Question:
The best ball for an "average" golfer is hard to say, since there’s really no such thing. These are the questions you have to ask yourself: Am I long or short off the tee? What’s my primary flight path (high, low, left, right)? How do I hit my irons? How’s my short game, especially putting? Take the answers to these questions to your local club pro, and then buy the balls sold by the woman with the biggest tits… (just kidding)… Your pro will be able to tell you which ball is best for you… Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The poster asked for advice on ball selection for an average golfer. If you want to tell the world what you’re favaorite ball is, great, knock yourself out (as long as you don’t work for Titleist) but at least tell the guy that it’s probably not the ball for him. I’m not a great golfer by any stretch, but I’ve gotten *really good* results with 90 compression Top Flite Z-Balatas. They seem to go as far off the club as anything else, but they really give a lot of feedback, especially off the short irons, which is good for a developing golfer. But they don’t seem to take spin as much as other high-spin balls I’ve tried (like the Titelist DT wount 90s – I was hooking those suckers all over the place). AND, they’re relatively cheap – I found a place that sells logo overruns for $17.99 per dozen – not bad compared to $35 for Titelists or Maxflies. — E Pluribus Unix
Response:
The best ball for an "average" golfer is hard to say, since there’s really no such thing. These are the questions you have to ask yourself: Am I long or short off the tee? What’s my primary flight path (high, low, left, right)? How do I hit my irons? How’s my short game, especially putting? Take the answers to these questions to your local club pro, and then buy the balls sold by the woman with the biggest tits… (just kidding)…
LOL! You caught me off guard there. — "It’s all good" – Steve 19:2
[ sig.htm < 1K ]
Steve Feldberg
Response:
I like the HP2 Tour for control on the green and in calm and warm weather. I find the DT Wound too "rubber ball" like, but good in cold weather. I find the Wilson Staff Titanium good in moderate to strong winds (good penetration). roland – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have tried all of the mid priced balls, around $5 Australian each and the best all round, soft feel durable ball I have found by far is the Titleist DT wound 90… But if price wasn’t an option the Titleist Balata 100 would be my choice every 9 holes or so…. Hi. I would say that I am a average golfer. I started out using REcycled Balls and now I am using Prostaff’s. In one of the messages posted on here, someone said that they hit like rocks. What kind of balls do you think I should be using? I want something durible and not to pricey like around $15.. Should I stick with prostaffs? They feel pretty good to be but I have no experience with other balls. Thanks! — Dustin McIntyre (Zord) Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/~Zord ICQ UIN: 124104
Response:
The DT Wound does *not* have an especially durable cover. The HP Tour and Tour Distance are much, much more durable. What the DT Wound does have is spin and a semi durable cover. I find it plays somewhat like the Professional, but I play the Professional instead since it doesn’t get the little goobers hanging off it after a cartpath or rock bounce. 9 holes out of a balata is pretty good … maybe if you don’t hit it too hard or into anything pointy. -joseph I have tried all of the mid priced balls, around $5 Australian each and the best all round, soft feel durable ball I have found by far is the Titleist DT wound 90…
– Author, Effective Perl Programming . . . . . http://www.effectiveperl.com Perl Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.perltraining.com Omniscient trash / Mr. Con Antithesis / In shortest, manic!
Response:
The poster asked for advice on ball selection for an average golfer. If you want to tell the world what you’re favaorite ball is, great, knock yourself out (as long as you don’t work for Titleist) but at least tell the guy that it’s probably not the ball for him.
I’m not a great golfer by any stretch, but I’ve gotten *really good* results with 90 compression Top Flite Z-Balatas. They seem to go as far off the club as anything else, but they really give a lot of feedback, especially off the short irons, which is good for a developing golfer. But they don’t seem to take spin as much as other high-spin balls I’ve tried (like the Titelist DT wount 90s – I was hooking those suckers all over the place). AND, they’re relatively cheap – I found a place that sells logo overruns for $17.99 per dozen – not bad compared to $35 for Titelists or Maxflies. — E Pluribus Unix
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have tried all of the mid priced balls, around $5 Australian each and the best all round, soft feel durable ball I have found by far is the Titleist DT wound 90… But if price wasn’t an option the Titleist Balata 100 would be my choice every 9 holes or so…. What the heck is an average golfer going to do with 100 compression balata balls? The average golfer comes up short way more times than lands on the green, se he doesn’t need the stopping power. He probably could use the distance that a low spin ball will give, not the hight that a high spin ball would give. He probably spends enough on lost balls without having to worry about throwing one away every nine. I tend to agree. I’m an average mid-handicap golfer (15) and I use and like normal distance or two-piece hi-spin balls depending on the conditions. I use distance balls in summer when the greens and fairways are harder (or the hot Victorian northerlies are blowing) and you have to "bump and run" more and stopping power doesn’t matter. (The ones I like here in Oz are the Optima HP or Maxfli HT Distance. As individual balls you can buy them for A$4.00 to A$4.50 in any sports store. You can get them in a box for about A$40 per dozen. Discount shops will have them cheaper. The best hi-spin ball for me is something like the Optima TS, about 25-50 cents dearer than the CS. I’ve also been happy with the Wilson Ultra Competition and the Maxfli Hi-spin. Note these are all two piece balls with Surlyn covers.) If you’re really an average golfer (and not rich 
), then I’d say any decent ball would do! Try a Hot Dot Plus or equivalent. I reckon that the average golfer with anything like a slice will have even bigger problems with Balata. I’ve never bought them because I think they’d be a waste. P.S. $5 a ball ($60 a doz. isn’t mid-priced in my books) Cliff did say $5 Australian. A$1 = 66 US cents A$5 = $US3.40 Is that better for Balata? Colin Wilson Springhill, Victoria, Australia
Maybe the original poster should have clarified what average means. I think with a 15 hcp, you’re being to humble calling yourself an average golfer. I’m sure most average golfers would kill to shoot in the 80’s, I carry a 12 and I can tell you that it’s only occasionally that I play with someone who shoots better scores than I do. (maybe the competition isn’t so good here in Canada). The original poster also talked about $15/dz being the approximate price range so while I don’t think $3.40 a ball is bad for balata, he might think it’s a little steep for a golf ball.
Response:
The Titelist Professional doesn’t cut? HA!
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have tried all of the mid priced balls, around $5 Australian each and the best all round, soft feel durable ball I have found by far is the Titleist DT wound 90… But if price wasn’t an option the Titleist Balata 100 would be my choice every 9 holes or so…. What the heck is an average golfer going to do with 100 compression balata balls? The average golfer comes up short way more times than lands on the green, se he doesn’t need the stopping power. He probably could use the distance that a low spin ball will give, not the hight that a high spin ball would give. He probably spends enough on lost balls without having to worry about throwing one away every nine.
I tend to agree. I’m an average mid-handicap golfer (15) and I use and like normal distance or two-piece hi-spin balls depending on the conditions. I use distance balls in summer when the greens and fairways are harder (or the hot Victorian northerlies are blowing) and you have to "bump and run" more and stopping power doesn’t matter. (The ones I like here in Oz are the Optima HP or Maxfli HT Distance. As individual balls you can buy them for A$4.00 to A$4.50 in any sports store. You can get them in a box for about A$40 per dozen. Discount shops will have them cheaper. The best hi-spin ball for me is something like the Optima TS, about 25-50 cents dearer than the CS. I’ve also been happy with the Wilson Ultra Competition and the Maxfli Hi-spin. Note these are all two piece balls with Surlyn covers.) If you’re really an average golfer (and not rich ), then I’d say any decent ball would do! Try a Hot Dot Plus or equivalent. I reckon that the average golfer with anything like a slice will have even bigger problems with Balata. I’ve never bought them because I think they’d be a waste. P.S. $5 a ball ($60 a doz. isn’t mid-priced in my books)
Cliff did say $5 Australian. A$1 = 66 US cents A$5 = $US3.40 Is that better for Balata? Colin Wilson Springhill, Victoria, Australia
Response:
I am a 12 handicap and I think the best ball for an average to amatuer golfer is TOPFLITE. I do like a balata ball for most par 3’s and short par 4’s but iI think that TOPFLITE’s balls are by far the most durable and longest off the tee in their price range. The HOT XL is really good off the tee and so is their new one( I can’t remember the name) in the bright red box. They also produce one in a white 18 pack with a pale blue stripe called "distance trajectory" but I have only found it in 1 or 2 stores. Stay away from experienced balls. In my opinion they suck unless you just wanna bang them off trees. "Grip it and Rip it"
Response:
I’m just like you. I use the Prostaffs as well. A guy on my lacrosse team is a Titleist/Footjoy rep and I asked him what was a good ball to use because I wanted to step up my game a little. He said the Titleist Professional was a great ball. It doesn’t scuff like the Tour Balata and said balata will be phased out in a few years. It also has a lower spin rate than the balata so slicing wouldn’t be as much of a problem. I haven’t used them yet though, but I believe he was being unbiased in is advice. OTOH, they are expensive, $34 per doz. is the cheapest I’ve been able to find them. I have used the Precept Extra Spin(which he also recommended) and found them to be pretty good. I haven’t noticed any decrease in distance and if I slice one it’s because I made a poor swing. They also feel good on the greens. Like the other posters have said, buy a couple of sleeves of different balls and try them out. Good Luck! WC
Response:
If you read the book "Hogan", the author interviewed Ben Hogan and Mr. Hogan said that professional golfers would be better off using two piece balls these days. He wouldn’t elaborate, but I think that he knew the technology and quality control is higher in a two piece ball. I personally can’t see paying $2.50 for a ball that you can only play 6-10 holes with before you either cut it, scuff it, or knock it out of round.
Response:
I have tried all of the mid priced balls, around $5 Australian each and the best all round, soft feel durable ball I have found by far is the Titleist DT wound 90… But if price wasn’t an option the Titleist Balata 100 would be my choice every 9 holes or so….
What the heck is an average golfer going to do with 100 compression balata balls? The average golfer comes up short way more times than lands on the green, se he doesn’t need the stopping power. He probably could use the distance that a low spin ball will give, not the hight that a high spin ball would give. He probably spends enough on lost balls without having to worry about throwing one away every nine. The poster asked for advice on ball selection for an average golfer. If you want to tell the world what you’re favaorite ball is, great, knock yourself out (as long as you don’t work for Titleist) but at least tell the guy that it’s probably not the ball for him. P.S. $5 a ball ($60 a doz. isn’t mid-priced in my books)
Response:
I have tried all of the mid priced balls, around $5 Australian each and the best all round, soft feel durable ball I have found by far is the Titleist DT wound 90… But if price wasn’t an option the Titleist Balata 100 would be my choice every 9 holes or so…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi. I would say that I am a average golfer. I started out using REcycled Balls and now I am using Prostaff’s. In one of the messages posted on here, someone said that they hit like rocks. What kind of balls do you think I should be using? I want something durible and not to pricey like around $15.. Should I stick with prostaffs? They feel pretty good to be but I have no experience with other balls. Thanks! — Dustin McIntyre (Zord) Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/~Zord ICQ UIN: 124104
Response:
Sorry,thats just how they always felt to me. Heres what I do for what it’s worth. If I want to try a new ball(s). I get a few sleeves and go to a park or nearby field where the grass isn’t too tall and bang away at them for a while. Take a few of the balls you are playing now and see how they compare. It never hurts to try something new. B Terry
Response:
If you slice, maybe you should try Top Flite Magna’s. Many people on this group (myslef included) have had good success with them when slicing was an issue.
OTOH, you could take the hint that your swing needs fixing, and you shouldn’t mask the flaws behind technology. It’s just like breaking the mulligan habit: if you force yourself to live with the consequences of these kinds of flaws, it sharpens your overall game. — Gregory H. Anderson | "We’re in the land of the blind, Visionary Ophthalmologist | selling working eyeballs, and they Anderson Financial Systems | balk at the choice of color." — Tony
Response:
I think surlyn balls really suck because they have such an awful feel on the green. I thought this back in my 25 handicap days too. There are softer alternatives that still don’t have excessive spin, like the HP Tour or Tour Distance. I agree, stay away from balatas unless you are always hitting the ball too far, too straight. -joseph Keep using Prostaffs or any other surlyn cover ball. Do not use balata. If you do, your ball will slice and hook more, and you will lose distance.
– Author, Effective Perl Programming . . . . . http://www.effectiveperl.com Perl Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.perltraining.com
Response:
Hi. I would say that I am a average golfer. I started out using REcycled Balls and now I am using Prostaff’s. In one of the messages posted on here, someone said that they hit like rocks. What kind of balls do you think I should be using? I want something durible and not to pricey like around $15.. Should I stick with prostaffs? They feel pretty good to be but I have no experience with other balls. Thanks! — Dustin McIntyre (Zord) Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/~Zord ICQ UIN: 124104
If they feel good to you, why do you want to change? Balls really do make a difference though so you might want to think about what it is you want the ball to "help" you with, look for balls of that type and try out some sleeves (3 balls) of each instead of a full dozen. You might try and be flexible with the price range too. For example, last year I was using Wilson Ultra distance and I found that the length was really too much and I couldn’t stop the ball on the green. Therefore my diagnosis was I needed a ball that had better spin and the distance wasn’t as crucial. I tried sleeves of various spin balls and found that Precept’s gave me the best compromise of spin, distance and price so I bought a dozen. If you find yourself coming up short all the time maybe a distance ball is what you need (incidently, a distance ball will also curve less). If you slice, maybe you should try Top Flite Magna’s. Many people on this group (myslef included) have had good success with them when slicing was an issue. The great thing about technology is that the sonsumer can be offered choices tailor made to them.
Response:
Hi. I would say that I am a average golfer. I started out using REcycled Balls and now I am using Prostaff’s. In one of the messages posted on here, someone said that they hit like rocks. What kind of balls do you think I should be using? I want something durible and not to pricey like around $15.. Should I stick with prostaffs? They feel pretty good to be but I have no experience with other balls. Thanks! — Keep using Prostaffs or any other surlyn cover ball. Do not use balata. If you do, your ball will slice and hook more, and you will lose distance. Scott
And about $15 more per doz. — Steve Incorrect address in header Please direct all replies to: SCFLBBRG AT WEBSPAN.NET
Response:
Hi. I would say that I am a average golfer. I started out using REcycled Balls and now I am using Prostaff’s. In one of the messages posted on here, someone said that they hit like rocks. What kind of balls do you think I should be using? I want something durible and not to pricey like around $15.. Should I stick with prostaffs? They feel pretty good to be but I have no experience with other balls. Thanks! —
Keep using Prostaffs or any other surlyn cover ball. Do not use balata. If you do, your ball will slice and hook more, and you will lose distance. Scott
Response:
Hi. I would say that I am a average golfer. I started out using REcycled Balls and now I am using Prostaff’s. In one of the messages posted on here, someone said that they hit like rocks. What kind of balls do you think I should be using? I want something durible and not to pricey like around $15.. Should I stick with prostaffs? They feel pretty good to be but I have no experience with other balls. Thanks! — Dustin McIntyre (Zord) Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/~Zord ICQ UIN: 124104