Best Bang for Buck: 2005 era Premiums with Great Link

[Starched]

Change is incremental - these balls are great and inexpensive

I'm 46 years old, and I played in high school and college in the 70s and 80s using Titleist Tour Balatas, ProStaffs, etc. After coming back to the game last year after essentially a 20 year break, the ball choices were overwhelming, and I learned that Strata created the first 3 piece ball in 1996 and since then there is no such thing as a wound ball (or they are really rare) After researching and hitting bunches of the new ones (Pro V1, etc.) I have to say all of these balls are really good, and better than anything I played 20 years ago. I discovered the used and recycled ball market has a lot of "mint" condition balls for between $10 and $20 a dozen, and set about to find the best one for me. I like a lot of them, but the older Pro V1, the Rule 35 Blue, the Black Max, the Apex Tour Deep, Nike Tour Accuracy etc. can all be had pretty cheap and in great condition. I am sure all the 2008 balls at $40-$50 a dozen are great, just not sure how much "great-er". Anyway I found this cool link to balls a few years old. http://www.golfillustrated.com/images/DirtyDozen.pdf

Also, I have been able to find the ones I mentioned above super cheap on places like Knetgolf, Usedgolf balls.com, fleaBay etc. etc. and have been really happy with the results. My faves are the ProV1 and the Tour Accuracy and the Rule 35 Blue. Any one else share this experience? Any favorite balls that are available and maybe a few years old but still great balls? (i.e. circa post 2000 or so) Looking obviously for decent control and soft feel, and respectable distance. I hit the driver between 245 and 265 on a level track. I like a soft feel off the putter but with a little click.

I am an 8 H.I., swing around 95-100 mph with driver, and typically a mid trajectory draw. 7 iron goes about 155. I had some Titleist Tour models irons from college days that are great but only if I am playing everyday. Since I only play 1-2 times a week now, I like the Callaway X-14 Pro irons I have, and have even replaced my 2 iron with a hybrid. These clubs are ridiculously easy to hit.

[jrsharp21]

The Top Flite Strata TL Tour and Top Flite Strata TL Distance. Both are three piece balls. Alot of people love the TL Tour. I picked up 5 boxes at Golf Galaxy for $9.99. A local Sports Authority has the TL Distance on sale for $9.99. I picked up a box and have been playing these for the past couple of rounds and absolutely love them.