Which golf ball should I switch to?

Question

I have been golfing for just over 20 years, and slowly but surely I have improved every year. For the first time since I started golfing I believe that I have finally gotten good enough that the ball I play really impacts the score I shoot.

I am an 11-handicap golfer, and I have been playing the Maxfli Noodle for the past 3 years. Recently someone gave me a sleeve of Titlest Pro V1X golf balls, and I was amazed at what I was able to do with them. For years I have tried to generate a lot of wedge spin and have been unsuccessful, until last weekend. My first fifty-yard wedge backed up about six feet, and by the end of the round I was sticking everything inside a hundred yards within ten feet, and it was stopping on a dime. I ended up shooting a 78! (My personal best.)

Now I have decided to switch my golf ball, and I am looking for some opinions and personal preferences from better golfers. Obviously I have been doing some research, and I have read the Golf Digest Hot List for 2008. I am leaning toward the Pro V1 or Pro V1x, but I am also considering the Nike One Platinum, and the Callaway Tour i and Tour iX balls.

I am mostly interested in control and wedge spin. Distance is not as important as playability and control.

Answer 1

Callaway HX Hot Golf Balls

3-piece construction:

Durable ionomer cover for long drives and even longer playability

Soft boundary layer reacts like rubber and works with the core to increase ball velocity while maintaining a soft feel

High-resilience core boosts ball speed, resulting in hotter performance and more distance for the widest range of swing speeds  

Answer 2

You and I are very similar.  I play Pro V1 mostly.  The x version is not geared to my slower swing speed.  The other balls you mention also perform very well for me and will be similar, but honestly over the years, whenever I have hit a pure wedge shot like you describe, it is with the Pro V1 and not the other brands. I just finished off a box of Nike Black One, but I am going back to the Pro V1.  Majority of the time any golf ball is fine, but when it is about really performing in a club event or tourney, I go Pro V.  

Answer 3

I have been golfing over 40 years and am convinced the difference in balls is negligable.  My theory was confirmed by a consumers report article that hit about 75 different brands with a mechanical club that swung exactly the same on every swing. The results were unless you are on the pro tour you can not control a titlest more than a topflight. But being such a mental game go with what makes you feel the most comfortable. The only balls I don't hit are topflights because the sound like your hitting a rock.

Answer 4

I would suggest The PRO V range.  To use the PRO V1x to its full distance your swing speed has to be over 105, if it is not this speed then go with the PRO V1.  If you are looking for more spin then go with the PRO V1 for it is a softer version that will spin more.

Good luck your doing great!

Answer 5

The Pro V1x balls are going to be the best ball to putt that you can find. Those balls roll the truest and provide the most consistency in the roll from green to green. They also provide above average distance. I would suggest possibly trying out the new "taylormade burner" balls that just recently came out. As a caddy, I have met quite a few people that have switched from the Pro V1's to the Burners, but I have not yet had a chance to play it. I would say that if you are willing to spend the $4 or $5 bucks a ball it costs to play these, then go for it, but you can pay much less to find a ball that will work just as well for you. If you are a big hitter, go for a ball that you can roll well on the green. If you need some distance, find a ball that will help you out there.

Answer 6

i just grab a golf and hit to me it dont matter

Answer 7

Looks as though Titleist has done its job of brainwashing very well. That is why it is the best selling ball producer in the world. As for being the best ball for spinning, the only criteria required is to hit the lower 1/3rd of the ball on the downswing before hitting the turf with reasonable swing speed . That and only that will make the  ball spin and back up. It has gotten so that most pros are being more careful with their swing speeds near the greens due to heavy rough just outside the collars of the greens. Some of the lies are close to unplayable.

Answer 8

I say the NXT Tour or the Pro V1x. The NXT is a little easier to control off of the tee, but if you want that bite, the pro v1x will accomplish this for you. It is the preferred ball of the pros, and me as well. it is just about that 45.99 per dozen. Ouch. But since they last as long as two boxes of the platinum or the ix, it is the ball for me. Did you get that feeling of cutting through warm butter on the irons? oh its sweet.

Answer 9

I would stick to the Pro V1 2007 as it is worth your money.

I have bought from these guys and their AAAAA recycled balls are awesome and at a fraction of new golf balls.

http://www.lostgolfballs.com/Titleist-Pr...

If you want to try something else, try going for the Bridgestone B330S. it is comparable to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x

Answer 10

I dont care for the nike balls.

I have used callaway tour and thought they spun more, but at the cost of having the balls chewed up by the grooves more quickly.

I suggest trying the bridgestone b330 range balls - very durable and i think compare well to prov1's.

But prov1's are number 1 for a reason.

Answer 11

of course the pro-v1 and the pro-v1x are the best balls you can really get..i did read some stuff on Nike One platinum but ive never been overly impressed with it to buy a box..i did however  play the Callaway Tour iX balls and can say i actually liked those mroe than the Pro-V1 balls (if you can believe it)..Ive always been a big Callaway fan and i know that the Tour iX and the Hot Bite HX balls are great for sticking on the greens

you really cannot go wrong with any of those balls but i would recommend from my own personal play that the Pro-V1 series or the iX Tour series are the best you could get