Golf Balls

By Max Adler Photos by Jim Herity

December 12, 2007

BRIDGESTONE B330/B330-S

STREET PRICE: $40/dozenWEBSITE: bridgestonegolf.comTECH STORYAn efficient, injection-molding production process allows more balls to be made from fewer cavities. The result is greater manufacturing consistency. Seamless dimples are slightly deeper than the previous generation for a lower flight.PLAYER COMMENTS"It's a hair longer than other balls off the irons. . . . Cushy feel."

CALLAWAY TOUR i/TOUR iX

STREET PRICE: $45/dozenWEBSITE: callawaygolf.comTECH STORYA tungsten-infused outer core and a high-density mantle layer are designed to shift weight farther from the dual core to maximize the moment of inertia. The purpose is to reduce spin for straight tee shots and optimal distance.PLAYER COMMENTS"Consistent trajectory off the tee. . . . Good chew on chips and flops."

TITLEIST PRO V1/PRO V1X

STREET PRICE: $45/dozenWEBSITE: titleist.comTECH STORYThere's maximum dimple coverage because of the "staggered wave parting line," what the company calls its entrance into hidden-seam design. The arrow-alignment stamp on the side is also new.PLAYER COMMENTS"The best ball. . . . Handles the low-spinning wedge like none other."

BRIDGESTONE e5+

STREET PRICE: $25/dozenWEBSITE: bridgestonegolf.comTECH STORYA two-piece urethane construction is designed to maximize the tangential force of the clubface to generate spin for high launch and carry.PLAYER COMMENTS"The feel is very close to a player's ball."

BRIDGESTONE e6+

STREET PRICE: $25/dozenWEBSITE: bridgestonegolf.comTECH STORYThe multilayer construction features an inner ASEV (anti-spin extra velocity) material designed to reduce sidespin for straighter shots.PLAYER COMMENTS"Drives landed low and rolled out big."

CALLAWAY HX HOT BITE

STREET PRICE: $30/dozenWEBSITE: callawaygolf.comTECH STORYThe ionomer mantle layer and the soft, resilient core are designed to improve ball velocity across a wide range of swing speeds.PLAYER COMMENTS"Solid wedge check for a long ball."

TITLEIST NXT TOUR

STREET PRICE: $30/dozenWEBSITE: titleist.comTECH STORY The outer piece of the dual-construction core is a firm polybutadiene rubber. The .05-inch cover features the new higher-coverage dimple design.PLAYER COMMENTS"Hardly plays different from a Pro V1."

PRECEPT DISTANCE IQ 180

STREET PRICE: $20/dozenWEBSITE: preceptgolf.comTECH STORYThe gradational-compression core is intended to deform optimally for moderate swing speeds.PLAYER COMMENTS"Ball flight seems more consistent than my swing."

TOP-FLITE D2 FEEL

STREET PRICE: $16/15 ballsWEBSITE: topflite.comTECH STORYThe purpose of the tiny dimples inside the main ones is to reduce drag and maintain lift. The firm cover helps improve ball speed.PLAYER COMMENTS"My long irons just kept going."

TOP-FLITE GAMER

STREET PRICE: $20/dozenWEBSITE: topflite.comTECH STORYThe three-piece construction has a dimple-within-dimple ionomer cover, a firm boundary layer and a resilient rubber core.PLAYER COMMENTS"Plays like the name suggests."

WILSON ZIP

STREET PRICE: $20/dozenWEBSITE: wilsonstaff.comTECH STORYThe smallish core has the industry's lowest compression rating. A thick mantle helps ball speed.PLAYER COMMENTS"I'd play this ball for the rest of my life. So could my dad and my son."

NIKE ONE PLATINUM/ONE BLACK

STREET PRICE: $40/dozenWEBSITE: nikegolf.comTECH STORYFeatures a progressive-density core and a new "power transfer layer" made from cross-linked ionomer beneath the mantle to improve ball speed on mis-hits.PLAYER COMMENTS"It felt a tad firm off the putter but still performed great around the greens. . . . Shot after shot flew the same distance."

SRIXON Z-URC/Z-URS

STREET PRICE: $40/dozenWEBSITE: srixon.comTECH STORYDesigners made the boundary layer underneath the .02-inch cover 38-percent thinner than the previous version to make room for a larger, 1.562-inch-diameter core. The purpose is to improve ball speed.PLAYER COMMENTS"Very workable with my irons. . . . Middle of the pack on feel."

TAYLORMADE TP RED/TP BLACK

STREET PRICE: $40/dozenWEBSITE: taylormadegolf.comTECH STORYThe dimples vary in depth and diameter and are arranged in a symmetrical pattern to reduce drag on low-spinning mis-hits. The goal is longer flight time and distance.PLAYER COMMENTS"Very durable. I hit loads of bunker shots, and the thing barely scuffed."

SRIXON TRISPEED

STREET PRICE: $25/dozenWEBSITE: sirxon.comTECH STORYMade for swing speeds of 70 miles per hour or more, the ball features a core designed to produce more initial velocity and a higher launch angle.PLAYER COMMENTS"It's the gourmet distance ball."

TAYLORMADE BURNER TP

STREET PRICE: $25/dozenWEBSITE: taylormadegolf.comTECH STORYThe 75-compression three-piece ball features the company's new proprietary iothane cover, which is designed to be soft but durable.PLAYER COMMENTS"A soft sound at impact. Not clicky."

TITLEIST NXT EXTREME

STREET PRICE: $26/dozenWEBSITE: titleist.comTECH STORYA soft-compression 1.55-inch core is designed to have a high coefficent of restitution to maximize distance across a wide range of swing speeds.PLAYER COMMENTS"Long yet consistent distance with irons."

NOODLE NOODLE+

STREET PRICE: $16/dozenWEBSITE: noodlegolf.comTECH STORYThe "Energy Propulsion" core is designed to be 10 yards longer than the previous version because of efficient energy storage.PLAYER COMMENTS"Soft feel for a two-piece ball."

PINNACLE PLATINUM FEEL

STREET PRICE: $18/dozenWEBSITE: pinnaclegolf.comTECH STORYThe revamped and larger 1.595-inch-diameter core makes for a slightly thinner Surlyn cover that is designed for a softer feel.PLAYER COMMENTS"Nothing is out of range with this ball."

TAYLORMADE BURNER

STREET PRICE: $20/dozenWEBSITE: taylormadegolf.comTECH STORYThe soft core has a compression rating of 60, and the dimple pattern is designed to prevent energy loss on mis-hits high on the face.PLAYER COMMENTS"A good multipurpose golf ball."

TITLEIST DT SOLO

STREET PRICE: $20/dozenWEBSITE: titleist.comTECH STORYIt's a two-piece ball with a thick, .65-inch Surlyn cover for durability. The ball is designed for players who need to launch the ball high.PLAYER COMMENTS"Makes you feel in control."

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