Re: soft ball/hard ball

Ballata's don't travel near as far as a hard ball. But you get unbelievable spin with them.

I've used them occasionally in the past but it's just a way to expensive ball for me. If you can play 4 holes without putting the ball out of round your doing good.

Re: soft ball/hard ball

I'm kind of in the middle of changing from hard distance balls to softer balls for more control (although I think that nowadays few if any balls are made with a ballata cover - they normally use a synthetic polymer with extra ingredients). You do lose a bit of distance but not that much, I suppose it depends on the individual ball. The big difference I found was the control on approach shots and putting.

Using a ProV1 (I use refurbs as I can't justify using brand new), approachs really do "drop and stop" on the green rather than bounding on so you can really attack the flag, and putting is much easier as distance control is vastly improved. Putting with a distance ball now, feels like putting with a marble!

Expense is also an issue (as mentioned earlier). Softer balls are more expensive so you shouldn't play them if you lose more than 1 or 2 a round and they also scuff up easier than a distance ball so even if you don't lose them, they need replacing pretty fast.

It also depends on what type of course you play on and your climate. Really hard greens and fairways mean that you need a softer ball as a hard one will just bound on and on. On a softer course.wetter climate, it's more of a personal preference I think.

Re: soft ball/hard ball

hi Rob,

they are used for you short game [balata ball].

Liam,

Re: soft ball/hard ball

I really like the Titleist NXT. It seems to be a good compromise, and, if I remember correctly, Golf Digest called it the working man's (or poor man's, I'm not sure which!) Pro V1.

Bill

Re: soft ball/hard ball

i will only play a round with a softball(nike platinum, bridgestone) but i practice with top flights which feel like a rock. Out here you can't give a top flight away. One round with a soft golf ball and it's basically garbage because most of the cover is in the grooves of my clubs. So I rarely use used golf balls unless its for practice or a round where score doesnt matter to me. As far as balata golf balls I just recently seen one, but you could tell it was about 4 years old. I think they stopped making them, except for those top flight z balata's.

Re: soft ball/hard ball

Robert,

I use the pro v1.

Before changing to the pro v I used a hard ball in Winter and a soft ball in Summer. Length is not the issue in Summer - you want the bite on the greens. In Winter, you want the length and the greens are receptive to the hard ball.

Nicole

Re: soft ball/hard ball

hi nickers .
i too use a harder ball in the winter for exectly the same reason. But i use Pinnacle gold in summer.

Re: soft ball/hard ball

Balata balls still exist?

Balata balls are history but soft composition balls are on the market. I use the Pro V1 currently. I have a box of NXT Tour SF balls (gift from in-laws) and those are fairly soft. I have used the Callaway HX balls and do like those. I believe the Pro V1 is the longest of the balls, from personal testing.

For those looking for control, use a softer ball. For those looking for distance, use a hard ball. If playing a course that is very soft on the greens (well watered), use a harder ball.

Re: soft ball/hard ball

Has anyone played the Bridgestone e5 balls? I just got a bunch of them very cheap. Ive not played them or even hit them yet,still have a large supply of Nike tour accuracy that i got for under 10.00 a dozen.[ 10 doz. for $99.99].I dont need higher ball flight but will try them anyways sometime. the Bridgestones that is. thanks