CHEAP NEW GOLF BALLS?

Hello!

Does anyone know any internet sites that offer good savings on BRAND NEW golf balls-in particular im looking for Srixon Z Star?

I know of American Golf, Golf Direct and Online Golf.  Their prices are all similar, not bad but still way too high.  E bay is also nothing special for new balls. 

Im hoping there is somewhere I don't know about with really good savings on balls.  Only interested in new balls, none of this lake ball been sitting in a pond for 6 months rubbish!

Matt

£25 per dozen is not my idea of a cheap ball.

What do you want to buy new for? I use these for my Titleist NXT Tours and they are always in 'new' condition just a few have company logos on them:

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/PREMIER-LAKE-BALLS-LTD__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Paul

http://www.best4balls.com/srixon-zstar-x-logo-p-589.html

This place does the Srixon soft feel for £33 for 3 dozen.

http://www.justgolfonline.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=soft+feel&categories_id=14&manufacture
rs_id=114&inc_subcat=1

I like these balls and they do the z star. Not sure if they have any offers on those though. £29 a dozen reduced from £40.

John, I played with those until I lost 3 at Donnington   thankfully were freebies though.

Regards, Darren.

Online golf were doing some deals on golf balls this week. The deal I had was buy one get one half price (BOGOHP) on Titlelist NXT Tours which are a good solid ball & so far have contributed to me shooting an 81, 82 & an 83.

John.

Should have used my Z-Balatas, John, you would have shot in the seventies with them.

John,

The sub 80 round keeps aluding me at the minute but hopefully with you on my bag at the YMCA this will change

I doubt that very much, John, nothing wrong with your game, it is me who needs the help now.

I don't see many deals on 'NEW' golf balls at all.

The only kind of deal is the buy four boxes and save 10%, etc.

I'm lucky in that I'm only a twenty minute drive from Lakeball.com, which are in Hainault.

I can go down there and buy some of their balls, and even pick the ones I want!

The last time I went down there I bought two dozen Titleist Pro V1's (Grade B) for £30.

I did look at the grade A balls but the only difference was that the grade A balls didn't have any logos on them.  Now at my standard of golf I don't think a company logo is going to make much difference to my game!

Russ

I have a pretty reasonable short game, Matt and I have always used Top Flite Z-balata cover balls, although now I believe the cover is made from ionomer.

The shot you are worried about is a shot  that I find relatively easy to do, now whether it is the ball, or the way I strike the ball, who knows.

I tried the ProV1 buit I do not swing fast enough to get the benefit of its length and found that it was nothing special around the green. I also did not like the feel off the putter face.

As my ball is no longer being manufactured I am trying others. The Top-Flite Gamer is supposed to be the ball replacing the Z-balata and I have found it OK. I also like the Bridgestone neosoft, kindly offered to me by my friend David Ley, but they are a little more expensive.

For me the most important thing is that it must be controllable from 150 yards in, or it is a waste of time.

i only use pr v1 i think there great ive tried other balls just cant take to em ,pro v has everything ,distance ,and a nice soft feel around the greens ,just anoying when ya lose em ),

You can get backspin with any make of golf ball on the green, its the quality of the strike that counts.

Paul

Really Martin?  I started off with those on the advice of the pro who taught me!  Do you know why?

Wow, there's an echo that only takes two minutes to get from the Vallies to Essex!

I stepped down  Sir to quick for you...........Chris,not sure where the Vallies are either I've got some Valleys up the road though. Funny enough a guy off 4 played against me using a Loco ball in a team match a couple of weeks back, I was suprised and when question he said he didn't want to lose his Pro v's around my course. I did not realise they were non conforming  they certainley didn't conform for him either he lost 6&5.

Actually martin your  were right he was an idiot, he had no control of that ball around the greens at my course and persisted on playing it.I understood his reasoning as we have water hazards on 14 holes OB on 7 including a driving range to the right of our first which is a magnet for balls especially your first tee shot, but there are plenty of cheaper balls with stop on them he could have chosen.

Thats a new one on me too that some clubs return lost balls surley that's not correct??? I may have to start writing on them my name,address,mobile,fax,email..................................

I feel sorry for your postman Dave, he'll be at the chiropractors every week with a bad back returning all your golf balls

15 all Chris ! lol.   I  just need to teach my Bridgetone balls how to swim I would say 95% of my lost ones are in the drink. Talking of Briddgies I have put the +7's into play which are a lot cheaper than the B330-330's and are very good off the Tee and around the green I like them alot.

I've moved from the RX to the S.  Must say I prefer them even though in theory the RX is tuned to my swing speed. 

I played the Bridggy RX until recently Matt having used V1x's before.  Didn't quite hit the spot with me.  I recommend trying the 330-S is you like the V1's. 

Kev, you don't need spin on your greens just a 5 minute ruling to find your ball.............are you up for Winchester?

I see what your mean now Martin  your dad looks like Santa then????

It happened to me a couple of years back I had bought a Doz Tourstage 01 balls from Japan top of the range bridgestones (bridgestone is Tourstage in Japan). I had a couple returned to me by club members who knew I was a Tourstage fanatic,which pleased me as they were nearly £4 each.

I had been playing the Top Flite gamer recently as a good cheap ball, but went to pick some up the other day before an event and the shops no longer seem to be stocking them (or don't have them at the moment). I wonder if I am in the minority here, but I prefer a ball not to feel too "soft". After playing a few odds and ends (Wilson Px3, maxfli noodle) I prefer the firm feel of the top flites or when on offer the Bridgestone B330, but as I couldn't bare to part with £30+ for a dozen balls hunted for something similar and found the Titleist NXT Tour. Must say I was very impressed and at £22 (American Golf) not too bad value but still not "cheap". They had a lot more stopping power on the green than the gamer and flew about as well off the driver.

This has got me started on a bit of a ball hunt....What out there can be had new for under £20 a dozen, doesn't feel like a sponge or a rock, has good stopping power and flies a good distance for someone with a fairly fast club head speed?  The Gamer is the only one I can think of at the moment....but it looks like it may be dissapearing - no doubt to be replaced with something "soft".

Its been said on here many times now Chris and i would agree its a very good allround ball I have no problem puting one into play myself ,the trusty Srixon AD333 around £14 a doz and you can get them for £40 for 3 doz on multi deals.

I had been avoiding the AD333 as according to the little srixon charts it's one of their softest balls and designed for the medium swing speeds. http://www.srixon.co.uk/products.aspx?category_id=1&product_id=54

Is that just marketing rubbish though and are they in fact firmer feeling?

Yes Matt I'd agree the gamer is spent after about 9 holes, but I also find i scuff the cover off the bridg's too. The NXT held up much better and lasted 12 holes at the weekend before I decided to swap it.

Quite possible Chris  there's always a lot  of waffle with sales talk ,I mean I'm certainly not a medium swinger and they played very well for me, I would say buy a sleeve of 3 and give'm a try I would be surprised if you were totally disappointed.

cheers, will do Dave.

Matt, are you aware that Top Flite was a trade name used by Spalding, who at one time held all the patents for golf balls, so are a leader in their field. If you cannot get a Z-Balata to stop then you are not the player you are claiming to be. Most of this new rubbish is exacty that, rubbish.

I'll have to try chipping with one of yours tomorrow John.  The greens were quite hard and a little long yesterday, but the ball would hold if you struck it correctly. 

I will give you one to play with, Chris. Should bring you down to my level.

I hit one of JP's  Z-balata's along side my Bridggy 330's par 4 off the tee 3 iron 210 yrds side by side 7 iron to green 160yrds same distance and shape. Didn't have to chip with one seen enough wizzardry from JP to know how they perform around the green.

If you remember, David, Kevin and Jonny P hit the same distances as well, so the ball was certainly as long as it needs to be.

Well, Matt from your own mouth you are claiming to be of 10 handicap standard so that justifies my comment.

Top Flite make a distance ball, the XL and also a soft ball, the Z-Balata, now sadly out of production. I am surprised the Gamer only lasts nine holes with you, do you lose it or hack it to bits. This is a ball of three piece construction, which, IMO has always been the way to make a proper golf ball, one and two pieces do not cut the mustard with me.

I am not interested one bit what you play with, but please don't knock a ball that you have only nine holes of experience with.

I think Matt may have been referring to my comment John. I think the Gamer is an excellent ball. After about 9 holes it can get quite a bit scuffed (plenty of white flakes in the wedge grooves) but for the price I think 9 holes use is pretty acceptable.

Lets be honest guys you have hit quite a few times for nine holes .Hmm???

No, Matt there is no direct relation between handicap and ball spin, but it is widely accepted that only at the short end of the game are scores reduced.

We are about the same standard, Matt, difference is you most certainly give the ball a good clout but drop shots at the short end of the game. I am the opposite to you I get better the closer I get to the hole and this is because of the ball that I use all the time and probably a little bit of luck.

Who knows the reason why it is not made anymore, lots of things are not made anymore, English cars being one of them.

Chris B, I seem to be able to get one or two rounds out of the Gamer, but I suppose I don't hit it very hard in comparison to you. Mine are only likely to scuff up if I start hitting trees and cart paths.

I'd be lucky not to have lost one after 18 holes John Like I say, I think it's a good ball and was only seeking an alternative as the shop didn't have any (and several of the online retailers seem to have stopped stocking them onlinegolf/directgolf etc). I hope they do come back as it's one of my favourite balls.

If Jimenez likes and prefers the AD333 in play but Srixon would like to promote the Z-star it would not be the first time a manufacturer disguises there wears shaft companys do it all the time and if you think Tiger plays a Nike ball he does'nt Nike dont make golf balls it just has a tick on it . Pro's dont always change for the sake of it they don't like change ,some pro's don't like the new era of Tiliest balls whats the betting the big stars are playing tyhe old balls just badged like the new ones.

"some pro's don't like the new era of Tiliest balls whats the betting the big stars are playing tyhe old balls just badged like the new ones. "

They can't do that Dave, the old ones are now illegal since Acushnet lost their legal case.  I agree that many of the pros don't play with the kit the label says it is though.

Would you want to risk disqualification, your reputation, the reputation of your sponsor (Titleist/Acushnet) and potentially millions of dollars?  How would you feel as a pro golfer to be branded a cheat in a game that relies on the honesty of the individual player?  Do you think you would ever get invited to play in another tournament? 

Now, you tell me, is it worth the risk?

A ball can be changed at any time during a round if it is deemed to be unplayable because of damage, but that ball once changed cannot be used again. I would imagine the pros change their ball every three holes or so anyway.

Martin not strickly true a pro cannot change his ball from hole to hole from different construction but yes from course to course. Amature's use which ever ball they have in their bag and are not breaking the rules ,when I play in an official comp I use the same make and compression ball through out,not everyone does. You can't buy tigers ball's they are only made for him and are made by Bridgestone they would be no good for us as they 70 compression which is amazing considering his lofts are weaker and the distances he hits them.

One has only to look at the results of any competition and the majority do not play to their handicap, which is not a problem, as they then cannot be called a bandit.

My club handicap is 16.9 and I am having trouble playing to it at the moment because of various problems, yet at times I hit the ball very nicely. I am very poor off the tee but my iron play is pretty straight and from the 150 yard marker it is very rare that it takes me more than three shots to get in the hole.

I feel that I should be able to score better, but I just cannot seem to be consistent enough over the 18 holes, always come a cropper somewhere.

Well, Matt, I do not come across the type of player you are referring to. I don't now anyone who has a handicap that s way lower than their ability but I come across many players who are better than their handicap suggests. I am playing with one tomorrow. A very good striker of a golf ball, long and very powerful masquerading off 20. I will have to think of something to slow him down a bit.

Are you suggesting gamesmanship, Paul, I never gave that a thought.

your 2up allready you old dog.......

I am using a new driver though, Dave.

I am dragging one out of the cupboard, dusting it down and keeping my fingers crossed. It is a Callaway 11 deg Steelhead III which is a lovely looking head, but I somehow could not get it to flight very well when I used it before. I just have trouble getting through the ball now, my brain is much quicker than my body unfortunately.

I just need 180 yards in play and I will be able to cope with him, not much to ask, is it?

John,

just ask him to show you his lob wood

I have heard of a wedgewood John but a lob wood does not bear thinking about. How often does he use it? and can he get it to check.

Matt,

I think to get a realistic idea of your handicap you need to play 18 holes. I'm assuming you've handed in 3 cards? Then enter as many monthly medals as you can to gain competition experience. This then will give you an idea of your actual playing handicap.

John.

Matt,

I thought you would have been happy with 10? I thought this is what you had said you playing to, especially getting 6 pars after 10 holes?

Messers Pettit, Williams and Flood.  Play the mind games all you want, I will rise above it now.  I'm getting wise to Mr Pettitt's tricks in particular (although he's probably got a fair few up his sleeve I haven't seen yet) so I won't be biting.  I will however be checking to see if the new driver being introduced by Mr Pettitt is legal (for when he beats me!)

I know that I'm capable of being better than 20.2, but that is the lowest I have ever been and it's the first time I've been into category 3.  If you want to know why I'm not where I should be, check out the card from Monday linked below and look at holes 3, 4 and 5.  6 shots wasted on three holes. 

http://www.golfshake.com/round/view/610575/

Chris,

I said it before & I'll say it again. Your problem is course management & shot selection.

I don't know how many times I've seen you about 60yrds short of the green & you've tried to hit a full 60' wedge & hitting it fat, over the back or thinning it putting you in all sorts of problems!! Rather than playing a little bump & run.

Dont, offer all that advice John, I am banking on him making all these wrong decisions.

Learnt that lesson now John (mainly as I don't have a 60* wedge in my bag!).  I now know the distances for a half swing on all clubs from PW to 7 iron and as Lyth once put it "Don't try to chip over something that isn't there".  I also now realise that taking a driver and a wedge shows up on your card exactly the same as a 5 wood and an 8 iron but is much less risky.  Even though I'm a Yorkshireman, I can be taught!

My main problem is I don't get out of trouble well when I'm in it so that's the area I'm working hard on at the moment.  Given the length of the rough at Sherfield, I'll be trying to avoid it later today!

I am sure we will have our usual good game. Let me see a new record from you tonight. Which course do you want to play?

Don't mind John, you'll beat me either way.  You choose the course and tees, I'll turn up and be taught my lesson about taking on good players on their home course. 

Am I getting my full allocation of four shots this time or are you going to insist we go off scratch again?

Matt,

Don't forget that Hcp Secs are also members of the club and listen to Bar Talk, if a new member is over heard talking about his ability and then hands in Cards that don't match that ability they would be worried. It also goes with history too. John P was off 1, I was a Pro, we both get "How can you be that Hcp?" now.

To Balls.

When talking about Spin, don't forget that the Pro's will no longer get the help of the Grooves from next season. I have played several types over the years but at the moment I'll play with anything. I've played Uniroyal, who made all Wilson Balls at the time. Then I was one of the first to use The Wilson "Pro-Staff" but as Titleist went after the No 1 spot and gave us Pro's Balls I started using their range. I think their "384 Tour" was one of their best. I also tried the Spalding (?) "Tour Edition", a good Ball but its coating got ripped apart too easily. I now play the ProV 1 but don't get the same 'zip' that I did with the 384.

TheLyth 

The idea behind playing level last time was to make you try a little harder, but I have no problems with you receiving your entitled shots. That 9 was the only thing that spoiled your very good play last time.

I'm happy to play off scratch if we play off the whites John.  The extra length of the course will even it up for me

I always play off the whites, you know that, gives me a better chance.

David, don't take my four years as a Scratch golfer away from me please, It was hard work achieving that milestone, as you well know yourself.

Balls have always been an emotive subject and in the end it is all down to personal choice. Ther are many different ways to achieve the same result when pitching to flag and no one method is superior to another. Matt likes to pitch them up and stop them dead, I too like this approach, but that does not mean I play it all the time. I don't swing fast enough to get any benefit from the ProV1, I have tried them and though I found them OK to play with, I was just not happy with them.

Being very old school I was brought up with balls that were all three piece with balata covers. I realise that there are now many different polymers used, like urethane, ionomer and surlyn but I have always used what I know and that is why I still persist with Top Flite Z-Balata as I can control it very well.

Matt,

I found exactly the same as you but found the V1x a very good compromise.  You do lose a little bit of the 'drop and stop', but not enough to make it an issue but it generates a lot less side spin and goes straighter and longer than the V1.  Does feel a touch harder but like with the back spin, not enough to make a difference (I also can't stand playing with a hard ball).  Give the V1x a go. 

With regards to lake balls, if you go for the Pearl/AAA grade they play like new.  I expect that the ones you have tried before would have been B or even A grade.  Don't even bother with refinished balls, they're a waste of money as they don't perform anything like a non-refurbished ball. 

Just picked up 50 AAA grade AD333 for £30 inc. P&P off ebay I will let you know what they are like when they arrive got to be worth a crack for that much.

John P,

Sorry about that John, total lapse of recall.

Played today with my usual ProV 1's, 2nd hole 345yds, drove it level with the left bunker (300yd +) 50yd to pin. Thought I'd try the low zip shot, hit it spot on, stopped dead, second bounce using 52* wedge off back foot. Made the birdie. Then drove the 282yd 5th. Its hard fairways that make it easier to generate the Spin.

BTW anyone ever been told to line up the ProV's with the seam pointing to your target so getting further distance?

TheLyth

Matt,

he also used the wooden drivers of that era when he was scratch so he must have been a very good player. So to tell someone of that knowledge & natural ability that the ball he used & still uses are no good is a bit insulting.

Now, if John was promoting the "Penfold Commando" that would be a question of sanity. 

Matt,

Let me ask you a question.

If you were given the option to recieve an hours tuition from one of the following, which would you choose and why?

1. PETER COWEN.  2. BILL FERGUSON.  3. JOHN HEGGARTY or 4. ADRIAN DAVIES

TheLyth

Matt,

I took your comment about John's balls (oo-err!) in the same way as John F did.  Paul explained why extremely well.  Yourself and John F need to step away from each other's posts for a few days and not comment on them - and that means both of you Floody. 

As regards V1x, yes they are for a higher swing speed and that's why they worked for me.  Because I didn't have the swing speed to compress them properly (I average around 94-95mph) I couldn't generate as much spin.  I know I didn't get the optimum out of the ball, but for me it's about finding a ball that works for you, whether it matches you in theory and design or not.  And I don't like Nike balls either; even the soft ones feel like boulders.  Regarding the Z-Balata, I tried chipping with one of John's yesterday.  Anyone who has played me will tell you that I'm not the greatest at getting a ball to stop on the green, but I could get these to check with my normal action as well as my B330-S, maybe a touch better. 

Lyth - Never heard of any of them, but then I'm not a student of golf, just enjoy trying to play the game.  I'm with Matt on needing to feel comfortable with the teacher/coach though.  I also believe that you should use a player's natural swing and tweak rather than force a text book but unnatural swing on them (this is why I stopped using my last teacher).  So I go with the one that is going to help me get the best out of what I have!

Lyth - I'm intrigued - Pete Cowen's golf academy is about ten minutes from me - is he (and/or his team) one to go to or avoid in your opinion?

Thanks

Chris,

This is an open forum so I am entitled to post my opinion's on here, it is Matt who has the problem with me & in his own words "My problem was just that Mr Flood pulled me up on it.  Mr Flood is my 'abuser extraodinaire', so anyone but he can pull me up on stuff like this, please."

So basically he is saying if anyone else had posted what I did he wouldn't have had a problem with it. Well that's his problem not mine.

You & others agreed with what I said so I think where the problem lies is in Matt's tone & attitude. He seems to want to get everyone's back's up, this is apparent from most of his posts.

He keeps harping on about ONE word I used in a PM but as most of you read in the PM's from him this was tame compared to his language.

He seems to have a problem getting along with people, he has upset other golfshake members &, mocks members from his own club.

I have also recieved another PM from him today but deleted it without reading.

John,

Yes this is an open forum and that is why I have SUGGESTED that you and Matt refrain from responding to each other for a few days.  Whilst you are welcome to post your opinions, posts should not: -

• Troll i.e. make inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic posts with the intention of provoking other members into an emotional response or disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
• Make personal attacks, incite or promote violence, or use harassing or hateful language

These bullets were lifted straight from the AUP.  I have had a conversation with Matt via PM and explained to him why his comments have been taken in the way they have and he has agreed to think more carefully about his wording.  HOWEVER, it does appear that you are, on occaision, looking to find fault in his posts and bring them to the fore. 

I don't care who is to blame, I don't believe in finger pointing.  The fact is that there is friction between you and Matt and it is manifesting itself on the forum.  I have better things to do than spend my time moderating two members niggling at each other.  Ignore each other's posts for a few days and this will help. 

I hope this is the end of this issue.  If it continues, the threads will disappear in their entirity as I don't have the time or patience to selctively delete posts and the forum as whole will lose out due to the actions of a minority.  If anyone has an problem, PM me. 

Chris,

point taken but I think if you read this thread in whole it's not just me who has had a problem?

I think from the 2 paragraphs above I may have slightly overstepped no.1 but refuse any accusation on the 2nd one.

From the pm's I recieved do you really blame me for having a bit of friction?

For the sake of the site I will not respond to any posts or replies or PM Matt Collins again, but I do hope that if any posts are directed at me the MODS will do what they signed up for & moderate.

Not an issue John.  I posted both bullets in light of all that has been posted/PM'd and didn't specifically mean you had overstepped the mark with both. 

I hope this will serve as a reminder to ALL who use the forums and/or PM system that there is an acceptable and an unacceptable way to handle yourself and we can bring back the happy, fluffy cuddly times that we usually see. 

Lyth, I read about lining the Pro V1s and x's seam up in golf mag and have been doing it for a while.  I put a line aloing the seam with one of those "line em up" gadgets.  I also use the line for aiming when putting i case it makes the putts go straighter!

I beleive the claim is that is goes further down the line and higher when the line is horizontal.  The mag said a number of pros were doing it, none were sure if it worked but they didn't want to miss out on a edge if it did!!

I figured it doesn't cost me anything so why not?

I thought golf balls all had "seamless construction" now?

If you look close enough Pro v1's have a line around the ball without dimples.  A quick goolgle came a with a patent owned by Acushnet for seamless golf balls so now I am not too sure about the seam!!

There is a line without dimples though....

I think the 'parting line' (or split line as it's called in the moulding industry) is now shaped to run between dimples to remove the bald line.  Could be wrong. 

Didn't someone (Slazenger?) introduce a ball with dimpleless line round it a couple of years ago claiming it promoted a truer roll when putting.  Was called the 'Bald Eagle' I think. 

There was a Bald Eagle ball but it had one or two dimples removed on six parts of the ball (I thnk it was six anyway) creating bald spots.  This was where you were supposed to strike the ball to promote true roll and straighter off the tee so they claimed!

more so for putting I beleive,don't think they still make them shocking BS as usual.

Just googled Bald eagle all I could find was this revue  made me laugh  Bad Points:

Full review by
Guest.
on 3rd Jul 2008

User Rating : 9
Respect : 0

Good Points: Good distance but also plenty of spin around the greens

Bad Points: Not all shops sell them

General comments: The Slazenger Bald Eagle is a good ball which isn't expensive
Guest's review and ratings | 26 words

Google "Bald eagle" "golf ball" and there are a few more relevant.  Some are quite funny!

Have not read all of this yet but I am off to buy a dozen of these Bald Eagles!

 http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~cross/GOLF/GOLF.htm

Wasn't they giving the bald eagles away for free on the golf channel if you bought their Swing fast driver (or something of that description)?

hey i miss that ad, and its olnly been gone a week!!!

Matt,

Sorry for not responding sooner, just got back from a day out (New thread to be posted later).

Yes it was a loaded question.

1. PETER COWEN is coach to a number of Tour stars and his name has been mentioned on Sky a few times.

2. BILL FERGUSON is possibly a better known coach than Leadbetter here in Yorkshire. Bill helped a young lad some years ago by the name of Montgomerie, He was Yorkshire Coach for years and now has his own Accadamy at Wyke Ridge Leeds and is the most respected Teacher in the area.

3. JOHN HEGGERTY has been a Pro in the Liverpool area for many years and I thought you may have heard of him.

4. ADRIAN DAVIES was a strange one for me to put in. Adrian was a good friend of mine who moved to the States a long while ago, he gained a reputation as a coach and the last I heard he was Head Coach at the Queensbury Golf & Country Club in New York.

TheLyth

Matt,

Your post has been deleted.  There was no need to make it and no-one provoked you into it.  You were advised to drop this, both via PM and on the open forum.  You chose not to heed that advice. 

This matter is now in the hands of the website owners/administrators.

I think the whole subject of which ball to use is still a bit of a mystery to most amateur golfers. We listen to the manufacturers hype and get sucked in, just like we do with all the other golf equipment out there. We start out with what we are told is a good ball and just play. It's not until we find a ball in the rough and maybe use it as a provisional at some point that we actually realise the ball we have found is better than the one we currently use. We stock up on this type of ball, our scores come down and level out until maybe we find a different ball again and the whole process starts again. These are balls we may never have considered using before but are actually suited to the level of golf that we currently play. We may even end up using the balls we started out with, finding out they behave better than you remembered and wonder why you ever stopped using them but this is because your overall game has improved and the original balls are now suited to your game. I'll try any ball but I feel my game is at a level now were I can tell after a couple of shots if the ball is right for me. Most of my experience has been trial and error in ball selection but have 2 different brands of ball in my bag which may not be the most expensive or to everyones taste but they suit my game and I know how to use them. One day I may find another brand and give it a go, my whole bag will be emptied and re-filled with the new ball if it suits my game but until then I won't be listening to the manufacturers hype or doing an on-line ball fitting etc, I'll just play and enjoy, regardless of what other people may think of my choice of balls. By the way, the balls I use are: Srixon Soft Feel and Nike SFT2. I may be wrong here as I'm no expert on golf balls but these balls feel very similar off the face, same distance, same control around the green, same off the putter, they could be the same ball with different brand stamped on it for all I know.

This is the point I was making as I used to use proV1's and switched to a ball which I find/feel I have more control with. Willingly sacrifice distance for accuracy and control. Maybe now since my game has also improved, I may return to the proV1 at some point in the near future and find that it is now more suited to my game than it was before but at the moment I'm happy with my game so don't see the need to change especially when I have a few competitions coming up. When there is a lull I will experiment again. Having said that, I did use the Bridgestone B330's when in Spain 3 weeks ago and liked them!!!

It doesn't matter what golf ball i play, I don't think there is much between any of them. I like a soft ball so pro v1, callaway tour i or Taylormade TP. It's always the first one out the bag and thats the one i will use.

In my opinion there is a misconception on balls. If you play a good round or hit a good chip shot round the green with a bit of check then you think that's the ball for you, but could that not be just how you are playing on the day?

You have been talking about the Z Balata ball and to me that has way too hard a cover on it. It is very similar to the Tour Edition ball that Greg Norman used to great effect because of the angle of his approach into the ball (steep and generated to much spin), but like all of us a ball of the same structure would have done the same job, as well he knows, if he didn't get paid to use them.

Many golfers will use the same ball because of nostalgia, understandably, but to me it's like living on past glories and its the way you are swinging on the day that makes the difference.

I do genuinely believe this and as long as the ball has the same characteristics, the flight and spin control will remain the same.

After slapping my Bridgy 330S into the water yesterday, I went to get another from my ag and realised I'd left the sleeve I was going to put in my bag at home   So I pulled out one that I had picked up on the course a couple of weeks ago and played the remaining 14 holes with that.  Turned out to be a Wilson Staff DX2 Soft. 

Never used one before but I quite liked it.  Nice and straight off the driver, stoppes well on the greens with the irons, stopped really well with the wedges and chipping distance were good too.  It also felt nice off the putter but, as Paul will attest, seemed to be allergic to the hole as I couldn't buy a putt!  I'd consider getting a box and trying these. 

I think this is a good example of Chris Salter's point.  I wouldn't have considered using the Wilson had I not found it but after doing so I really liked it.