how to chose your ball

I would say it all depends on what is important to you - distance or green side control?  I think the better balls - ProV1 and ProV1x are great overall balls for most skill level, unless you are a complete hack.  If you want a little more distance and don't care about the spin as much, try the NXT balls.  I think the ProV1x has just as much distance as the NXT and spins up perfectly on the greens, but if you are already a long hitter and just want a ball that spins and checks up on demand, go for the ProV1.  Just my two cents, the new Titleist prototype ball is going to be a big hit too whenever they release it...

Todd brings up some great points on ball selection that you should definitely consider.

You may also want to consider ball flight and how it relates to your swing speed. Personally I have a high-swing speed with leads to high-ball spin and a high-ball flight. I find that the ProV1x minimizes some of the extra spin that my swing produces. This aids in keeping my ball flight “down” and reduces "ballooning" when hitting into the wind. Now there are many high-ball hitters who prefer the regular ProV1—so it really comes down to personal feel as ProVs both are great balls.

As for golf ball hardness, most players prefer a softer ball as it aids in "feel" around the green. Both ProVs are soft and excellent around the green. I've never played the NXTs, so I can't speak for their greenside feel.

I'd recommend that you go out for a practice round and play multiple balls—towards the end of the round I'm sure you'll gravitate towards one ball or another.

I hope this helps. Performance golf balls definitely make this game a lot more fun!

Cheers!

As I've always said...

When I'm choosing a golf ball, I'll do some VERY detailed testing. I'll play a round with my regular ball (2009 Pro V1) and another ball(s). Shot for shot. 250, 200, 150, 125, 100, 75; and so on, yards in...draws, fades, low, high, chip, pitch, putt...there's so much to mention.

If you need ANY help whatsoever, don't hesitate to ask for help/suggestions.

Yes, That's almost exactly how my system works. It's probably the best way to find out.

Thanks Geoff -   Have a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new yea

Alan

My driver ss is only 95 but I've yet to find an all-around ball better than the ProV1. Feels good off the driver, irons, and putter. Excellent around the greens and I can count on knowing what it's going to do. Some may say that with my ss, I should be playing a different ball, but results are results and it doesn't get any better than the ProV1.

This is a good strategy.  I'm also a big fan of the self scramble.  Just play two balls for 18 holes, and see which ball you pick more.

I care about chipping, putting, and holding greens with long irons the most.  I'm not a long hitter by any means, but I'm accurate with my irons, and I can chip and putt, so I look for a ball that performs the best around the greens.  I love the Pro V, the only thing I don't like about it is it's not very durable.  Although it looks like they solved that problem with the new balls.

The new "test" balls will be a big hit.

Have fun with it, and figure out which ball is for you.

I have a swing speed of 85 MPH. I struggle to keep from "coming over the top". I like the consistency of Titleist balls. I have used other golf balls. I like the Titleist the best. My iron play is themost consistent and better than my drives. I prefer more stopping power than distance. I use long irons rather than woods off of the fairways. I need something that stops and feels soft on my irons. Is the compression of the ProV1's too high for my swing speed? What ball do you recommend?

AL

There are a ton of different opinions out there, but I have always gone back to the Pro V1X.  I have tried them all.  As most golfers I am always looking for the "edge" that any new product or ball might give me.  I have a swing speed of 105 on the driver.  I had people tell me that the Pro V1 would be better for me, but the X just flies much straighter off of the driver.  Much less spin for me.  I would buy a sleeve of each and hit several extra drives during a round  (as long as the course is not backed up) and see what you like the best.

I posted a similar question entitled NXT Tour or Pro V1x. Below is a copy of what John from Titleist replied:

My name is John Fizer and I am a member of the East Coast Performance Ball Fitting Team. We hear this question quite frequently. You are definitely on the right track comparing golf balls side by side!

With regards to distance, Pro V1, Pro V1x, NXT Tour, and NXT all fly within 4 yards under similar launch conditions. Regardless of clubhead speed, you are looking at a very small, non-game changing difference in distance between these four models. 

The game changing difference is spin!

Pro V1 - Softer feel. Spins high with everything, every shot, every club

Pro V1x - Firmer feel. Spins high around the green (almost identical to Pro V1), spins lower with longer shots. This low spin with the longer shots is very attractive to high spin, high speed players. This lower spin will make mis-hits and errant shots more manageable than with a higher spinning golf ball like Pro V1.

The fact that PGA Tour players and better players use Pro V1x is due to its performance, not due to its ability give the better player something "extra". All players can benefit from Pro V1x, in fact any player who is looking for a decreased shot dispersion with longer shots and high spin around the greens should absolutely give Pro V1x a try!

NXT TOUR - Not a Urethane Elastomer cover like the Pro V1 family so green side spin is sacrificed and the ball spins lower than both Pro V1 models with all shots. The biggest difference will again be in SPIN and in the case of NXT Tour spin around the greens. NXT TOUR is somewhat comparable to the Pro V1 family OUTSIDE OF 100 yards. Because it is lower spinning NXT TOUR will have less of a tendency to move left and right than both Pro V1 models. 

We suggest taking all three models out on the course, and implementing our GREEN TO TEE METHODOLOGY. Start from the green compare the 3 balls (feel, spin etc..) see which ball wins and then move back to pitch shots > full mid iron shots > full long iron shots > hybrid/fairway woods > driver. Since the balls all fly so close to one another and they are all long distance is taken care of....we want you to concentrate on the short-game/approach shots that really influence your overall score, and the shots where SPIN is soooooo important!

Please see the Golf Ball Fitting link on Titleist.com for any other questions!  Good Luck!

Thanks J.D. Your approach sounds like an excellent way to determine what is best for me. I agree that 100 yds. and closer is the " critical scoring zone".

AL

Very interesting. To say that all models fly the same distance. You have clearly not seen or gone through a proper ball fitting.   There are huge differences in those models off the tee specifaically when it comes to players with club head speed below 105 mph.  Green to tee methodology actually will hide the players discrepencies of loft and backspin. Fitting from tee to green is the only way to have a golf ball that performs on every shot. Driver fittings will show any and all inconsistenciess with a players ball fllight.  When it comes to spin. Urethane is urethane. When the Pro V1's actually unveiled back in early 2000, letters went out stating that those gofl balls will only perform best with club head speeds of 108 or higher. Funny how now there is no diefferences in going form NXT to Pro V ???

THANKS FOR THE GREAT CLARIFICATION!  I NOW KNOW WHICH TITLEIST BALL IS FOR ME.

ALAN

Hey Mike

In the chart

swing speed 110 ProV1x hits longer than ProV1. This is understandable, with a higher swing speed you put more spin on the ball but less spin is needed to optimize distance, so ProV1 puts too much spin and loses distance.

100mph, this holds with above, with a little slower swing speed the spin of the ProV1 doesn't reduce the distance as much and the chart shows ProV1 distance closer to ProV1x

90mph this still holds with above, with the slower swing speed spin is needed more to help carry the ball and at this speed the ProV1 outdrives the ProV1x

80mph this chart doesn't hold with the above, the slower the swing speed the more spin you need, but ProV1x is again outdriving ProV1. why?

and I'm guessing, based on the chart, that NXT is spinnier than NXT Tour, but this isn't what is said in the descriptions of the NXT and NXT Tour.

Thanks Jeff. I will try just that!

Al

In case any of you missed it here's a great article and video that was posted in today's Boston Globe: http://bcove.me/kcmvujwq

Cheers!

Jeff P.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate the help.

Al

Just noticed that the last link I posted was just the video. Here the full article: http://www.boston.com/sports/golf/articles/2011/01/06/on_a_roll/?p1=Upbox_links

You have some great advice here!

We have worked with several players that ask "what's the best ball for me?" and we've narrowed down the process to two distinct shots: The Driver and The 50 Yard Pitch.  We also have a "bonus round" of putting when a player remains on the fence. 

The 50 yard pitch is the perfect shot to catch the feel of the golf ball at impact and witness its stopping action on the green.

The Driver is tested on the launch monitor and provides a little more feel, but we primarily observe spin rates.  We can see varying patterns develop between 100 and 500 rpm that is just enough to see a difference in ball flight and carry. 

Putting can be the differentiator to the player on the fence.  Put ear plugs in and they won't have any idea between a Pinnacle, Titleist Tour 100, or a Pro V1.  Take the ear plugs out and there's a distinct winner.  Putting and feel perception is more auditory than most people think!

Ryan Crysler
Head Instructor
My Golf Performance Center
512.850.5721
mygolfperformance.com

Ryan - Thanks for the great info.! The two shots you mentioned make a lot of sense to me.  I especially like the fence sitting breaker -  putting. I am becoming a titleist ball fan. I like the NXT Tour. I believe that my scores indicate that I am at the 3pc. ball stage. I have had great success with the "hands forward" putting technique coupled with the "spot" putting ( rolling the ball over a spot a foot or so in front of the ball). It has increased my putting efficiency to where there are no more 3 putt greens and once in a while I'll roll in a 10' plus footer.

Al

Very nice!  As an Instructor it's also important to pace our players.  There's like a bell curve of optimal feel and performance during a session.  Right after they get loose and comfortable and right before they get too accustomed to hitting lots of shots.  If we can find the simplest scenarios that impact a 80% of the decision...we'll do it!   

Ryan Crysler
Head Instructor
My Golf Performance Center
512.850.5721
mygolfperformance.com

The best thing you can do is go to Titleist and they'll monitor your swing and tell you which ball is best