Found Golf Balls

[Chas]

Snob that I am, I like Titleist golf balls. But, I keep finding all these different brands of golf balls when I'm out on the course. Are any of them any good? Which do you keep finding? Rate the fifteen obvious ones and how they rate, if you would.

[demon]

I never pickup balls I find on the course, I used to till I accidentally took someones ball out of play one time not knowing that someone actually hit a ball that bad.

[limpalong]

Snob that I am, I like Titleist golf balls. But, I keep finding all these different brands of golf balls when I'm out on the course. Are any of them any good? Which do you keep finding? Rate the fifteen obvious ones and how they rate, if you would.

Depends on the course and where you look on the course.

Muni courses and the trash on the right side of fairways...
The most found ball is Top Flite. Typically, rocks that are bargain priced at WalMart.
2nd is Pinnacle (not the Pinnacle Exception)... see above.
3rd are TiTech's... again, rocks and bargain priced at the discounters.

None of these make it to my bag. I keep a couple of 5-gallon buckets that I toss the "rocks" in for my son-in-laws to go through.

Upscale courses and the trash on the left side of fairways...
Still the most found ball is probably Top Flites.
This is where you can find Titleists. The better players seem to have trouble with the left side of the fairway... less skilled, the right side. Most Titleists are marked and make their way into my "stash".

Other brands that are "found" in the trash...
Nike... I've yet to find a Nike I like. Yet, one of the son-in-laws loves them so they go to him.
Crystal Volvik... Fine for winter play when there are lots of leaves. Easier to see. Not as hard of a feel as TF or Pinnacle, but not much for spin.
Precept... Not as popular, but most of these will find their way into the "buckets". Good balls, but too many Titleists and don't lose many myself. These are good balls. The Laddie and Lady are great for winter play. The B330's are right up there with the ProV's.
Callaway... Callaway Tours make it to my bag. Excellent balls. Reds and Hots find their way to the buckets. Again, good balls, but not up there with ProV's.

In reality, there are many excellent balls on the market today. And, any ball needs to find the center of the clubface to perform. I have over 8 dozen of ProV's found along a local upscale course. Hence, many other good balls don't get the opportunity to see the fairways and greens again.

In the spring, courses in our area burn off their rough. That is the time to analyze where all the "marshmellows" are. Then, late in the season, walk through those areas that harbored the most "roasted" balls and you will find the past season's treasures.

[ezra76]

If they are in decent shape, I take all. During the winter, starting now I suppose, I hit mutliple tee shots and just leave them if they are too far to walk to. Sometimes I'll just drop a few and hit approach shots from different distances as well. My dad loves to find balls, almost as much as playing. Drives me nuts sometimes though. He'll pull out his retriever and sit there for 10minutes. I complain till he pulls out a few ProV's, then he is forgiven.

Best balls I've found recently are a few Prov1's, Nike one Platinum and gold, TP Red.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Which do you keep finding? Rate the fifteen obvious ones and how they rate, if you would.

This brings up a Catch 22. If it one that you commonly find lost, is that maybe a sign that it is actually a cr@ppy ball that doesn't perform well? If it is a good ball, it should be in the fairway. Interestingly enough, in the last 2 rounds my playing partner has found a ball of mine that was lost at an earlier time. Kinda strange, One of them was a ball I hadn't used in likely 3 months and it was 2 feet into some rocks, the other was lieing right on the edge of the rough, and had to have been thrown out by someone. They thought it was my current shot, as I insisted I was in the fairway. Anyways.

1) TOP Flight - They suck and I throw them back in the wood.
2) Pinnacle - Same thing.
3) Titleist - DT Solo. Not a bad ball, not much spin IMO, will gladly use them as a water ball
4) Titleist - NXT - Not as good as the Solo IMO
5) Various Callaways - If I can ever find them for what I pay, $12-15 a dozen, I may switch to this brand.
6) Various Nikes - Not a big nike fan, only keep some of the high dollar version. Usually a playing partner will take them.
7) Titleist PRO V1 - Doubt I need to say more, kinda throws a crimp in the whole catch 22, but anyone using a New PROV1 is simply insane and throwing money away anyways. Usually only find them on the first 5 holes.
8) Maxfli Noodle - Played these before new, and get strange ball flights, probably because it compresses to easily.
9) Ultras - Throw them deeper than Top Flights.
10) Various Slazengers - Will use as water ball, nothing special.
11) Various Bridgestones - Nice ball, probably wouldn't spend the money over some of the others at that price.

As far as my preference
PROV1
Callaways
Bridgestones
SOLOS
Noodles or other maxflies - Play Maxflies but rarely find the kind I like
NXT's

.. all the rest go back unless I find one I haven't tried. Found maybe a couple Srixons, some Nike brands, and other different brands that I will try out. I actually like the Srixons I have found.

Least favorite PRO V1x, and even hit a Flying lady once for kicks. Expected that ball to be soft, it was actually harder than the PRO V1x

edit 1 - Forgot Dunlaps, probably 6 or 7 most, see Topflight Comments.

[JEFF4i]

I find all sorts, but usually Titleist.

I never complain about finding a Nike ONE or a ProV. Of course, I always look around and make sure it isn't someone elses that just hit or something, as I've lost more than one to idiots who just pick them up.

[emc]

I only ever look in the trees and I'm amazed at the amount of ProV1's I find. They're almost as common as Top-Flites, or Dunlops. Next most common 'good' ball is the HX Tour

[warbirdlover]

Agree on the Topflights. Stones that aren't good enough for water balls.

Bridgestones E5 and E6 are both great balls.

Callaway HX Tour is THE BEST BALL (followed closely by ProV1's)

Callaway HX Hot is a good ball, very long off the driver, not great around the green

Gotta try a Nike One Platinum or Black but all other Nike's I've hated

Ultras are good water balls

Noodles are okay except the new "longest" Noodle won't hold up through one hole.

Don't like the cheaper Titleist balls at all.

Pinnacle Exception aren't any better then other Pinnacles. Good water balls.

I'm going to start buying a dozen HX Tours every two weeks so I have a good supply by next spring and I can hit those all the time.

[Sandpiper3]

I find a fair amount of ProVs at my course because we get a lot of rich tourist asians (not being racist, its a fact at my course) that cant really golf, but come out and enjoy the day (and slow mine down...). Most of the time you'll find all the balls in a couple areas. Right of 11th tee, long of 12th green (par3) in/around creek cutting through middle of 13 (par 5, silly rabbits cant clear the creek), all those bounce right (parallel to 11th fw) so all the balls are in that wooded area. andddd right of 5 and 2 also find a good number, but usually the shittyer balls there.

I dont understand, all the asian players that come to our course have such graceful practise swings and have all expensive equip and such, but when they stepup to the ball they fair no better the WBL.... (sry, bit of a rant in there).

[ezra76]

I dont understand, all the asian players that come to our course have such graceful practise swings and have all expensive equip and such, but when they stepup to the ball they fair no better the WBL.... (sry, bit of a rant in there).

There are a lot of good Asian players in my area. I've played with quite a few of them who are sub 5. Today 2 kids were behind us and they were hitting it pretty good. They each hit the green on the 191par 3 tight, then one of them hit a drive a little over 300 on the next hole. It was a 341 into a bit of wind. I got just barely inside the 100marker, thought I striped it. I've seen 4 or 5 Asian players there who pound for pound are some of the longest drivers I've ever seen. All were 10+ yds. longer than me as well as shorter in height and probably weighed less.

[Sandpiper3]

Yea, most of the asian tourists who come to my club (rated pretty high, thats y they come) are like 5"6-5"10 and are a little chubby around the sides. I found out that its cheaper for them to come to like Whistler and rent a place and get a golf package (CHA CHING in Whistler) then to play just one round in Japan....

[Rockford35]

I find SHEDLOADS of ProV's. So many so, that I usually tee them up and smash them into the lake on the 7th tee.

I also find alot of Nikes, cuz they're cheap.

Top Flights, of course. And pinnacles too. Usually the distance model, 10 yards deep in the trees looking for my partner's balls. (Insert Joke Here).



R35

[ezra76]

I find SHEDLOADS of ProV's. So many so, that I usually tee them up and smash them into the lake on the 7th tee.

I also find alot of Nikes, cuz they're cheap.

Top Flights, of course. And pinnacles too. Usually the distance model, 10 yards deep in the trees looking for my partner's balls. (Insert Joke Here).



R35

Save those Prov's and I'll trade you for Callaways. My dad was getting all the Cally's but he smoked me by 4 strokes last round with a DTSolo. He hated the thing till I told him it was low compression and he would probably do better with it. Then he starts hitting it like I've never seen. First 4 GIR, unheard of with his crappy iron striking. How much of this game is mental??

[Garrett]

I usually find Top Flites and Pinnacles. I always keep these balls. I put them in my shag bag and use them to practice chipping and stuff on the range. Sometimes I hit them with my driver on the range as-well. Even a Top Flite is better than a range ball.

[Davebud]

Find more Pro V's than anything, next most amount of single ype of ball I find is DT Solo, have found a bunch of different balls out there, the one I found and really liked was a Srxion.