The First Call Inbox

Feel, flight or price tag? What makes the ideal golf ball

The First Call readers break down what they look for in a golf ball, weighing soft feel, green spin and driver distance against the ever-rising cost per dozen.

Question of the week [Oct. 19-25]: What characteristics do you look for when buying a golf ball?

The First Call Inbox archives | View
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Chris Gent | Grand Prairie, TX
First of all, it has to feel good off the putter. I hate squishy balls that sink into the face and then rocket off inconsistently. I prefer a firmer ball like a Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash because the stroke pressure required to get it to the hole is so reliable.
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Michael Hayes | Wilmington, MA
Consistency.
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Sam Stover | Grand Rapids, MI
Performance and cost.
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Barry Duckworth | Knoxville, TN
I look for a ball that comes off the driver hot but still checks up on short wedge shots and chips around the green. For me,the best combination I found this year was the Wilson Staff Model X. It is just a touch firmer than I usually prefer around the green, but it really launches off the face with the driver and mid-irons. My driver clubhead speed tops out at 84 mph and my 7-iron at 78 mph.
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Robert Miller | Tega Cay, SC
Price and touch around the greens.
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Lori Collins | Jacksonville, FL
Number of layers, softness and strong reviews.
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Ty Tilless | Granville, OH
I think all the major brands' tour balls are very good and similar in overall performance. I will play any of them, so when making a purchase, I consider three major characteristics: price, price and price.
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Keith Howell | Norfolk, VA
Good quality.
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Richard Whitaker | Anthem, AZ
A combination of driver distance and solid feel with irons at a tolerable price point.
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David Meszaros | Pinehurst, NC
A specific yellow finish, TaylorMade TP5, and an 80 compression rating.
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Steve Watters | Phoenix, AZ
I prefer a ball that is long and straight off the tee, never gets lost, knows how to swim, and finds the bottom of the cup after a single putt.
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Frank Joyce | Worcester, MA
Price.
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John Chapman | Melbourne, FL
Soft feel and long distance with low spin off the driver.
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Craig Noble | Cincinnati, OH
Soft feel off the driver paired with distance and controlled greenside spin.
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Tommy Jennings | Winder, GA
Spin first, then distance.
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The First Call invites reader comment. Write to editor Stuart Hall at shall@buffalogroupe.com. If your comment is selected for publication, we will not publish your email address. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity.

Front: A LIV Golf branded golf cart.
Photo: Charles Laberge / LIV Golf


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