l cut them open , so you don't have to!

me05501 · October 15, 2018

Considering all the R&D that has gone into this space, it's interesting that manufacturers haven't landed on a combination of core size or cover thickness or whatever that is clearly, demonstrably better than all the rest.

The Pro V-1 has a huge core. The TP5 has a very small inner core surrounded by another thick layer (I understand that the TP5 has more layers). I'm curious whether the difference in materials between the innermost core and the secondary core is more significant than just the color. Or is it just a different color so they can say they have five layers vs. 3 or 4.

arbeck · October 15, 2018

We know that Cut and Costco aren't designing their own balls. And I doubt Snell has enough pull to stop whatever Asian factory his balls are built at to exclusively make balls for him. The educated guess is that the factory is either selling excess capacity with a slightly reformulated ball to people like Cut or Costco, or selling a slightly older version of the Snell ball.

NRJyzr · October 15, 2018

Just curious. If two balls share same # of dimples and pieces and thickness is same, they are considered exactly same ball?

Or can materials used inside be different?

Per discussions I've seen on various forums, aerodynamic performance can be altered not insignificantly by a change in the size of dimples that may not be visible to the human eye.

So, not necessarily the same. <shrug>
I agree , but we will see as these are both what I would consider value brands.

If there is a difference how good of a player would you need to be to see the difference ?

Hard to say. I think it would depend on the amount of any such alteration. It could vary from "only a pro or top am can notice" to "any mid-hdcp can see it." ;)

Not in the same zipcode, but my 9 hdcp friend was able to quickly notice the difference when switching to the ZStar from the Pro V1. Something smaller in aerodynamics might take longer to recognize.

Break81 · October 15, 2018

Just curious. If two balls share same # of dimples and pieces and thickness is same, they are considered exactly same ball?

Or can materials used inside be different?

Per discussions I've seen on various forums, aerodynamic performance can be altered not insignificantly by a change in the size of dimples that may not be visible to the human eye.

So, not necessarily the same. <shrug>
I agree , but we will see as these are both what I would consider value brands.

If there is a difference how good of a player would you need to be to see the difference ?

Hard to say. I think it would depend on the amount of any such alteration. It could vary from "only a pro or top am can notice" to "any mid-hdcp can see it." ;)

Not in the same zipcode, but my 9 hdcp friend was able to quickly notice the difference when switching to the ZStar from the Pro V1. Something smaller in aerodynamics might take longer to recognize.

Z star to ProV is visible to the naked eye . Even the urethane process is vastly different.

From that standpoint I think there is a huge difference on feel even if performance is similar.

Some people cannot stand the TPI urethane

Break81 · October 15, 2018

We know that Cut and Costco aren't designing their own balls. And I doubt Snell has enough pull to stop whatever Asian factory his balls are built at to exclusively make balls for him. The educated guess is that the factory is either selling excess capacity with a slightly reformulated ball to people like Cut or Costco, or selling a slightly older version of the Snell ball.

I was thinking the factory has a set number of combinations available that can be ordered. Maybe there is a slight difference in hardness if materials , maybe not , could just be color variations etc.

For Snell to do R&D could simply be the Asian factory sending him 5-6 variations they have made before and then his people picking what they like best in testing and then he places his order.

Hard to create your own molds and materials / processes when you don’t own your own equipment.

Again all hypothetically speaking.

soregongolfer · October 15, 2018

Lawsuit time ;)

Factory design marketed by two companies as their own :dntknw:

Snell didn't design his own ball?

Adler · October 15, 2018

Upload Time!

Callaway Super Soft Pink

Callaway Super Soft Pink (2) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Snell MTB

Snell MTB by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Titleist Pro V1x (2007, at least from researching v1's sidestamps)

Titleist Pro V1x (2007) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Titleist Pro V1x (2013)

Titleist Pro V1x (2013) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Titleist NXT Tour (2015?? Help!)

Titleist NXT Tour (2015) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Srixon Z-Star

Srixon Z-Star by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Tour B330 (2008)

Bridgestone Tour B330 (2008) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Tour b330 (2010)

Bridgestone Tour B330 (2010) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Tour b330 (2012)

Bridgestone Tour B330 (2012) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Tour b330 (2014)

Bridgestone Tour B330 (2014) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Tour b330 RX and RXS (2016)

(Only differences I could tell/feel was softness of the inner core)

Bridgestone Tour b330 RX & RXS (2016) by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Tour b330 RX & RXS (2016) Cut by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Tour b330 Family (08,10,12,14,16)

Bridgestone Tour B330's since 2008 by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Bridgestone Extra Soft

Bridgestone Extra Soft by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Nike PD1

Nike PD1 by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Nike One Black

Nike One Black by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Nike One Vapor

Nike One Vapor by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Nike 20XI-X

Nike 20XI-X by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Callaway Superhot 70

Callaway Superhot 70 by Adler__Alex, on Flickr

Enjoy!

Doing ~8 Bridgestone E series tonight after work! Hopefully taking pictures and uploading tomorrow

NRJyzr · October 15, 2018

Lawsuit time ;)

Factory design marketed by two companies as their own :dntknw:

Snell didn't design his own ball?

Some on WRX appear to believe as such, based on similar-to-above posts in various threads. Dean Snell has been emphatic in refuting those posts, however.

larciel · October 15, 2018

I played both cut blue and snell red and def they feel different.

soregongolfer · October 15, 2018

Lawsuit time ;)

Factory design marketed by two companies as their own :dntknw:

Snell didn't design his own ball?

Some on WRX appear to believe as such, based on similar-to-above posts in various threads. Dean Snell has been emphatic in refuting those posts, however.

I don't know squat about how businesses do their thing, but I'd be shocked if Snell chose his balls from different balls sent to him by Chinese manufacturers.

Break81 · October 15, 2018

Lawsuit time ;)

Factory design marketed by two companies as their own :dntknw:

Snell didn't design his own ball?

Some on WRX appear to believe as such, based on similar-to-above posts in various threads. Dean Snell has been emphatic in refuting those posts, however.

To be clear we don't know to what extent he "designs" his brand as he doesn't own any equipment etc.

It's not like Dean has a video of him at the plant overseas working with different materials. It is a little suspect to have another import ball from "plant unknown" to look and have similar properties.

I really can't wait to try both out next week. Maybe they are completely different , but i don't expect them to be.

Adler · October 15, 2018

I knew I should've played the snell before I cut it...

Break81 · October 15, 2018

A trained eye might be able to see a difference but I cannot

Adler · October 15, 2018

I think the top one has smaller dimples in spaces they were able to squeeze them where as the bottom one is just the same size and even spacing in between. Maybe I just need to go to bed.. hahah

BlackM00Nlight · October 15, 2018

Appears the top has more, smaller dimples.

Break81 · October 15, 2018

They both have 338 dimples. In the lower ball I see smaller dimples on the far left side.

Break81 · October 15, 2018

Another view .

Simp · October 15, 2018

They look like the MG balls as well. I've been told that they're some sort of Callaway ball.

GDTBATH · October 17, 2018

There's something strangely satisfying about looking at all these cross sections of balls sliced in two.

You sound like my wife.

GDTBATH · October 17, 2018

So random question, if I wanted to try and create my own ballmarker as a fun project, how do those folks get them to look so smooth? Is it simply sanding down the inside once cut? Laminating?

Great thread, btw. Thanks, OP, and other contributors.

BogeyPutt34 · October 17, 2018

If someone would be so kind as to cut a Titleist tour soft for me I would appreciate it. If I had those cutters I would do one myself but I don’t. Interested to see how it compares to the other soft balls since they’re only $35/dozen

Adler · October 18, 2018

So random question, if I wanted to try and create my own ballmarker as a fun project, how do those folks get them to look so smooth? Is it simply sanding down the inside once cut? Laminating?

Great thread, btw. Thanks, OP, and other contributors.

I tried to get one done yesterday. With a PVC cutter it's hard to get it straight and the "nub" not moving. I'd be willing to bet the guys that make the ball markers are doing a band saw or something similar to that - and a jig holding the ball in place.

If someone would be so kind as to cut a Titleist tour soft for me I would appreciate it. If I had those cutters I would do one myself but I don't. Interested to see how it compares to the other soft balls since they're only $35/dozen

I'm stopping by the store here in town today. I'll look for one.

Mych · October 18, 2018

Awesome thread, it's kinda scary how addictive it is to look at cut open golf balls.

Adler · October 18, 2018

Good news... Found a Titleist Tour Soft, and many other good balls today - some are repeats that I'll get to play this time. I'll be cutting and uploading tonight/tomorrow!

The E series from Bridgestone isn't complete yet, so I wanna hold off on that until I can get every model.

BogeyPutt34 · October 18, 2018

Good news... Found a Titleist Tour Soft, and many other good balls today - some are repeats that I'll get to play this time. I'll be cutting and uploading tonight/tomorrow!

The E series from Bridgestone isn't complete yet, so I wanna hold off on that until I can get every model.

Awesome! Thanks I appreciate it!

jpdx · October 19, 2018

Love checking in this thread. thanks for cutting them. Any chance of a Nike rzn tour black compared to the platinum (I think maybe page one or two I saw the plat)

DonW468 · October 19, 2018

Nice! I've never seen precious golf balls cut in half before. At least now I don't have to waste my time cutting them open, Thanks! Question? what's the material inside the golf balls? Just curious.

Adler · October 19, 2018

Love checking in this thread. thanks for cutting them. Any chance of a Nike rzn tour black compared to the platinum (I think maybe page one or two I saw the plat)

I just got a Black in the pile yesterday. Deciding if I want to cut it, haha. My favorite balls of all time!

Nice! I've never seen precious golf balls cut in half before. At least now I don't have to waste my time cutting them open, Thanks! Question? what's the material inside the golf balls? Just curious.

Usually rubber compounds/synthetic rubbers, sometimes the speckles you see if them are "Waste" from plastics or other hard rubber.

jpdx · October 19, 2018

Love checking in this thread. thanks for cutting them. Any chance of a Nike rzn tour black compared to the platinum (I think maybe page one or two I saw the plat)

I just got a Black in the pile yesterday. Deciding if I want to cut it, haha. My favorite balls of all time!

Yes you do want to lol ?