Forum > Any other business?

Matt Collins

Hello!

Does anyone know any internet sites that offer good savings on BRAND NEW golf balls-in particular im looking for Srixon Z Star?

I know of American Golf, Golf Direct and Online Golf.  Their prices are all similar, not bad but still way too high.  E bay is also nothing special for new balls. 

Im hoping there is somewhere I don't know about with really good savings on balls.  Only interested in new balls, none of this lake ball been sitting in a pond for 6 months rubbish!

Matt

John Pettitt

Matt Collins

Everything is relative, and you get what you pay for.

£25 is not too bad for a premium new ball-I agree it should be less, but that's just what they cost!  Id be happy if you know an internet site that has Srixon Z Star for £25 per dozen.

I used this ball the other day-I was so impressed.  I found it gave similar length to the Srixon AD333, but with a nicer buttery soft feel and much more spin control.  Also durable-much more than say the old balatas

The only negative is the cost is about double the AD333 (which is a great ball, particularly for the cash)

Paul Hindmarsh

What do you want to buy new for? I use these for my Titleist NXT Tours and they are always in 'new' condition just a few have company logos on them:

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/PREMIER-LAKE-BALLS-LTD__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Paul

Matt Collins

I've used Lake and reload before.  Waste of money for me.  The performance was variable.  I'd rather pay a pound a ball for some Srixon AD333 new, than a pound a ball for a premium ball that has been sitting in a lake for months.

I looked at your link and think its a big waste of money-I could buy a dozen brand new Srixon AD333 for £13.  If you are happy with it then fairplay

Even if there is no difference I just don't want to use Lake balls-the ones I have used were just not very good and gave some very suspicious distances off the tee.  The cover also started to flake off very easily. 

I know a guy who sells them, he has some cunning ways to make older balls look in great condition, bleaching and stuff-basically you think it's a bargain, but it isn't.

The cheapest I can find is £29 per dozen for Srixon Z Star if anyone can beat that Id be interested.

As ever it's just my opinion, many swear by lake balls-I swear at lake balls!

John Pettitt

Nick Thomson

Can't imagine you will find much in the way off cheap, brand new, premium golf balls.

Cost prices on them are shocking, so there is no real discount to be had, unless you buy a few boxes at a time. We sometimes do offers of 4 dozen top end balls for £100 and thats really as good as it gets. And even them offers are quite rare.

Chris Salter

This place does the Srixon soft feel for £33 for 3 dozen.

http://www.justgolfonline.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=soft+f
eel&categories_id=14&manufacturers_id=114&inc_subcat=1

I like these balls and they do the z star. Not sure if they have any offers on those though. £29 a dozen reduced from £40.

Matt Collins

Yep £29 is the best I can find.  And ebay as low as £25 ish but you have to buy a few dozen.  So expensive-I guess thats why they call em premium balls.

I wasnt that keen on the Soft Feel-I found the AD333 suited me better.  Its not bad though I have a few of them in my practice bag.

Matt Collins

Darren Ramowski

John, I played with those until I lost 3 at Donnington   thankfully were freebies though.

Regards, Darren.

John Flood

Online golf were doing some deals on golf balls this week. The deal I had was buy one get one half price (BOGOHP) on Titlelist NXT Tours which are a good solid ball & so far have contributed to me shooting an 81, 82 & an 83.

John.

John Pettitt

John Flood

John,

The sub 80 round keeps aluding me at the minute but hopefully with you on my bag at the YMCA this will change

John Pettitt

Russell Middleton

I don't see many deals on 'NEW' golf balls at all.

The only kind of deal is the buy four boxes and save 10%, etc.

I'm lucky in that I'm only a twenty minute drive from Lakeball.com, which are in Hainault.

I can go down there and buy some of their balls, and even pick the ones I want!

The last time I went down there I bought two dozen Titleist Pro V1's (Grade B) for £30.

I did look at the grade A balls but the only difference was that the grade A balls didn't have any logos on them.  Now at my standard of golf I don't think a company logo is going to make much difference to my game!

Russ

Martin Goodman

I know they aren't premium balls, and I don't play with them myself, but I know you can get Dunlop LOCO balls from Argos at a very cheap price.

On the same page of the catalogue you can get 24 Titleist NXT balls for £17.99.  I bought some and they were all NXT Tours.  The performance may be substandard but frankly I am not good enough to notice that sort of thing and I lose them/scuff them up before I can realise.

Matt Collins

I need a ball with a urethane cover, one that spins.  The difference is important when you get a half decent 100 yard in game.  Up to now I didn't have that.  But after some lessons and practice I have improved lots.

The Srixon AD333 and titleist NXT tour are great balls, but where they fall down is a 50 rad wedge over a bunker-you just can't get the stop like a Prov1 or Z-Star.  Thats why I want to find a cheaper source of these 'premium ball'.

£30 is a lot more than the £13-£14 I pay for new balls at the moment.  I might have to try some ProV1 lake balls and see how they hold up.  You can get em for about £20 per dozen-so still more than a brand new quality 2 piece ball-but you should get the premium ball performance.  It's just a case of how good are the lake balls?  I wasn't impressed last time I bought some!

John Pettitt

I have a pretty reasonable short game, Matt and I have always used Top Flite Z-balata cover balls, although now I believe the cover is made from ionomer.

The shot you are worried about is a shot  that I find relatively easy to do, now whether it is the ball, or the way I strike the ball, who knows.

I tried the ProV1 buit I do not swing fast enough to get the benefit of its length and found that it was nothing special around the green. I also did not like the feel off the putter face.

As my ball is no longer being manufactured I am trying others. The Top-Flite Gamer is supposed to be the ball replacing the Z-balata and I have found it OK. I also like the Bridgestone neosoft, kindly offered to me by my friend David Ley, but they are a little more expensive.

For me the most important thing is that it must be controllable from 150 yards in, or it is a waste of time.

Christopher Watmore

I used to only want to play with Pro V1s or other brands equivilants and would snort at the prospect of playing with a 'Sub-standard' Ball. However since my brief hiatus from the game and the way I've played over the past 12 months now I use NXT Extremes or the Tour Version. I get double the number of balls for the same price as a box of Pro Vs and to be honest I don't notice a deal of difference in 90% of the game. I seem to hit them straighter off the tee, don't notice any difference with my irons, okay with the wedges you don't get as much 'Cheese' with normal shots but a technique change when chipping and pitching soon solves that. On putting I find I don't seem to leave as many putts short with these balls. Not sure if there's any truth in that or whether I'm just judging pace better.

As for Matts view on balls for short shots over bunkers with the right technique you could get a brick like a topflite to stop within a foot or two of where it landed. The secret to that I've picked up from watching the Mickelson DVD. Basically you need to take nearly all the forward momentum off the ball and the only way to do that is not to make contact with it with the club. All these times I've watched him playing these amazing chips and pitches and never till now did I realise he was intentionally hitting it on the fat side to take off the momentum.

Nick Thomson

The main difference I have noticed watching better players play is the spin they get. Most of the shots you notice this on is pitching, from 100 yards and in. Usually on a lower flight, but the ball will bounce then check. A harder ball could not achieve this type of shot, as it would just keep running. I flop/high flighted shot will usually stop quickly regardless of the ball, if a Chris says, executed correctly.

Paul Williams

I recently used the bridgestone b330s and at first thought they we're great, but now i'm not so sure there suited to me/ability. So i have now switched back to the Taylormade tp red LDP ball, Incidently my scores are getting back to where they we're before. With the TP RED i feel confident on and around the greens and the feedback and response from the ball is superb. Trouble being the cheapest i could pick a dozen up for yesterday was £29.95, i know eBay is cheaper but once postage is included your only paying the same price.

Paul.

Matt Collins

For 100 yard shots and even more improtant 50 yard shots you get stop with any ball.  But to get real bite where you get serious control, particularly on fast greens-which my clubs are at present, you do need a pro v1 type ball or the old balata type.

Ive used softer mid range balls like nxt tour and Srixon ad333-they are great and much better value.  But the control for 100 yards in just isn't quite as good.  You lose 25 % spin I'd say.  I hit the ball with a good amount of spin and have a fast swing speed-but these balls are too hard to get the bite.  Its a case of how important to your game is that.  Will you lose length etc.  For me the added control wasn't something I needed before-it is now.  I realised this after finding a few newish pro v1s and finding no real loss of distance, but the ability to be much more agressive with my approaches.  Also I didn't find side spin added to my tee shots.  This isn't really a view, its just a fact for my game!

I have a couple of TopFlite Z Balatas have to be honest and say I find them pretty awful.  Very hard for a balata and not nice off the putter.  Just my opinion.  they went straight in the practice bag.  Id rather use a Srixon AD333 than those.

I really loved the Srixon Z Star-long off the tee, buttery feel off the irons, nice off putter agd great control round greens.  The only issue is the £29 for 12-so expensive

Marc Davies

Kevin Hewitt

Hi Matt,

If you are now serious about trying lake premier balls give this site a try http://www.aforedablegolf.com - it is only £17.99 per dozen Strixan Z-Star Pearl/Pearl 1 quality (i.e. good as new)

Also John, it has the Bridgestone Treosoft at £9.99 per dozen  Pearl/pearl 1 quality.

Paul Hindmarsh

You can get backspin with any make of golf ball on the green, its the quality of the strike that counts.

Paul

Martin Goodman

Dunlop Loco

 Further to my earlier post, I have now been informed that the Dunlop Loco is a non-conforming golf ball. 

Chris Perry

Martin Goodman

No, but I've checked the conforming golf ball list and it isn't there.  I have also found this on Amazon (re the MAD balls - I thought the 'A' stood for 'allowable'?).

Product Description
Warning: Over size Fastcore does not conform to USGA rules! 90 Compression core. 105 Compression finished ball with 408 dimple pattern. The nonconforming weight of the ball, coupled with the high initial velocity, ensures this ball travels farther than conforming balls. 10-20 yards longer not uncommon.

Chris Perry

Dave ley

Martin Goodman

I take from the preceding comments that Dave beat me to the punch and then withdrew...

I was in Kent at the time so the echo had to travel even further!

Back to the thread, Dave, when I first read your post I assumed the guy you were playing with was just an idiot.  However I then remembered that actually some courses return lost balls to their owners - so your opponent's behaviour makes more sense.  He uses a cheap ball when he thinks he might lose it permanently and an expensive one when there's a chance of a return.

Dave ley

Actually martin your  were right he was an idiot, he had no control of that ball around the greens at my course and persisted on playing it.I understood his reasoning as we have water hazards on 14 holes OB on 7 including a driving range to the right of our first which is a magnet for balls especially your first tee shot, but there are plenty of cheaper balls with stop on them he could have chosen.

Thats a new one on me too that some clubs return lost balls surley that's not correct??? I may have to start writing on them my name,address,mobile,fax,email..................................

Chris Perry

Dave ley

Chris Perry

Martin Goodman

Highcliffe Castle Golf Club returns my dad's balls to him. 

We bought him 12 Srixon AD333s for Christmas, with his name and Frosty/Santa in a golf cart on them.  We figured he would be out of balls perhaps by March, playing twice a week and with an attrition rate commensurate with a 16 handicap....

Anyway, come Easter he had only lost one of them because he kept getting them back.  And last week we played together and he lost another one, this time in the water.

It has to be said though that the ball he lost was looking pretty rough and I really doubt it helps his game to recycle like that.

Matt Collins

Ok I bought 30 x ProV1 lake balls, grade A.

Contradicting everything I said!  Thought I'd give it a go and see how they play.

I;d like to play that B330RX too-looks good

Kevin Hewitt

Chris Perry

Dave ley

Kev, you don't need spin on your greens just a 5 minute ruling to find your ball.............are you up for Winchester?

I see what your mean now Martin  your dad looks like Santa then????

It happened to me a couple of years back I had bought a Doz Tourstage 01 balls from Japan top of the range bridgestones (bridgestone is Tourstage in Japan). I had a couple returned to me by club members who knew I was a Tourstage fanatic,which pleased me as they were nearly £4 each.

Chris Brannon

I had been playing the Top Flite gamer recently as a good cheap ball, but went to pick some up the other day before an event and the shops no longer seem to be stocking them (or don't have them at the moment). I wonder if I am in the minority here, but I prefer a ball not to feel too "soft". After playing a few odds and ends (Wilson Px3, maxfli noodle) I prefer the firm feel of the top flites or when on offer the Bridgestone B330, but as I couldn't bare to part with £30+ for a dozen balls hunted for something similar and found the Titleist NXT Tour. Must say I was very impressed and at £22 (American Golf) not too bad value but still not "cheap". They had a lot more stopping power on the green than the gamer and flew about as well off the driver.

This has got me started on a bit of a ball hunt....What out there can be had new for under £20 a dozen, doesn't feel like a sponge or a rock, has good stopping power and flies a good distance for someone with a fairly fast club head speed?  The Gamer is the only one I can think of at the moment....but it looks like it may be dissapearing - no doubt to be replaced with something "soft".

Dave ley

Matt Collins

Just as I was finishing my last post, the door bell went.  I thought it was a sales guy, and I was ready to tell him about my financial woes.  But no, it was my ProV1 AAA lake balls.

I have to say at first glance I am very impressed.  Out of 36, 25 could be boxed as new and you would not know the difference.  8 are very good.  1 is quite discoloured and scuffed.  And the other 1 is going straight in the practice bag, as a small chunk is missing.  This is me being picky, in all honesty.

I have to say I'm very impressed and am wrong on the lake ball argument.  Unless they play poorly or have been refinished-I have had this problem before. 

It's difficult to be scientific, since if I start playing badly and pslicing/hooking off the tee, it will be easy to say the balls must be bad.  But they do appear to be the real deal!

As far as balls go I love the Srixon AD333, I think it's such a good ball and an amazing price. Long (very), straight, soft off putter, buttery off irons-only lacking in its poor spin off irons. And that has become important to me with wedge game improving.  hence trying Prov1 and Z Star.

I had a Bridgestone Ball fitting, which was very dissappointing.  Appeared to be very inaccurate and bordering on a waste of time.  He did give me 2 E7+ ball free of charge to try.  I found them really good balls-a little longer than the AD333.  Not as nice feel and not as ood overall.  But a cracking ball.

Chris Brannon

I had been avoiding the AD333 as according to the little srixon charts it's one of their softest balls and designed for the medium swing speeds. http://www.srixon.co.uk/products.aspx?category_id=1&product_id=54

Is that just marketing rubbish though and are they in fact firmer feeling?

Matt Collins

Oh yeah Topflites-tried a few, don't like any of them.  Sorry.  The Gamer falls to pieces very easily.  The cover flakes off!  Got a few Topflite Z-Balata-is that really a Balata?  Also got XL3000 and a few of the other ones-like rocks.

If my partner uses one, I can tell immediately he has used one.  Often it's yellow!  But always it sounds like he has hit a pebble!

I wish I did like em, at £9.99 per dozen new-THATS CHEAP, but not nec value

Matt Collins

Oh yeah Topflites-tried a few, don't like any of them.  Sorry.  The Gamer falls to pieces very easily.  The cover flakes off!  Got a few Topflite Z-Balata-is that really a Balata?  Also got XL3000 and a few of the other ones-like rocks.

If my partner uses one, I can tell immediately he has used one.  Often it's yellow!  But always it sounds like he has hit a pebble!

I wish I did like em, at £9.99 per dozen new-THATS CHEAP, but not nec value

Chris Brannon

Dave ley

Chris Brannon

Matt Collins

The Srixon AD333 does fell nicve and soft, also lasts very well.  It's just allround a superb ball-and at £13 per dozen.  Unbeatable.  It's only doiwn point is the spin and stop from irons is average-not the worst, but it isn't like a premium ball.

I guess thats where it falls down and what you pay for in a premium ball, the urethane/inoner cover that give super stop/spin control for more accurate wedge/short iron players.

Im not sure I fall into that category quite yet, but borderline, so I want to have a little go with the ProV1 to see if it helps my scoring. Initial attempts proved positive!

Haha-amazing we can talk so much about a ball-wouldn't happen in any other sport!

Drew Falkner

Any opinions on the Callaway HX hot and hot plus balls???

Played with a HX hot that was given to me and felt like a nice ball

Paul Williams

Doesn't Miguel Angel Jimenez use the AD333? He gets that stop as good as anything else used on tour.

Sorry he did use it, but as now changed to the Z-Star.

Paul.

Matt Collins

No he doesnt-he uses Srixon Z-Star.  All tour pros use premium, high spin balls.

I did read one US pro was using Titleist NXT tour-which is a 3 piece higher spin distance ball.

But an AD333-nah.  Yeah, pros get more spin with anything, due to better ball striking-more club head speed, sweet spot connection and good angle of attack.  But on lightning fast US and European greens, 10-12 on the stint meter-they are going to struggle to spin an AD333 as much as they require

Matt Collins

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=17200&select=11341

Z-URC and Z-URS replaced by Z-Star balls

Matt Collins

John Pettitt

Chris Perry

John Pettitt

Dave ley

John Pettitt

Matt Collins

You see John-"You are not the player you are claiming to be"-there's no need for statements like that is there.  What, because I don't like Topflites-like most of the golfing population-bar, 20 plus handicaps who often wouldn't know the difference between a ball and a white stone!

I don't claim to be anything.  But if you want to know, I'm a good ball striker who has potential but hasn't reached it yet-IMHO.  I also didn't say anything about the spin level of the ball.  I commented I didn't like it because its so hard.  Just didn't like it.  Topflites in general are all too hard for me, and the new Gamer just falls to bits.  They are pretty much seen as a budget/beginners ball.  If they work for you John, that's great.  I wish it worked for me, as they are so cheap, but they don't!

Sorry if you take that personally John, but thats the facts.

And yes, I am very aware that Spalding was or is Topflite.  Lee Trevino used to endorse them.  I have played golf for over 20 years and used Topflites when I was a beginner aged 11-14.  When I improved I changed to stuff like Titelist PTS.

Come on, lets stop the personal "if you say this then you are that" nonsense.

I don't think they make Topflite Z-Balata any loger anyway, I'm pretty sure Gamer is the new Z Balata replacement-and Id need to change that every 9 holes.

John Pettitt

Well, Matt from your own mouth you are claiming to be of 10 handicap standard so that justifies my comment.

Top Flite make a distance ball, the XL and also a soft ball, the Z-Balata, now sadly out of production. I am surprised the Gamer only lasts nine holes with you, do you lose it or hack it to bits. This is a ball of three piece construction, which, IMO has always been the way to make a proper golf ball, one and two pieces do not cut the mustard with me.

I am not interested one bit what you play with, but please don't knock a ball that you have only nine holes of experience with.

Chris Brannon

Matt Collins

I have more experience than nine holes with this ball.  However, I only need a few shots to know it is unsuitable for my needs.  I don't need round after round of shots and stats to work out it's a hard ball-you can just tell the feel very quickly.

I don't see what my handicap has to do with how much the ball spins.  Is there a direct relationship between handicap and ball spin.  It doesn't justfy your comment at all.  My handicap isn't really your business-but lets say I am 10 handicap, doesn't really say anything about how the ball will spin for me or now.  If your saying my handicap is wrong because I don't get enough spin with a Z-Balata-well it really is time for the home mate!

Do you make this ball yourself?  Are you locked away in an old garage making Z-Balatas!  You seen overly defensive about this ball.  I've never known anyone else to play it.  And there must be a reason they don't make it any longer-probably not too many people buy it.

Dave ley

John Pettitt

No, Matt there is no direct relation between handicap and ball spin, but it is widely accepted that only at the short end of the game are scores reduced.

We are about the same standard, Matt, difference is you most certainly give the ball a good clout but drop shots at the short end of the game. I am the opposite to you I get better the closer I get to the hole and this is because of the ball that I use all the time and probably a little bit of luck.

Who knows the reason why it is not made anymore, lots of things are not made anymore, English cars being one of them.

Paul Williams

John Pettitt

Chris Brannon

Dave ley

If Jimenez likes and prefers the AD333 in play but Srixon would like to promote the Z-star it would not be the first time a manufacturer disguises there wears shaft companys do it all the time and if you think Tiger plays a Nike ball he does'nt Nike dont make golf balls it just has a tick on it . Pro's dont always change for the sake of it they don't like change ,some pro's don't like the new era of Tiliest balls whats the betting the big stars are playing tyhe old balls just badged like the new ones.

Chris Perry

"some pro's don't like the new era of Tiliest balls whats the betting the big stars are playing tyhe old balls just badged like the new ones. "

They can't do that Dave, the old ones are now illegal since Acushnet lost their legal case.  I agree that many of the pros don't play with the kit the label says it is though.

Paul Williams

Who can tell though?? If it says x----pro v 1-----x on the ball, then referee's will think its the 09 confirming ball.

Chris Perry

Would you want to risk disqualification, your reputation, the reputation of your sponsor (Titleist/Acushnet) and potentially millions of dollars?  How would you feel as a pro golfer to be branded a cheat in a game that relies on the honesty of the individual player?  Do you think you would ever get invited to play in another tournament? 

Now, you tell me, is it worth the risk?

Martin Goodman

Now the penny drops with me as to why there is a 'new' Pro V 1!  And I'm a lawyer....

'Badging' your preferred equipment with your sponsor's name isn't restricted to golf.  Cricket players have been doing it for ages - indeed I once got Gunn and Moore to send me the stickers for a Maestro bat, so even amateurs were at it!

We have no real way of knowing, except chemical and physical analysis, whether the ball played by Tiger is the same construction as the ball I found on the course last week.

However, is it relevant?  Nobody on this forum would play a ball because of an endorsement, surely?

One comment made by a mate, which I believe, was that some tour pros play differently constructed balls for different courses and sometimes different holes.  He went on to say that you and I can do the same by playing the PTS Carry just for the water hole and PTS Roll for the rest of the round.  Or we could go NXT Tour/NXT Extreme.  Or AD333/Soft feel.

All of this is about getting the lowest score possible.  Do whatever you can within the etiquette and rules. 

Paul Williams

I'm just saying unless the players ball is sent off for analysis there's now real way to prove its an 08 ball if all the logo's and packaging suggest its an 09.

But can see your point.

Paul Williams

Martin,

I was under the impression that the pro's not only had to use the same brand of ball though out the round but also the same model.

John Pettitt

Dave ley

Matt Collins

Possibly true John, but my handicap on here is not up to date.  It was true that my short game was VERY POOR.  I was giving it a clout and missing the green with a wedge and 3 putting lots.  Since then I have had lessons on wedges and putting.  Plus joined a club-so Id say I have improved 5 shots since then.  But who cares, its just a number.  Im very dis illusioned with all this handicap business.

I have just been the course to play 9 holes-but a compettion was on so I couldn't play-I just had practice instead, a quick hour or so.  I watched a lot of guys play and I have to say the standard of some of these guys was pretty awaful.  They are all off between 10 and 25-but most of them could barely break 100.

I played with an old guy yesterday.  Nice chap.  Never met him before.  I asked him his handicap and he said 19.  I said to him about 12.  anyway, I would say I hit it 100 yards past him off the tee.  His putting was awful.  He ferquently mis hit it.  There was no was he could break 100-no chance.  So how can he be off 19.

Another guy I got talking to on the practice ground the other day asked my handicap, I explained and asked his.  Im playing off 12 at the moment.  So I watched him.  Awful.  Not a ball went in the air.  All over the place.  No way could he break 90.  Ok we all have off days, but 12 handicap means you got to be decent.

Why do all these people have such low handicaps.  How do they do it?

When I was on the practice ground I noticed one guy slice his ball miles onto the practice ground.  He then preceeded to pick put one of my balls and play it as his own.  I found his in the thick ruff (a nice newie haha).  I suspect a lot goes on for these guys to get handicaps they could never ever even get near.

I dodnt care that these guys cheat themselves.  The problem I have is that people insist you are a bandit if you get pars.  I played 9 holes and made 6 pars (2 birdie lip outs yesterday).  I dont see the problem in this, it doesnt mean I should be off single figures.  But going by the ridiculous handicaps some of these guys have it would make me 5 handicap.

Has the system changed or something? Is there something I dont know about.

To add some clarity-I played with Chris Salter.  he is off 12 i think.  id say that is about right, he is a solid player.  Not many mistakes and clearly varies between low to mid 80s-with the odd possible high 78-79.  That to me is a 12 handicapper. 

John Pettitt

One has only to look at the results of any competition and the majority do not play to their handicap, which is not a problem, as they then cannot be called a bandit.

My club handicap is 16.9 and I am having trouble playing to it at the moment because of various problems, yet at times I hit the ball very nicely. I am very poor off the tee but my iron play is pretty straight and from the 150 yard marker it is very rare that it takes me more than three shots to get in the hole.

I feel that I should be able to score better, but I just cannot seem to be consistent enough over the 18 holes, always come a cropper somewhere.

Matt Collins

I agree-but some of these guys I see are not even close.  Ok, we all occasionally have terrible days.  But you can tell if someone is capable or not, usually.  That guy who said he was off 12-Id be confident enough to bet a thousand pounds that he could never beat 90!

I think a lot of handicap commitees give artificially low handicaps as they are so paranoid of bandits winning competitions-this is what I heard anyway!

John Pettitt

Paul Williams

Just tell him his score on the 9th, and at every other opportunity there on in Another that gets inside his head is to tell him his stance and set up are pointing to the right on the tee. He'll argue the toss, but the damage is already done.

Just some off the little mind games I've had to come up with after the constant badgering from said player, especially when playing at Hilltop.

Paul.

John Pettitt

Dave ley

John Pettitt

Paul Williams

Just play him at his own game. Thats the best way to slow him down.

What driver are you using John?

John Pettitt

I am dragging one out of the cupboard, dusting it down and keeping my fingers crossed. It is a Callaway 11 deg Steelhead III which is a lovely looking head, but I somehow could not get it to flight very well when I used it before. I just have trouble getting through the ball now, my brain is much quicker than my body unfortunately.

I just need 180 yards in play and I will be able to cope with him, not much to ask, is it?

John Flood

John,

just ask him to show you his lob wood

John Pettitt

Paul Williams

Matt Collins

John I come across them all the time. My mate has just been given his first handicap by the comittee-its 4 shots better than his best ever 18 holes!!!!??

 So I played 9 holes yesterday with 5 pars

And 10 holes today with 6 pars.

All played as it lies absolutely to the rules of golf, with no given putts. 

So what sort of handicap should I be given because I have now been called bandit and not worthy of my handicap-Im confused.  And this isn't meant to be taking the Mick-I really don't know what I should be off and what the committee will give me.  As I havent had it yet

Matt Collins

Back on the ball topic.  Just played 9 holes with a lake ball AAA Titleist ProV1 (worked out at £1),  Was as good as new.  Performed very well and is still in good enough condition for another round.

Very pleased-think I have found the answer to my ball problem.

John Flood

Matt,

I think to get a realistic idea of your handicap you need to play 18 holes. I'm assuming you've handed in 3 cards? Then enter as many monthly medals as you can to gain competition experience. This then will give you an idea of your actual playing handicap.

John.

Matt Collins

Yes i have done that John, but they don't seem to do it like that!  They tend to just go on your best round of the 3 and then knock about 4 off that.  So I will probably be off 9 or 10.  I think this is too low and I should be 12 or 13, maybe even 14.

The club is worried that people will bandit their way to trophies in the first year.  But people who have been members for a number of years seem to have too low handicaps.

I find a lot of people with unrealistic handicaps in general.  Cheating probably plays a part, but other than that i dont know why

Dave Knatt

John Flood

Matt,

I thought you would have been happy with 10? I thought this is what you had said you playing to, especially getting 6 pars after 10 holes?

Chris Perry

Messers Pettit, Williams and Flood.  Play the mind games all you want, I will rise above it now.  I'm getting wise to Mr Pettitt's tricks in particular (although he's probably got a fair few up his sleeve I haven't seen yet) so I won't be biting.  I will however be checking to see if the new driver being introduced by Mr Pettitt is legal (for when he beats me!)

I know that I'm capable of being better than 20.2, but that is the lowest I have ever been and it's the first time I've been into category 3.  If you want to know why I'm not where I should be, check out the card from Monday linked below and look at holes 3, 4 and 5.  6 shots wasted on three holes. 

http://www.golfshake.com/round/view/610575/

John Flood

Chris,

I said it before & I'll say it again. Your problem is course management & shot selection.

I don't know how many times I've seen you about 60yrds short of the green & you've tried to hit a full 60' wedge & hitting it fat, over the back or thinning it putting you in all sorts of problems!! Rather than playing a little bump & run.

John Pettitt

Chris Perry

Learnt that lesson now John (mainly as I don't have a 60* wedge in my bag!).  I now know the distances for a half swing on all clubs from PW to 7 iron and as Lyth once put it "Don't try to chip over something that isn't there".  I also now realise that taking a driver and a wedge shows up on your card exactly the same as a 5 wood and an 8 iron but is much less risky.  Even though I'm a Yorkshireman, I can be taught!

My main problem is I don't get out of trouble well when I'm in it so that's the area I'm working hard on at the moment.  Given the length of the rough at Sherfield, I'll be trying to avoid it later today!

John Pettitt

Chris Perry

Don't mind John, you'll beat me either way.  You choose the course and tees, I'll turn up and be taught my lesson about taking on good players on their home course. 

Am I getting my full allocation of four shots this time or are you going to insist we go off scratch again?

David Lythgoe

Matt,

Don't forget that Hcp Secs are also members of the club and listen to Bar Talk, if a new member is over heard talking about his ability and then hands in Cards that don't match that ability they would be worried. It also goes with history too. John P was off 1, I was a Pro, we both get "How can you be that Hcp?" now.

To Balls.

When talking about Spin, don't forget that the Pro's will no longer get the help of the Grooves from next season. I have played several types over the years but at the moment I'll play with anything. I've played Uniroyal, who made all Wilson Balls at the time. Then I was one of the first to use The Wilson "Pro-Staff" but as Titleist went after the No 1 spot and gave us Pro's Balls I started using their range. I think their "384 Tour" was one of their best. I also tried the Spalding (?) "Tour Edition", a good Ball but its coating got ripped apart too easily. I now play the ProV 1 but don't get the same 'zip' that I did with the 384.

TheLyth 

John Pettitt

Chris Perry

John Pettitt

Matt Collins

Lyth,

Yeah I agree.  But it's not a problem for me.  It's rare I go to the clubhouse, I just play and go home or practice. Occasionally I have a coke!!!

It's just too clicky in the clubhouse-seems to be the way in all clubs.  I don't have the inclination to try and break through the click.  Just not that interested, I'm only in it for the golf!

As for balls, well playing nine with a proV1 last night.  A few times on par threes I missed the green.  On the second holle I took an 8 iron-its 134 yards, but so often my nine iron endsvup on the front of the green-and with the breeze into my face, so I thought steady 8 iron.  I must have gone 20 yards past the green, nice shot but way too hard.  So I had a pitch back-the spinny ball allowed me to lob it in the air and it just stopped dead a foot from the hole-I was delighted, I couldn't do that with my Srixon AD333 it would have rolled 5-10 foot back-you have to allow for more roll, so it's a less precise shot.  On the par 3 5th I hit a poor 5 iron-190 yards, pin high but 20-30 yards right, ouch.  Again the ball allowed me to be aggresive with a pitch and just pitch to the flag-I got to 6 feet and holed it-again delighted.

So pros and cons, the Spinny 'premium' ball allows you much more aggresion and precision on pitch shots and lob shots, on the negative side I think it slices and hooks much more off the tee when you get it wrong.  Kind of logical-it just spins more whatever spin you put on it-so players who hit it straighter with more back spin than side spin will benefit!

The high compression of the core is not an issue for me-I don't think it loses me legth.  But I guess slower swing speeds would be compromised by that too.

John Pettitt

David, don't take my four years as a Scratch golfer away from me please, It was hard work achieving that milestone, as you well know yourself.

Balls have always been an emotive subject and in the end it is all down to personal choice. Ther are many different ways to achieve the same result when pitching to flag and no one method is superior to another. Matt likes to pitch them up and stop them dead, I too like this approach, but that does not mean I play it all the time. I don't swing fast enough to get any benefit from the ProV1, I have tried them and though I found them OK to play with, I was just not happy with them.

Being very old school I was brought up with balls that were all three piece with balata covers. I realise that there are now many different polymers used, like urethane, ionomer and surlyn but I have always used what I know and that is why I still persist with Top Flite Z-Balata as I can control it very well.

Chris Perry

Matt,

I found exactly the same as you but found the V1x a very good compromise.  You do lose a little bit of the 'drop and stop', but not enough to make it an issue but it generates a lot less side spin and goes straighter and longer than the V1.  Does feel a touch harder but like with the back spin, not enough to make a difference (I also can't stand playing with a hard ball).  Give the V1x a go. 

With regards to lake balls, if you go for the Pearl/AAA grade they play like new.  I expect that the ones you have tried before would have been B or even A grade.  Don't even bother with refinished balls, they're a waste of money as they don't perform anything like a non-refurbished ball. 

Gary Hand

David Lythgoe

John P,

Sorry about that John, total lapse of recall.

Played today with my usual ProV 1's, 2nd hole 345yds, drove it level with the left bunker (300yd +) 50yd to pin. Thought I'd try the low zip shot, hit it spot on, stopped dead, second bounce using 52* wedge off back foot. Made the birdie. Then drove the 282yd 5th. Its hard fairways that make it easier to generate the Spin.

BTW anyone ever been told to line up the ProV's with the seam pointing to your target so getting further distance?

TheLyth

Matt Collins

Eyes light up-John P were you a scratch golfer?  Impressive stuff mate, fair play.

I bet you didn't do it with a Topfite Z-Balata! hehe, great that you were a superb player in your day, I'm jealous! Maybe one day with practice-although I think you need extra talent to go below 5 or even 7.  But sorry, Z-Balatas-NAH, no good!

Chris-I thought ProV1x were harder compression and for higher swing speeds i.e above 110mph.  So surely they would be worse for me.  If they are just a little less spinny that might be good.  Although I just had a lesson, another one, working hard on developing this draw-when I get there that is whats gonna take me to single figures and stop these weak fadey ones off the tee-so maybe standard prov1 will be just fine offf the tee for me.

Yep, lake balls Im impressed-the ones I bought were AAA-so guess pearl is the only one above.  Pearl must be literally new balls, played for 3 holes maximum

Paul Williams

Matt,

The top flite z-balata was/is the only ball John plays, And to my knowledge when he held scratch status used them then.

John Flood

Matt,

he also used the wooden drivers of that era when he was scratch so he must have been a very good player. So to tell someone of that knowledge & natural ability that the ball he used & still uses are no good is a bit insulting.

David Lythgoe

Matt Collins

What!!!  I said how great that was that he was a scratch player in his day, praised him and mentioned how I aspire to play like he did.  I thought that was pretty damn nice. 

I said I didn't think his ball was good, that was all and THAT'S MY OPINION.  I don't like Nike either-that's not an insult to Tiger!

It's hardly an insult is it.  Come on Mr Flood.

An insult is when you call someone a swear word begining with T that ryhmes with the word thermostat (surely that will baffle the youngsters so not to corrupt young minds-have you not heard the kid's language these days though?  Swearing is almost compulsory.).

It's also an insult when you tell someone they have low intellect and to 'chill out' when they complain about being wrongly accused of misleading someone in a golf club sale.

ALL THINGS YOU DID TO ME IN PMs MR FLOOD.  AND MUCH MORE

So for pitty sake, don't say I am insulting to John because I don't like his golf ball (wish I could do smilies because I need some here, like the amazed/confused/are you for real).

Is John Pettit some kind of God to the Golfshake click.  You can do whatever to insult me, yet don't mock the chosen one's Z-Balatas-Oh no, don't even go there.

I sincerely appologise-all Rock Flites, I mean Top Flites are brilliant balls, my favourite is The Z-Star, oops I mean Z-Balata. (smilies gallore)

Matt

PS I had a box of Comando balls once, one piece rubber I think-brilliant

Matt Collins

One other point.  Well two.  You DON'T have to be old and experienced to have a good knowledge about golf technique and equipment.  You also DON'T necessarily have to be or have been an excellent player to have an excellent knowledge about technique.  It's a common misconception.

In your post Mr Flood, you make the assumption that I am criticising someone (well actually their ball) who knows a lot more about golf technique than I do.  You don't know that is true, you have never even met me.  You just assume it.  You may be right, but you may be wrong too.

It's a typical kind of down talking, patronising post you get on the Golfshake forum (I quite enjoy it, makes me laugh!!! smiley, smiley, smiley).

If someone local wants to give me the chance to prove it I'd love to give a free lesson and swing check-but noone would accept it, unless I changed my name to Jonh Pettit!  I'm not a bad player, but certainly nothing special-although looking to improve lots.  But I have had my fair share of lessons, read many books, internet, DVDs, audio etc you name it.  I also have other qualifications that make me pretty nerdy and inclined to have an understanding of the science behind a golf swing.  I just can't do it to the stanadard I would like myself!

I'd confidently say I could take any high handicapper and give them advice/tips/tuition/teaching/drills etc to significantly improve their handicap-so long as they are prepared to put in a little work with me.  And thats a free offer!!!!!!!

Paul Everett

Hi Matt, I think you refreashed (F5) and double posted. I have deleted the duplicate.

There is a sticky post on here with all the smileys have a search.

There is a big difference between saying a ball is no good and saying a ball is not to your liking / taste. I think that is where the problem is stemming from, your terminology.

To not like the ball some one plays is not insulting in the least. To say some one plays with an inferior ball, especially when they have had so much success with it, can be taken as an insult.

I am sure you never meant it in that way, but the written word can be read many different ways with different meanings. If some one miss interprates  something you write, you can correct them with out being personal.

BTW, I am not critising you Matt, just trying to explain how these things can happen. It has occurred on here a few times before with different members.

Matt Collins

Thats fair enough, but when the person who brings up this point, and so clearly finds it offensive, happens to be the one who used swear words aginst me, it's hard to take.  It is extremely hypocritical to say the least.  Im sure John realised my ball mocking was a little tongue in cheek, and in any case, any opinion on a ball is just that, an opinion.  It wasn't to my liking, but thats all.  I don't like sports cars, I wouldn't drive one (Ok I'm telling a fib to make a point).  But millions would kill for one (not literally) it's an opinion-sports cars are for men with small middle legs.  But I do take your point on the way I wrote my opinion-too blunt.

My problem was just that Mr Flood pulled me up on it.  Mr Flood is my 'abuser extraodinaire', so anyone but he can pull me up on stuff like this, please.

Anyway, Im so impressed with John being scratch in his day, that I'm going to take the 2 Z-Balatas out of my practice bag and play a couple of holes.  Just o see how they play round the greens!

Matt

David Lythgoe

Matt,

Let me ask you a question.

If you were given the option to recieve an hours tuition from one of the following, which would you choose and why?

1. PETER COWEN.  2. BILL FERGUSON.  3. JOHN HEGGARTY or 4. ADRIAN DAVIES

TheLyth

Paul Williams

Matt,

Here we go again, Get off your soap box son! Before you start slagging John off, remember the abuse he endured before giving way and using one word that rhymed with BAT! Why dont you post your responses from said pm exchange and see how well your character stands up from that???

Lyth,

the answer would be none of the above, E:Marc Davies.

Matt Collins

I don't know enough about these coaches to give a good answer.

I'd like to read a little about what they offer, there philosophy and their C.Vs.

In all honesty the only one I have heard of is Peter Cowen-so him!!!!!

It's important to get on with your coach.  And I think a good coach builds up a knowledge of your swing and what you are trying to achieve;a relationship is formed.  That said, the coach I currently have is giving me some great advice at the moment, so I'd quite happily stick with him at the moment.

I'm not greatly clued up on coaches.  The ones I know a little about are David Leadbetter (I have some of his DVDs), Shawn Clement 9I have his DVD and follow his web stuff, a great coach with a different technique), Bob Torrance, Hank Haney and another guy on the net whos name escapes me-but this guy is amazing!

One characteristic lacking in many coaches is patience.  For example to get me swinging more from the inside my coach says " try to swing the hands right close to the right knee, drive the hips through and REALLY swing the arms out-try and swing as far right as you can".  Now I REALLY try to do this, it feels like I am swinging massively inside to out-a massive exagerration of what I want to achieve.  But feel and do is completely different, as we know, and thats why the trained eye observing is so important.  He tells me my swing path was neutral at best, and still a little over the top.  The divot is straight, perhaps a little left ARGGH.  I am frustrated.  I can sense his frustration, he is giving the vibe "for god's sake, can't this guy listen.  Why won't he just do as I say"! But the coach is forgeting I have swung across the line for 22years!!!! My muscle memory and brain refuse to give up the tried and trusted technique that has got me down to a respectable 13 handicap.  To go further I have to listen, do as he says and maybe go backwards to go forward-I AM doing this, yet it's as if the coach isn't so convinced my heart is fully in it.  The coach has to remember that he is probably blessed with more natural golfing talent, luck (so often I think it's lucky that guys just swing initially in a certain way-that happens to be a better way long term)and had tuition EARLY so not to develop nasty mistakes and habits into his muscle memory.

The visible frustration and sometimes even hopeless despair (yep, I've seen it) can have the effect of making the pupil feel pretty useless and lose confidence quickly.  It's something I've felt a few times with coaches, when I haven't picked up something as quickly as they wished.  And not just in golf tuition, in other lessons too!  And I am a relatively quick learner, I hope!

 When I was 10 years old I had to do violin lessons-I hated it and didn't practice.  The teacher hit me on the head with my bow because I didn't hold it with the correc t grip.  Seriously.  I remember as she did it on my birthday and I cried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's obviously a twist to the question, perhaps one of these coaches has a 28 hanidcap, or has never played golf! 

Come on Lyth, this is a loaded question so tell all!

Matt

Chris Perry

Matt,

I took your comment about John's balls (oo-err!) in the same way as John F did.  Paul explained why extremely well.  Yourself and John F need to step away from each other's posts for a few days and not comment on them - and that means both of you Floody. 

As regards V1x, yes they are for a higher swing speed and that's why they worked for me.  Because I didn't have the swing speed to compress them properly (I average around 94-95mph) I couldn't generate as much spin.  I know I didn't get the optimum out of the ball, but for me it's about finding a ball that works for you, whether it matches you in theory and design or not.  And I don't like Nike balls either; even the soft ones feel like boulders.  Regarding the Z-Balata, I tried chipping with one of John's yesterday.  Anyone who has played me will tell you that I'm not the greatest at getting a ball to stop on the green, but I could get these to check with my normal action as well as my B330-S, maybe a touch better. 

Lyth - Never heard of any of them, but then I'm not a student of golf, just enjoy trying to play the game.  I'm with Matt on needing to feel comfortable with the teacher/coach though.  I also believe that you should use a player's natural swing and tweak rather than force a text book but unnatural swing on them (this is why I stopped using my last teacher).  So I go with the one that is going to help me get the best out of what I have!

Chris Brannon

Lyth - I'm intrigued - Pete Cowen's golf academy is about ten minutes from me - is he (and/or his team) one to go to or avoid in your opinion?

Thanks

John Flood

Chris,

This is an open forum so I am entitled to post my opinion's on here, it is Matt who has the problem with me & in his own words "My problem was just that Mr Flood pulled me up on it.  Mr Flood is my 'abuser extraodinaire', so anyone but he can pull me up on stuff like this, please."

So basically he is saying if anyone else had posted what I did he wouldn't have had a problem with it. Well that's his problem not mine.

You & others agreed with what I said so I think where the problem lies is in Matt's tone & attitude. He seems to want to get everyone's back's up, this is apparent from most of his posts.

He keeps harping on about ONE word I used in a PM but as most of you read in the PM's from him this was tame compared to his language.

He seems to have a problem getting along with people, he has upset other golfshake members &, mocks members from his own club.

I have also recieved another PM from him today but deleted it without reading.

Chris Perry

John,

Yes this is an open forum and that is why I have SUGGESTED that you and Matt refrain from responding to each other for a few days.  Whilst you are welcome to post your opinions, posts should not: -

• Troll i.e. make inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic posts with the intention of provoking other members into an emotional response or disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
• Make personal attacks, incite or promote violence, or use harassing or hateful language

These bullets were lifted straight from the AUP.  I have had a conversation with Matt via PM and explained to him why his comments have been taken in the way they have and he has agreed to think more carefully about his wording.  HOWEVER, it does appear that you are, on occaision, looking to find fault in his posts and bring them to the fore. 

I don't care who is to blame, I don't believe in finger pointing.  The fact is that there is friction between you and Matt and it is manifesting itself on the forum.  I have better things to do than spend my time moderating two members niggling at each other.  Ignore each other's posts for a few days and this will help. 

I hope this is the end of this issue.  If it continues, the threads will disappear in their entirity as I don't have the time or patience to selctively delete posts and the forum as whole will lose out due to the actions of a minority.  If anyone has an problem, PM me. 

John Flood

Chris,

point taken but I think if you read this thread in whole it's not just me who has had a problem?

I think from the 2 paragraphs above I may have slightly overstepped no.1 but refuse any accusation on the 2nd one.

From the pm's I recieved do you really blame me for having a bit of friction?

For the sake of the site I will not respond to any posts or replies or PM Matt Collins again, but I do hope that if any posts are directed at me the MODS will do what they signed up for & moderate.

Chris Perry

Not an issue John.  I posted both bullets in light of all that has been posted/PM'd and didn't specifically mean you had overstepped the mark with both. 

I hope this will serve as a reminder to ALL who use the forums and/or PM system that there is an acceptable and an unacceptable way to handle yourself and we can bring back the happy, fluffy cuddly times that we usually see. 

Andrew Guyton

Lyth, I read about lining the Pro V1s and x's seam up in golf mag and have been doing it for a while.  I put a line aloing the seam with one of those "line em up" gadgets.  I also use the line for aiming when putting i case it makes the putts go straighter!

I beleive the claim is that is goes further down the line and higher when the line is horizontal.  The mag said a number of pros were doing it, none were sure if it worked but they didn't want to miss out on a edge if it did!!

I figured it doesn't cost me anything so why not?

Chris Perry

Andrew Guyton

If you look close enough Pro v1's have a line around the ball without dimples.  A quick goolgle came a with a patent owned by Acushnet for seamless golf balls so now I am not too sure about the seam!!

There is a line without dimples though....

Chris Perry

I think the 'parting line' (or split line as it's called in the moulding industry) is now shaped to run between dimples to remove the bald line.  Could be wrong. 

Didn't someone (Slazenger?) introduce a ball with dimpleless line round it a couple of years ago claiming it promoted a truer roll when putting.  Was called the 'Bald Eagle' I think. 

Andrew Guyton

There was a Bald Eagle ball but it had one or two dimples removed on six parts of the ball (I thnk it was six anyway) creating bald spots.  This was where you were supposed to strike the ball to promote true roll and straighter off the tee so they claimed!

Dave ley

more so for putting I beleive,don't think they still make them shocking BS as usual.

Just googled Bald eagle all I could find was this revue  made me laugh  Bad Points:

Full review by
Guest.
on 3rd Jul 2008

User Rating : 9
Respect : 0

Good Points: Good distance but also plenty of spin around the greens

Bad Points: Not all shops sell them

General comments: The Slazenger Bald Eagle is a good ball which isn't expensive
Guest's review and ratings | 26 words

Andrew Guyton

Andrew Guyton

Have not read all of this yet but I am off to buy a dozen of these Bald Eagles!

 http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~cross/GOLF/GOLF.htm

Matt Collins

Point taken Chris and John Flood.  But if people analyse the exchanges it is clear I never have, or ever will, attack anyone unless they attack me first.  It is clear from the exchange that I did not fire the first shots.  Ok, I retaliated with "nuclear weapons"!  But, only in defense and retaliation!

Lets leave it all and get back to chatting about balls, bats and holes.

Matt

John Flood

Matt Collins

I've now played 3 lots of 9 holes with the first Lake ball AAA ProV1.  Today I shot my best ever 9 hole score-2 over par (5 pars, a birdie and 2 bogeys).  Im delighted.  the ball is making a huge difference, I can now attack pins and hold the ball up.  i couldnt do this before. 

Condition wise the ball is still in pretty good nick.  Im really shocked-I think it has another nine in it.

Bald eagles-didn't they used to come free with the Slazenger K1 speed and handy sandy.  Tony Jacklin and King Kenny Daglish love them, they won't use any other ball.

Remember the K1 Speed has the dual kick point  shaft technology.  Out it in yhour bag with the F.A.S.T irons and you will be just like a pro.  Sam Torrance uses them-AS IF!!!?????  He wouldn't touch them

Paul Hudson

David Lythgoe

Matt,

Sorry for not responding sooner, just got back from a day out (New thread to be posted later).

Yes it was a loaded question.

1. PETER COWEN is coach to a number of Tour stars and his name has been mentioned on Sky a few times.

2. BILL FERGUSON is possibly a better known coach than Leadbetter here in Yorkshire. Bill helped a young lad some years ago by the name of Montgomerie, He was Yorkshire Coach for years and now has his own Accadamy at Wyke Ridge Leeds and is the most respected Teacher in the area.

3. JOHN HEGGERTY has been a Pro in the Liverpool area for many years and I thought you may have heard of him.

4. ADRIAN DAVIES was a strange one for me to put in. Adrian was a good friend of mine who moved to the States a long while ago, he gained a reputation as a coach and the last I heard he was Head Coach at the Queensbury Golf & Country Club in New York.

TheLyth

Chris Perry

Matt,

Your post has been deleted.  There was no need to make it and no-one provoked you into it.  You were advised to drop this, both via PM and on the open forum.  You chose not to heed that advice. 

This matter is now in the hands of the website owners/administrators.

Matt Collins

It was a response to Mr Flood's post that was read in detail.  It looked like an unprovoked attack-it wasn't. 

Aftyer speaking to Paul last night, I have a lot of respect for the guy-a top fella.  You won't hear me arguing any more.  It's not worth it and people just get hurt.  Call me what you want-I'll just let it go from now on.  And my appologies for previous arguments. 

I almost certainly went to far at times. 

Back to golf and the topic!

Im happy I shot 2 over for first 10 holes tonight-equalled my best on thre course-which was set last night (2 birdies, 4 bogeys, 4 pars).

I missed a tiddler on the second-barely 2 foot.  Should of been my record-but happy it's all going in the right direction and more consistent.  Still ALONG WAY to go.

Im still using the same Prov1 Lake Ball-the first one of the batch I used.  It has now played over 36 holes.  Its ready for the practice bag, but extremely impressed by how well its lasted.  In fact it still looks in good condition and is playing very nicely.

The ProV1 has made a big difference to my game over the Srixon AD333.  I notice my tee shots are not quite as straight when I get it wrong-logical as it is a more spinny ball i.e. back spin AND side spin.  But anything 170 yards in I can be so much more confident that the ball will hold the green and stay near the pin.  I hit a 6 iron from 165 yards and it rolled no more than 5 foot from the pitch mark.  This just would not happen with the Srixon AD333 on the relatively fast greens I'm playing-that would of been on the green's edge, exposing my poor chipping again!

Overall I was wrong on Lake Balls- they are definitely worthwhile if you get high grade ones.  But avoid refinished ones.  And I was wrong on using a prov1-it is definitely worthwhile in summer with fast hard greens where extra short game control is key. For anyone who's prioruty is not distance and hits the ball reasonabley well-then the 'premium ball' is going to be an advantage.

Chris Salter

Matt Collins

Chris,

You are a pretty good player.  You are consistent and have a repeatable swing.  You are very accurate and hit most fairways.  I was very impressed by your wedge game and your putting aint bad either.

I'd say, from what I saw, that you are every bit 12 handicap.  You have a fairly slow swing for a player of your ability-nothing wrong with that.

Question for you would be if you lwould lose

 distance from the softer cover ball.  The Srixon Soft feels are a soft ball, but not soft cover-big difference.  The softness is lower compression-suitable for slower swing speeds, but you aren't going to get much spin, for control on greens.

Im not as accurate as you Chris (although improved a lot since we played).  But swing a bit faster.  The ProV1 is signifcantly better for me for iron shots, particularly 150 yards in.  But for Driving it is a little less forgiving on those wayward cut.hook shots>  The problem for me as you know is the weak cut.  It seems to control a bit less than the Srixon AD333.

For me I will always stick with the Titleist PrtoV1, I will also try the ProV1x as Chris Perry sugested to see if that helps a bit.  In the winter, when you can stop anything on the sodden greens, I will go back to the 2 piece Srixon ball.

I'd say have a crack with the ProV1,  you are ver straight and a particularly good wedge player-the extra control could well make you able to be deadly there.  I guess the only issue, without sounding patronising or arrogant (which I no doubt will) is whether the harder compressiuon dofter cover ProV1 loses you driving distance-and how much.

As for trying all different balls-well you can oretty much categorise them.  Distance, mid range, premium.  All the companies do a ball in each range, or a number of balls that overlap to form sub ranges.  the difference between comapnies version of each range is fairly small.  Eg Srixon AD333=Titleist NXT tour and Callaway ix equals ProV1, more or less-I doubt for us the difference is going to be huge.  But I might be wrong

Chris Salter

Matt Collins

Paul Williams

Matt,

Commendable keep it up.

Hope to see you soon.

Chris, Quality post.

Paul.

Martin Devlin

It doesn't matter what golf ball i play, I don't think there is much between any of them. I like a soft ball so pro v1, callaway tour i or Taylormade TP. It's always the first one out the bag and thats the one i will use.

In my opinion there is a misconception on balls. If you play a good round or hit a good chip shot round the green with a bit of check then you think that's the ball for you, but could that not be just how you are playing on the day?

You have been talking about the Z Balata ball and to me that has way too hard a cover on it. It is very similar to the Tour Edition ball that Greg Norman used to great effect because of the angle of his approach into the ball (steep and generated to much spin), but like all of us a ball of the same structure would have done the same job, as well he knows, if he didn't get paid to use them.

Many golfers will use the same ball because of nostalgia, understandably, but to me it's like living on past glories and its the way you are swinging on the day that makes the difference.

I do genuinely believe this and as long as the ball has the same characteristics, the flight and spin control will remain the same.

Paul Everett

Chris Perry

After slapping my Bridgy 330S into the water yesterday, I went to get another from my ag and realised I'd left the sleeve I was going to put in my bag at home   So I pulled out one that I had picked up on the course a couple of weeks ago and played the remaining 14 holes with that.  Turned out to be a Wilson Staff DX2 Soft. 

Never used one before but I quite liked it.  Nice and straight off the driver, stoppes well on the greens with the irons, stopped really well with the wedges and chipping distance were good too.  It also felt nice off the putter but, as Paul will attest, seemed to be allergic to the hole as I couldn't buy a putt!  I'd consider getting a box and trying these. 

I think this is a good example of Chris Salter's point.  I wouldn't have considered using the Wilson had I not found it but after doing so I really liked it.