Playing a Premium Ball

Have played the premium ball for years. Whether my handicap has been a 10 or where it is currently at a 20. The Prov1 is an excellent ball and performs very well for me. Cannot prevent me from those dreaded four triple bogies I get during my rounds. Bad back and the six inches between my ears. HAKUNA MATATA.

Paul, I have been switching back and forth between the ProV1, ProV1x, and srxn Z-Star XV this year and I hit them all way out of bounds.

I will say that I like the firmer feel and the sound of the ProV1x the most, but enjoy the lower ball flight that the ProV1 gives me. The consistency from Titleist is something that I hadn't really noticed up until this year, as long as I strike it well I know without a doubt what the ball is going to do. The greenside spin with both is significantly more than the srxn, and it's given the confidence to step up and accelerate through the ball instead of a weak decel that dribbles a few feet out in front.

As painful as it is watching $4.60 banana-slice 180 yards laterally into the side of someone's house, that sinking feeling is offset when I get to pull out the 54 degree and check it up to 4 feet for an easy two putt. Unless my wife finds out how much I'm actually spending on balls, I don't know that I'll ever go back to anything else.

I've played a premium Titleist ball for a long time and all based on Titleist ball fittings I've had over the years. I also completely understand a golfer's hesitation related to playing a premium ball because of the cost. For me, it's about giving me the tools that perform at the level that gives me the best chance at completing a good round and the Titleist ProV1x does that.

It may be part delusional part biased observation, but I’ve feel I get more opportunities to score better with Pro-V’s than with 2 part ionomer balls. Playing the same model means I know what to expect (if and) when I strike it correctly. When the ball goes +/-5 yards than what you expect on an approach shot struck well, you can add a stroke onto that hole’s score. Not sure why there are so many “the next ball in play is the last one found” players.

No ball can really control side spin, so playing a less expensive ball due to expected loss is just a surrender. Correcting swing errors is the most cost effective solution. Or save time and just throw a ball into a hazard and play on.

That you are losing fewer balls with the Pro-V can only being playing with more confidence. Whatever it takes for the least amount of strokes to get in the hole.

I did a ball test a couple of years ago, taking six premium balls and spent a few hours over a couple of days on the short game aspect of the test. The ProV1x came out on top for me. What I like is you have more control over the golf ball, so instead of watching it trundle 15 feet past the hole, it will check up, which also allows me to be a bit more aggressive. As far as off the tee goes, the ProV1x was as long as any distance ball I tried.

Playing a premium ball vs a cheap ball for some higher handicappers will help them engage better course management due to valuing the ball they are about to hit, vs. "Let's see what happens, its just a cheap ball".

Only problem with the ProV1x is you kinda get attached to them. Nothing is more depressing than having to move on and leave one in the bushes, pond, or someone's yard because you can't retrieve it.