I have been doing golf ball reviews for almost two years now. This one will be the first one that involves a direct-to-consumer product. Vice Golf has been around for some time and has established itself as a quality golf brand. In the 2020 Vice Drive golf ball review, I will let you know how the most affordable ball from the Vice lineup did on the course.

All that I read made me excited to go out and give it a try. To be fair, it does not say anywhere the ball will make you a better golfer or that it will go the longest distance. I find it very nice when the information about balls is on the realistic side like in this case. Like all my reviews, this one is also based on the ball’s performance on a par 3 course.

Who Is This Ball For?

When it comes to the targeted audience, I have to agree with the manufacturer. Due to its low compression and emphasis on distance, this ball will suit beginners and occasional golfers. One of the main reasons is new golfers usually swing the clubs slower, and this is where the low compression component comes into play.

The other two points that add to this are the price and durability. No matter if you are a new golfer or an occasional golfer, you will be losing balls (you will even with more experience, just less frequently). It is easier to cope with the loss of a less expensive ball than a premium one. If they are durable as well, it adds to the overall value for money.

However, there is one more category that can benefit from these balls. That category is senior golfers due to their slower swing speed. Vice might be not familiar to you, and that is understandable. Sometimes we have to give a chance to less known products, they may surprise us. Check below to see how the ball did through different segments of play.

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On the Green

It felt nice with this ball. I will not exaggerate when I say it was one of the nicest feelings I have experienced since I’ve been reviewing golf balls. That being said, it did take me a bit to get used to how the ball reacts on the green. Because of that, I left it short of the hole a few times.

Nonetheless, once I got used to it all was fine. It became easier to control the pace on both long and short putts. After the adjustment, the putts were finishing mostly in the 3-4 foot proximity to the hole. Some longer ones even went in which was great. Overall, putting was a very positive experience.

Around the Green

When it comes to chip and pitch shots this ball did a decent job. Bump and run chip shots are the ones I go to the most when in proximity to the green. Here the ball performed with mixed results. Most of the chips were all right with a passing grade for distance control. The feel off the club face was very soft on each shot.

One thing that this ball is lacking is a bit more greenside spin. This was noticeable with bump and run chip shots, and even more with higher trajectory chip shots. Less greenside spin does not give the ball enough stopping power so you have to rely more on your feel. Nevertheless, it is still very manageable to play this ball around the green.

Approach Shots

Approach shots are very important, especially on a par 3 course since every shot is an approach one. This is the category where the ball performed the best. First of all, the feel off the clubface vas very soft. It just felt so good to hit it every single time. Secondly, the distance control was all right, with no particular adjustments needed.

Once the ball would land on the green it would stop rolling fairly quickly. The main reason for that was the high flight trajectory. That is good because it compensates for less spin. When you add a good overall distance the ball was reaching, you get a very solid performance.

Appearance and Price

This golf ball looks simply nice. There is absolutely nothing that looks bad when you check it out. The Vice logo is written in their signature cursive which looks modern. When it comes to the alignment arrow, it is straightforward. A black line that resembles a line drawn with a sharpie and the ball’s name in white letters on it.

Regarding the price, at 19.99 USD for a dozen, it is hardly beatable. Additionally, the more boxes you order, the cheaper it gets. For a ball of this quality to be that affordable is very rare. Vice explains the price as a perk of the direct-to-consumer approach the company has. They just cut out all the middlemen and give the consumers quality balls for less money. The only shame is the ball is available only in white color. Maybe Vice can consider adding a couple of color options in the future.

UPDATE: The 2020 Vice Drive golf ball has been out of stock since the new 2024 Vice Drive came out.

Durability

I would not classify this ball as extremely durable like Vice describes its construction. That being said, I would still place it among the more durable balls in its class. After a full round, there were some visible marks on it, and maybe a scuff or two. There was nothing too concerning that would affect the performance whatsoever.