PRICE: $20/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: MediumTECH TALK: This two-piece ball with an ionomer cover has a low-compression core that's soft in the center and progressively firmer toward the cover. Flight consistency is helped by a seamless dimple pattern.VERDICT: A better-feeling option for those still playing the old Precept Laddie Xtreme and Laddie X balls.bridgestonegolf.com(•) CATEGORY LEADER
CALLAWAY
HX DIABLO
PRICE: $20/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: LowTECH TALK: A low-compression, proprietary rubber core works with an ionomer cover to improve driver speed and spin. The core is also designed to help create a softer feel at impact on full shots. The hexagonal-dimple design is intended to increase surface coverage for less drag.VERDICT: A true distance ball with the kind of feel that our player-testers consistently endorsed.callawaygolf.com
NOODLE+
Easy Distance
PRICE: $15/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: MediumTECH TALK: The two-piece ball is designed for swings slower than 85 mph. Engineers say the neodymium-based rubber core has a low compression without a loss in speed. The ionomer cover seeks to be durable yet soft.VERDICT: Slow swingers take note: surprising spin numbers for a two-piece ball.www.noodlegolf.com
TOP-FLITE
GAMER V2
PRICE: $20/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: MediumTECH TALK: Three layers, including the resilient polymer layer in the mantle, are designed to improve ball speed with longer clubs and feel with the shorter clubs.VERDICT: This ball's technology defies its price point. If the ball had a little more short-game spin performance, it would nearly be tour quality. As it is, it's still smarter and more versatile through the bag than any ball in its category.topflite.com(•) CATEGORY LEADER
PINNACLE
Dimension
PRICE: $15/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: LowTECH TALK: The purpose of the 332 icosahedral dimple pattern on this large-core, two-piece ball is to reduce drag later in flight and tighten dispersion.VERDICT: This would be our first choice under the Pinnacle brand, unless you're trying to win a long-drive contest. Then again, it might still be the right choice for you.pinnaclegolf.com
SRIXON
AD333
PRICE: $20/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: MediumTECH TALK: This two-piece model features a progressively firmer core for better speed and spin off the driver. The blended ionomers in its thin cover improve short-iron spin. The unique odd-numbered dimple pattern is designed to encourage a flatter landing angle for more roll.VERDICT: An impressive entry. Our testers found it hot off the irons with good feel. You might not need much more.srixon.com
SRIXON
SOFT FEEL
PRICE: $20/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: LowTECH TALK: This two-piece ball is ideal for slow swings and has a larger-diameter core and low-friction cover design. Soft-feel balls have the lowest compression in the Srixon line.VERDICT: This ball does two things well: It flies high and feels soft, especially for swing speeds slower than 90 mph, but it has low spin on all shots.srixon.com
TAYLORMADE
BURNER
PRICE: $20/dozenHALF-WEDGE SPIN: LowTECH TALK: The neodymium-infused rubber core works with a softer, faster blended-ionomer cover to produce a lower-compression ball with higher resiliency. The dimple pattern is designed to mitigate the loss of velocity by decreasing drag during the later stages of flight for longer carry.VERDICT: If you dig a 46½-inch driver, this might be your ball. Definitely a "distance first, ask questions later" approach.taylormadegolf.com
