Golfblogger

So the manufacturers reps are out in force this month, today I was fit by the Bridgestone guy at a local shop for a golf ball.  I had been playing the e5 last year and this year have been playing a little e6, but mostly Taylormade Burner, TP Red, and Callaway HX Hot.  The e6 may be the best ball of the bunch for me, and I knew that going in because of my fade- and the e6 with it’s slick cover should help clear that up.

Well, he really surprised me- he did say I should be playing an e6+, but he also said that of the Callaways that the HX Hot would be the best of the bunch.  He didn’t say the Burner or TP Red would be better for me, but I am still wondering if they are.

Anyhow the shop sold 2 dozen e6+s to me, and I also promptly went online and got some closeout 2005 HX Hots (see the Equipment thread in the Pro Shop area for that deal- it is an awesome deal).  I then played 7 holes with the e6+.  I am not sure it did straighten much out.  I hit my clubs well tonight- I was all over the place on the last hole, but came in with a Birdie (35-40 foot chip in)- and I had 2 pars as well.

The Callaway Tour Van is coming to my club in a week and a half, and I am going to see them about putter fitting.  I just chopped off an inch (down to 34”) on my Odyssey Tri-Ball SRT, and I am thinking about getting a new Sabretooth model, and I am starting to think I want it at 33 or perhaps even 32.  I want to get their thoughts on that, I am 6’, but I find as I am losing my belly (40 lbs in the last 3 months) I am wanting to get way over the ball as I putt.  I will see what they think about that.  I will also try and avoid getting them to analyze my driver swing, because they will probably tell me my shafts are too stiff, but I don’t want to loosen them up one bit.

Hmmm, try this again…short version

I recently wasted $29.95 on a custom ball fitting.  They gave me a list 1-50 of the best balls for me.  Wilson S5000 or something was rated #1 and I shot my three worst rounds of the last two years (on my home course).  Next was the Noodle and same result.  I then won a scramble (thanks to my partner obviously sandbagging with a 25 handi-cap) and received a dozen Callaway Tour ix’s.  They had just come out I think because I’d never heard of them but I fell in love with that ball after 1 round and then right back out of love when I saw the price.  #3 on the list is the Nike Long and Soft so I’ll be trying that out next week.  I think the “golf ball fitters” can point you in the right direction, but the age old trial and error method is probably best.  The Callaway balls were #29 on the list he gave me right in front of the Pro V1s at #30.  Of course, I’d rather not spend $50/dozen until they’re paying me to play with their ball.

I think there’s also a “confidence” factor in there that can’t be measured. Although I know intellectually that an under $20 noodle is a great ball for me, I still feel better when I play a more expensive one. And if I feel better, I swing better.

Getting fitted for a ball can have a dramatic impact or none at all. I have seen amateur players that have problems with sidespin (hooks/slices) see dramatic improvement in their scores by playing a low-spin (generally labeled distance) ball. They also usually see a improvement in distance as these balls generally deliver extra roll.

Feel, especially around the greens, is important beyond words the lower your handicap gets. Because of this, a higher-spin ball is put in play. These balls spin more, stop quicker, but also have MORE sidespin on errant shots.

Experience, feel, and personal preference will eventually marry you with the “Right” ball.

Good luck.

The Golf Blogger - 28 July 2008 09:30 AM

I think there’s also a “confidence” factor in there that can’t be measured. Although I know intellectually that an under $20 noodle is a great ball for me, I still feel better when I play a more expensive one. And if I feel better, I swing better.

I agree totally, to me it’s down to the packaging of the balls I use.  If I feel they are good balls, I play better.

I like Titleist Pro V1X but then I also love Mojo 3.  I think I play a better with Mojo 3.  Maybe it’s the name or something.