R.I.P. Strata golf balls.

[ualtim]

Just read an interview on TGC with the head of Top Flite and Ben Hogan divisions of Callaway and found out that Top Flite has abandoned their high performance ball line to concentrate on their 2-piece balls. When I checked out their web site, no more Stratas. I also noticed from watching the European Tour that Henrick Stenson went from wearing the TF TL-Tour hat one week to a Callaway HX Tour hat the next week. Looks like the Strata brand is dead, rest in peace.


Thankfully I have a nice stash to last me a while, but where am I going to find a multiple piece ball that performs like a Strata at a Strata price when I run out? Looks like Callaway has taken over the Strata line with their new HX line of balls and at a higher price.

[Rockford35]

Callaway has 5 versions of the HX available this season, as well as a couple entry level options to compensate for the loss of the Strata line.

So, you're just getting a Callaway wrapper on a Strata ball.

Hogan and Top Flight are on their way out, except for maybe over in Japan. At least that's what I hear...

R35

[ualtim]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

So, you're just getting a Callaway wrapper on a Strata ball.

Yup, but I do not want to pay more for the same thing but with hex dimples.

I used to play Titleists (wound) until the Balata era and Pro V1 era when they decided to jack up the price. Went back to Top Flite 2 piece balls (which, incidently, I shot my best 2 rounds ever with back to back 78/79 before I went to Titleists) for a while until the Stratas became more affordable.

Maybe I need to hoard some more Stratas at discount prices before they disappear.

[Rockford35]

The Hot and Pearl are going to be at the same pricepoint as what the Strata were.....just an FYI...

R35

[Fore!]

I loved the Strata Tour Ace. I have been shopping on E-bay to see if I can build up a supply. What is the shelf life of a golf ball if it has not been hit? Will balls packaged 3 - 4 years ago hit the same as the day they were made?

[Andy_79]

Originally Posted by ualtim

and Pro V1 era when they decided to jack up the price.

Pro V's have been £10 for a sleeve of 3 in our shop since they first came out 5 years ago.

Why are you so bothered about Stratas, anyway ?! They have to be the worst lasting golf ball ever constructed. FACT.

[Andy_79]

Originally Posted by Fore!

I loved the Strata Tour Ace. I have been shopping on E-bay to see if I can build up a supply. What is the shelf life of a golf ball if it has not been hit? Will balls packaged 3 - 4 years ago hit the same as the day they were made?

When Fluff played at my club a while ago he gave me a whole pile of these. Used them for a while, but by heck, they shredded like feck !!! Shocking. . .

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by Andy_79

They have to be the worst lasting golf ball ever constructed. FACT.

According to this, you're "facts" are wrong.

Both the ProVx and B330S are rated far below the Strata. I'm not defending it, just stating the "facts".

http://www.golfballtest.com/

R35

[ualtim]

Originally Posted by Andy_79

Pro V's have been £10 for a sleeve of 3 in our shop since they first came out 5 years ago.

Why are you so bothered about Stratas, anyway ?! They have to be the worst lasting golf ball ever constructed. FACT.

I used to be able to get the wound DT for under $25 a dozen new. When they went to Balata, the price rose. When they released the Pro V1, the price rose again. Yes, Pro V1 prices have been stable since they were introduced, but they have been overpriced since day one.

I have not had the wear issues on the Tour Straights and Tour Professionals. I did have some wear issues with the Tour Ultimate 2's, but the Straights and Pros work really well for me.

As I have bought my Stratas at great prices,Straights at $12 a dozen and Pro's for $4.95 a dozen (logo closeout) I find them an extreme bargain and value. They added 10 yards to my carry distance (over the 2-piece balls), putt better, softer feel around the greens, and hold the greens a whole lot better. Yes, I can get balls with similar performance, but no where near the price that I was able to get the Stratas at.

If you want to get rid of your Stratas, send them to Orlando for proper disposal.

[Pa Jayhawk]

I was always fond of Strata's and mainly their feel around the greens. Titleist, Strata's and Maxfli's are the only that I will save for water balls. My water balls are probably much better quality than the Maxfli's I use for the rest of the round, probably why they last longer.

[Eracer]

Agreed. I used to buy used ProV1's. I switched to the TF TL-Tour, and really like them. I don't spin the ball like some do, so I don't tear these up as quickly as some (althought they are way less durable than ProV1's). I am stocking up on these, as I think they are a great ball for the money.

[ezra76]

I was always impressed with the Tour Ace. I hit some absolute bombs off the tee with it. When I first started playing I took one real high to cut a dogleg left 315yds. I drove it 10 yds. past the green. Last year one of my customers gave me a box of close to 200 used balls he and wife had been collecting during thier daily walks near a course. I got over 50 Prov1's in nice shape along with just about every other brand on the market. I've lost quite a few but still have about 40 or so Prov1's left. I really like the Titleist HVC tour, HP2 tour and the professional 90 and 100's I've tried out of that box.

[ualtim]

There is a Golfsmith tent sale going on down here in Orlando. I found some Strata Tour Professionals for $9.98 a dozen. I walked into the tent before going into the store and they had about 20 dozen. When I came out of the store, they only had about 9 dozen left. I took 5 dozen to go along with my new cart bag, a Ping Trailblazer which was at a 33% discount.

HX Blues were still selling for $24 a dozen. Not too good of a deal for a discontinued ball.

So, my stock pile now includes 5 doz. Strata Tour Professional, 3 doz. Strata Tour Straights, 3 doz. Strata Professional Control, 2 doz Nike Tour Accuracy TW, and 1 Doz Nike CC. I think I can relax a bit now that I have enough balls to last me a while. It will give the industry a few years to start producing a quality multi layer ball that does not cost more than a good dinner a dozen.

[Farquod]

Originally Posted by ualtim

So, my stock pile now includes 5 doz. Strata Tour Professional...2 doz Nike Tour Accuracy TW

These are 2 great 3-piece balls. I ran out of the TA TW a couple of years back, but they were the best putting balls I had ever used. I still have several dozen of the Strata Tour Professionals as well; I augmented my stash with a few dozen I picked up at Golfsmith in the fall at the same closeout price. A steal.

If you ever come across Slazenger DC Tour Solid, you might want to give them a try as well. Another great and discontinued ball, I had gotten them at Rockbottom Golf, also at about $10/doz. Can't find them anymore.

I also like to pick up U-Tri tours when I can find them on a deal. I admit to paying $15 a dozen for them at Dick's on a buy 1 get 1. Another great ball.

Speaking of RBG, they currently have Maxfli Revoulution Extra Distance, a 3 piece ball, on sale at $12/doz. I've never tried them, so I can't vouch for them. But they are a 3-piece ball at the right price.

[ualtim]

Originally Posted by Farquod

Speaking of RBG, they currently have Maxfli Revoulution Extra Distance, a 3 piece ball, on sale at $12/doz. I've never tried them, so I can't vouch for them. But they are a 3-piece ball at the right price.

The word "Distance" on any golf ball kind of scares me a bit. The Distance balls tend to be a bit harder and less responsive on the greens. I would be more inclined to get the Maxfli Revolution Tour if you can find them at a good price.