GOLF BALLS: OVER $35

Edited by Mike Stachura

Photos by Jim Herity

June 2010

BALLS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

PRICE: $43/dozen
WEBSITE: bridgestonegolf.com

TECH STORY: The line now includes two options for swing speeds of less than 105 mph: the low-spinning RX for distance and the soft RXS for greenside spin. These balls complement dual-mantle models for faster swings: B330 is for swings of 112 mph or more, and the B330-S is softer.

WEDGE ROBOT TEST:
Launch: MID: B330, RX, and RXS. LOW: B330-S
Spin: HIGH: all; RX is the lowest of the four

VERDICT: Bridgestone offers the most elite choices, plus a fitting program to help you choose. Well done.

PRICE: $43/dozen
WEBSITE: callawaygolf.com

TECH STORY: Callaway's goal with these balls is to create a large disparity between driver spin (low) and wedge spin (high). For example: Callaway says the inner core is 120 compression points softer than the outer core on the i(s). The i(z) emphasizes distance but with more greenside spin than last year's Tour ix.

WEDGE ROBOT TEST:
Launch: LOW: both
Spin: HIGH: both; i(s) produces more spin

VERDICT: Although the Tour i(s) was designed to help tour players offset the spin-reducing effect of the new groove rule, it might have the soft feel average golfers want. But the i(z) might help more off the tee.

PRICE: $46/dozen
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com

TECH STORY: A five-layer ball designed to enhance spin, distance and feel in five ways: A neodymium-blend core improves resiliency, even at a low compression. The layer just outside the core optimizes long-iron shots. The next layer is a fast ionomer designed for middle-iron speed and feel. A firm third layer improves ball speed on tee shots and works with the cover for wedge-shot spin. And the urethane cover is for feel on chips and putts.

WEDGE ROBOT TEST:
Launch: MID
Spin: HIGH

VERDICT: We're not sure you can really improve long-iron spin for all golfers, but what's clear is that the sophisticated technology in the Penta works for all the shots that matter.

PRICE: $46/dozen
WEBSITE: titleist.com

TECH STORY: Both balls have urethane covers, but the Pro V1 has a single core, which has been enhanced for durability. The Pro V1x has a soft center and dual core. To improve ball speed, designers made the mantle on both balls thinner than the ones in 2007 models.

WEDGE ROBOT TEST:
Launch: LOW: both
Spin: HIGH: both

VERDICT: These are the balls all others are compared to largely because they deserve to be. Which one's for you? Titleist's new ballfitting program tabs Pro V1x if you struggle in the short game, Pro V1 if you're good around the greens.

PRICE: $45/dozen
WEBSITE: nikegolf.com

TECH STORY: The key element in the One family is a polymer layer surrounding the core. Its stronger, tighter molecular structure is designed to improve velocity and mitigate excessive spin on off-center hits. One Tour's four-piece design features an inner cover to improve feel on short-iron and wedge shots.

WEDGE ROBOT TEST:
Launch: LOW: both; One Tour D is slightly higher
Spin: HIGH: both; more spin with the One Tour

VERDICT: One Tour spins about 10 percent more. But the technology of both balls' mantles, which Nike calls "a secondary engine" for more initial speed, is most intriguing.

PRICE: $40/dozen
WEBSITE: srixon.com

TECH STORY: No one makes thinner covers. The core, which gets progressively firmer toward the outside, is designed to improve spin and launch conditions for every club in the bag. The Z-Star X is firmer for faster swing speeds (105-plus mph). A coating on the cover is intended to increase friction on short-game shots. New this year are "tour yellow" versions to improve visibility.

WEDGE ROBOT TEST:
Launch: LOW: both
Spin: HIGH: both

VERDICT: Srixon has more than 700 ball patents. Meaning: They're doing something different and something right.