I think almost everyone plays the wrong ball...

[mvhoffman]

I say this after years of trying all the 3, 4, 5 piece balls.  After having multiple ball fittings and being fit into almost every premium/expensive ball on the market. 

 

Recently decided I was going to just grab a couple boxes of cheap 2 piece Wilson Duo soft from Rockbottom.  I could tool around with them and my 5 year old could use them too and it served a dual purpose.  That was the mindset until this morning when I was playing 9 before work and grabbed one out of the bag.  The ball flew great off the driver, great trajectory off the irons, backed up off the wedges and was as soft as could be off the putter.  I had a WONDERFUL round using a $10 a dozen golf ball (Sale price when purchased). 

 

Everytime any fitting happens... use this ball for your best results... $50 a dozen

 

There was a phrase that was said years ago when starting the game, "swing and let the club do the work."  I am a better than average player and decided that I was going to use a low compression ball that you can just take a normal swing at and get results as opposed to having to muscle results out of it.  No thanks. 

 

Has anyone taken the step back from $$$$ balls to $ even $$ and had the results that I have had?

 

[Kmac]

The Maxfli balls come to mind. Literally match the performance of a Prov1 for $39 a box. And you can get even better deals on them at times too. 

[munichop]

if you read the perfect ball for a senior golfer discussion you will see a number of players have discovered what you did.  I have become fond of the low compression world as I have lost club head speed.  I have played surlyn for over 10 years now and have shot or tied my lowest scores on almost every course I have played with this family of balls.  Once you adjust to the short game differences you can really score with these.  I have found them especially reliable in the wind.

[ShortGolfer]

I played a round yesterday with a pair of Kirkland Signatures.  Haven't played on fast greens for eight months but made a couple nice long lag putts.  Lost one ball in a shaded area off the fairway so I needed two.  My old eyes work better in the bright sunlight.

Seemed to work just fine with my irons and wedges.  May have lost some distance with driver but I was expecting to lose more golf balls in the water and un-mowed rough.  The ball can roll off the green into very high rough.

Edited July 2 by ShortGolfer

[new2g0lf]

Pro's are very accurate, they also are very sensitive to the touch and feel of their clubs and ball.  I remember watching Tiger warm up and he was hitting shots on command at an imaginary Tic-Tac-Toe grid.  When you're that good you need to trust your equipment and know when anything is even slightly not right with a given swing.   Most of us don't have that level of sensitivity or need for preciseness.  If I miss a shot, which is not infrequent, its 99% more likely my swing than the ball.   Main observation I've made in all the time I've played golf and tried different golf balls is urethane covers are better around the greens than others.   I'm testing out the Q-Star Ulti Speed and have been really impressed as well as Kirklands.  I think the OP is more right than most golf ball manufacturers want to admit.  

[A.Princey]

I went away from top tier urethane 4-5 years ago. I don't miss the spin or compression one bit. After club performance, durability and cost are my main concern these days. And since switching to surlyn, I've lost zero performance on full shots. I only made slight adjustments to how I approach shots from 50y and in, based on more forward rollout. The best part is spin consistency on chips/pitches, because the overall variance is so tight, the reaction on the green is almost the same for any level of contact. No more guessing how the ball may or may not check-up on a given shot.

[AngryGilmore]

My former golf buddy, who we lost to cancer, used to be able to go out and break 90 on pretty much any course in the area you wanted to drop him on.  His ball of choice was either a Precept Powerdrive or a Top Flite XL.

[mvhoffman]

37 minutes ago, AngryGilmore said:

My former golf buddy, who we lost to cancer, used to be able to go out and break 90 on pretty much any course in the area you wanted to drop him on.  His ball of choice was either a Precept Powerdrive or a Top Flite XL.

My true and deepest condolences... a few years ago my best friend/golf buddy/father in-law (all same person) lost his battle to cancer.  I miss him daily and think of him every time I play.

[ShortGolfer]

I've done bump and runs with a 58* lob wedge to reduce rollout on small greens using inexpensive golf balls.  Increasing the loft of the club will reduce the rollout.

 

I make 40 to 50 yard approach shots all the time now as my driver is inconsistent.  Cleaning up a bad drive often means a 100 to 130 yard iron to get close to a protected green.

An iron shot that stays short of the water seems to be a smarter play than a fairway wood that may roll into the pond if it falls short or off the back of the green onto the cart path if it reaches.

 

Edited July 2 by ShortGolfer

[rsballer10]

I'd rather buy used balls in mint condition than lose compression and spin. YMMV. But you can get 4 dozen mint Prov1's off the internet for $80-90. To me it's a better value than new golf balls.

[coops]

I don't think you can get Decathlon golf balls in the USA yet - they're a large French sports company, mostly selling their own brand goods for a bargain in Europe / UK and also here in Thailand.

 

I'd tried their Inesis Tour 900 balls before - feel is good (i usually prefer Bridgestone BX) but the years ago model did seem noticeably shorter with my irons... which the numbers below explain why.

 

Looks like the new/latest version is much improved, so i've ordered a a dozen to try.

The Tour (3 piece urethane cover) is about 2/3 the price of the Bridgestone BX with Pro V1s over here demanding even higher prices - so about half price from ProV1s...

 

They also do 2 piece 'soft' balls for cheaper and a 2 piece distance ball for peanuts..

 

 

 

 

[Fairways_and_Greens]

Wow. This topic again. I’m glad we started a new thread about it. 

[munichop]

Had a first today in my old man league. 6200 and change par 72. Hit every green for the first time (did 17 multiple times before including the first 17) on a breezy day plus one par 5 in 2. Only bogey was a 3 putt. Shot 65 with a Maxfli Softfli. The magic ball at elevation continues.

[ScooterMcTavish]

Interesting thread and timing as I am having a bit of a ball conundrum.  

 

Switched to playing the Z-Star/XV almost exclusively a few years ago as I love the Divide, and I was looking for more approach spin with my irons.

 

So yesterday, I played a quick 9 before league, and did so with my "Wilson Staff" bag - Dynapower FW and H, D7 Forged irons, and a couple of Staff wedges.  Since I wanted to be "authentic" Wilson, I also played a sleeve of old yellow Duo I had around.  What I noticed:

- The ball released more of pitches/chips than my Srixon

- The ball flew very, very high off full iron shots.  To the point where the decent angle looked to be more than making up for the lower spin.

- I hit a fade on my drives - as expected, the Duo faded much less (almost straight) off the tee, and had less distance-robbing backspin

- My typical iron miss is short.  With the Duo I likely got two extra GIR that I wouldn't typically get with my Srixon

- And the ball felt great.  I mean so soft like an old balata, and it felt like it stuck on the face forever

 

In the end, the interesting part to me was if I can get a better launch and descent angle, I am not as dependent on spin off my irons.  So now I'm confused as to why I'm playing the Srixons.  

[mvhoffman]

48 minutes ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

Interesting thread and timing as I am having a bit of a ball conundrum.  

 

Switched to playing the Z-Star/XV almost exclusively a few years ago as I love the Divide, and I was looking for more approach spin with my irons.

 

So yesterday, I played a quick 9 before league, and did so with my "Wilson Staff" bag - Dynapower FW and H, D7 Forged irons, and a couple of Staff wedges.  Since I wanted to be "authentic" Wilson, I also played a sleeve of old yellow Duo I had around.  What I noticed:

- The ball released more of pitches/chips than my Srixon

- The ball flew very, very high off full iron shots.  To the point where the decent angle looked to be more than making up for the lower spin.

- I hit a fade on my drives - as expected, the Duo faded much less (almost straight) off the tee, and had less distance-robbing backspin

- My typical iron miss is short.  With the Duo I likely got two extra GIR that I wouldn't typically get with my Srixon

- And the ball felt great.  I mean so soft like an old balata, and it felt like it stuck on the face forever

 

In the end, the interesting part to me was if I can get a better launch and descent angle, I am not as dependent on spin off my irons.  So now I'm confused as to why I'm playing the Srixons.  

I played this morning and had to hit a punch shot under an overhanging branch to an uphill green.  I was able to hit the shot with a fade and have it spin even stopping 20 feet from the hole.  I missed the eagle putt but had a tap in birdie.  So much control with this ball and the performance is terrific.  The durability is tremendous.  I'm a Wilson Duo guy now!!!

[monks66]

one thing is a must for me , is a urethane ball. I play the AVX, expensive but like it

[Pepperturbo]

I believe the OP is overstating his position regarding "almost everyone plays the wrong ball." 

 

I've tried inexpensive balls, meaning $20-$30 a dozen.  My wife and a few buddies play them. 

 

The problem for me was hitting them into fast (10.5-12 stimp) greens, they check, but release over a greater distance than premium balls.  Recently, I used my wife's inexpensive new Warbird ball, using a half wedge shot, it hit, tried to check and then ran off to the back apron.  I tried Titleist less costly balls, same, except they didn't reach the back apron, still too far, though. 

 

What a person plays depends on what kind of game they play.  If that type behavior doesn't bother the user, who am I to say otherwise.  None of them pass muster for me.  I'll stick with the new ProV1 and Dash -ProV1x.  Fortunately, I hit them where I want them to go so they last for me.  I am currently still playing #7 ProV1 ball after five rounds, and it looks fine.

[itsdannyv]

On 7/1/2025 at 12:17 PM, Kmac said:

The Maxfli balls come to mind. Literally match the performance of a Prov1 for $39 a box. And you can get even better deals on them at times too. 

Which Maxfli are you gaming?

[ShortGolfer]

Where I play a ball that runs through the green is often a lost ball.  No chance of finding it in the high grass or drainage ditch.

[kiwigolf72]

I agree, most higher hc players gravitate towards the wrong ball 

[alittleoverpar]

I prefer a 3 piece urethane ball.  There are plenty of options out there for a reasonable price.  I don't need to play a ProV1.  They are excellent balls, but if I were blindfolded, I couldn't tell the difference between hitting a ProV1 vs some of the more bargain priced urethane balls.  I get plenty of short game control with about any urethane option.  I've been working through a stash of Spalding SD Tour X balls that I have.  I think I paid about $10 a dozen for them.  I don't really feel like I'm giving up anything over hitting a Pro V1.  

[Old Tom Morris]

EVERY player can benefit from more short iron spin.  It's a matter of whether the player is willing to pay for it by purchasing higher priced urethane covered ball.

[bluedot]

20 hours ago, Old Tom Morris said:

EVERY player can benefit from more short iron spin.  It's a matter of whether the player is willing to pay for it by purchasing higher priced urethane covered ball.

Correct, but there are regular visitors here that you will NEVER convince of this.  There are some pretty astonishing mental gymnastics that some go thru to justify playing a cheaper golf ball without simply saying that they want to pay less for golf balls.

[TheDeanAbides]

I use rolled up bits of paper wrapped in insulation tape. Balls are BUNK.

[Hawkeye77]

Our secrets to old man golf are shorter shafts and cheap balls? Not my mantra!

 

Back in the days of wound Titleists, Slazenger made a ball I loved but eventually I moved into ProVs.

 

Years ago there was a Precept Lady something or other ball that Monte was touting as a great ball in the wind - I bought some and played on a super windy day with one - he was right!  But, I didn't like the feel and they were crap around the greens for this not as highly skilled golfer.  My wife was happy with two dozen new balls! 

 

ProV1 for me - love them around the greens, like the feel off the putter.  They work great and don't see the need to experiment with different balls in the name of a few $.  I did play almost full season with the Callaway black and yellow soccer balls when they came out several years ago just for fun - they were great balls but a little too soft of a feel for me, but man did they spin.  My dad was happy with the surplus of those, lol.

 

I grew up playing found balls and very rarely bought a sleeve of new balls - at some point I got over it (maybe when I thought I needed that orange ball that Jerry Pate was playing).  A Dunlop British ball was a rare and treasured find when I was a kid. 

 

Then again, maybe I'm just afraid I'll try some cheap ball and like it, haha.  

[JohnKHawk]

On one hand I will simply agree that it probably doesn't matter what ball most recreational golfers use. Generally most do not break 80 & I seriously doubt it's because of the ball. There is probably a laundry list of swing faults that need addressed before worrying too much about the ball you're playing.

 

On the other hand if you play regularly & are semi competent ball striker I do advocate on deciding on a particular ball & playing only that ball. It does help knowing the characteristics of the ball & how it reacts on certain kind of strikes so you will get consistent results. I usually play a Maxfli Tour or Vice Pro & can say with confidence that I can't blame the ball for my score.

[MattM97]

I don't get the arguments of price point. Unless you're dead set on the Big 3 (Titleist, Taylormade, Callaway) you can find good deals. Plus these balls that are on BOGO or 2+1 deals are just as good and in some cases like Srixon this year one of the more successful ball brands on tour. On top of that you have all the DTC brands anyways. 

 

The cost of these premium balls ends up being on par with these non-urethane balls and the performance is definitely better than them. I get if you like a non-urethane ball but myself and others there is a difference. 

[ShortGolfer]

I played a yellow Titeleist AVX this morning.   Yellow is a better color when the white clover is in bloom.  They mowed it all down to speed up play this holiday weekend.

It was easy to keep it in the fairway and hit greens all day.  Best shot was a 120 yard 7 iron that stopped hole high and 8ft from the pin on a Par 3.  2putt for my first par this hole.

[bluedot]

4 hours ago, MattM97 said:

I don't get the arguments of price point. Unless you're dead set on the Big 3 (Titleist, Taylormade, Callaway) you can find good deals. Plus these balls that are on BOGO or 2+1 deals are just as good and in some cases like Srixon this year one of the more successful ball brands on tour. On top of that you have all the DTC brands anyways. 

 

The cost of these premium balls ends up being on par with these non-urethane balls and the performance is definitely better than them. I get if you like a non-urethane ball but myself and others there is a difference. 

I don’t think price point is any different from any of the other “rationales” for using cheap golf balls.  It’s either a lack of knowledge, or just a defensive reaction.  
 

I’ve used ONLY the ProV1x for a number of years now, and I NEVER, EVER pay retail for them.  The only reason I use that particular ball of all the premium ball choices out there, is that it’s available in every golf shop, whether big box or green grass.  Whether it’s a gift certificate, or pro shop credit, or the yearly Titleist loyalty program, there’s always a way to pay way less than retail; I’ve got about 8 dozen stockpiled in the hall closet right now.  .

 

But if I wasn’t doing that, I’d happily play Snell again, which I did for several years, or one of the Maxflis, or one of the many other great choices for multilayer urethane balls that are out there.

 

This isn’t the “bad old days” anymore when the only choices were either incredibly expensive and non-durable balata, or cheap surlyn.  
 

[Nessism]

Maybe just me, but I don't like getting ripped off.  And $55/dozen for balls is a rip-off when there are various other balls that perform great, but for way cheaper.  Maxfli is one of the obvious options.  And for me, it's Kirkland.  I realize that a dyed in the wool $55/dozen guy won't play Kirkland, in fact, many won't even try them.  And then we have the new Sam's ball, that seems on par with Kirkland.  At this point in my aging golf career, bad back, can't practice, life, what ball I play truly doesn't matter.  I do still like a urethane ball, though.  I can still spin a wedge just fine.  

 

I suppose for the guys playing big buck courses, or are part of a private club, guys with low handicaps that don't lose balls often, then $55 doesn't matter in their life.  Trust me, I can afford them too, but I just don't think the value is there.

 

A few years back, ball companies used to liquidate their excess stock to places like RockBottom, Budget Golf, and the like, and I picked up tons of Z Stars, Bridgestone BX, Wilson Staff Duos, ball like these for $25/dozen.  Those were the good old days.  I still have some of these.  When they are gone, though, I'm all in on Kirkland and the like.  They are dirt cheap, with virtually no downside.