I for one don't mind giving my two cents on this...but I'm sure there are more experienced folks who will tell me I am either right on the mark or way out in left field...so here we go:
I believe that as we advanced through the tiers there was a certain amount of "forgiveness" that was lessened and lessened. Forgiveness on our shots, distance, accuracy, spin, etc. Maybe I'm wrong on this, but I seem to have noticed it, all the same. Clearly, as we advance, greens become tougher and tees become longer. I played for the longest time with the unlimited ball or some of the WGT 10c balls and noticed a difference in my game when I started hitting the 10c balls, so I knew I was on to something. Now as Tour Master, I can see the difference those expensive balls truly make! I treated myself to some Nike balls and almost fell outta my chair with their performance.
I'm not one to hang my game on a particular piece of equipment...I'd like to think I have enough skill and hand/eye coordination to say that my game is what it is because of me, however, I recognize that I could not have gotten where I am, without the basic G20's and then the advanced G20's when I leveled up. As for the balls, when you invest in the clubs needed, you should think about doing the same with the balls. They not only help in decreasing the meter speed, but they also enhance the clubs.
Bottom line, I'm a stout advocate of the Callaway IZ ball because compared with the Nike ball side-by-side, you get practically the same bang for less of the buck.
Then again, I could be out standing in the left field...LOL
Sean (aka ForeverHackin)