Urethane ball, mid handicap, fast swing speed

[gregkeller]

So I've got a friend who is a decent golfer, probably a 13-14 handicap who can bomb it off the tee. He's got a driver SS of around 113-115, 6 iron speed around 95. These are from trackman, not anecdotal. I'm trying to help him find a ball to play. He is inconsistent from a directional standpoint and his short game is a little lacking. Part of the short game stuff is he plays garbage 2 piece surlyn balls. I think he'd be well served by playing a urethane ball for greenside spin and control but something that flies a little straighter with less spin off the driver. I thought project (a) might be a good fit, but mentions "lower swing speed players" in their literature. It seems that a bunch of these urethane "cheaper" balls are designed for a slow swing speed player. Does anyone know of a ball that he won't smooosh too much with a 115 mph driver?

[gregkeller]

He also launches the ball amazingly high, so a lower launching ball would be good :) The more I think about it, he just might need to go with a tour ball. Probably not that much difference in spin off the driver and irons from a surlyn ball anyway. But if anyone has any ideas, throw them up.

[GoGoErky]

What is amazingly high? What’s his spin, aoa, land angle?

 

[Hot Rod 71]

If you are looking for a urethane covered, tour level ball at an affordable price, check out the Snell MTB Black and MTB X, as well as the Vice Pro and Vice Pro Plus.

[Pittknife]

I don’t think there is a ball a 115 chs guy can smoosh too much. Chances are his high handcap is from inconstancy and swinging too hard. Short game you can get used to any ball depending on your typical course. You just can’t short side yourself with a non spiny ball.

 

Runout is not a bad thing at certain handicaps, but if he is not concerned with money and wants great spin try the Pro V1, it’s lower flight and spins a lot.

[theedge27]

I'd try the Cut Blue. It's on the firm side and has great greenside performance. Only 6.50 for a trial sleeve. Or check DSG for the Maxfli UFli Speed. They are on clearance for $14 a dozen.

[gpleonard]

Buy last years Srixon Z Stars or the XV balls. Can be found for 29.99 dozen right now.

[BM5D]

I'd vote for Titleist Velocity. They are very low spin off the driver and fly pretty straight. With his CHS I don't think he will have trouble holding greens with them either.

[Mahamilto]

AVX... no question.

[Nessism]

Costco Kirkland Signature urethane. $24/two dozen. Performance is competitive with other urethane balls. Feel is a little blah, but not bad. No worry with the high swing speed. The ball will perform just fine.

[john_g]

If he can't control the spin around the green then a urethane ball is actually a hindrance; e.g., he's trying to put some check on the ball and he doesn't - balls runs way past the hole, or he's trying to let the ball run out but hits it too crisply and puts check on it - ball comes up short. I've seen it happen time and again with guys who just don't put in the practice time to learn to vary the spin. If he's not able to control the spin, a surlyn ball is at least predictable. And ... if his main problem is hitting it crooked, he can find a surlyn ball that resists spin and flies straighter.

[Hammer22]

My driver SS is around 110 with a 7 Index - I play the Project (a) and love it - basically a "mini" version of the TP5. It's a great feeling ball that is priced right, gets nice distance, and holds greens amazingly well. Paying around $50/doz for "Tour" balls is stupid when there are so many fantastic urethane covered options out there that cost so much less. Even better, with the Project (a), you get a free dozen for every four you buy. I got so hooked on this ball that I even sold off about 60 dozen Nike RZN Platinum's and don't regret it one bit.

 

Great review from Rick Shiels on the '16 version (and the '18 model is even better):

[armyhawk3342]

I'd suggest the Titleist AVX or Bridgestone Tour B X

[pjerzy]

Srixon Q Star Tour.

[c50sooner]

> @Hammer22 said:

> My driver SS is around 110 with a 7 Index - I play the Project (a) and love it - basically a "mini" version of the TP5. It's a great feeling ball that is priced right, gets nice distance, and holds greens amazingly well.

>

I get the cost angle, but is Project A as long off the tee for you as TP5? Definitely wasn't for me. Felt good but spun too much and ballooned a bit.

 

[Hammer22]

Still carry it 280's with the driver - no distance loss at all. One club longer with my irons and love the ball flight. The whole soft-ball-is-for-slow-swings is not something I buy in to.