The dilemma of what ball to play - any suggestions?

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By kmcgarryschoof

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  1. Hey Team TItleist,

    A little about my game - currently around a 16 handicap. I struggle off the tee with distance because I hit a fade (slice if it is really bad) which really impacts my ability to score on any longer holes.

    I go back and forth between the Tour Soft, NXT Tour S, and Pro V1. I love the feel of the ProV1 off the tee but always worry it will increase my slice because of the spin. Any truth to this?

    Should I commit to just playing one? If so, if I pick the ProV1 will it hurt my game?

  2. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    My suggestion is that you consider your whole game and then pick your ball. If you need extra roll, go with the DT or Velocity. If you need more control around the greens, stick with the ProV1 or ProV1x. Tour Soft is a good compromise. Consider price if you tend to loose a lot of balls. I do like the idea of sticking to one ball, maybe two if you like to switch in the winter. The more you get used to a certain feel and results, the better you will play with that particular ball. Nothing will stop the fade/slice except a little professional swing help. Well worth the investment to find a local pro and get it straightened out. You will have so much more fun.
  3. jonathan s

    jonathan s
    Indianapolis, IN

    A lot going on with this question. Yes, pick one ball. No, a pro v will not hurt your game (quite the opposite). Spin rate doesn’t cause the ball to go further offline, axis of rotation creates the draw/fade & hook/slice ball flight. Any of the options you laid out would be fine. Just stick with one, know how the ball reacts. When you hit a slice/hook it’s not because of the ball and how the ball spins but because the swing you made created an “extreme” axis of rotation.
  4. I'm off about 14 at the moment but was higher in the past and I use Pro V1x. I used to have a problem slicing, sometimes quite badly, but a new set of fited clubs cured that. I didn't even know until I had my fiting that I had a natural draw.

    I play a ball that gives me feel when I putt. If a ball is too soft I just don't get the feedback and my putting just goes off.

    Pick a ball you like both for feel and the look of and try some lessons to try to fix your fade / slice.
  5. larry m

    larry m
    columbiana, OH

    AVX is a lower flight soft feel and low spin off driver. I have noticed less spin off irons also. I've been playing it since it came out and love it
  6. Darryl M

    Darryl M
    Wichita, KS

    16 hdcp myself & I play the Pro V1 for the benefits I get out of it on all shots, but mainly my scoring shots mid iron and around the green. Pro V1 hasn't hurt my game, me on the other hand that's a different story.

    In a lot of ways a ball is about feel, but some other attributes are important as well, like ball flight, putting, spin....

    Best to play 1 ball and see how it works for you, keep a chart on drives, distance, roll out, ball flight, how it checks up putting feel or anything else you want to chart. Play at least 3 rounds then if you feel like switching, change and play a few rounds with another ball and do the same thing chart it & compare.

    Hope this helps,
    DM
  7. Dro

    Dro
    Pittsburgh

    Larry,

    I see you are in Columbiana

    I play Firestone Farms a few times a year. Sometimes Reserve Run. Do you ever go into PA to play?
  8. larry m

    larry m
    columbiana, OH

    Used to alot. But have not recently. My late uncle was a member at Montour Hts. That opened alot of doors to some super private clubs I could play. Years ago I was able to play Seven Oaks quite a bit.
  9. Dro

    Dro
    Pittsburgh

    I live right by Montour Heights. Played there quite a few times over the years.
  10. larry m

    larry m
    columbiana, OH

    I have not been able to get on since my uncle passed. Had a foursome I used to take. Would love to play there again
  11. Hi, I'm a 2 games a week player off between 18 to 21. Average.

    I know many will agree with me that when taking a provisional, you tend to concentrate more and invariably you hit the fairway.

    Therefore may I suggest that a ball can be signed with the word "Provisional" on it and perhaps I will not need to lose so many balls. I've uploaded my suggestion.
    Post Image
  12. Scott M

    Scott M
    South Burlington, VT

    I'd recommend trying the AVX. There's a bit of a tradeoff in that it's typically a lower trajectory ball flight, so if you struggle getting the ball up it may not be a great fit. But if that's not an issue it's actually a little lower spin off the driver so it should be a little less susceptible to the big slice with the reduced side spin.

    Good luck !

    Scott
  13. LBCgolfplayer

    LBCgolfplayer
    The LBC

    Please post your findings. I had played NXT but am unsure what to play next. I would like to know your results.
  14. Definitely agree with the above posts on fixing the swing. The right ball should help a bit but first look for some help with your swing to really fix the slice. Once you are consistently hitting the ball straight it will be easier to pick the right ball for your full game.

    I used to hit a slice off the tee as well. Once I straightened that out I started to notice small differences in the ball I was using and I settled on the ProV1x. I found it easier to control with driver than the ProV1 and for me the differences around the green were minimal. Still trying to decide how much I like the AVX, I don't typically hit the ball very high so I'm not sure the AVX will be in my bag unless I'm playing in a stiff wind.

    Bottom line; good idea reaching out for input, but everyone's swing is different so pick the ball that works best for you.

    Take your time deciding and play a few rounds in a row with one ball, then try another. Switching every round, or even mid-round, won't give you the full picture of what each ball does for your game.
  15. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Kevin M said:

    Hey Team TItleist,

    A little about my game - currently around a 16 handicap. I struggle off the tee with distance because I hit a fade (slice if it is really bad) which really impacts my ability to score on any longer holes.

    I go back and forth between the Tour Soft, NXT Tour S, and Pro V1. I love the feel of the ProV1 off the tee but always worry it will increase my slice because of the spin. Any truth to this?

    Should I commit to just playing one? If so, if I pick the ProV1 will it hurt my game?

    Prov1 is not going to help or hurt you slice. That is a whole different issue you need to take up with a teaching pro. It is a good ball and I highly recommend it tee to green. I would recommend going to a Titleist ball fitting if you can find one in your area. Yes, Titleist does ball fittings, because they want each of us get the correct ball and well as clubs. Why do you think Titleist is the number one ball in golf? That is why I play the Prov1 and I do not change it based on the seasons of the year. One ball. 365. Cheers. =)
  16. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Back in the days of the wound ball side spin was more of an issue, but since the ball has a solid core they fly much straighter. I don't think you can go wrong with either ball that you mentioned, although you may want to try the DT also.
  17. Fixing your swing is a long term solution. For a short term solution, I would recommend the AVX. It handles very well around the greens, and it does go further than the ProV1 or ProV1x. This is coming for a 9 handicap who is not long off the tee, and relies heavily on a good short game.
  18. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Off the tee, there isn’t much difference between balls. Whatever ball works best for flight, stopping power and feel off the putter face 100 yards and in is your best choice. Lessons/time with a pro is the best help off the tee.
  19. N Anthony S

    N Anthony S
    Virginia Beach, VA

    Like you I to struggled with slicing the ball as my miss. I tried every way possible to fix it. It was not until I started to work with a buddy of mine who is a PGA instructor, was I I able to change. Now I have a natural draw which I love. I was playing the ProV1x, once I stopped losing balls in the woods along the right side of the fairway. I recently though have started playing the AVX. I naturally have a high ball flight. I do like the way the AVX comes off the face of my irons as well as the soft feel around the greens. Good Luck with your decision. Which ever way you go I am sure it will the best for your game.
  20. Jay H

    Jay H
    Lexington, SC

    Can't go wrong with Pro V1 or the AVX. Pro V1 is truly a ball for just about any player in any season. Titleist always suggests starting with the green and working backwards to determine your ball. If you can, get out with a sleeve of Pro V1's and AVX and put them to the test - roll some putts, hit some chips/pitches, short irons, long irons, and drivers and see what you think. Don't think you can beat their performance on scoring shots and don't think you would lose much, if anything, off the tee. Let us know what you find out and go with!

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