Which is REALLY the BEST GOLF BALL? | Tp5, Pro V1, Chrome Tour, Z Star

[@scottwatson9479]

Another great video Simon, I played the Pro V1 for a couple of years but switched to the yellow TP5x in 2024 and have seen some benefits with faster ball speeds and more distance with driver, hybrid and irons, the spin levels for me were pretty similar between the TP5x and Pro V1 but the TP5x launches slightly higher, although the biggest difference is that the TP5x feels much firmer than the Pro V1 so if you thought that the TP5 was a little clicky then I would bet that you won't like the TP5x very much.

[@Precision_Golf]

You’re spot on - it is a big firm but the speeds and flight are strong

[@AG-en5y]

Hello I don’t play golf. My granddad does though and I’m trying to buy him some premium balls. Are the Vice Pro plus?

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

Good stuff Simon. Appreciate the testing and sorting out what the slight differences are.

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks Steven

[@simoping]

Nice job.. interesting about the Pro V1 my go to ball.. or used to be. Now Callaway Chrome Tour

[@Precision_Golf]

Thank you. The others have closed in on Titleist for certain

[@andrewwailes7858]

Thank you for this Simon. Super informative!

[@Precision_Golf]

Pleasure and thanks for watching

[@tonybytheway7543]

Fantastic video. Brilliant unbiased review backed by data. Best channel on KZbin for club fitting and information IMO. Thanks so much!

[@Precision_Golf]

Thank you Tony. Look forward to seeing you on Friday!

[@dougellio7000]

You are a machine with that driver, awesome. I'm currently playing the Srixon Z star XV, has a premium feel but slightly less expensive than the premium balls. Around my track you have to be really on your game to play the premium balls or they don't last long 😂

[@Precision_Golf]

Thank you. With the cost of the balls now if your course is penal then it can rack up!

[@lucasarnold7926]

Great video. I think at your swing speed, a test with a pro v1 and trufeel would have some interesting results.

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks Lucas. We do have another ball video coming soon that you should like!

[@MarvinofMars]

Great Simon well presented.

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks you!

[@sevesellors2831]

Great review hope you cover Wilson staff and Triad balls soon.

[@Precision_Golf]

Thank you. We will certainly do so in future tests

[@Sean_Farmer]

Great info Simon. What shaft do you have in your driver? It looks like one I tested in my fitting last year but I can't remember the name?

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks Sean. It is the VA Compositrs Synystr 65 Stiff

[@rufussthoo4083]

I used to play the TP5 and Chrome Soft because I liked their feel but I moved to the Srixon ZStar line to save a few $s. I was a low-ish spin player with my old irons so experimented with the Diamond and XV, and both woked well, although the XV felt hard. Now, with a new iron set - Wislon Staff Model blades and CBs, I spin the ball a lot more (e.g 1500 more with a 7 iron) and the Diamond and XV are now too spinny. So I switched to the Z Star. It spins a bit less with the irons and feels softer, but I'm still losing about 10 yards. Now that I throw balls away before I lose them, I might look at the Chrome Tour and TP5 again. The 500-ish rpm less spin and 10 yards carry difference is pretty significant.

[@willdarsow]

Yes - a 10 yard carry is significant! I too am trialing the TP5, having played the Z star (distance issues) and the XV (feels too firm). Having said this, I have recently purchased the ZX7 irons with Modus 120 Stiff Shafts, and they are superb irons. Cheers.

[@Precision_Golf]

Dialling the flight in with the ball is definitely worth doing and if spin kicks too high it really can cost you yardage as you have found. I was very impressed with the Callaway ball in this test I must say

[@kevtee6784]

Great, as usual, Simon l play the Kirkland ball and find them very good and much better value for money. Would be good to see a comparison with other less known balls or a comparison of all the different models from one manufacturer.

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks Kev. The only issue we have seen from less dear balls is longevity

[@kirkl3106]

Thanks…Be good to see this ball test in the X categories also and then compare against these

[@Precision_Golf]

With how this video has performed we will certainly do more ball tests

[@raymondbooth3189]

Great video hopefully you can do a similar test with say the tru feel, super soft, pinnacle rush and a other low price ball for the minge bags out there like me😁👍

[@Precision_Golf]

That is a new terminology - “minge bag” 🤣. We will look into doing that for you!

[@jarlathbrine7904]

Very interesting. I play the Bridgestone Tour BX, where would you place this in terms of characteristics, and iron spin particularly, against the balls you tested. Thanks

[@Precision_Golf]

It is quite firm feeling but iron spin is on the lower side as well as driver spin too. Not quite as much ball speed with driver (although only 1-2mph less) from our previous tests

[@jarlathbrine7904]

@@Precision_Golf Thank you very much. If I'm looking for more spin, which balls should I be trying with a similar firmer feeling?

[@Precision_Golf]

@ the Srixon ZStar Diamond is great for higher iron spin and firmer feel. Pro V1x also good and k would add the Callaway Tour X too

[@jarlathbrine7904]

@@Precision_Golf So kind. Appreciate the advice

[@dbo4506]

@@Precision_Golf the current model is actually pretty soft compared to the previous model and it spins a tonne. That is why Tiger switched to the bx for this model from the bxs he use to play.

[@CPBuilds]

I started playing the Maxfli TourX and I found it to be really similar to the ProV1x. I’m going to the Maxfli Tour next season because the X was just a little too spinny for me but overall performance was really good for me. 4 dozen at $109.95 plus you get $20 off $100 or more in-app purchase coupon…makes it a no brainer for me. Thanks for sharing.

[@HorseRacingLegends]

You can’t get them in the uk.

[@CPBuilds]

@ that’s too bad. I’m sure someone would send them to you in the states if you paid to ship and cover VAT if you wanted to give them a whirl.

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks for watching - as @Horseracinglegends says they’re not available here but sounds good value! Maxfli balls were always good - Nicklaus, Norman, Couples and Woosnam all played the HT Tour ball back in the day

[@SeanMason_golf]

I played the TourX for 6 months. Great ball. Being curious, I tried the Tour S model. I found that roll out on the green from an approach shot was more than I liked. With the Tour X, I could stop a 4i from 180y within a foot of where it landed. The Tour S would roll out 6-10 feet. I guess that is ok if you play short of the hole.

[@CPBuilds]

@ ya I saw the same. Reminds me of an AVX…but cheaper.

[@MrHugo1986]

Hey Simon, massive fan of the channel and some fabulous content. Thinking of booking a full bag fitting in the new year. Is it possible to book with you? Thanks, Hugo

[@Precision_Golf]

Thank you Hugo! Yes you can book with me but my diary is not visible online. If you email via the website contact page we can arrange this for you

[@kylemayer8486]

I bounce back and forth between the tp5x and the bridgestone tour b xs. Once they're at a certain level, I'm not good enough to notice, but I can not play titelist balls for some reason.

[@Precision_Golf]

Odd regarding Titleist balls but if they don’t work then they don’t work for you! The Tour B xs will be noticeably higher spin than the TP5x and also a softer feel so if you prefer a high flight the Bridgestone will be better, if you want to reduce spin then the TP5x

[@goofy3151]

Is the tp5 made for slower swing players?

[@waynepadley1337]

Good demo Simon but I never see a test like this done at very low swing speeds. My 7 iron speed is 65 and driver 75 to 80.

[@Precision_Golf]

Hi Wayne. Realistically to get a consistent set of data to test with the majority of players with the consistency of swing to get reliable and tight data tolerance are at a higher speed which is why you don’t see it very often but we will see if we can incorporate more moderate speed testing in the future

[@harryp.1679]

@@Precision_Golf Hi Simon, do you think the pattern would be similar with lower swing speed? For example, the main performance difference being in the mid irons?

[@martinwilliams4759]

I love golf ball testing

[@Precision_Golf]

👍🏻

[@gdouglass10]

When you setup to the ball it looks like you have it outside the toe, it might just be the camera angle but would love to hear you explain why & how you got to that setup.

[@HorseRacingLegends]

It’s an anti shank move.Simons Smash factor is tremendous

[@StanoTomka]

You must be new to the channel. You identified that correctly, it is Simon's standard. I will leave the reasons explanation to him.

[@Precision_Golf]

Never suffered shanks but over time I clearly had a heel strike bias so gradually crept slightly further from the ball over time. I have a little (unconscious) pull in as I am about to start the swing which exaggerates it a bit more. I thought about trying to change it but as my call striking remains strong I figured if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it!

[@harryp.1679]

Hi Simon, do you think the pattern would be similar with lower swing speed? For example, the main performance difference being in the mid irons? Currently play the Z-Star with 7i ball speed 100 and driver ball speed 130.

[@Precision_Golf]

It will be similar to that yes, however at lower speeds some balls will spin a little more with driver where the core is less “activated”

[@wayneriley7367]

Good video, but I feel you missed two, Bridgestone and Wilson. Both have premium balls that compete on tour

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks - I’m sure we can do a further test in the future

[@gregfierro5454]

Simon, I thought the TP5X was the lower spin and equivalent to the Prov1?

[@Precision_Golf]

It is. The TP5x falls almost into another category (with Pro V1x Left Dash and maybe Bridgestone Tour Bx) of firmer feel, higher launch and lower spin but based on the interaction from this video we will be doing more ball videos!

[@onsidelegal1002]

@@Precision_Golf THIS. ive never heard someone compare tp5x w left dash but it makes so much sense.

[@Evan_Rodgers]

Hi Simon. Do you have recommendations on the Flightscope X3 vs the trackman? Other than club data measurement differences (X3 first touch vs Trackman max ball compression), is there a tangible benefit to going with Trackman? I see X3 available on used markets for under $6000, and being able to capture every metric and full flight at that price point seems unbeatable. Even new, the X3 is almost half the cost of trackman and 8K less than QC4. I ask bc I want the most accurate data for both sim golf and range analysis to maximize my practice and improvement. Thanks for reading!

[@Precision_Golf]

I don’t have experience with the X3 so I sadly cannot comment on its accuracy compared to the Trackman. To be that cost there will be less layers of data capture (the Trackman has 2x radars and a high speed camera and the GC Quad has 4 cameras which is where some of the cost lies). Ultimately if it is accurate enough then at that cost that is very competitive, however I would say the upgrades seem in recent Trackman simulator play have been very impressive so they would be hard to beat.

[@jrpoe9561]

Can we please have a Wilson triad, staff and staff x review?

[@Precision_Golf]

We will certainly do more ball tests so will include the Wilsons in future videos

[@justinstephenson9360]

Generally I hate ball comparison videos because no one does it properly - Today's Golfer and MyGolfSpy have excellent testing methodology and hilariously bad data analysis. This video is different, Simon was not trying to be wonderfully scientific but just trying to see the trends and not rubbishing any ball. That makes it a much superior video. There are a couple of key points about golf balls: what is the right ball for any particular golfer depends on the budget and golfer's swing; ignore anyone who tells you that soft balls are slow, the data has never supported that conclusion - some softer balls are slower than some harder balls but there are plenty of balls where there is no meaningful difference

[@Precision_Golf]

Thanks Justin. As with everything it is just fear is right for the player taking everything into account - performance, feel, budget etc

[@johncreet1254]

Does the colour of the ball make a difference? I might be imagining things but I've got the suspicion that there is a slightly different feel with the coloured balls being a touch firmer as a result of the different paint. As I said, this might be a figment of my imagination!

[@Precision_Golf]

The coloured paint will affect feel slightly. Some reports are now saying the coloured balls are very slightly higher ball speed but it incredibly small and not enough to override the visual difference or preference of most players.

[@onsidelegal1002]

@@Precision_Golf i notice significantly better durability on yellow, esp wrt shearing (which doesnt seem to happen w yellow). of course the companies deny this. but if true, why would they admit it when a superior durability ball happens to be one that sells a fraction of what regular balls do.

[@Precision_Golf]

@ Very true, why would they champion durability when less durable means more sales! We see it across all industries now

[@paulmcgee1867]

Wilson? Bridgestone?

[@StanoTomka]

I am afraid that many shots would require 2 Simons

[@Precision_Golf]

I’m sure we can do a follow up

[@frankperez526]

You are comparing the TP5 to the Pro V1 but you should be comparing the Pro V1 to the TP5x. The TP5x, like the Pro V1 are the lower spinning models. Taylordmade wanted to be different and made the X model their low spinning model.

[@Precision_Golf]

The TP5x is more like the Pro V1 Left Dash - in spin terms it sits closer to the Pro V1 but for feel and launch it is harder and higher launching. Sadly we cannot do a single video comparing all premium balls as there are too many so we have to make comparisons between a limited number but will certainly be doing more ball comparisons in the future.

[@johnatchley9754]

Aha! I just realized what your logo means. At my age and miserable skill level the black arc represents the trajectory of my wedges, while the red one represents my driver, both shown in the same units of measurement. 😂🙈🤷‍♂️ I feel sympathy for the ball.

[@Precision_Golf]

Pretty much spot on there John.

[@johnatchley9754]

@ Hey, you didn’t have to agree with me so fast !! 🤦

[@Precision_Golf]

@@johnatchley9754 haha - sorry. I meant the trajectory lines not the other part! 😳

[@johnatchley9754]

@@Precision_Golf Not to worry. You guys are great, help keep me alive. Seriously. Am starting chemo Dec 23. Not exactly the Christmas present I wanted, more like the lump of coal. But your videos will help get me through and my hope is to be back on a course next spring.

[@SammySnead]

No such thing as feel. People mistake sound for feel. No one can “feel” different balls.

[@Precision_Golf]

I think you are correct on the one hand but also incorrect too. Sound forms a large part of feel (or maybe better to call it “feedback”) so I very much agree with that but there is still a “harder” and “softer” sensation to the strike, especially in the short game so it cannot be completely dismissed

[@SammySnead]

@ This would be a good experiment for Precision Golf. Years ago Golf Digest did an experimental with Raymond Floyd. They put head phones/ ear plugs on Floyd. They had him hit different types of golf balls without identification of the make or model of each ball. Floyd could not “feel” the type of ball he was hitting. Their experiment determined that “feel” was really the sound the ball was making when it strikes the clubface.

[@Precision_Golf]

@ will get some earplugs and give it a go (as long as we can hide the logos!)

[@SammySnead]

@ 🤔 Maybe some whiteout or white paint. Maybe research the old article in Golf Digest and try and replicate the study to see if you get the same results. Good luck

[@onsidelegal1002]

of course you can feel different balls. a softer ball feels different to a harder one from putter to driver. the fact a properly compressed ball will feel like "nothing" to most people doesnt mean there is no difference.

[@sausagembape677]

Best? Premium? What does that even mean? It means you're a shill for the rip off machine that is the golf industry

[@Precision_Golf]

Every company in the world brings out newer and better models, the golf industry is no different. These golf companies actually work really hard to help us gain great enjoyment from the game too.

[@onsidelegal1002]

agreed premium is a useless word. "tour ball" is a good way to distinguish the top tier from the rest.