Category: Golf Balls Reviews

New 2023 Wilson Duo Soft Golf Ball Review

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This year Wilson released a new version of their softest golf ball. They are not just saying it is soft, they are claiming it is “the world’s softest golf ball”. The ball’s first version was initially released in 2011, meaning it has been around for some time. The new 2023 Wilson Duo Soft golf ball review will let you know how it was to play the newest version.

According to Wilson, the Duo Soft had a 35 compression a couple of years ago. This edition came out a touch firmer, with a compression of 40, again according to Wilson.

The ball has a core that is specially formulated for maximum energy return. What that should result in is a longer distance and an easier launch with less effort.

2023 Wilson Duo Soft Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Wilson Duo Soft Box by golfballsworld.com

The official website also states that no other ball can match the soft feel of Duo Soft. That is a very bold claim to make. We will see if there is any truth to that. Additionally, this ball is engineered for fast ball speed and low driver spin. That combination should create a straight and long ball flight. We all know that ball manufacturers like to make all sorts of claims about their products. Sometimes they are a bit exaggerated and sometimes they are real. Therefore, let’s see on which side the Duo Soft ends up.

Who Is This Ball For?

There is no simple answer to this question, no matter what you hear. In theory, this ball should suit the best golfers with slower swing speeds. But it is never that straightforward, is it? Let’s say it is going to suit you better if you are somewhere in the slow to medium swing speed range.

Again, it depends on what you are looking for in a ball. If you prefer a softer feel, this ball could also work for you. In case the distance is what makes you happy, it could be a decent option as well. Also, it is a very good option for bargain hunters. This ball’s price is hard to beat by any competitor in the same category.

Let me also tell you in what case you should probably look past the Duo Soft. If your swing speed goes beyond medium and falls into the fast category, you might not get enough out of the ball. Furthermore, if you are looking for more spin on wedge and iron shots, you won’t get that either.

PROS

  • Distance
  • Price
  • Soft Feel
  • Straight Flight

CONS

  • Low Wedges and Irons Spin
  • Not Suitable for Fast Swing Speeds

Wilson Duo Soft Review

Review by golfballsworls.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

The experience I had with this ball on the putting surface was the best of all game segments. To start with, it felt very soft on each stroke. The feeling did not change for long or short putts, it was consistent. Controlling the distance turned out to be a not-so-challenging task. It did not take me long to adjust to stroking it.

When it comes to holding the line, the ball did a decent job. This goes both for long and short putts, whether I stroke it harder or softer. I have noticed that I was reaching the hole or going past it on most occasions. For that matter, it was happening more often than during my typical round. Finally, the alignment arrow did a decent job of helping me align the putts.

Around the Green

Chipping was a bit of a mixed bag with this ball. Let’s start with the feeling. As you can already guess, the ball felt very soft upon contact. No matter if the chips in question were bump-and-runs or higher trajectory ones. On higher chips, the ball would pop up in the air with ease, no matter how close to the green.

Overall, the short game was decent. However, there was one thing that I did not enjoy much. There is a very noticeable lack of greenside spin. I am perhaps being a bit too strict here. Understandably, it is not meant to have a lot of greenside spin, but I am just being honest with my opinion here.

Approach Shots

Again, because of the fact I do reviews on a par 3 course, every shot is an approach shot. Where do I start from? For someone who enjoys striking the ball, I have to say I did enjoy striking this one. There are a few positive things I have to point out. Firstly, it felt soft on each strike, in a good way.

The flight trajectory was high on average, exactly how the engineers had envisioned it. And, yes, it did go a long distance. However, at the same time, I had a slight issue with that. Most of the time it would go a bit too long, which led to it landing on the back of the greens. For some reason, I struggled with distance control, just couldn’t get a hang of it.

What the consequences of that were, most of the time the ball would just roll off the green. Even with the higher flight trajectory, it would not hold the green if landed too far back. Here is where I noticed the lack of spin the most. When I managed to land it around the front or middle of the green, it would be fine. But that happened only on a few occasions.

Durability

I have to say I am slightly disappointed with the durability. This does not mean whatsoever that the ball did terribly, but it maybe did a bit worse than expected. After one round on a par 3 course, it had a few marks and a couple of scuffs on the cover. The marks were mostly fine, but the scuffs did not look nice. Maybe it is just me, but I would expect a bit more in this department.

Appearance and Price

When it comes to appearance, this ball looks just average. It has the classic Wilson Staff logo above the “Wilson” writing, with the number in red below. The alignment arrow looks a bit too simple compared to other competitors. As far as Wilson golf balls go, I like the Triad appearance better than this one.

Here is a strong suit for this ball, its price. In the 2-piece ionomer cover category, it is hard to beat it. Additionally, these balls often go on promotions where you can get a good deal. Besides the classic white, the ball comes in yellow, green, orange, and red colors. This kind of variety with the price is a good combination.

Final Verdict

To summarize, this ball gives a decent value for money. No matter if you are a beginner, like a soft feel and long distance, or just a deal hunter, this ball could be for you. It will not give you a ton of workability, but it can suit you well if you simply want to enjoy golfing. For the price, you might as well just give it a try.

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2023 Bridgestone e6 Golf Ball Review

2023 Srixon Soft Feel Golf Ball Review

2023 Bridgestone e6 Golf Ball Review

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This year Bridgestone released a new version of their best-selling golf ball, the e6. Besides being very popular, it is the longest-serving ball in their lineup. It has been 15 years since the first version came out, that says a lot. After several versions, the 2023 Bridgestone e6 golf ball review will give you an idea of what it is all about.

The ball is mostly known for a few things; low compression, soft feel, and consumer-friendly price. Those things make it appealing to a wide range of recreational golfers.

I couldn’t find the compression rating for the new release, but it is most likely similar to the 2021 model, which was around 44. That would leave it among the softest two-piece golf balls on the market.

Bridgestone e6 Golf Ball Box by golfballsworld.com

According to sources from Bridgestone, their objective is to have a ball that is easy to compress. Additionally, they want it to be easy to get in the air and have a soft feel for the consumer. Furthermore, they add that it is made with softer materials which should help to get the clickiness out of the impact.

Based on the company’s website, the ball features a softer and larger core for faster compression. They state it results in a longer distance off the tee. As always, all that is said about a new ball sounds promising. However, it is up to us, who ultimately play the ball, to decide what the actual result is going to be.

Who Is This Ball For?

So, like with many balls on the market, it is hard to pinpoint a specific group of golfers this one would suit the most. Nevertheless, there is a group that might not benefit from it as much. I am talking about fast-swinging players. When the ball is as low-compressed as this one, fast swings are not as efficient.

On the other hand, everyone with slow to medium swing speeds could find it useful. Being a two-piece ball, it is not as workable as a premium golf ball. That means lower handicappers might not get out of it as much as they want. It does not make it necessarily a bad choice, just a different one.

This ball is built to be soft, have less spin, and go a longer distance. Those are the key things you should know if you are looking into it. Besides all that, it comes at a very reasonable price. All together makes it a ball that caters to a wide range of players.

PROS

  • Long Distance
  • Price
  • Soft Feel
  • Straight Flight

CONS

  • Lack of Color Options
  • Lower Spin
  • Not Suitable for Faster Swing Speeds

Bridgestone e6 Golf Ball Review

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

Like every review, I always start from the green backward. There is one thing I have to state before I go further. When I played this ball, the greens were sanded. That means I did not get the best conditions to test it. Nonetheless, it turned out to be better than expected. Let’s see how it rolled.

Briefly, it rolled very well considering the sand and a softer fall-like green surface. The first thing to note is the softness upon contact. That results in a very mellow sound pleasant to the ear. Once you go past the feel and sound, comes the performance. I had a relatively easy time to adapt to its pace. That led to a decent putting round.

Let’s start with longer putts. Overall, it worked, except a couple of times when it ended just a touch too short. Those times were on uphill putts, while downhill ones were all right. Short putts were another story, much better. It always held the line, both when I paced it and when I hit it harder to go straight. Putting gets a very high mark.

Around the Green

I have to say the chipping experience was a mixed bag. There were some very good ones, and then there were some very bad ones. As much as I would like to, I can’t even blame it on the conditions. That being said, my go-to bump-and-run chip shots worked well for the most. When I made good contact, the ball did well.

I will point out the ball fell soft on contact and it held the line well once it rolled on the green. When I had to go a bit higher in the air I had different outcomes. A couple of times it felt like the ball came too weak off my clubface. All in all, it mostly did what was intended. There were no major concerns around the green.

Approach Shots

When I test balls I do it on a par 3 course. For that reason, all the shots are approach shots. This was the part I probably enjoyed even more than putting. If you guessed the reason was the soft feel, you are right. Hitting this ball was extremely pleasant. And the sound it produced upon contact was a bare minimum.

To start, the distance was consistent with my usual. There was no need to adjust to that part. On average the ball was producing a higher flight trajectory which was helping with holding the greens. Additionally, it was flying as straight as it gets. There were no challenges with half, three-quarter, or full shots. The e6 did very well in this department.

Durability

Shortly, this ball did not show exceptional durability, but it did show good enough durability. I have seen balls that did better, but not too many. After one full round on a par 3 course, there were a few marks on it. There were a few scuffs too, with one looking a bit worse than the others. All in all, satisfying durability.

Appearance and Price

Appearance-wise the ball barely changed compared to the previous model. The only change, and that is usually the case, was the alignment arrow. Now it is a straight line with a couple of dots at the end versus a straight arrow-like line on the old model. The important thing is that it does the job of helping to align the ball for the putts. Otherwise, it looks as nice and clean as any other Bridgestone golf ball model.

The price is most likely one of the ball’s strongest selling points. I have only found the optic yellow version, which speaks a lot about its popularity and affordability. Speaking of colors, Bridgestone could add maybe a couple more besides the white and optic yellow. Anyway, the price can be hardly beaten in the same category on the market.

Final Verdict

To summarize, you can’t go wrong with the e6. It is a very solid ball that will work for a large number of recreational golfers. If it ticks your boxes, you should give it a try. In case you have played it in the past or you still play it, you know what to expect. There is a ball for everyone out there, maybe this one is for you.

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2023 Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball Review

2023 Srixon Soft Feel Golf Ball Review

2023 Bridgestone e9 Long Drive Golf Ball Review

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This year Bridgestone came out with a new golf ball, the e9 Long Drive. As the name itself suggests, it is built mainly for one purpose. That is to get as far down the fairway as physically possible. In the new 2023 Bridgestone e9 Long Drive golf ball review, we’ll see how it feels to play this ball on the course.

Since this ball’s purpose is to go far, it was co-developed with the World Long Drive Association. It features Extreme Gradational core technology.

A fast outer region enhances ball speed. Simultaneously, a soft inner area provides optimal spin control ensuring a steady ball trajectory.

Moreover, the ball showcases a streamlined, 330-dimple cover designed to minimize air resistance and maximize ball speed. That is all you need to smash it a long way.

2023 Bridgestone e9 Long Drive Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Bridgestone e9 Long Drive Box by golfballsworld.com

According to Bridgestone, this ball’s compression is around 75. That would place this ball into the medium compression category. Now, this ball’s objective is to go far. However, I am inquisitive about how it will perform on the golf course. Coming from Bridgestone, I am expecting it to do well. How well it is going to do, we’ll find out.

Who Is This Ball For?

The more I read about who the golf balls are made for, the more I slightly changed my opinion. Now, it is not just because of what the experts say. It has also to do with my playing experience. I indeed started realizing that the compression rating of a golf ball does not necessarily determine who should play it.

All that being said, I am starting a new approach to who a certain ball is for. In this case, the medium compression means that the ball will feel softer upon contact. Golfers with higher swing speeds should benefit from it the most. Even golfers with lower and medium swing speeds could play it, as they point out on the Bridgestone website.

You have to remember, that this ball is built to go far. That means the spin will be lower across the board. Yes, it might go further than other balls, but there will be sacrifices made. Most importantly, the short game could suffer more than any other area. Also, you might not be able to shape the shots as you want if you usually do it.

In conclusion, there is one thing that could make you want to try this ball. That reason is if you want to hit the ball as far as possible. It is a niche market two-piece golf ball that might be worth giving a try. The ball is designed for a higher launch and more carry. If you are looking for that, go for it by any means.

PROS

  • Distance
  • Higher Launch
  • Price
  • Straight Flight Trajectory

CONS

  • Lower Greenside Spin

Bridgestone e9 Long Drive Golf Ball Review

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

The way the putter was connecting with the ball gave me a soft sensation. Despite the soft feel, it was making a bit clicky sound. That is probably due to its Surlyn cover which is a bit harder than an urethane one. It was nothing overly loud or unpleasant, just a bit different from what I am used to.

On short putts, things were pretty smooth. When it came to the longer ones, things got trickier. More often than not, the ball didn’t go as far as I thought it would. Nobody likes to leave the ball short. The part that worked well was the ball holding the line. Wherever I aimed it, it felt like the ball was going there. Overall, putting was a positive experience.

Around the Green

First of all, I have to say the feeling of chipping and pitching was soft. That does not come as a surprise due to the medium compression. When it comes to performance, let’s start with my go-to chip shots, bump and run chips. For some reason, I was leaving them short. Must have been a day like that, nothing to do there.

On a bit higher trajectory chips, I was consistently encountering challenges with getting the ball to release more. As with the lower ones, I just kept falling short of the targeted landing area. That most definitely did not help with the ball releasing enough. On top of everything, the lack of greenside spin did not help the cause.

Approach Shots

As I usually mention here, I test the balls on a par 3 course. That means every shot is an approach shot. This ball showed a fairly noticeable decrease in spin compared to what I am used to. That caused a lack of stopping power which often led to the ball rolling out too much after landing on the green.

The higher flight trajectory did help sometimes with the ball stopping a bit quicker on the green. When I took my shots, I could see that it consistently produced a straight and predictable trajectory. My misses were consistent compared to my usual game, so all good there. I noticed, occasionally, that the ball was a bit jumpy off the clubface.

All in all, I had a decent experience hitting this ball, but not as satisfying as it could have been.

Durability

This ball has shown a very decent level of durability. You might expect that from a ball built to be smashed by the driver. After a full round, there were only a few spots with visible damage. There was nothing too seriously scuffed or marked. Bridgestone has done a good job in this department.

Appearance and Price

When it comes to appearance, it looks nice and clean like all the Bridgestone balls. The 330 dimples are different sizes which makes the cover look a bit asymmetric. To see that you have to look very closely, but there is nothing wrong with it. The alignment arrow is identical to the e6 and e12 Contact models, straightforward.

Considering this ball was developed for a niche market, the price could be a touch lower. Instead of it being the same as the e12 Contact, maybe it could be closer to the e6 price point. Nonetheless, it is still fairly affordable and represents a good value for the money spent. It is available in white, yellow, orange, and pink colors.

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, this is a quality product and a solid choice. That is if you fall into the targeted market, but not only then. It is still a ball that you can play even if hitting it long is not your ultimate goal. As is the case with any ball out there, some golfers will like it, some will not.

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TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Ball Review

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2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball Review

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After refreshing its premium golf balls lineup last year, Bridgestone did the same with the rest of them this year. Here we are talking about the well-known e6 and e12 Contact. They also introduced a new ball, the e9 Long Drive, which I will review soon. Nonetheless, this is the new 2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball review.

The e12 Contact has been around for a bit of time now, to be precise this is the fourth generation. That says this ball is here to stick around for the future as well.

It is described as the ultimate choice for golfers looking to improve their game. One of the reasons for that is the FLEXATIV Cover Technology and Contact Force Dimple.

Those two combined create 46% more surface contact, resulting in more efficient energy transfer and longer, straighter distances with the driver.

2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact Box by golfballsworld.com

Also, according to Bridgestone’s website, with increased friction, the spin and control around the green are better. Based on all of the above, there are reasons to be excited about this ball. I can see it being a game improvement ball since it has a three-layer construction, but it does not fall into the premium ball category. Now let’s see how the ball performed.

Who Is This Ball For?

The new Bridgestone e12 Contact came out with the new Flexativ technology which should improve the ball performance compared to the previous version. That improvement translates into better contact, longer distance, straighter trajectory, and more greenside spin. It remains in the lower compression ball category.

Based on all of the above, this ball should suit golfers with slow to moderate swing speeds. I do agree with Bridgestone that it is a ball for players who are improving. However, more advanced golfers might want a bit more out of a golf ball. It might go far on tee shots, but it still lacks spin with irons and wedges compared to premium balls.

If you are in a stage of your game where you want to move away from two-layered balls, this one could be an option. It is a good transitional choice for a fair price. In case you just want a ball that goes far off the tee, it is again a solid choice. Bridgestone has been working hard on this model, it is worth trying it out.

PROS

  • Distance
  • Multiple Color Options
  • Price
  • Soft Feel

CONS

  • Less Approach and Greenside Spin
  • Not Suited for Fast Swing Speeds

Bridgestone e12 Contact Review

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

To put it in simple words, this ball performed very well on the green. Let’s start with the feel. Every time I stroke it with my putter, it felt soft. It was making a pleasant sound that was on the mellow side. Now on to the putting itself. Overall, I had no issues with adjusting to this ball. Right from the start I found the right pace.

I was especially pleased with the longer putts. When I needed the ball to hold the line and hit it stronger, it did that with no problem. This was the case with uphill putts, both long and short. Putts that had a bit of break in them worked decently with no particular hiccups. It was all good in this area of the game.

Around the Green

Like putting, this ball felt soft and nice around the green. I am a primarily bump-and-run type of chips golfer. Therefore, for me, it is important how the ball performs in this area. It performed well enough with a couple of chips that did not end up as planned. I could see the lack of spin compared to premium balls, but that was not a big deal.

I have chipped more times than usual this round, so I had more chances to see how the ball did. That means there were one or two higher trajectory chips which are not my strong suit. Nonetheless, it did not end too badly. On the contrary, it baled me out on multiple occasions saving the round from a tragic score.

Approach Shots

Since I test golf balls on a par 3 course, each shot is an approach shot. First, I have to say the ball went straight on every shot. What I mean by that is even if it went right or left it still went straight. I did not notice any excessive fading or drawing. The ball simply held its line no matter which direction it went.

I didn’t try shot shaping, but this time it did not happen even by accident. In general, the mis-hits were manageable. When it comes to stopping power, again, it is not as great as premium balls. That being said, it was still decent. I had no problem with changing flight height when needed which is always a plus.

It is worth mentioning that the feeling when hitting it was soft. That does not come as a surprise due to the lower compression. All in all, it performed well from the tee box.

Durability

This ball has shown decent durability. After a full round, there were only a few marks and a couple of scuffs showing on the ionomer cover. There are certainly balls that are more durable than this one, but also some that are less durable. This ball falls somewhere in the middle of the pack which makes it a solid choice.

Appearance and Price

The e12 Contact is a specific ball when it comes to appearance. It has a unique and different dimple pattern design which makes it stand out. This is not new, as the dimple design change came out with the previous model. There was a slight change with the alignment arrow, which now, in my opinion, looks modern and a bit nicer than the 2021 model.

Where the e12 Contact has a competitive advantage is the price. All its direct competitors except the Srixon Q-Star Tour come at a steeper price. For what you get performance-wise this ball is a great value for money. On top of that it is available in white, matte red, matte green, and matte yellow colors.

Final Verdict

To sum it up, this is a very good golf ball. It will certainly not give you a premium golf ball performance, but it is not even built to do that. This ball caters to the middle of the skill level golf audience. If you are looking to try something different that will not cost you big bucks, you might want to look into this one.

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2023 Callaway ERC Soft Golf Ball Review

2022 Srixon Q-Star Tour Golf Ball Review

2023 Callaway Warbird Golf Ball Review

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Let me start by saying this is an unusual two-piece golf ball. Why is that, you ask? For a simple reason, it has an above-average compression rating. Multiple sources have it at 90. Other two-piece balls rarely come close to that. In the 2023 Callaway Warbird golf ball review I will let you know how it felt to play it.

Callaway classifies this product as a distance ball stating that it creates maximum speed from a large energy core. They also say the high-energy core is highly compressible which helps to gain more distance.

The HEX Aerodynamics design promotes a high launch and long carry with an impressive feel and control to complement all that distance. They also add that the optimized ionomer cover and large core provide a greenside feel and control.

2023 Callaway Warbird Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Callaway Warbird Box by golfballsworld.com

I have never played any ball with such a high compression rate. For that reason, I had no expectations whatsoever on how this ball would behave on the golf course.

Who Is This Ball For?

Knowing this ball’s compression rating, you would think it is suited for players with faster swing speeds. I do not fall into that category, and I felt the ball worked just fine for my game. It could be because of the highly compressible core that Callaway mentions on their website. Now, the main target audience for this product is golfers looking for distance before anything else. It worked well for that.

As a two-piece golf ball, you should not expect any miraculous performance from it. That being said, it still does a good job all around. Besides the distance, its strongest suit is the price. It is the cheapest ball in the Callaway lineup which makes it attractive to budget golfers and especially beginners.

There are not many balls out there from major brands that perform decently at a low price. I can say this one does that. If you just started golfing and don’t want to stress out over losing an expensive ball, this could be for you. Callaway keeps releasing new versions which means it is reliable and does the job.

PROS

  • Beginner Friendly
  • Distance
  • Price

CONS

  • Durability
  • Might not Suit Fast Swing Speeds
  • Lower Greenside Spin

2023 Callaway Warbird Golf Ball

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

If I had to describe the putting experience with one word, I would say average. It just felt like my putts were all over the place to what I usually see. Nevertheless, that did not mean all were bad. There were some good ones, and even the misses were not too far from the hole.

The main issue was too much inconsistency. I was short, then long, then short again, and so on. It didn’t even matter what distance it was from. I simply couldn’t adjust to it completely. Even the sound was a bit clicky compared to other two-piece balls. Granted, that can probably be attributed to the higher compression.

Around the Green

The bump and run is my chip shot of choice. Therefore, I asses the ball’s performance primarily based on that shot. This ball did all right, but nothing more than that. Again, like with putting, the sound it was making was on the clicky side. Further, like with putting, I just couldn’t quite adjust to it.

It did not produce enough greenside spin so I had to land it shorter and let it release toward the hole. As I said above, it didn’t do too badly, but it wasn’t great either. Yes, you can make it work but do not expect it to do any miracles regarding chipping and pitching.

Approach Shots

As I like to repeat, the approach shots are essential here since I do reviews on a par 3 course. I am happy to say this was the most enjoyable part of the round. Let’s start with the sound. Surprisingly, it did not sound as clicky as it did with the other parts of the game. For the matter, it felt nice upon contact.

The distances were consistent with my usual ones, which was nice. It did a very decent job on mis-hits which were in line with my regular ones. The flight was medium to high with a tendency toward higher flight. That was helping the ball to stop on the green quickly. Consequently, it had more spin than I expected which contributed to the stopping power.

Durability

So far all the Callaway recreational ball new releases have shown very decent durability. It is the same case with this one. After a round on a par 3 course, there were only a few marks and scuffs visible. To be fair, the Supersoft and the Supersoft MAX have shown a bit better durability, but the Warbird is not far behind.

Appearance and Price

The ball has a very similar appearance to the Supersoft and the Supersoft MAX. There is no difference when it comes to the logo or the ball number. If you look further, you can see where the only difference is. While the alignment arrow is very similar, the difference is at the end of each side. Overall, a very simple and functional look.

If there is any category where this ball stands out, that is the price. It is very hard to beat. Warbird is the cheapest ball in the Callaway lineup and is among the cheapest balls among the big brands. This is something that will interest golfers on a budget as well as new golfers who could lose one here and there.

Final Verdict

For a ball that is among the cheapest ones on the market, this one did very well. It exceeded my expectations and showed good performance all around. Like every recreational ball, it has its limitations which does not make it a bad choice for golfers who do not mind that.

There are a lot of golf balls on the market. I have already mentioned some groups that could find value in it. Another group of players who could find it interesting is occasional golfers. This ball will do fine if you want to just go out there and play from time to time. For that price, there is not much that can go wrong.

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2020 TaylorMade Distance Plus Golf Ball Review

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2023 Srixon Soft Feel Golf Ball Review

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While looking into some info about this golf ball I found something interesting. The ball was first released in 2006, impressive. If something lasts that long, there must be something to it. Nonetheless, the 2023 Srixon Soft Feel golf ball review was my reason to try this product for the very first time.

Let’s start with some essential info directly from Srixon. I was surprised to learn that the ball features Srixon’s FastLayer Core technology, the same one used in all of their premium golf balls.

That is unusual since this is a two-piece ionomer ball targeted to a different audience. In any case, good for them. They also state that the FastLayer Core gradually transitions from a soft inner core to a firm outer edge.

2023 Srixon Soft Feel Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Srixon Soft Feel Box by golfballsworld.com

The core’s softer inner layers help to reduce long-game spin, while the firmer outer layers contribute to more ball speed and greater distance. It also features a 338 Speed Dimple Pattern on a soft, thin cover that provides more greenside spin and a softer feel on pitches, chips, and putts. All that sounds very promising, now let’s see how it did on the course.

Who Is This Ball For?

Let’s start with the compression rating which is 60 for this ball. That places it in the low compression rating category targeting low to medium-swing speed golfers. Usually, balls in that category do not suit players with fast swing speeds. It is suitable for anyone who prefers that soft feel when you hit it.

All that translates to the fact this ball is made for recreational golfers who want distance and feel before anything else. Two-piece ionomer balls are usually built for straighter flight trajectories. They are not intended for shot shaping like the more expensive multi-piece premium ones.

The more than friendly price places it among the cheaper balls in the category. That also gives it an excellent value-for-money label. Srixon is doing a great job when it comes to its golf balls and this one is no exception. If you have recognized yourself anywhere above, you could try this ball.

PROS

  • Beginner Friendly
  • Distance
  • Durability
  • Price

CONS

  • Not Suited for Fast Swing Speeds

2023 Srixon Soft Feel

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

Let’s say this ball made my putting look very decent. Since the get-go, I have found the right touch for it. That showed particularly on long putts. The pace control worked well immediately, helping me make some nice long ones or get the ball close to the hole. Short putts also worked fine with the ball holding the line very well.

As far as sound is concerned, it produced a mellow one. It didn’t feel as soft as the Callaway Supersoft, but it wasn’t far off. There is not much else to say about putting. The overall performance on the green was as solid as it gets.

Around the Green

I am usually quite skeptical in this area when trying two-piece low-compression golf balls. The main reason is their lack of greenside spin compared to premium balls. That being said, this one exceeded my expectations. I found that it had more greenside spin than most of the balls in the category I have previously tried.

Fair enough, I do not go for flop shots or chips with higher flight trajectories. However, I did notice the ball was stopping quicker on my go-to bump and run chip shots. Not only that, but I was able to control the distance most of the time. This ball is an example of decent greenside spin, good job for Srixon.

Approach Shots

I always mention that my ball testing is done on a par 3 course. That gives the approach shots additional importance since every tee shot is an approach shot. Let me start with the flight. On the box, Srixon states it is mid-high. I can confirm it was like that with more shots being on the higher side.

The average higher flight helped the ball to stop quickly on the greens. That is important in this case due to the lower spin compared to premium golf balls. The distances were consistent with my usual ones which was a good sign. It behaved decently even when I would misstrike it, like hitting it lower on the clubface.

The misses were in line with my typical ones, nothing was out of the ordinary there. Flight manipulation worked as well when I needed it. It did feel softer upon contact which is no surprise due to the lower compression rating. Hitting this ball felt good.

Durability

Despite the solid performance in all the areas, I wasn’t impressed with anything like I was with the durability. This ball showed, along with the Callaway Supersoft, arguably the best durability I have seen so far. I could barely find a couple of marks and scuffs on the ball after a round on a par 3 course.

The durability adds to its overall value making it a great option for golfers on a budget. No matter if you are a golfer on a budget or you just want your balls to last longer, you could look into this one.

Appearance and Price

The ball has the standard Srixon look with one exception. While the logo and the alignment arrow are in the traditional black ink, the number comes in a variation of green color. It looks nice. The alignment arrow is a standard black line with white letters inside that read Soft Feel. It is available in pure white and tour yellow colors.

There are not many balls in the category from major brands that can beat the Soft Feel price. When you add everything, its price makes it an exceptional value for money. That can be attractive, particularly for new golfers. In any case, the price is hard to beat for what you get.

Final Verdict

What to say in the end about this golf ball? It ticked all the boxes when it came to expectations from a two-piece ball. There are many different reasons why golfers buy a specific golf ball. Some are subjective and some are objective. If you do decide to give it a try, you might like it. In case you don’t like it, there are plenty of other balls to look into.

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2023 Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball Review

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2023 Callaway ERC Soft Golf Ball Review

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If a golf ball makes it to the third generation, something must be working well. In the 2023 Callaway ERC Soft golf ball review I will let you know how its third generation turned out. Let’s start with Callaway’s main marketing message for this ball. They say it is their longest ball with a soft feel and greenside control. Sounds promising already.

One of the industry leaders made some innovations regarding the material used in production. They introduced the all-new GRIP Urethane Coating System that provides more greenside spin.

On top of that, the cover is paired with an all-new HyperElastic SoftFast core that increases ball speed. The ERC Soft is built with a versatile, multi-material construction cover. That helps with distance, a soft feel, and durability.

2023 Callaway ERC Soft Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Callaway ERC Soft Box by golfballsworld.com

When it comes to the compression rating, various sources have it from around 60 to above 70. The exact number often varies from ball to ball, but it is in that range. That places this ball somewhere between low and medium compressed balls, but still with a softer feel.

Who Is This Ball For?

This golf ball is in the, as I like to call it, middle golf balls category. That means it is a three-piece construction ball, but it is not a premium one used on tour. There are several balls in this category and all of them perform a bit better than the two-piece ones, but not quite like premium ones.

I would say there are two types of golfers who could play this ball. First, it could suit players who have been playing two-piece balls and their game is ready for the next step. Meaning, that they now have more shots in the bag they can use and are looking for a ball that can help them do that.

Second, golfers who do not want to pay top dollar for premium balls, but are looking for some workability in the ball. The ERC Soft will give you a soft feel and more spin than two-piece balls. It will mostly benefit golfers with slower to medium swing speeds who are looking for a reliable golf ball at a middle-of-the-pack price.

PROS

  • Decent Amount of Spin
  • Distance
  • High Flight Trajectory
  • Soft Feel

CONS

  • Not Suitable for Faster Swing Speeds
  • Price

2023 Callaway ERC Soft

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

Putting was the area where the ball performed marginally better than in the other segments. That is not necessarily because of my display, but actually because of how the ball did itself. To start with, the sound was not as mellow as the Supersoft or the Supersoft MAX, but still on the mellow side.

It felt soft upon nice contact. Performance-wise, I found the pace control was very good with this ball. I didn’t need any adjustment, it worked from the get-go. No matter if the putt was long or short, it just held the line very well. The same goes for uphill and downhill putts. Only positive things when it comes to putting.

Around the Green

There is one important thing to know when it comes to shots around the green. My preferred shot is the bump and run. I will even not shy away from pulling the putter out of the bag, as soon as there is a chance. That being said, I did mostly bump and runs with this ball. It worked very well, even with short-sided delicate chips.

The ball had more greenside spin than the Supersoft or the Supersoft MAX. That is still less than the premium balls, but it gets the job done. Needless to say, the ball felt soft for both chips and pitches from shorter distances. Don’t expect it to check like premium balls, but expect it to do a solid job around the green.

Approach Shots

I always mention the importance of approach shots in my reviews, since I review the balls on a par 3 course. The first thing I will mention here is the feel. You have guessed it, this ball felt soft upon contact. That is when the contact was good, but even on mis-hits did not feel bad at all.

On average, the flight trajectory was higher. Along with a decent amount of spin, that helped with the ball holding the greens well. I felt there were no issues whatsoever when it came to distance control. Overall distance was fine as well. Finally, I like to manipulate the flight trajectory and shot shape on occasion. The ball did well in both segments.

Durability

If I had to describe the durability, it would be average. There were no massive marks or scuffs, but there still were a few. I would perhaps attribute that to the hybrid cover which does contain some form of urethane. It was playable for more rounds after this one. Durability gets a passing grade.

Appearance and Price

The ERC Soft is specific for one thing. It is the only ball in the Callaway lineup that comes only with the Triple Track Dagger alignment technology. That is perfectly fine especially if you are using one of the Odyssey Triple Track putters. It looks a bit busy around the logo area, but nothing too bad.

Price-wise it falls in the middle among direct competitors. It is less expensive than the Titleist Tour Speed or the TaylorMade Tour Response, but it is more expensive than the Bridgestone e12 Contact or the Srixon Q-Star Tour. For that reason, the price is just ok.

Final Verdict

After playing this new edition of the Callaway ERC Soft, I can just say it is an all-around solid performance golf ball. Besides that, the only thing is the price. Again, it is not too steep, but it is not low either. In the end, Callaway released a very good product that lives up to its standard. If the price is not an obstacle, I would recommend trying this ball.

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2023 Callaway Supersoft MAX Golf Ball Review

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One thing separates this golf ball from all the other balls made by major manufacturers that are available on the market. It is an oversized ball. Does that make it legal? Absolutely. A golf ball can be larger in diameter if its weight does not exceed the maximum of 1.620 oz (45.9 g). In the 2023 Callaway Supersoft Max golf ball review find out how this larger ball did on the course.

This is the second generation of the Supersoft MAX golf ball. Callaway markets it as a unique offering that’s engineered for maximum distance from maximum forgiveness.

They also say it is their longest ball for slow-speed players, built to create faster ball speeds from high launch and low spin. As always, it all sounds very promising.

2023 Callaway Supersoft MAX Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Callaway Supersoft MAX Box by golfballsworld.com

It is a 2-piece ionomer cover golf ball which means it is primarily built for distance. Its compression rating is around 40, which is consistent with the previous model. Along with its cousin, the Supersoft, that puts it among the softest golf balls on the market. Now, enough with the introduction, let’s move on to the review.

Who Is This Ball For?

A couple of answers seem natural for this golf ball, but we’ll come to them shortly. To start with, this is a soft, two-piece, ionomer cover ball. It is built mainly for players with slower to medium swing speeds. I agree with Callaway that is best for slow-swing speed golfers due to its low compression rating.

It will not give you a ton of spin and the possibility to work it like a premium ball. But that is fine, that is not its main purpose anyway. Its main purpose is to go a long distance while being easier to hit. The oversized nature of this ball is one of its selling points. It is also something that separates it from the other balls on the market.

Now we come to the answer to the main question. It is actually what you would think. As I have mentioned above it is a good option for players with slower swing speeds. More importantly, this golf ball is an excellent choice for beginners. Due to its size, it is easier to make contact with it. When you start golfing, nothing is more important than just hitting that ball.

PROS

  • Beginner Friendly
  • Distance
  • Durability
  • Easier to Hit
  • Price

CONS

  • Lower Spin
  • Not Suited for Faster Swing Speeds

2023 Callaway Supersoft MAX Golf Ball Review

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

Since this is the slightly bigger version of the standard Callaway Supersoft, the putting experience was similar. On contact, it felt soft and made a very mellow sound. It didn’t take me a long time to adjust to it. This was a good thing since I regularly play balls that have a more than double compression rating and softer covers.

The ball was rolling well, particularly on long putts. There were no issues with holding the line and directing it where the putter was pointing. You would think that, due to its size, the hole gets smaller. However, the size difference does not make any significant impact. Putting with this ball was definitely on the positive side.

Around the Green

This is a part of the game where you could potentially see the biggest difference compared to three-piece golf balls. That is mainly due to the lack of spin. You will notice it, especially if you are trying to go for a hop and stop play or if you are short-sided and need a flop shot. Luckily, I do not go for those shots too often.

In my case, it worked well enough since my go-to chip is the bump and run. It took some adjustment, but once I got the hang of it, it worked just fine. Lately, I have started to use the putter more often when closer to the green. When it comes to that situation, this ball did a decent job.

Approach Shots

On a par 3 course, where I test golf balls, every shot is an approach shot. That fact gives this category so much more importance. One of the things Callaway states for this ball is high launch. I did notice that this contributed to a higher average height trajectory. That is a good thing because it helps the ball to stop sooner on the green.

On lower trajectory shots that I sometimes use, the ball did okay. Because of the lower spin, I just had to hit it a bit shorter to give it time to stop. This is another area where the ball felt soft off the clubface. I have to say that the mis-hits were not so bad. My misses were consistent with my current performances on courses. Overall, it felt good hitting this golf ball.

Appearance and Price

As you can imagine, the Supersoft MAX is the carbon copy of the Supersoft just larger. The only little difference is that on the alignment arrow, it says “MAX” instead of “Supersoft”. By the way, that alignment is very helpful in case you do align your ball when putting. It looks as if you’ve done it with a marker.

Price-wise, this ball is among the cheapest ones out there in the soft two-piece golf ball category. The price is the same as for the regular Supersoft. However, it is only available in the standard white color whereas the Supersoft comes in multiple color options. Nonetheless, it is a very good value for money.

Durability

Like its smaller cousin, this ball has shown great durability. After a full round on a par 3 course, there were only a few marks and scuffs visible. I would place it among the category leaders when it comes to withstanding hit after hit. This adds to its value and makes it a very attractive option for golfers who do not want to overspend.

Final Verdict

To summarize, there are not many bad things to say about this golf ball. It performs exactly how you would expect from a two-piece low compression ball. With this product, Callaway tapped into a niche market where it can help golfers make better contact and gain confidence. At the end of the day, those are things that can help you enjoy golf more.

If you play the Supersoft or prefer low-compression golf balls, and need to improve contact, this could be an option for you. It can help you through the improvement period with less frustration on the course. Eventually, you can go back to a smaller golf ball or just keep playing this one. I can see this ball helping a lot of golfers to make their first steps. Good job for Callaway.

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2023 Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball Review

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2023 Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball Review

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This golf ball is one of the most popular among recreational golfers. In the very competitive two-piece ball market, it is possibly the most popular one. Despite its popularity, this is the first time I have tried it myself. I had a general idea of what to expect, but this 2023 Callaway Supersoft golf ball review will let you know how it all unfolded.

Like every time there is a new generation of golf balls on the market, the companies claim everything is better and improved. That is the case this time as well.

The HyperElastic SoftFast core helps with ball speed and a soft feel around the green. When it comes to distance, a very soft feel, and durability, Callaway attributes it all to the Hybrid Cover.

2023 Callaway Supersoft Box by golfballsworld.com
2023 Callaway Supersoft Box by golfballsworld.com

According to industry experts, the new Supersoft compression rating is around 40. That places it among the softest golf balls on the market. It has a lot of fans which makes it the most popular Callaway golf ball next to the premium Chrome Soft. Without further introduction, check below how the ball did on the golf course.

Who Is This Ball For?

There is one thing that immediately stands out when it comes to this golf ball. You guessed it, this ball is soft, very soft. It is not just in the name, it is a fact. What extreme softness means is that it is engineered with players swinging the clubs at slow to medium speeds in mind. That doesn’t mean you should not play it even if you swing a touch harder.

Nevertheless, if you are a fast-swinging golfer, you might not get the same results as you would with a ball with higher compression. A softer ball usually means less short-game spin. In case you don’t care much about spin and like a nice feeling while hitting the ball, this could be an option. Another thing, the price is reasonable as well for golfers on a budget.

PROS

  • Distance
  • Durability
  • Price

CONS

  • Less Short Game Spin
  • Not for Fast Swing Speeds

Callaway Supersoft

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

As with every review, I will start from the green backward. My first impression when it comes to putting with this ball was positive. I probably do not have even to mention its softness upon contact with the putter. It produces a very mellow sound that is pleasant to the ear. Now on to the performance.

The things I noticed after a few putts were good pace control. It didn’t take me much time to adjust to the intensity I had to hit the ball on putts from various distances. On top of that, the ball was holding the line very well. This goes both for short and long putts. There were no bad points when it came to putting.

Around the Green

Again, the first thing I noticed was how soft the ball fell off the clubface. With this ball that is a given any time you hit it. In general, chipping was on the positive side. That is probably because the bump and run is my chipping style of choice. In that case, the lack of short-game spin does not come as too big of a challenge.

Once I adjusted to how hard I had to hit it for distance control, all was good. Less spin is more noticeable when it comes to higher trajectory chips and pitches. Those situations require a more precise landing for the ball to roll and stop at the right moment. It was still very manageable to obtain decent results around the green.

Approach Shots

Of all the shots, these are my favorite ones. It is mostly due to the fact I test golf balls on a par 3 course, meaning every tee shot is an approach shot. You can already guess it, this ball feels very soft off the clubface. No matter if you do a half-swing, three-quarter swing, or full swing, it just feels soft.

I was seeing pretty much the distances I usually reach. There was not much adjustment needed there. The flight trajectory was higher on average. That was helping the ball to stop on the green due to less spin. I did lose distance on a few mis-hits, which was more my error than anything else.

When it comes to shot manipulation, the ball performed well. I like to hit lower shots on some holes and that worked just fine. My misses were consistent with the regular ones. The flight direction was consistently on the straight side. I had a good experience hitting this golf ball.

Appearance and Price

The new Callaway Supersoft golf ball has not seen major changes when it comes to the look. It looks the same as the previous generation with a minor tweak to the alignment arrow design. Instead of one small arrow at the end of each side of the big line, now there are two. The alignment is very visible and helps if you use it before putts. A clean and simple look gets the job done.

The price was always one of this ball’s strong suits. It is not the cheapest ball out there, but its features and performance put it into the good value category. There is a lot of competition in the two-piece soft golf balls category and Supersoft always finds itself among the leaders. That fact speaks for itself.

It is available in white and yellow as well as in matte green, orange, red, and pink.

Durability

Since I hadn’t played this ball before, as I mentioned earlier, I had no idea how durable it was going to be. I will just say I was impressed. Of all the golf balls I have tested until now, this one was among the best-performing ones. After a round on a par 3 course, there were barely any marks visible.

It might have something to do with the new Hybrid Cover, the engineers have done a great job. This adds to its great value for money. If you get these golf balls, they will last long.

Final Verdict

Callaway has done a great job with one of its most popular golf balls. The Supersoft new generation has all the ingredients to become one of the best sellers once again. If you were loyal to the previous generation, you will most likely not be disappointed. In case you haven’t played it, and like a soft feel durable golf ball, it might be for you.

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2021 Vice Tour Golf Ball Review

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After the very solid performance coming from the two-piece Vice Drive golf ball, I believe the Vice Tour won’t disappoint. That being said, I am going into this review open-minded. I am still not too familiar with their golf balls enough to know what to expect. The 2021 Vice Tour golf ball review will show if this is another reliable option from the brand.

This three-piece ball cover is made of ionomer, which is unusual for balls constructed with more than two pieces.

Because of that, I feel the durability will be similar to the Drive ball, which was excellent. We’ll discover that soon.

Vice Tour Golf Ball Box
Vice Tour Golf Ball Box

Inside it contains a new size-optimized Energy Speed Core built for extra distance. The mantle is constructed to minimize driver spin and increase ball flight stability. When it comes to dimples, that has also improved with the new durable 312 dimple design. By everything that you can find on the official Vice website, the ball is promising. Let’s find out how it did on the course.

Who Is This Ball For?

Let’s start with what is said on the official Vice website. It simply states that this ball is designed and engineered for all swing speeds. That is a very interesting statement, to say the least. You could technically say that for a lot of golf balls out there. Nevertheless, it is a statement that does not put the ball in any swing speed category.

I have tried to look for a compression rating and got some mixed data. The medium compression rating seemed to be the consensus. That would put the ball in the mid-swing speed category as the most suitable one. I can see that since I fall into that category and the ball had performed accordingly.

This ball could suit players who are looking for distance ahead of anything else. It is designed for a lower spin for that exact reason. That being said, do not expect a ton of short-game spin either. There is definite value to this ball and you can check why that is below.

PROS

  • Beginner Friendly
  • Distance
  • Durability
  • Price

CONS

  • Lower Short Game Spin
  • Only Available In White Color

2021 Vice Tour Golf Ball Review

Review by golfballsworld.com

Distance Control
Chipping and Pitching
Putting
Durability
Appearance
Price

On the Green

The thing that I noticed right away was that the sound it was making at impact was a bit louder. That is probably due to the ionomer cover which is harder than urethane ones. Don’t get me wrong, the level of noise was still in the mild category. That did not affect how the ball performed on the green whatsoever.

The only adjustment I had to make was on longer putts. Here I am talking from 10 feet and longer. It was the case more on the downhill putts versus the uphill ones. Shorter putts within the 5-foot range worked well since the beginning. Everything was fine regarding how the ball was holding the line while rolling. Overall, putting with this ball worked well.

Around the Green

As I have mentioned already, the only downside with chipping and pitching is the lack of spin. For me, that does not present a serious issue. My preference when close to the green is bump and run shots. When it comes to that, the ball worked very well. It worked well to that level that I managed to chip one in the hole.

I had a feeling it was easy enough to control where the ball is going to land and roll toward the hole. The higher trajectory chips and pitches seemed to lack a bit of spin. When I say lack of spin, I do not mean there is no spin whatsoever. It just has less greenside spin compared to some balls in the same category.

Approach Shots

I always like to mention I review these balls based on a performance on a par 3 course. The main reason is that I agree with a lot of industry experts who say you should test the ball from the green backward. Another important fact is, the majority of your golf shots are within 100 to 125 yards from the green.

Let’s get to the performance itself. One thing that worked like a charm was distance control. It pretty much fell right into my distance wheelhouse which made that easier. Another reason for that was the higher flight trajectory on average. It helped the ball stop fairly soon after it landed.

Hitting the ball felt good for the most except for shots where the impact was lower on the face. Those shots produced a clicky sound which was still manageable. I found no issues whatsoever with manipulating the flight trajectory when needed. This category gets a solid grade.

Appearance and Price

There is something about Vice golf balls that makes them look nice and appealing. It could be the simple logo and the minimalistic approach to designing the ball’s look. That gives them a modern and sophisticated vibe. This includes the new “keep in line” alignment line which adds to it. It is clean, simple, and does the job.

One of the benefits of the direct-to-consumer approach is the price. Because of no middleman involved in the process, the price is very competitive. In a lot of cases, this ball costs less than a two-piece ball from a lot of big brands. There is also an option to get up to 5 dozen balls which will lower the price even more. The only downside is the lack of color options. Still a great deal!

Durability

I have to say my predictions were not far off. Like with the two-piece Vice Drive model, durability was once again one of its strong suits. There were only a few marks and scuffs visible on the ball after a full round on a par 3 course. If you combine that with the price, you get a great value for your hard-earned money.

Final Verdict

Vice is proving that you do not need golf stars’ endorsements or endless commercials to show you have a quality product. Their approach is different and it is working. The Vice Tour ball is another example that they have products to compete with the big boys of the golf industry.

If you are someone who just started golfing or are looking for something reliable and cheaper, this could be your ball. Honestly, for that price, not much can go wrong even if you try it just out of curiosity. Sometimes you might find a product that suits you that you can’t find in your local golf shop. Just saying.

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Srixon Q-Star Tour Golf Ball Review

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