Category: Golf Balls
Technology has radically changed the game of golf. And nowhere has technology affected things as much as it has the golf ball. Over the years, major manufacturers such as Titleist, Maxfli, Callaway, Nike and TopFlite have applied aerodynamics and materials science to push the little orb to its limits.
Beman Calls For Restricting Ball
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.
Nike One Black
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.
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Titleist DT SoLo Golf Ball Review
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.
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LoCo Ball Review
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.
Almost Golf Balls
The good folk at Almost Golf sent me a box of their practice balls the other day for review. (More of you should send me stuff for review). After trying them out at the club and in an elementary school's playing field, I've found a lot to like about them.
Like most training balls, they don't fly anywhere near as far as a regular golf ball. If I really smash it, I can get one to go about a hundred yards -- but that's it. And, their light weight makes them safe to hit around breakable things like windows, cars and kids.
Ok, you say, there are lots of balls like that on the market: whiffle balls, open cell foam balls, styrofoam balls, etc.
The difference is that the Almost Golf balls actually fly like regular balls. A good shot flies true; a poor one will slice or fade just like a regular ball. They say you can draw or fade them just like a regular ball. I can testify to the fact that the Almost Golf balls will fade; but as I can't hit a draw with a regular ball, I also can't hit one with the Almost Golf ball.
So I guess they do fly true.
I used them to practice my wedges in the back yard and also hit a few with a driver at the elementary school (you can't hit woods at my club's practice range). I think both sessions helped.
The best part, though, is that my boys can whack them around the back yard without endangering the glass sunroom. My two-year-old, in particular loves to hit them.
What's the downside? Only one. Like all short flight balls, you don't quite get the sensation of hitting a real ball. But that's a small complaint, compared to the advantages of being able to see true flight characteristics in a confined space.
I give this one five golfballs (out of five).
