The testing is over - found “the ball” 😎

[LPSISCO]

I decided this year to play just one ball to eliminate one variable from my multitude of issues. Me -  SS about 95, negative AoA, 10 handicap. If I keep my driver on the planet I’m a hopeful 7….if I don’t I’m a bad 14….
Last year I played mostly Srixon XV, and some 2019 TP5, 2021 TP5, Bridgestone RX and some pink UPros for fun.

 

I wanted something longer and straighter, with hopefully a softer feel than the XV. Basically everything feels softer than an XV, so there’s a lot to choose from….I decided to test out the new TP5 and TP5x, both Snell balls, and the Z-star. After lots of short game and putting practice, and at least 2 rounds with each ball, the clear winner for me is the Z-star. It is definitely softer and, for me, markedly longer on the driver and 3 wood. I know it sounds ridiculous, but as much as 25-30 yards further. All the rounds were at my home course, so I know where my ball generally is on every hole - I was way past the norm over and over again with the Z-star. The simple difference for me? Usually my drives are within 3 yards of where they land. Some of that is moist NJ ground, but some is also too much backspin. The Z-star takes a big bounce and keeps rolling. We have a 420 yard par 4 that I’m normally around 180-190 out with a standard drive. Two rounds in a row I was 149 and 151. Yesterday I lost my last Z-star earlier in the round and hit a similarly struck drive with the Snell Black. 185 out. I play with the same 3 guys almost all the time, and I’m usually about 20 yards behind the longest guy. Friday and Saturday I outdrove him on at least half the holes.

The Z-star does not have nearly as much spin around the green as the XV, definitely have to play for a bit more roll. It’s also not any longer for me off the short irons and wedges. I absolutely love it on my Piretti though - very soft and easy to control the speed. The worst putting ball for me, by far, was the TP5x. Very firm feeling which I don’t love (the XV is even firmer but I could use it) but distance control was impossible for me with the TP5x. I putted horribly with it on the front nine last week, switched to the Snell Black and putted great on the back. 
 

If I hadn’t tried the Z-star I probably would have chosen the Snell Black. The performance with the Black and the MBX are almost exactly the same for me, and the Black feels slightly softer so I’d go that way. 
 

My 4 dozen Z-stars were delivered today. Looking forward to seeing if the one ball theory helps my woeful game!

 

[jjfcpa]

Sounds like a good choice.  I prefer a slightly softer ball and have been testing the Taylormade Tour Response.  So far, so good, but haven't had a number of consistent playing conditions yet to really test all the balls that I'm considering.

[Notashank]

I like vice balls. Not paying over $40 for a dozen balls anymore. The vice balls in testing  by TXG showed they are nearly identical. 

Edited May 3, 2022 by Notashank

[LPSISCO]

Have you tried the Z-star? Might work for you too. 

[craz-e]

Always good to find a ball that ticks the boxes you need ticked. Its the only piece of equipment that's constant in every golf shot we play so having confidence in its performance really helps every part of the game. 

[Golf64]

Always love 2for1 deal in June with Srixon! Hopefully they have it again this year?!

[LPSISCO]

1 hour ago, Golf64 said:

Always love 2for1 deal in June with Srixon! Hopefully they have it again this year?!

Not sure if that will happen; my assumption was that the current deal at $65 for two dozen was this year’s version so I stocked up. Essentially $32.50 per dozen instead of $30 - close enough 🤷🏻‍♂️
 

[Longdriver295]

2 hours ago, LPSISCO said:

Not sure if that will happen; my assumption was that the current deal at $65 for two dozen was this year’s version so I stocked up. Essentially $32.50 per dozen instead of $30 - close enough 🤷🏻‍♂️
 

But does that price include Shipping? If not you paying more than 32.50dz unless you buying them in store?

Edited May 3, 2022 by Longdriver295

[jholz]

I'm probably going to go this way as well. Got a reasonable deal on XV's and can't say I'm that down with them.

 

Will probably snag a couple of those 2 dozen Z-Star packs and start over.

[Vlade15]

Is the XV not considered the low spin ball for Srixon?

[LPSISCO]

1 hour ago, Vlade15 said:

Is the XV not considered the low spin ball for Srixon?

No, the Z-star is. A few years ago I tried the Z-star and it spun way too much, but now it’s the lower compression, lower spin option.

 

I think they swapped when Titleist swapped the ProV and the X. 

[LPSISCO]

2 hours ago, Longdriver295 said:

But does that price include Shipping? If not you paying more than 32.50dz unless you buying them in store?

I think I got free shipping for orders over $100. Had to pay tax tho.

[Vlade15]

22 hours ago, LPSISCO said:

No, the Z-star is. A few years ago I tried the Z-star and it spun way too much, but now it’s the lower compression, lower spin option.

 

I think they swapped when Titleist swapped the ProV and the X. 

Hmmm.  When you go on the srixon website and go through their ball finder it asks what you would like...and if you select max spin it gives you the Z star.  Max distance it provides you with the XV.  I am not saying you are wrong.  I am just confused by this.  I ordered a bundle of the XV Divides and I did so assuming it was going to play similar to a Chrome Soft LS.

[LPSISCO]

8 minutes ago, Vlade15 said:

Hmmm.  When you go on the srixon website and go through their ball finder it asks what you would like...and if you select max spin it gives you the Z star.  Max distance it provides you with the XV.  I am not saying you are wrong.  I am just confused by this.  I ordered a bundle of the XV Divides and I did so assuming it was going to play similar to a Chrome Soft LS.

I’m sure it is player dependent, but from robot testing in the “other” place:

 

[LPSISCO]

The Z-star is certainly on the low end for tour balls with the driver, at mid swing speed:

 

 

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

If Srixon works for you that's good for you.

 

Personally I found Srixon to be somewhat shorter than other 'tour' balls.

[LPSISCO]

I found “the ball” for me….for now, anyway 😁

 

Everyone’s swing is different so it might be shorter for you. I’m not pushing the Z-star for anyone else - everyone should test for themselves and go from there. I really wanted to go Snell because I’m a nonconformist, but the obvious results took me elsewhere. 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2022 by LPSISCO

[Longdriver295]

1 hour ago, LPSISCO said:

I found “the ball” for me….for now, anyway 😁

 

Everyone’s swing is different so it might be shorter for you. I’m not pushing the Z-star for anyone else - everyone should test for themselves and go from there. I really wanted to go Snell because I’m a nonconformist, but the obvious results took me elsewhere. 

 

 

What makes you think Snell is non conforming?

[Jeff58]

ist ≠ ing.

[Longdriver295]

2 minutes ago, Jeff58 said:

ist ≠ ing.

WTH?

[LPSISCO]

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[elwhippy]

Great ball in windy conditions..holds it line well and can be knocked down under the breeze. 

[jjfcpa]

23 hours ago, LPSISCO said:

The Z-star is certainly on the low end for tour balls with the driver, at mid swing speed:

 

 

 

Maxfli Tour is out there.

[soregongolfer]

The Z Star and Z Star XV's are regularly $32.99 where I shop.  Unfortunately, that shop is an hour away and with gas prices....  I'm surprised to see the XV's spin more.

Edited May 5, 2022 by soregongolfer

[Fairways_and_Greens]

[LPSISCO]

Well, true, Fairways and Greens. I probably need to start testing drivers to maximize the new ball. 😜

[Fairways_and_Greens]

18 hours ago, LPSISCO said:

Well, true, Fairways and Greens. I probably need to start testing drivers to maximize the new ball. 😜

Broh. This is WRX. Once you find the new driver you need to go back and check the balls again. It’s like screwing down an engine block. Tighten one bolt and it loosens 2 others. 

[phizzy30]

On 5/2/2022 at 6:16 PM, Notashank said:

I like vice balls. Not paying over $40 for a dozen balls anymore. The vice balls in testing  by TXG showed they are nearly identical. 

Vice balls are highly underrated IMO.  I had my doubts, but when I was given 2 sleeves of the Pro Plus I was impressed.  It feels firmer like the older generation ProV1x, comes off lower with low spin which is what I need.  Not quite as straight as the MTB-X, but I suspect it's because of the lower back spin.  I may even stock up on the Pro Plus after my stash of MTB-X run out.