Some interesting results. It looks like the 4 most desireable results (low spin driver, high spin wedge) came from balls that are not well-known (balls 20, 21, 28, 31)




[This message has been edited by DRE06 (edited 4/22/2014 8:05a).]

Can you link that article?

Lost quite a few TM Project (A) balls this past weekend. Spinning POS.

Haha

e5

Chipotle, I think you're probable right about the Project a balls. I found two brand new ones on back-to-back holes Friday; not in rough but I'm guessing they came from adjacent fairways.

Here is the chart from last year

Pretty interesting to compare those 2 charts to the strong opinions in this thread.

http://mobile.texags.com/Forums/60/Topics/2313806?page=2

So I guess the Bridgestone E5 is best bang for the buck? I'm too lazy to adjust the scales for price as well right now. Maybe later. I subscribe to GD but am MONTHS behind on those things.

Yeah....the e5 clearly stands out as the best performing non-premium $ ball. The e5's are about $25/dozen.

Which makes sense, as its the only 2-piece ball with a urethane cover.

I usually just wait until I find a sale on premium balls and buy in semi-bulk. Golfsmith had the 2013 Srixon Z-stars on sale for $29/dozen 2 weeks ago, and I had a coupon for $10 off $50 from the Shell Houston Open, so I bought a couple dozen for $25/each.

Same with the TM Penta TP5 2 a couple years ago. Bought 4 dozen at $20/dozen.


[This message has been edited by DRE06 (edited 4/22/2014 2:10p).]

Time to try out some e5's. Thanks for the post. Reminded me that I need to get around to reading my damn stack of GD's.

What is cheap ball Number 38?

[This message has been edited by Chipotlemonger (edited 4/22/2014 2:01p).]

Here you go. Here's another version of this year's chart with balls 35-41 listed.

#38 is the 2014 Callaway Supersoft, which looking back at the 2013 chart is probably the same ball (but re-branded) as the 2013 Callaway Hex Diablo



[This message has been edited by DRE06 (edited 4/22/2014 2:25p).]

2013 TM RBZ Urethane bought for 14 bucks at Target. Great buy.

also snagged 4 boxes of Srixon Zstars for 20 bucks at academy at the end of last year.

the key is to wait until fall/winter and stock up on the premium balls for cheap.

quote:

---

also snagged 4 boxes of Srixon Zstars for 20 bucks at academy at the end of last year.

the key is to wait until fall/winter and stock up on the premium balls for cheap.

---

Same here. Except they were pretty limited and I only got 2 boxes. Just lost my last one last weekend. Time to hit up lost golf balls again..

Anyone played these "ineedtheball" things?

https://www.ineedtheball.com


Side note, it's number 28

[This message has been edited by Ag pride (edited 4/22/2014 11:47p).]

Never even heard of ineedtheball. Don't even think I've seen them in stores. Will definitely be trying the e5's. I've been playing the Pro V's almost exclusively for the past couple of years and the ball does have the tendency to balloon on me on tee shots, so maybe switching to something like the e5 or another bridgestone might help.

BTW- thanks for posting this. Good discussion. The ball tends to get overlooked when evaluating equipment IMO.

Never heard of them, but was reading about them yesterday. It's be interested in checking those out, along with the Rife balls. Had no idea rife made anything other than putters.

Those volvik balls look pretty foods too. Haven't heard of those either..

Isn't Volvik mainly played on the LPGA tour? That's the only place I ever seen them advertise.

I wish they had a test for durability. My favorite ball I've played was the Callaway Tour ix (probably 08-09 timeframe). Pretty soft, spinny with the irons and wedges, and man it was really durable. Subsequent versions of that ball have been super easy to cut and scuff.

Just bought some Callaway Hex Chrome and Hex Chrome + to check out, which tested really well in the 2013 hot list.

I think one of the reasons that the ProV1 dominates the market is the fact that they don't change the name every year. Even though they make changes to the ball, they still call it the Titleist ProV1 and ProV1x. Every update for every other golf ball comes with a new name.

I guess they do that to market to tinkerers? Seems like there would be a lot of value in having a name for your premium ball and just sticking with it.

I bought some Hex Chromes after seeing last years list. In my opinion, they are pretty good for the money. Maybe just a little les spin than a ProV around the greens. My main thing was they aren't very durable. After a couple holes, I noticed wear on the ball and that was without hitting a tree or cart path.

Really one of the best issues that comes out every year from GD. I find this to be more relevant to the active golfer but casual consumer than their Hot List...those that don't buy new clubs frequently, but that do play enough to go through lots of balls.

I have personally never found a ball as durable as the 2013 Prov1x. Bought some Hex Chrome+ recently and my wedges were completely chewing them up. There is a big difference in durability between the 2012 and 2013 Prov1's imo. Not saying the new ones are completely scuff proof, but I have been very impressed with them in every way imaginable (aside from a bit higher spin off driver) and it's hard to go with anything else when I can go to the lostgolfballs.com warehouse and pick out 12 good-as-new ones for $24.

1391 I've heard some different opinions on durability. If they're much like the recent Callaway versions I've played then I guess I don't have too high of hopes.

Anyone besides El Mero play a good ball that feels pretty soft and has great durability?

I like the ProV1, but on lostgolfballs they're just more expensive than other premium balls.

[This message has been edited by bagger05 (edited 4/23/2014 9:34a).]

Have been reading reviews on the Rife balls and found nothing but great things.

Gunna grab a dozen here soon and check them out!

so i found out zstars don't hold up to a 100 pound dog chewing on them. i was putting in the living room. dog got a hold of one without me noticing.

Ha, I haven't found Z Stars to be very durable at all. Gimme Prov1's for a few dollars more.

Yep...not durable at all...best to stick with something more durable.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/526475-srixon-z-star-xv-500-holes-later/

I've never played with a yellow ball. Is it a trip?

When you get old enough it's more important than how good the ball is.

Chipotlemonger...I don't find there to be much of a difference at address. However, they are much easier to find on overcast days, or in dormant winter grass.

I'm still chipping away at my 12 dozen Srixon Z-Star XVs I hand-picked and bought from LGB last year...for under $100.

I love the tour yellow Z-Star XV's. I like trying out different balls, but that has been my ball of choice for the past year and a half or so. Never really been a fan of Pro V's..

quote:

---

Yep...not durable at all...best to stick with something more durable.

---

Guess it's possible my personal observations could be wrong, but my Z Stars seemed to get scuffed much easier than new Prov1's. I bought several dozen last year for like $20/box.

[This message has been edited by El Mero Guero (edited 4/23/2014 10:42a).]

El Mero Guero...give the XVs a shot.

I read above that you hand-picked some Pro-Vs at the LGB warehouse.

That's what I did as well with the $8.99/dozen...4A condition. So, I essentially got as close to new as a could for $8.99/dozen.

jj I wish the pictures from that thread were still up. I'd love to see what it looks like after 500 holes.