GOLF BALLS: Over $40

Edited by Mike Stachura

Photos by Jim Herity

May 2009

TITLEIST PRO V1/PRO V1X

PRICE: $46/dozen
WEBSITE: titleistgolf.com

CONSTRUCTION: Below left: three-piece Pro V1; below right: four-piece Pro V1x (dual core)

COVER: Urethane elastomer

TECH STORY: The new versions feature a larger core and a thinner ionomer mantle compared with the 2007 models. The purpose is to increase ball speed. The 392 dimples on the Pro V1 help promote distance, and the dual core in the Pro V1x is designed to reduce driver spin for golfers with high swing speeds.

VERDICT: The latest improvements aren't significant advancements, but maybe they don't need to be.

BRIDGESTONE B330/B330-S/B330-RX

PRICE: $43/dozen
WEBSITE: bridgestonegolf.com

CONSTRUCTION: Below left and middle: four-piece, dual-mantle 330 and 330-S; below right: three-piece 330-RX

COVER: Thermoplastic urethane

TECH STORY: The core increases in firmness from inside to out to reduce spin on tee shots. The RX has a soft-compression core designed for golfers with swing speeds of 105 miles per hour or less.

VERDICT: The RX has the most intriguing ball technology in years, a result of consumer testing.

CALLAWAY TOUR I/TOUR IX

PRICE: $46/dozen
WEBSITE: www.callawaygolf.com

CONSTRUCTION: Both are four-piece with a dual core

COVER: Thermoset urethane

TECH STORY: The inner and outer cores work together: The soft inner core, designed to improve feel, is counter-balanced by the tungsten-infused outer core and the high-density mantle layer. As a result, most of the ball's weight is concentrated away from the center of the ball to help reduce driver spin for straighter shots and increased ball speed.

VERDICT: We applaud perimeter-weighting technology in golf balls and the underrated hexagonal dimple pattern.