5 Layer golf ball

http://www.taylormadegolf.com/mainlevel/golfshop/balls/Penta-TP.html

I always thought 4 layer TOK KONG liao. TM come out with 5 layer.

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2009/08/five-piece-taylormade-penta-golf-ball-hits-pga-tour.html

but, so many layers for what.... it all seems too confusing for me... it is as if different layers are reacting to different ball-speed rates.. oooh my head is spinning..

Don't think the average player will benefit from this ball. More layers also means more expensive, and the core may not even be accessible to most players.


Extract from the report on GOLF.com:

"Encased under all those layers is the core, which is made from an extremely fast, low-compression material that only the fastest swingers will be able to activate. However, TaylorMade says those who do can expect more ball speed and less spin on drives for increased distance."

Birdman wrote:

Don't think the average player will benefit from this ball. More layers also means more expensive, and the core may not even be accessible to most players.


Extract from the report on GOLF.com:

"Encased under all those layers is the core, which is made from an extremely fast, low-compression material that only the fastest swingers will be able to activate. However, TaylorMade says those who do can expect more ball speed and less spin on drives for increased distance."

you are right.. just like the average player does not benefit from playing prov1s cos of insufficient clubhead speed..

Funny you shoud say that, I have this article GOLF Magazine did back in Feb'08. They did some extensive ball testing of 54 models measuring them by price, distance, spin, and ball hardness. then they recommend balls thru the range of handicaps. And would you know it, the Pro V1 is recommended for handicaps up to 25. And the Pro V1x is recommended for those in the 30 handicap range. Believe it or not!


Very intersting article which by the way, I discovered that by brand, the longest balls in general were TaylorMades. The shortest brand was Nike. The highest spin of course came out of the Pro V1s.

i actually like the proV1x more than the proV1.. but i have got no money to buy it...

anyway, what my experience with the proV1s was told to me by an uncle, who said that most of us do not have enough clubhead speed to compress it, and after searching on the internet, realised that that is the case...

anyway, agree with u about prov1s spin.. no other ball can hold the green like pro V1s in terms of my average ball striking standards..

Well, if you buy the 2nd hand ones on sale here, they're 90 cents a ball right? : )

True for the most part, which is why there is a 3 piece ball for the slower swinger, the Bridgestone B330-RX. And also the 2 piece E5+ which is lower compression but with a urethane cover instead of ionomer (read surlyn) cover for more spin.

I would love to put the article on here for all to read cos I think it will really open a lot of eyes. It did mine. But it's way too comprehensive with charts and all, but in layman terms.

Here's a quote from the founder of goflballselector.com Mitch Voges, "It's more important for the average player to pick the right ball than it is for the better player. Most mid to higher handicappers choose hard, inexpensive, low spinning balls that rob them of enough lift to overcome drag. Then, when they fail to reach the green in regulation, they have to chip and putt with the most difficult products on the market to control aournd the green."

Birdman wrote:

True for the most part, which is why there is a 3 piece ball for the slower swinger, the Bridgestone B330-RX. And also the 2 piece E5+ which is lower compression but with a urethane cover instead of ionomer (read surlyn) cover for more spin.

Here's a quote from the founder of goflballselector.com Mitch Voges, "It's more important for the average player to pick the right ball than it is for the better player. Most mid to higher handicappers choose hard, inexpensive, low spinning balls that rob them of enough lift to overcome drag. Then, when they fail to reach the green in regulation, they have to chip and putt with the most difficult products on the market to control aournd the green."

good quote. can post the link of the article here just for our information? i am sure there are some information junkies who will pore through the charts and articles...

anyway, i am currently playing the srixon AD-333 as well as tourstage v10. (i get them 2nd hand but looking like new... all from my favourite supplier. hahaha)

i prefer the overall performance of the srixon AD-333 to be honest, as i find that the tourstage v10 is just abit too harsh around the greens.. and the cover is rather hard for it's category.. i have also tried the super newing LS330, which i believe is the bridgestone 330 rebranded. that is pretty ok, gives me fantastic carry, and above average on the greens, but i don't like the feel of the ball. haha.

Just as a taster, let me just post the results for what the magazine termed high spin balls. What followed were medium spin and finally low spin balls. I'll just do the high spin one first. And you'll be surprised at where the Pro V1 comes in in terms of spin.

Ball RPM

Nike One Platinum 13,451
Titleist Pro V1x 12,299
Srixon Z-URC 12,250
Wilson Tx4 12,454
Nike One Black 12,431
Bridgestone e5+ 12,140
Bridgestone Tour B330 12,137
Srixon Z-URS 12,137
TaylorMade TP Black 12,062
Titleist Pro V1 11,914
TaylorMade TP Red 11,872
Bridgestone Tour B330-S 11,866
Callaway HX Hot Bite 11,331
TaylorMade Burner TP 10,894
Titleist NXT Tour 10,612
Wilson Zip 10,518
Callaway Tour i 10,472
Wilson Luxe 10,333
Top Flite Gamer 10,087
Callaway Tour ix 9,990

how did they test the spin? with a wedge and measuring the spin?

i played the Z-URC previously, i found it to be a very hard ball, can't even shred the cover. wonder how they got so much spin. on the other hand, mine were lake balls and yellowish, so i think quality might have been affected. i'm quite surprised that wilson balls are ranked so highly in terms of spin too. always didnt think much of their balls.

Seems like the article is not in their archives. No matter, Gold Digest did a similar article and I found the link to it. The first is for the Ball hot list of '09. The 2nd gives the chart breakdown of distance and spin by model.

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/ratings/balls/2009/05/hotlist2009_golfballs

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/ratings/balls/2009/05/hotlistcriteria_golfballs?currentPage=2

Balls were tested with a robot swinging a sand wedge at 76 mph swing speed, 80 mph ball speed, 38.5 degree launch angle and 10,500 rpm

they include a test to help you choose your ball based on how you play. I might as well post the test and i'll follow with the medium spin category (category 2) and low spin category (category 3). Of course the high spin category is category 1.

Should help a lot of golfers here to choose their balls.

Spin Index Test

1 Do you hit lots of hooks and/or slices?
If yes, give yourself (-1)
If no, give yourself (+1)

2 Do you often need to get up and down? (meaning chip a lot from around the greens)
if yes, give yourself (+1)
if no, give yourself (-1)

3 Do you prefer iron shots that hit and then roll?
if yes, give yourself (-1)
if no, give yourself (+1)

4 Are you able to "work" the ball? (meaning can you control your golf ball at will)
if yes, give yourself (+!)
if no, give yourself (-1)

How you scored

If your total score is +2 to +4, then consider a high spin ball (category 1)

If your total score is +1 to -1, then consider a medium spin ball (category 2)

If your total score is -2 to -4, then consider a low spin ball (category 3)

Advice: The highest or lowest spin ball isn't automatically the best one for you - you still need to try the ball to see how it reacts. Your swing's angle of attack may cause the ball to behave differently than another swing would. Category 1 balls are for max spin and control on short shots. Category 3 balls are for players who shots to roll out when they land.

Medium Spin Balls (Category 2)

Wilson Staff Fifty 9,546
Nike Karma 9,256
TaylorMade Burner 9,242
Callaway HX Pearl 9,153
Nike PD Soft 8,888
Top Flite D2 Feel 8,808
Srixon AD333 8,407
Top Flite XL 5000 Super Long 8,203
Precept Lady iQ 180 8,185
Callaway Big Bertha 7,951
Srixon Trispeed 7,814
Precept Distance iQ180 7,790
Noodle+ 7,789
Titleist DT Solo 7,758
Top Flite XL Distance 7,667
Top Flite XL Straight 7,637
Bridgestone e6+ 7,651
Srixon Ladies Soft Feel 7,636
Top FLite XL 5000 Super Straight 7,570
Srixon Soft Feel 7,524
Noodle+ Lady 7,453

Low Spin Balls (Category 3)

Nike Juice 312 7,192
Nike Ignite 7,071
Callaway HX Hot 6,963
Titleist NXT Extreme 6,824
Pinnacle Platinum Feel 6,437
Precept Laddie X 6,242
Callaway Warbird 6,111
Volvik Crystal 5,986
Pinnacle Platinum Distance 5,984
Pinnacle Ribbon 5,682
Pinnalce Gold FX Long 5,629
Top Flite Freak 5,310
Pinnacle Gold FX Soft 5,154