Found & Lost

There is a better than average chance I am a bit of a ball snob. I have played Titleist Pro V’s for a number of years. I do not know the science behind the technology, I just know I am comfortable in my little world. As I attempt to sort out my logic, a few reasons for my commitment come to mind:

• Reputation
• Touring pro’s acceptance
• Sound (a bit better than a Top-Flite)
• Advertising

I have recently researched a few major golf ball manufacturers’ websites (Taylor Made, Bridgestone, Calloway, Volvik, Titleist) to learn about each brand’s golf balls and the compelling features/benefits for the consumers. A few conclusions:

1. 1. If it is more expensive, it must be better
   2. There are a number of considerations before a consumer should make a buying decision:
      • Playability
      • Compression
      • Color
      • Feel
      • Drop and stop control
      • Flight
      • Greenside control
      • Dimple design/number of dimples
      • Spin
      • Speed
      • Core

All very heady stuff!

As a double-digit handicapper that plays more than his fair share of golf with a variety of friends, family, knuckleheads, business associates and acquaintances, I have never heard anyone say, “I play Titleist Pro V’s because of its spherically tilted tetrahedral dimple design.” *

Personal Observations

Drop and Stop Control:
If it rains and I hit a high approach shot to the green, the ball usually drops and stops.

Flight (Options…High, Straight, Soaring, Piercing):
I typically hit it high with my short irons, I rarely hit it straight and the only thing soaring during one of my rounds is the Red Tail Hawk patrolling the grounds for an unsuspecting squirrel. My bladed wedge usually pierces across the green into the “ka-ka”.

Soft Feel:
I honestly have no idea what the hell they are talking about.

Greenside Control:
When I find myself greenside, I typically blade it, chunk it or stub it!

Two Piece/Three Piece/Four Piece Technology:
I can only assume four pieces are better than two.

Spin:
I can barely see across the room, let alone distinguish between “more” or “less” spin.

As I see it, ball preference in the “Bad Golf Guy” world is based on brand recognition, price and if we are all honest with each other, what we find in the woods.

Speaking of finding golf balls in the woods; all I really want to know is when I find a golf ball of a different brand while I’m searching for my own ball, how does the found ball rank on that manufacturers “quality” pecking order. Here’s what my research uncovered:

Titleist	Calloway	Bridgestone	Taylor Made	Volvik
Pro V Series	Chrome Soft Series	Tour B Series	TP5 Series	S4
NXT Series	Superhot 70 Series	Tour B330 Series	Project a	S3
Velocity	Supersoft Series	e6 Series	Tour Preferred	Vivid XT
DT Tru Soft	Warbird Series	Extra Soft	Kalea	Vibe
			Aero Burner Series	Vivid
			Burner	Crystal
			Distance +	DS55

Now we all have a better understanding of the quality of our new found prized possessions when we drill it, yank it, pull it, push it, top it into the creek!

Thank you for following Bad Golf Guy.

The back nine can only get better

*Other statements I have not heard while playing golf:
I play Calloway Chrome Soft due to its “total performance through the bag”.
I play Bridgestone Tour BS because of its “SlipRes technology and lower side spin”.
I play Taylor made TP5 because of its “Tri-Fast Core and Dual Spin cover”.
I play Volvik because of its “fast initial speed”.