Ball for Average / Above Average Golfer

[AverageGopher]

Consider an average to above average golfer (handicap 8-20) playing either a prov1, trufeel, supersoft, chrome tour, Kirkland, Wilson, Srixon, etc ball - anything ranging from $24-$55 / dz, but assuming a true new ball.

Excluding big hitters that end up in that handicap range for consistency issues, for average length hitters, etc, does anyone think a scoring difference can be garnered between top and bottom of the line new balls?  I think most average to above average golfers would score the same with a trufeel and a proV1.  Certainly most might notice a "feel" difference, but will it actually translate to a scoring difference for the typical average golfer?

 

Not sure if this will be a big source of controversy, but curious who agrees and who disagrees.  I know on the one hand I like proV1s like many an average Joe, but also suspect the score after 18 holes with a trufeel or a supersoft might not be too different....

[RoadToPar]

Speaking anecdotally about myself, 11 hcp with average speed and ball striking my scores have been better using a TP5x vs the Supersofts I was using as a cost exercise. The biggest difference is spin in the short game. If you can play short game shots with any degree of consistency you're simply leaving too much on the table from a control standpoint imo.

[azgreg]

I use teh Top Flite Gamer and Hammer Control (when I can find them). They spin plenty and feel soft off the face. Not a fan of losing $4 golf balls.

 

[TallGuy90]

The average to above average golfer is shooting 90-110 a round and should be more worried about other things but this is Golfwrx and 90% of the people here think that 1° of launch or extra 3 rpm’s are what’s holding them back 

[Fairways_and_Greens]

Honestly, who cares? If you’re not playing for money, then golf is a hobby.
 

If a piece of you dies inside because you pump a $4 premium ball in the drink, don’t play a premium ball. If you love hitting the occasional wedge that backs up, buy a premium ball. 
 

Again, who cares?

[AzRoger]

That's a big range in handicaps, someone on the low end (single digit HC) can definitely benefit with a premium ball on wedge shots into greens and when pitching/chipping around the greens. The 20 handicappers I play with don't strike the ball solidly enough, even when chipping, to take advantage of a premium ball.

[AverageGopher]

11 hours ago, TallGuy90 said:

The average to above average golfer is shooting 90-110 a round and should be more worried about other things but this is Golfwrx and 90% of the people here think that 1° of launch or extra 3 rpm’s are what’s holding them back 

 

Even 80-110.....I doubt the ball itself will impact the actual score a whole lot.

So here's the balance - the practical part of you and/or frugal part that acknowledges, but then the other part / stylish part that says if you can afford prov1 - why not.  I do think anyone can "feel" the difference and get a bit more spin here and there - but not sure it translates to an actual difference in score for the more average Joe.  

  

 Now, I don't want to discount the fact that a big hitter playing a tough course with hard, undulating greens will likely garner a true score benefit from more spin, but that's not a whole lotta us more average joe's....

 

 

 

 

[swine7777]

Wilson Triad (new)

[ahenderX]

Brand new Callaway 2020 Chrome Soft practice balls are $20 online. I switch them out with Maxfli Tour Soft balls bought at a similar price when discounted. Love both balls. 

Edited February 19 by ahenderX

[Nessism]

The new red stripe box Kirklands are a no-brainer purchase for people wanting a high performance, value oriented ball.  The new version reduced spin a little, which brings them in line with most other premium balls.  If your ego can handle playing a Costco ball, your wallet will appreciate it.

[Yakhandicap]

My favorite part of golf is being aware of how powerful the mind and what you believe is to your performance. I know, intellectually, that I am the biggest opportunity for improvement, but I still harbor the fantasy that some magic piece of equipment will make a huge difference. Growth is acknowledging that it’s just not true. Except for my ping 5w. That thing is magic. I just had my best series of consecutive golf shots resulting in a 30 foot birdie putt using a knock off ball that I found mid round at my local municipal course. 

Edited February 24 by Yakhandicap

[grinder1320]

On 2/18/2025 at 5:42 PM, Fairways_and_Greens said:

Honestly, who cares? If you’re not playing for money, then golf is a hobby.
 

If a piece of you dies inside because you pump a $4 premium ball in the drink, don’t play a premium ball. If you love hitting the occasional wedge that backs up, buy a premium ball. 
 

Again, who cares?

Nailed it!

[BiggErn]

On 2/18/2025 at 7:42 PM, Fairways_and_Greens said:

Honestly, who cares? If you’re not playing for money, then golf is a hobby.
 

If a piece of you dies inside because you pump a $4 premium ball in the drink, don’t play a premium ball. If you love hitting the occasional wedge that backs up, buy a premium ball. 
 

Again, who cares?

The only issue with that is playing with the guy who refuses to let it go. It’s gone man, take your drop and let’s go. 

[Fairways_and_Greens]

10 minutes ago, BiggErn said:

The only issue with that is playing with the guy who refuses to let it go. It’s gone man, take your drop and let’s go. 

Put em on the clock!

[BiggErn]

32 minutes ago, Fairways_and_Greens said:

Put em on the clock!

yep. I tell him that’s why they sell them by the dozen. 

[PuffyC]

An 8 isn’t your avg golfer but either way, I’d say a tour ball would likely produce a marginally better score over time, but only if they played and practiced with it consistently so they knew what to expect performance wise. I feel like the added spin around greens allows me to be more accurate and that translates to making that part of the game a little bit easier. I’ll play a Soft Feel occasionally just for fun and getting those to stop on greens from some short side chips seems to require a degree of precision and talent that I lack, many times leading to a frustrating back and forth. FWIW, you can get a like-new used ProV1x for about the same as a new Soft Feel or Supersoft.

[Chip Duffer]

I think what matters is finding a ball and sticking with it. Familiarity will create confidence and knowledge of what I can do with a particular ball and what I can not. 
 

I once had a personal best on a course with a Stixon AD333. It was years before I beat that by 3 strokes with the old TP Red. (That was a great ball)

[WWTWD]

On 2/17/2025 at 11:12 AM, RoadToPar said:

Speaking anecdotally about myself, 11 hcp with average speed and ball striking my scores have been better using a TP5x vs the Supersofts I was using as a cost exercise. The biggest difference is spin in the short game. If you can play short game shots with any degree of consistency you're simply leaving too much on the table from a control standpoint imo.

+1 for the TP5 lineup. 
 

Switched from Titleist after years of playing ProV. And I love them. 
 

way better feel to me in short game and I know this isn’t true….but I swear they go straighter LOL. 

[imagine29028]

Just got a 24 pack of Wilson Zip's...after they got so much love from Golf Ball Addict channel on YT. I used them on Sunday, and was very impressed. 24 balls for $30. 

[StalefishFS3]

Best value by far are the 48 packs of MaxFli TourS, Tour or TourX.  With tax you are running about 30/dozen.  Half price of Prov1 with 99 percent of performance.

[BurghLefty]

I like to play nice titleists, but when I go to the local sim and hit Kirklands that have probably been hit a zillion times there, my numbers are pretty similar.....

[bellview17]

Tour Maxfli  4 dozen for 40 each. Spin on short shots will help your game 

[wantacigar]

March of 2023 my handicap was 17.5.  By November it was 14.5 but I was playing to a 12 the last 5-10 rounds.  Biggest difference.......short game.  I really focused on 75 yards in.  In prior years I was using Top Flite Gamers, Callaway Diablo Tours, Callaway War Birds, etc... I started using ProV's, TP5's, Vice Pro and Maxfli Tours.  I noticed 2 things.  My average drive lost about 5 yards but my control into the green greatly improved.  Shots that just rolled across the greens were now checking up and either holding the green from 120 yards out to a chip checking up and giving me a shorter putt to either save par or bogey rather than trying to salvage bogey or double bogey.  

My home's property size is 60 x 100.  I bought a chipping net and just went into the backyard, set up the net in the middle of the yard and just practiced hitting 10 yard chips with the 58*, 54* and my GW 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes with Kirkland balls (cheap to buy for short game practice.  Even used them as a gamer).  Occasionally the thinned shot would hit my 6' wood fence with a loud THUD prompting my wife to inquire "What the H**LLL are you doing out there!!?"  Between the this and the increased spin on the better balls I went from shooting 90-96 consistently for 10 years to shooting 84-88 consistently within a span of 6 months.

 

Sooooo, yes, the better spinning balls do make a "yoooge" difference.  Since I'm playing better I don't really lose too many balls any longer but I still won't pay $55/doz. for ProV's.  I stick to the Maxfli Tours and Vice Pro.  $25-$30/doz. during their deal sales.  Since I used to go through about 6 dozen balls a year with 30-35 rounds a year to 2 dozen over 45 rounds I figure I can afford the better balls.  A sleeve a round used to be the norm for me.  Now a sleeve lasts about 2-4 rounds.

[dilcat]

On 2/18/2025 at 8:08 PM, AzRoger said:

That's a big range in handicaps, someone on the low end (single digit HC) can definitely benefit with a premium ball on wedge shots into greens and when pitching/chipping around the greens. The 20 handicappers I play with don't strike the ball solidly enough, even when chipping, to take advantage of a premium ball.

Very true. Premium balls seem like a waste for high handicappers.

[dilcat]

On 3/24/2025 at 7:35 AM, wantacigar said:

March of 2023 my handicap was 17.5.  By November it was 14.5 but I was playing to a 12 the last 5-10 rounds.  Biggest difference.......short game.  I really focused on 75 yards in.  In prior years I was using Top Flite Gamers, Callaway Diablo Tours, Callaway War Birds, etc... I started using ProV's, TP5's, Vice Pro and Maxfli Tours.  I noticed 2 things.  My average drive lost about 5 yards but my control into the green greatly improved.  Shots that just rolled across the greens were now checking up and either holding the green from 120 yards out to a chip checking up and giving me a shorter putt to either save par or bogey rather than trying to salvage bogey or double bogey.  

My home's property size is 60 x 100.  I bought a chipping net and just went into the backyard, set up the net in the middle of the yard and just practiced hitting 10 yard chips with the 58*, 54* and my GW 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes with Kirkland balls (cheap to buy for short game practice.  Even used them as a gamer).  Occasionally the thinned shot would hit my 6' wood fence with a loud THUD prompting my wife to inquire "What the H**LLL are you doing out there!!?"  Between the this and the increased spin on the better balls I went from shooting 90-96 consistently for 10 years to shooting 84-88 consistently within a span of 6 months.

 

Sooooo, yes, the better spinning balls do make a "yoooge" difference.  Since I'm playing better I don't really lose too many balls any longer but I still won't pay $55/doz. for ProV's.  I stick to the Maxfli Tours and Vice Pro.  $25-$30/doz. during their deal sales.  Since I used to go through about 6 dozen balls a year with 30-35 rounds a year to 2 dozen over 45 rounds I figure I can afford the better balls.  A sleeve a round used to be the norm for me.  Now a sleeve lasts about 2-4 rounds.

Could it be the dedication to practice that brought on the huge improvement more than the ball?

[Old Tom Morris]

I like urethane covered balls because of performance in the wind.  Pro V1 and the rest can stop on a green downwind.

[Roejye]

I pretty much share your belief @AverageGopher, assuming the courses that your average golfers are playing on are average muni courses. I don't really think a ball matters that much. My personal best was with a top flite hammer control.

 

I do believe that you need to practice and stick with one ball consistently to maximize your scoring though. 

[wantacigar]

On 3/28/2025 at 8:55 PM, dilcat said:

Could it be the dedication to practice that brought on the huge improvement more than the ball?

The practice was the key.  My point was that the ball's performance on the greens took that practice and the better ball striking to the next level.  I was able to be more aggressive with the ball because of the better spin.  We all know deceleration through the ball is poison.  With a 3 piece urethane ball you get much better spin, thus better control and the confidence that knowing when you strike the ball, it will spin and react on the green so I don't subconsciously decelerate through the ball getting a better strike that I worked on with the practice.  There are people who, no matter what, just don't generate spin.  A 3 or 4 piece ball can help with that.  Allot of people bitched and moaned about the overspin on Kirkland and some other balls.  In reality that extra spin helped allot of slower swing speed players who don't generate allot of spin with their swings.  I'm 58 and I'm a mid swing speed player so I can generate some spin.  I have a buddy who is 50 with some back and neck issues so he has a slow swing speed.  He loved the Kirklands because the extra spin allowed the ball to stay in the air longer giving him more distance than a 2 piece surlyn/ionomer covered ball and better control in the short game.  There are players that the 2 piece ball are good for.  I know it's mostly anecdotal but each individual should play a wide variety of balls to find the one ball, or the one type of ball, that works best for them.  For me, it took about a year of playing golf and using at least 8-10 different brands and types to find what works for me.  

I've bought $55 box of ProV-1 and played them against other balls knowing they are the Gold Standard.  FOR ME, I had no discernable difference between the Vice Pro or Maxfli Tour for half the price so that's what I play.   I even like the new V3 Ksigs.  I play them on course with ALLOT of water and potential multiple ball loss.  They perform almost identical to my Maxfli Tour for half their price. LOL.  

I talk to much.....😁

Edited March 31 by wantacigar

[RacineBoxer]

I'm a single digit hcp and play nothing but premium (prov1's & zstars typically) and I don't think it matters. I do all the research, watch all the videos, fret over launch angles/peak height/spin, etc... and there just isn't much difference when it comes to actually playing the game. People on the forums act like 500 rpms on a wedge or 7 iron is massive. It just isn't, at least when it comes to actually playing the game of golf. Hell sometimes the lower spin ball stops faster because it goes higher and has a sharper descent angle. Very, very few golfers can control their approach shots to within 2 yards. Golf score is mostly about minimizing the bad shots (if you typically shoot above par anyways).

[jarediogolf]

Currently a 10.3 HC trending down. I usually play Maxfli tour. 

Picked up a box of Maxfli straight-fli balls because I was making some grip change/swing changes and didn’t know where the ball was gonna go. These are rocks that don’t spin on pitches or chips. 
 

Ended up shooting a personal best 6 over 77.

 

I do find I putt well with that ball, distance control is good. For short game I just allow for more roll out. 
 

Any wedge 1/2 swing and up will stop. Full swings can still spin back. 
 

Also been playing receptive greens. If I was playing really hard and fast greens I might have trouble with that ball. 

 

For the average guy such as myself playing the average course, most any ball will work. More importantly, just play the same ball so you can know what it will do.