wilson Ultras. They feel really good, but they are also cheap enough that I'm not worried about losing a few balls here and there.

[@Shadywho]

Srixon soft feel are my fav. When you hit them pure you know by that soft feel and you definitely know when you hit bad.

[@davidforbes368]

I remember ten years ago walking round an outside market,on his table he had fifty pro v ones ,casually I enquired how much are your golf balls,five for 1 pound ,I quickly replied I’ll take the lot and that’s the best bargain I ever discovered.

[@tipsy09]

I tried the tour b xs out a few years ago because obviously tiger uses those balls. And I love those balls and how soft they feel and how they spin on the green. The negative is they scuff easy but it feels so much softer when you hit it nice compared to a prov1. I started trying out prov1 before that when I saw that Walmart had recycled prov1 balls for half the price and couldn’t stop using them because they clearly went farther than anything I’d ever used before. Now granted this was also around the time where my swing got better as well. But I started hitting the ball in spots that I’d never hit before. That’s when I started looking into more premium balls. Then I got into the balls tiger uses and loved those. Kirkland is really good. Tp5 is good.

[@Sreeve94]

I think when you start developing feel, yes, but also when you get some more consistency in your game. E.g. you start developing certain tendencies eg ball flight (high / low), spin (both backspin & sidespin) and want a ball that fits that. Same with Greenside shots - when your technique becomes a bit more consistent, by playing the same ball (premium or not), you'll start to get more consistent spin, check, rollout, flight etc. Finally I think the main thing is how often you lose balls. If you lose a 3 balls a round and pay £4 per ball, then you have to be happy that you're spending an extra £12 every time you play golf. Once you start losing fewer and fewer balls, it starts becoming less costly to invest in better balls.

[@Marquitopolo_]

I always play kirklands and i played one round with prov1x and had the best round of my life, it seemed to fade much less and went around 10 yards further off the tee. Worth it.

[@csredman30]

Have played them all. ProV1 is the most consistent. Can trust it's gonna go where I expect it to. Helps that I do not lose them very often.

[@benmonroe_the_1]

I played Chrome Soft X for a number of years, then moved to the Vice Pro Plus for about 3-4 years & thought that it was every bit as good as a Pro V1 minus a bit of durability & a tiny bit of spin around the green. But then I went back to Pro V1 this year. Yeah, it’s still the best ball imo. I won’t be switching back off the Titleist for a while.

[@hunterscrackdealer6650]

I found an orange Vice Pro Plus… fit my eye and I played really well with it. I looked for it for like 10 minutes once I hit it through the green and into the back woods… I’ve found probably a dozen of them on the course, albeit, not the orange version… they feel great and I’ll play them more often. I still have like 6 dozen ProV1’s that are still in the box

[@ghostring3624]

Buying expensive golf balls is a sure fire way for me to have a terrible day playing golf. I have an old range ball with scuff marks that I can never lose and hit always straight.

[@ryanbencze]

Srixon split balls for me. Love the two colours flying through the air.

[@hajofkin1]

I can really feel the difference putting with them

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

Srixon Divide?

[@KaiserVonWilhelm1]

I definitely do notice a difference. I used to work in golf retail and we'd get to test balls ahead of release. I got to try the Chrome Soft when it first came out, several years ago. I played around with em for a year or whatever. Then I got to try them on the 2nd generation, again before release. The Rep asked all of us what feedback we had from the 1st iteration of the ball. I said that I had noticed short irons and wedges sometimes would fly like 10 yards too far. I'm about a 2 handicap at this point. The rep said a lot of the pros had that same feedback, and they'd fixed it on this 2nd gen. Boy they absolutely did fix it. I have no idea how they did that. But I noticed a change. I play Pro V1 now and even changing to 1X or sometimes I play a Bridgestone ball, there is a difference.

[@kevinconnolly754]

Srixon "soft feel" balls are fantastic for the majority of golfers i think. Used them all the way from 26-11 handicap. Tried every other ball during those 10 years with little to no difference. Getting to single hcp and wanting to flight a ball or spin it around the greens warrants a change though i think. Finding the Srixon Z star XV brilliant right now

[@mrnoname6327]

My feeling on this, is to buy a decent golf ball and use the same golf ball. By decent, I mean a middle of the line golf ball; supersofts, tour response, etc. Keep it consistent to keep golf ball variability out of it. I find the Maxfli Tour series to be the best bang for the buck for me.

[@bradfortner8921]

I don’t know if it really matters which ball until a player is close to single digit hcp, however…playing the same ball all the time for consistency definitely matters. Doesn’t have to be the best ball in the market, but pick one and stick with it until you know why you’d change it.

[@JM-qn3tf]

It’s the exact opposite. Higher handicap makes the biggest difference.

[@bradfortner8921]

@@JM-qn3tfI don’t think so, but I do think there’s a lot of bad data pushed by Titleist that says so because they sell more balls that way.

[@JM-qn3tf]

@@bradfortner8921 that makes no sense. Prov1x is the best ball & the tp5x is right there with it. They go straighter, longer, & help my game tremendously. If I use other balls I lose lots of distance & no control

[@FoxxyCZ]

@@JM-qn3tf The ball makes zero difference when the player is shanking it OB. Only when the player can consistently hit the ball it matters, and even then, it matters very little.

[@JM-qn3tf]

@@FoxxyCZ that’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.

[@Golfsebbastma]

Ive Personally switched to the tp5 from pro v1. The feel/spin is better around the greens and the pix ball is very pleasing to to my eye when putting, helps me line the putter up. Id argue im 1 putt better per round with it. The prov1 lasts longer, and so many people play it (argubla alot who shouldnt) that you find new ones everywhere, that isnt the case with the tp5 so it is more expensive to play as a ball. (+2hcp opinion)

[@sethcourtney468]

To Rick’s point - it comes down to the caliber of player. I think back to when I started to now (1.2 hcp). Back in the day (20 or so years ago), I didn’t really care what I hit, but as I progressed, the ball became a more and more important piece of equipment in the bag. Now, I consider it the single most important piece of equipment and will toss a $4 Z-star diamond into the practice bin as soon as it has even the tiniest nick on the surface.

[@pilsnerpunk]

I usually shoot in the 90s and don't play very often anymore. I'm not fussy about what ball I use, but I do like to use a new ball at the start of each round, so something that is cheap and doesn't feel like a rock is what works for me. Noodle or something low to mid-priced from Costco are what I usually buy. I've played premium balls like the Pro V1 and I honestly can't much difference. I probably care more about superstition then feel. If I have a really bad round with a specific ball I might give the rest of that box to the wife and switch brands or conversely if I have a really good round I might stick with the same brand for a year or buy an extra box.

[@Thomas-bq4ed]

The biggest thing for me is the slow swings with wedges. When you hit a low spinner having it stick on a green or even spin back. The control off the putter face Combined with not losing distance off the tee. I notice these things and shooting an 85 for me is really good. Some times I’m just a top flight guy because I’m on a new course, but on my home course I play all the time I like a softer nice ball.

[@leepuddefoot-attackanglego7734]

Being a PGA Professional I have tried them all from Pro V1, Srixon Z Star, Vice and even Snell, but being playing the Mizuno RB Tour for the last two years. It all depends on skill level and feel.

[@Burbs1976]

I find being a 20 handicap golfer I go for TP5 yellow. It gives me more confidence to find it in the trees

[@jaybird9988]

I picked up some decent second hand PRO V's and TP5's from a guy that lives next to a golf course. As a 15hcp, I may lose a ball or two per round so I never really considered buying expensive balls. But, since using them, I am playing some of my best golf of my life. I don't know if I'm just hitting the ball better, or the balls are making the difference, but I don't think I can go back to the cheap balls.

[@tomm2311]

I like the Srixon divide because of the look. It’s like 35 usd for 12. Easier to find too. I also play what I find. It really doesn’t matter when you can’t reliably hit the center of the face.

[@choppersdog1300]

Was told by the guy I get lessons off, the difference can be in spin, that chip shot that could otherwise roll through the green may just grab a bit more and stop, saving you potentially another chip + 2 putt rather than just the 2 putt

[@DinkinFlicka11]

Only if you swing the club properly. A good ball wont fix bad technique

[@Sliceforlife]

I love playing my Wilson staff especially when they go on sale. Mainly the Wilson duo is such a cheap and great ball back when I started that I just stuck with the brand

[@travisbickle1455]

You will notice the difference in performance on Tour Level Golf balls on the short game. You will see the difference on the extra spin they offer if you make your pitches and chips crisp and clean.

[@RadicalRob300]

Absolutely LOVED the Nike 20XI-X. Use the TP5x now. Not sure why, always thought they were a better value option than the PV1 maybe

[@TylerV73]

Miss those Nikes as well, always played my best with them. I play with the TP5s as well.

[@jordanchaq]

Used to be a "random lake ball guy". For the last year or so ive been a member at an indoor golf facility. There they exclusively use prov1's. Didnt particularly notice a difference at first. Recently i went for a session and one of the balls had been swapped out for a callaway warbird, difference was night and day. Hard, clicky feel. Ball almost felt too light, especially with short game shots. Just felt weird honestly. I feel less of a difference in the longer shots than i do chipping and putting. But i can definitely understand why people play the same ball, purely from a feel perspective.

[@seanregnier8418]

Love my Callaway Warbirds. Under $20 a dozen.

[@GarrettReardon]

I ended up buying a pallet of Pro V1's when a golf course went out of business and was auctioning off everything in the pro shop. 25 cents a ball brand new in boxes that had never been opened. Some have the old course logo on them but the woods, water, and whatever else they get lost in doesn't mind. I'll die before I run out of golf balls. Before that it was whatever was on sale.

[@youview5023]

After years of teaching and testing, certainly it depends on your game strategy and swing speed. That's where golf balls compression can matter. For example, a Pro V1 with a compression of around 100, typically for experienced golfers or with high swing speeds vs. a Callaway Supersoft with a compression of around 47 for a slower swing speed. Virtually everything in golf has a variable, so practicing and using the same golf ball that works for you can be helpful for your score. Over time you'll notice a difference in 'feel' with short irons and distance off the tee with driver. But for most average/occasional players, trying to find a ball that is perfect for distance, feel and putting is like trying to find a large SUV with great gas mileage. If you can take a lesson and get an efficient swing, the golf ball choice will be easier😀

[@travelingadler]

Thats true and why everyone should get a ball fitting lesson in. I got fitted.

[@linka1886]

Whichever feels best off the face of the clubs and I’m most consistent with. TP5 is my current go to. Got a good deal on a few dozen.

[@theelmagoo]

I personally think it's about your ability to strike the ball and keep it in play. Handicap is probably the closest metric to use for this, but it's not entirely accurate. You can have triple digit handicappers that hardly lose balls because they top / duff it, or they don't have an errant sideways curve to their shots. The opposite can also be true where you have a mid handicapper that loses 5 balls a round but can make up for it by getting up and down a lot. So as a rule of thumb, if you're a scatter shot player losing a dozen or more a round, just go buy the $20 bucket of 50 - 100 used balls. You'll gain zero benefit from playing anything better than that at this time. As you get better and get that scatter shot under control, move into the cheaper entry market balls like Kirkland / Maxfly / Noodle and the like. Once you break triple digits consistently and can still keep the number of lost balls a round down to no more than 3, move up a notch again into the direct to consumer premium offerings like Snell / Vice and the like. When you get into low 90s and break into the 80s consistently, now you can go full premium without worry as it will start helping your game more. It's one of the crappiest feelings to lose three (or more) $5 golf balls on back to back to back holes, it will mess up your round mentally.

[@TheBandageCo]

Midrange is the best for double digit handicappers, test have shown that a softer ball for a high handicapper will go further then a tour ball due to swing speed and compression, the new speed soft from Taylor made are my new vice think there great.

[@breydantilley127]

They absolutely make a difference! Im around 6 handicap and I can definitely tell a difference in a premium ball.

[@lanced4114]

Don't sleep on used golf balls! As an 18 handicapper, I play Pro V1 and absolutely noticed this difference between those and budget brands. But with the number of shots that end up in the woods, $50 a dozen won't cut it. But I can often find 50 used Pro V1 for around $20. So I end up with 100 Pro V1 used for the cost of 1 box new

[@georgemccutcheon9867]

Personally I fully recommend the Callaway Hex Soft, doesn't break the bank, but feel and play so well

[@paulskibum]

I bought myself 45 Nitro Crossfires for $48 (Canadian) as my course eats balls (mine potentially more than other players). I cannot tell any difference between them and something more costly. When I break 100 consistently and/or stop losing them so often I might invest in something more expensive. At a $ a ball I dont cry myself to sleep after every round.

[@watersedgefishing520]

I recently bought some snells. Dean Snell was one of the creators of the TP5 and Pro V. He sell direct to consumer so the price point is low. But the ball for my swing speed is a soft ball (100mph or less). With that said the money I saved played those balls I lost because the cover scuffed easily. I pay more for supersofts but they last longer. So cheaper isn't always better.

[@ralphschiefer7576]

Me, a 7 hcp, feel the difference between a Pro V1 and a cheaper ball, BUT I can not play well enough to benefit from the ball so I am playing the Titleist Tour soft which is totally fine for my abilities!

[@xNEVERBORNx]

I use a Srixon Q Star. They seem to fly straighter than any other golf ball I have used. They don't go as far, but not by much. They feel great around the green. Best part, they are $25 a dozen.

[@carlmanns9232]

I am an odd ball, I like Volvik Vivid, i hit them farther than any other ball on the market. I have a 115ish club head speed so i try to get after it on the drives. I usually play Volvik, Chrome Soft, Vice Pro Drips, TP5 or AVX. I have been playing golf for 7 years now and i can go 2 rounds using the same ball, so i dont mind spending a little money on a premium golf ball that feels good for me to hit.

[@bobnish1]

Its trying out many balls, I used to think it was the Callaway Warbirds... then I thought I'll try Srixon balls and a few Titleist balls here and there, but never liked them. I stopped playing for a year... and what happened to return to the game, is I started doing research. DO your research into your swing speed and the compression of the ball versus swing speed. I did it. I picked up Titleist Tour Soft. Belted it every time and straight, played some of the best golf I had over 3 rounds, then I said ok, let me try another ball. I tried another ball no one near my best. Maybe its placebo, maybe it is the ball, but a lot about playing good golf is confidence and trust in your swing, equipment and yourself.

[@nickpellatt]

Played with many types of ball, can't say I have really noticed a difference in performance for me as a 16 handicapper, although I can feel the difference between something that feels hard of the clubface. I play Volvik Vimat in bright orange. Cheap at about £13.50 a dozen, and highly visible for me, so I spot them easier when shots don't go quite where I want them to. I value a ball I can find easily above everything else.

[@hrs1414]

I feel like ive noticed the difference more with putting, specifically the feel off the face of the putter

[@ajfatca]

I grew up with Top Flight XL and XL 2000s, switched to a Titleist Professional and now play a Prov1x.........they MATTER

[@jeromekemmer8148]

Played some of my best golf with the XL 2000. Remember the Aero with the egg shaped dimples? Switched to the Professional then to the Pro V1 immediately upon release of each. Their performance was unmatched, then. I did like the occasional Maxfli Revolution, as well

[@remoevans7847]

Apples to oranges. A callaway super soft is a Tour level ball compared to Rockflights. 😂

[@jimlanders3935]

My thought is a scratch golfer will score well no matter the ball.

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

If you are serious about having a good short game, urethane is a must. Whether it’s a Titleist or something more bargain priced. “Feel” is overrated it’s really just sound. If you are a beginning hack, just learning the game, then buy what’s cheapest.

[@ArcherTheGolfer]

5 handicap and my weak part is driving. If I’m in a bad spot with driving I’ll use old cheap balls and they basically go just as far as the prov1s when I’m playing good. Only difference I notice is irons and around the greens softer balls just feel so much better and stop faster. Also mizuno rb tour this year is a very underrated ball. It feels brilliant.

[@slightlycrookedworkshop]

If you're hitting an old cheap ball as far as a ProV1, something is wrong. Last year, there was a 15 yard difference between a ProV1 and a TP5.

[@jdog8701]

@@slightlycrookedworkshop try the new 2024 TP5/TP5X balls they are definitely better than the older model

[@darthvader1402]

I play vice pro plus and it works for me. I started with the vice pro when I found one on the course some years ago. Then I started playing with them. One day I found out about the pro plus and it seemed the best for me. But if I were now starting out I would of course not look to spend much on balls. Cheaper till I get better.

[@thecringegolfer]

I have recently started using the Legato 3 piece golf balls. It's not as firm as I'd like with say a pro v1x (my favorite ball), but at their price point, it's a pretty good ball. They get good distance and spin for me. And, I don't feel as bad when I lose it in the sticks.

[@natemilleractual]

I love TP5x but I tend to use Srixon soft feel. I may lose a ball or two in a round. I usually won’t lose more than than occasionally will play a round without losing one. I’m a 12.5 HCP. Vice Pro makes a good ball, Srixon makes a good ball, and so does Calloway. But Srixon is my budget ball all day

[@MVRosie]

I tried vice when they came out years ago and have never went back to the pro v1s. I do go back and forth between the vice pro and pro plus. Depends if I want a slightly softer ball. Can't beat 12 top level balls for 30 bucks though. 5 packs of 12 lasts me all year and start of the next to. I also am biased I love the neon green never see anyone else using em

[@roberttaylor1801]

If you can afford premium balls most players will see an improvement in their scores. The cheap balls will generally go the same distance but they feel a lot firmer. They will not spin anywhere near the premium ball however. If you hit a ball into a green side bunker the cheap crap ball will come out of the bunker the same but will likely bounce off the green into either another bunker on the other side of the green or off the green. The premium ball will, if hit the same check up, because of the spin and stay on the green. For me it's about how much you want to score well. Prov1, Tp5, Z star, Chrome Tour, Soft it's only preference. Kirkland, Vice are similar but I lose something by using them and I don't like that.

[@Kur0y4m4]

For me, it was when I switched and saw backspin/balls stopping on the green. My swing had not changed, but balls were no longer flying off the green. I understand some balls are easier to work left or right, but my game is not at that level. If it’ll stop on the green, I’ll play it. Don’t need more expense than that.

[@jkaise42]

I play the premium srixons and they're as good as any ball I've played around an 8 handicapped. Love the feel and they fly/spin as well any other premium I've played but around 10-15$ less

[@justinkidney3965]

Off the tee I don’t mind using cheaper, harder, less spinning golf balls but around and on the green, it’s gotta be something good. It’s a feel thing.

[@Biotrace_wow]

for me, i played taylormade Distance+ until recently when my strike improved and i actually started cutting them up really quickly

[@intransit9333]

I used to be a Pro V1 fan boy. About 6 years ago I tried a Vice Pro, thought it was okay then tried the Vice Pro Plus.... and haven't went back to the Pro V1 since. I actually don't like the feel of Pro v1's or Pro v1x now when I occasionally try them. It is a personal preference thing, but I think you are right when you say the older 30 plus generations are mentally wedded to Pro V's whereas the younger generation are growing up in a world where there are multiple options, all of which are very good. We used to gravitate towards a Pro V, almost like a right of passage, now, that is not the case. A lot of the biggest names in the game don't play Pro V's, so the pull towards them is waining.

[@davidc5027]

I've been playing Legato golf balls for a couple months now, and do not miss the ProV1.

[@Gigity1107]

I bought a box of prov1's over a year ago. I've played more than 40 rounds since then. Still not opened it. It just ruins my day when I pull out a brand new, expensive ball and lose it first swing. Not that I even do that all that often. I'll play with whatever I pick up, that's half decent. I'm an 8.2hcp and still find it hard to notice much difference between balls. I definitely prefer the eurethane cover. But thats pretty much where my discerning starts and finishes.

[@michaelallen2501]

The ball absolutely matters. That's like asking if tires matter to a car. But I also think if they're more expensive than Vice they're just a waste of money. You can get the EXACT same performance as a ProV1 or ProV1x for less. Nothing about those 2 balls today is better than anyone else. I can buy Vice balls at Walmart for $37 a box. The name brands are all $45-60 for a box. For the same performance. Then I can go online and buy the Vice ball for $25 a box if I buy a few boxes. But even they are starting to show up on shelves, for less than the big names.

[@Gra8332]

For me price also matters as an average golfer. Losing balls Pro V1 aren’t cheap to replace. Having said that I have tried Pro V1 but they feel to hard of the face for me. NB balls I like

[@warrenburch6545]

I’ve been playing Wilson Triad golf balls. Love the feel of them.

[@DMKFACTOR]

Great ball at a great price! Love the yellows too!

[@jdog8701]

13 hcp and my favorite ball is definately the tp5x however I still lose a couple balls a round it seems, and it still seems hard to justify it when I am having a bad day. Recently tried Vice due to hearing good things about them and being cheaper and I am really liking them. I prefer the pro plus but even the pro ball is good and Sam's club has been carrying them for 2 dozen for 50 which is cheaper than a dozen of my tp5x balls I love, making it even harder to justify always buying tp5xs

[@hikingwithhollywood]

I am 4 handicap. I shot a 71 back in February using a ProV1x that was a little beat up that I had found on the road heading up to the club. I had 6 birdies and an eagle that day. I have routinely shot many, many rounds in the 70's using shit balls I found in the woods. Your swing, club selection, short game, and putting matter FAR more than the clubs you're swinging and the ball you're hitting.

[@richardrobertson3516]

Thank you for speaking truth. I am a 4 handicap also, I usually use the Taylor Made Speedsoft, but I play the Noodle Long and Soft on occasion. I see ZERO scoring difference between either of them and a PRO-V1. When my game is lit, I can shoot low with any ball. I admit there are differences in cover quality and spin rate, but these only change the game of a tour level player with all the gizmos to dial in every aspect of their game, accounting for every inch and RPM. From the tour level down, you are a consumer buying into the latest marketing campaign like a sheep. They are the ones telling you how much it matters because it is THEIR product. Skill and practice is what changes your scores, not the latest driver, putter or ball.

[@kirkshammett94]

I’m also a 4 handicap ball does matter a lot imo. However I have shot tons of rounds in low 70’s with just shitty balls I have found. The biggest things with me is the difference with spin numbers and feel around the greens with my wedges. That’s where a ball makes a difference for me

[@retoided]

I am still fairly new to golf, only this year have I committed to wanting to improve and get out as much as possible. On average about once a week. I started playing with whatever I found or whatever was given to me, then picked up a box of Kirkland balls and enjoyed those for a while. Only recently did I decide to try something different after watching some reviews. Picked up a box of Bridgestone e12's and a box of Vice Pro Plus. Still not really knowing what sort of ball I should be looking for etc. I did not like the e12's but I love the Vice Pro Plus's a lot. Never have I driven a ball so far, nor been so consistent. I want to continue to stick with the Vice Pro Plus's but I feel like I still should be trying out other balls since I've not played much and had a chance to experience what all is out there.

[@PaulieBTV]

28 handicap after playing for 2 full years (started off shooting in the 120’s). Higher than average swing speed (113 avg driver swing speed). And I play TM tour responses with the stripe as often as I can. For whatever reason I can now identify a feeling I like with that ball. Did it translate to any noticeable difference in my game not at all. But some type of preference was developed albeit a slightly expensive one.

[@juice_man4439]

Luckily I get to play premium golf balls for free. At my course we have plenty of 30 handicaps who hit them in the woods all the time. A few minutes in there and I can find 10-15 pro v1s, TP5s or chromesofts

[@markgarcia-d3k]

So I’m a golf ball lover. I buy all type. I feel that the TaylorMades are flying the best for me. Vice fly well for me and the look of the ball is awesome. I finally bought a new box of proV1’s. It’s a good ball. But I feel the TaylorMade feel better. But oh my I bought some new Wilson balls, awesome.

[@CWP_1993]

Honestly you need to do a good sale to get people to try it. They recently released the new 2024 TP5 so the 2021 is only $30 in my area and now I only use those and am hooked