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Balls - does brand make a difference?

• BOZskills 410 Posts

  Mon, Aug 9 2021 6:04 PM

  Yiannis,that was very astute! Super explaination. Of course the titleist are very pricey. I personally prefer the tpx5(l 93) because of the spin rate. Once you learn to adjust it for each shot,it really works great. Especially on the elevated greens. But everything Yiannis said was correct. Gl.

• JasCooper 528 Posts

  Mon, Aug 9 2021 7:06 PM

  Thanks for the responses. I think the level theory explains the increased cost of the Titleists best. Not everybody qualifies for the TMs

  But I still believe that the degree of backspin used is more or less controllable between different balls. Whether brand is part of this, I don’t know. I’m trying a sleeve of level 92 TM TP5. It seems like at 100% bs it sucks up over a club distance, but less gives much of it back. Maybe I just need to get used to it after using TM TP5x balls (61).

  Or maybe I just have to learn to control balls with more spin better, or stick with lower spec choices. I buy them using credits from playing ad videos, so cost is not a factor. But no need to waste money on diminishing returns, as you point out.

• beerstine 722 Posts

  Tue, Aug 10 2021 11:25 AM

  One of the things that makes this a tough question to answer is that the simple 1 to 5 ball ratings WGT discloses don't always tell the whole story.  Balls and clubs with similar spin or distance ratings can behave differently.  What I've been trying to figure out lately is whether different clubs, in my case the L97 irons,  work better with a ball that favors distance, spin or a balanced approach between the two.

• el3n1 4,502 Posts

  Wed, Aug 11 2021 8:17 AM

  beerstine:

  What I've been trying to figure out lately is whether different clubs, in my case the L97 irons,  work better with a ball that favors distance, spin or a balanced approach between the two.

  As alluded to above - it might just depend on the course and conditions you wish to play.

  With high end irons most any ball is playable - especially in coin rooms with maxed out apparel.  But, without apparel, in heavy winds and C14 greens - especially on some courses - ball choice can start to make a difference.  

  A few years ago, I asked fmagnets why the L61? And his advice still seems relevant today...  I won't take credit for his great advice which is why I share it.  Since it was posted on my wall rather than a DM, I am guessing it is open to being shared.

  fmagnets

  28 Sep 2017 @ 10:47 AM

  "L61s"
  I like to choose the ball that I think best suits the course and conditions. The Callaway slow meter is good value and dependable, with a lowish flight making it useful for high winds without tight pins. The L61 is also fairly dependable, but the slightly higher flight and greater spin make it more useful as a ball for general use as any tight pin becomes more accessible. The Nike Black has a high flight, and good distance and spin, which makes it good for longer courses and long iron shots to tight pins. Some 9s you can use almost any ball if you know it and can handle the meter speed. The Cally and L61 play quite similarly, so you could try either without having to change much and see which you think is better value for you.

  ------------

  I have tried to model some of my decisions based on this very advice and it has also saved me thousands of credits by not playing just one type of ball that would have been more expensive over the long run - than just playing the ball that best suits the course and conditions.  It can be frustrating at times, because you have to "learn a bit more" than just one club/ball combo - but it is possible.  

  Even the free promo "kitty ball" from a tap in rewards promotion was very playable in the coin rooms - with the right apparel setup.  I often joked - the kitty has claws. Yes, it can be a silly game sometimes and feel like a carnival ride.

  With the showdowns- now offering ball prizes - it can even be worthwhile to take time to learn both the L47 TM and the L40 Titleist because you can potentially win enough to save watching some 2 credit videos - and if they are not your ideal ball - then just use them in the coin rooms to avoid using up hits on your good balls for competition rounds.

• Yiannis1970 3,306 Posts

  Wed, Aug 11 2021 9:01 AM

  BOZskills:

  I personally prefer the tpx5(l 93) because of the spin rate. Once you learn to adjust it for each shot,it really works great. Especially on the elevated greens.

  I play for years with the same ball (L93) and during these years i adjust my game accordingly while playing different courses.

   

• Mythanatos 2,216 Posts

  Wed, Aug 11 2021 9:03 AM

  el3n1:

  With the showdowns- now offering ball prizes - it can even be worthwhile to take time to learn both the L47 TM and the L40 Titleist because you can potentially win enough to save watching some 2 credit videos - and if they are not your ideal ball - then just use them in the coin rooms to avoid using up hits on your good balls for competition rounds.

  I use the level 40s in every coin game i play now. I can't burn them up faster than can win them in the veteran showdowns. I still have 58 of them.

  basically one can win enough of them to play for free for eternity. 

• carlosdev 2,559 Posts

  Wed, Aug 11 2021 9:29 AM

  Its all about mastering a ball as per you style.

  There are some rare scenarios especially under high winds, some less spin balls kinda roll especially with a 12 o'clock wind making it hard to stop. Ex Chambers hole 18.

  I know couple of top players who shoots really low with TM 61 and 81 irrespective of the conditions and the courses. Again they are veterans.

  Lastly, if you ask me, TM 93 is a great solution under a great price just like the Japanese Furutaka. It does the job well. U don't need to spend 1200 cr ball. This is just my personal opinion.

  Tx

  - Carl  

• beerstine 722 Posts

  Wed, Aug 11 2021 11:14 AM

  I've been playing 400 credit balls or less up to now, and whatever distance advantage one might have can easily be negated by a poor approach or putt.  Even the Srixons don't seem that much shorter than higher priced balls, probably due to lower spin.  The exception to this seems to be Titleists which I don't play due to the cost.

  The thing I need most now is stopping power with the long irons and even with a 3-4 spin rating ball, I've had too many shots roll into long putts or off greens.  I'm not sure but what the L33 Callaways work better for that than the slightly more expensive options despite having slightly lower WGT specs.  

• SeabrookFlash 463 Posts

  Thu, Aug 12 2021 6:56 AM

  I have been playing WGT for quite a while and have always tried to use the least expensive bvall that would do what I want.  I really tried to like the Taylormade balls and not spend the $$$ on Titelist.  The bottom line for me is that the ball goes the distance that I think it will more consistantly htan any others that I have tried. Maybe my problem is how I figure my distances. I'm certainly not a player at the caliber of Fmagnets or Smithers or any of the other incredible players on WGT.. I only play one ball . and it is Titeleist. 

• Tabarnak777 176 Posts

  Thu, Aug 12 2021 4:22 PM

  If brand really does make a difference i still wonder if it's really worth it. 1000 credits over 600 credits for a single sleeve seems quite a good gap. You need to reduce some strokes every game to get fund over time.