Precept’s new Laddie Extreme is an updated version of the Laddie, which itself was a reimagining of the Lady, a ball which set off a craze among golfers. I remember when boxes of the Lady were going for hundreds of dollars on Ebay.

Anyhow, Precept says that

The next generation Laddie Xtreme delivers a unique combination of hot distance off the driver with soft greenside control resulting in the best all-around golf ball Precept has ever engineered. Off the tee, the pumped up Muscle-Fiber Core produces a high launch and low spin. This core combined with a new wind cheating 372 dimple design results in extreme distance. The shear resistant cover compound stands up to punishing wedge shots while maintaining superior greenside performance.

Wow. That’s a mouthful.

I’m interested in what you have to say! Add your own review by clicking on the comments link below.

Callaway’s new HX Hot is out.

Callaway says that the ball

boasts significant improvements over traditional 2-piece distance offerings. The new, highly resilient core—essentially the ball’s engine—is super-fast, and kick starts a chain reaction that produces explosiveness off the clubface. The revolutionary HEX Aerodynamics on the cover also are improved, with the hexagons and pentagons optimized to reduce drag, increase lift and maximize distance.

The cover of the HX Hot Golf Ball also has been improved to reduce spin off the driver for a penetrating trajectory. Like other balls in the HX family, the HX Hot has 332 geometries on the cover, blanketing the surface of the ball with 100% coverage—unheard of in competitors’ golf balls and critical to the superior flight properties and overall performance of the HX Hot Golf Ball. Achieving 100% surface coverage allows Callaway Golf engineers to tune lift and drag properties of the ball in order to reduce distance-robbing initial drag and increase length-promoting lift during flight.

There’s also a HX Hot contest for a gussied up Ford Mustang in the HX Hot black and orange colors.

I tried out the HX Red late last fall and liked it. So maybe I’ll give the “Hot” a try this year.

I’m interested in what you have to say! Add your own review by clicking on the comments link below.

Titleist is releasing its new 2005 balls today, including the new Pro V1, which retails for $58 a dozen.

I’m not that good.

You can read the full story here.

Deane Beman, who for twenty years served as commissioner of the PGA Tour, is calling for golf’s ruling agencies to put limits on the ball. Beman notes that the average winning score in 1970-72 was 273.5. In 2002-04 it had dropped to 264.

While the PGA Tour probably won’t act on its own, Beman says that perhaps Augusta National will. The Masters Tournament, which is not a part of the PGA, USGA or R&A has the power to demand that players restrict their balls.

More here.

The Nike One Black apparently is causing quite a stir after four Nike sponsored golfers used it on the famous 16th Hole at the FBR Open.

Nike had apparently hoped for a hole in one, but that didn’t happen. But still, people are interested.

USA Today reports that Nike is considering offering the black on black as a two pack with the purchase of a box of Nike One Blacks.

Nike says that the Nike One Black has:

Longer distance. Penetrating flight. Like the TA2-LNG but with a larger high-velocity core and thinner urethane cover, yet with the same thick top coating as the Nike One Gold for an added touch. 3-Piece urethane distance ball built for distance off more aggressive swing speeds.

I’m interested in what you have to say! Add your own review by clicking on the comments link below.

Titleist DT SoLo

Grade: A

The DT SoLo golf ball is Titleist’s offering in the low-compression golf ball revolution. It’s turned out to be my favorite golfball of the summer.

It’s probably not the best ball that I’ve played in any single category. It’s not the longest .... or the straightest ... or the one with the highest spin ... or the softest feeling. But it’s pretty good in all of those categories. But then again, there are several other that fit in the "pretty good" category.

There are two things that are the deal breaker for me with this ball:

1) I love the way it putts. I have no problem judging distance with it, and it rolls true. And,

2) It’s Titleist tough. I can play one of these balls for several rounds without getting cuts, gouges, or even those little strings that annoy me so. I can’t say the same for some of the other brands I’ve played.

It’s a top quality ball at a reasonable price. You can pick up a dozen in many places at just around $20.

The only downside: I don’t think I hit these as far as I hit other balls. But I’m willing to live with that. I like the feel.

I’m interested in what you have to say! Add your own review by clicking on the comments link below.

Dunlop LoCo Low Compression Ball

Grade: C

There's only one thing I really didn't like about this ball: the way it putts. I had a hard time judging the distance and never felt as though it was rolling well. And, since putting is the strongest part of my game -- the part that I rely on to keep my scores down -- that was enough to sink it (pun intended). Other aspects of the ball were ok. The feel was nice and soft, it had adequate distance, and decent spin. And the price is right. But I just couldn't get past the feeling that it was hurting my putting. I gave it a C for effort.