How To Choose The Right Golf Ball For Your Swing

I recently saw a new product called the STANCE MINDER. It seems to fit right in with your emphasis on alignment, posture, and ball position. I would like to know your opinion on this product. At DW Quail it sells for $64.95. Thanks for your reply, Burt Remis

Surg, I have always kept the golf balls to be used next day in the house and just before leaving for to play I place them in the microwave to pre-warm them and then do as you suggest, keep them in pocket and alternate each hole. It does wonders for length on shots.
I've given Precept to my wife and sometimes used them. Good ball.
Also D2 by Top Flight I swear goes longer than any I have tried.
Julian

THANKS Surge - many thanks for covering this topic in such detail. I enjoy playing in the colder weather, know the distance is -20% or so, and know I know that ball selection is also a factor. I recently purchased a box of used ProV1s, and hit them in the cold weather - OUCH. I also recently hit some of the Laddie's loved them, now I know why. The D/T Solo was my favorite ball ever, is there an equiv since they are no longer manufactured?

How much does the ball's compression affect flight characteristics. I remember the 100-90-80 compressions, and someone telling me that the the 100 compressions will encourage a slice, never knew if that was true or not.

Also, does the traditional color markings indicate compression still? Black/Black was 100, Black/Red was 90 etc .. at least for Titleist.

Thanks again and down the middle,
Jon

Since developing my surge vertical.swing, I go straighter etc, but the longer the club the less than usual distance I am experiencing, especially the driver. I will make mention that 2 years ago I did have shoulder surgery on both shoulders due to an accident, and just turned 63. I am truly embarrassed because not long ago my average carry was 269, just today it was 219 on the simulator. I'm sick about this. The worse thing about this is I am feeling very strong this spring, the sound of the hit and the feel of the hit seems long, the I look up at the simulator and another 219 carry. Major issue with me, surge i know you can help....Chuck Rankin 3121-363-9995

An interesting video and a great read on it courtesy of Doc and Surge. I used different balls today for a change. Liked a couple of them for distance but not for putting,pitching or chipping! I tend to favour the softer versions for all round performance. Have a good stock of DT/Solo, NXT Tour, Srixon Ad333's and Srixon Soft Feel, to name but a few. Today was Wilson day. I used a couple of Wilson Dx2's and liked them.
The biggest surprise of the day was quite strange. Yesterday I managed to do a bit of chipping in the front garden. Using a complete golf hole which I can throw like a frizbee. Wherever it lands is the target. I used a mixture of brands with my usual favourite chipping clubs, the 9 and 8 irons. Added the LW,SW,PW. Then on one of my 'infamous' whims I used another club. I was stunned, it out performed the lot of them. So on today's round [teed of in the dark, with mist and very damp conditions], I decided to check it out. STUNNED yet again. I have never chipped so well ever, and my chipping is usually very good. To that I added a new putting tip to my normal putter. Between the two clubs, I have never had so many single putts in a round EVER~! The club used for chipping was a 'Hippo' 17degree DRIVING IRON!!! [a 2iron equivalent I think]. It will stay in the bag. I use it normally for long chips out of tree lines as it seems to go for long distances effortlessly.
I am still on cloud 9 at the results. DH in a warming and sunny NZ

As the Surge/Doc mentioned, a good ball to try in colder weather is the Wilson "Elite 50" low-compression ball. I'm 68 and have a slow swing speed (about 72mph). I switched to it last October, and will keep playing it until the weather warms up here in Utah. You can get them at your local WalMart for about $13/dz. They have great feel off the clubface, excellent carry, and won't break the bank. During warmer weather I play the Bridgestone e5 and really like it too. Hit 'em straight! R2

I used a real high tech method for choosing my current ball. A few weeks ago I found a 'rocketballz' ball in some cactus while playing. The following round I put it in play and shot a 38 for nine. Decided right then I liked it:) Real scientific eh? So I ordered two dozen on line. Feels great off the tee with my 98/100 mph swing speed. Hit several in the 275 range.(long for me) I've chipped 'em closer and in lately so feels good around and on the greens.

There are many balls that may work for each of us. Experimentation and feel whether real or percieved make the difference.

Ha ha! I am "envious" of anybody that even thinks about a roll out.

We basically can count on none whatsoever where I play. Usually the ball is in or within a step of the pitch mark. Good thing because there are several short holes around 275 to 285 and if there was a roll out pretty much everybody would drive those greens. As it is really only the big hitters can do it, and only high ball hitters.

All of them are uphill except one and even that one has an elevated front that stays very soft. The only way to drive those greens is to actually carry the green.

One good thing about it is that it's very easy to keep track of actual carry distance with a GPS if you carry it on the green. It is amazing how many people that think they are long can't carry those greens when they play there for the first time. The first words out of their mouths are "the ball sure doesn't carry very far here". I always laugh and tell them it carries as far as it does on their course they just don't realize how much they are getting after it hits the ground.

I know some holes at other nearby courses that are over 300 yards that are much easier to drive than a 275 yard hole where I play.

I see that DJ had a nice round in Louisiana Open today (-4).

I haven't bought a dozen golf balls since I started PPGS. My wife bought me a dozen Bridgestone e6+ two years ago. Except for two balls that I hit in a lake last year, I have only used one ball for those two years. I still have three 3-ball sleeves left from that dozen, plus a dozen Top-Flite D2's and two dozen Nitro's which I will probably never use.

I'm considering getting a sleeve of Wilson Staff Duo ($19.99/dozen) to try until the weather warms up.

Hi Surge:
I've been enjoying your videos for almost a year, finding your instruction very helpful and the questions very interesting. One question I have is about your backyard driving range. What brand of driving range/practice mat are you using in your videos? I'm looking to buy one and want the very best quality. Given your experience over the years, you've undoubtedly used many types and brands of mats and selected the best for your backyard. Thanks much, Tom A.

Feeling more comfortable and natural but little things like hip sway and a little more dipsy-doodle than I would like creep in too.

Not bad for just a few days though. I would recommend building one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kw3g1wi00

P.S. I've found that it works best for me just touching my forehead.

Thanks Surge, that really helps me with this cool weather, I did get to play the last two days, but, of course today so far we have 6" of the white stuff.

With my new driver, I hit it pretty darn good, but, what im doing is hitting above the sweet spot. I have tried teeing up more, down more, don't help. My loft is HL Taylor Made Ladies Rocketballz Bonded Driver. Shaft Matrix Xcon5... Maybe you could or someone could help me.

I sure have missed everyone, be so busy,,,

Thanks for all of your help,
Marilyn

Marilyn;

Depending on how high above center you are actually making contact, you may be closer to your sweet spot than you realize. Sweet spots have changed over the past years for drivers and other oversize clubs. Here's an article link which will explain a little about it. Good luck and congrats on the new Driver.
http://www.golf.com/instruction/find-your-drivers-hot-spot