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The PXG Xtreme Tour golf ball is a softer ball that provides maximum distance for players under 95 MPH swing speed.  The PXG Xtreme Tour X has a firmer feel, more short game spin, and more speed for faster swinging players.

Introduction

Early last year, PXG showed that they’re as bold as ever, entering the competitive world of golf balls.  The PXG Xtreme golf ball [review HERE] proved to be a strong performer, and was consistently in my bag the last two seasons.  As we reach the end of 2024, PXG is doubling down on their commitment to golf balls with two new models: PXG Xtreme Tour and PXG Xtreme Tour X.  I tested both to see how the company has improved on the original.

Feel

For feel off the putter, the new PXG Xtreme Tour and PXG Xtreme Tour X golf balls bracket the original Xtreme.  The Tour X is firmer, and the Tour is softer.  Using a milled, stainless steel putter, the Xtreme Tour is quiet, low-pitched, and soft, even on longer putts.  In contrast, the Xtreme Tour X is firmer with a louder, crisper impact sound.  The gap between the two new offerings is a little above average for the difference in feel between a given OEM’s Tour balls.

Off a wedge or iron, both balls are more crisp and responsive than soft.  There’s a clear difference between the Tour X and the Tour – the Tour X is louder and firmer – but both produce a robust “click” when struck with speed.

If you like compression numbers, PXG reports that the new balls are both softer than the original.  The Xtreme had a compression rating of 110 with the new Tour X at 108 and the Tour at 97.8.

Short Game

In my wedge testing, I found that the PXG Xtreme Tour X spun measurably more than the PXG Xtreme Tour golf ball.  Both provide excellent short game spin and are in the same class with the highest spinning Tour balls.  The gap between the two was not huge, but it was consistent across pure strikes and mishits.  As I often say, I don’t think that the difference would be obvious on the course, but players looking for every least revolution should opt for the Tour X.

PXG continues to be an industry leader in sharing data, loading their website with numbers from their golf ball testing.  Their data – based on a 60 yards pitch with a 56 degree wedge – shows that the Xtreme Tour X is the highest spinning in their line up, outpacing the Xtreme Tour by about 200 RPM.  They also provide a comparison to several Pro V1 models, showing that PXG balls produce a little more ball speed, higher apex, and very similar spin (7 RPM difference with the Tour X vs. Pro V1x).

It’s always worth remembering that robot testing is, like anything else outside of your personal fitting and testing, just one consideration.  It is not the alpha and omega.

Finally, it’s very interesting to note that PXG shows a difference between the performance of the PXG Xtreme Tour and the PXG Xtreme Tour Yellow.  The yellow version is the lowest spinning – about 70 RPM less than the white Xtreme Tour in the wedge testing.

Long Game

In my iron testing, both PXG Xtreme Tour balls provided the kind of performance that I expect from a golf ball in this category.  They had strong, consistent ball speed and ample spin.  The gap between the two was small with the irons, but there was a bit more spin with the Tour X.  Moving to the driver, I found a little more distance with the Tour X.  The ball speed was, on average, a touch higher, and the small amount of extra spin didn’t hurt me because I’m naturally low spin.  For the small boost in yardage, I’ll game the Tour X over the Tour, but I wouldn’t consider the Tour short or unplayable.

Turning to PXG’s numbers, they show the Xtreme Tour X with small ball speed edges over the Xtreme Tour (0.2 MPH with 7I, 0.5 MPH with driver), and both being faster than either Pro V1 (the largest gap is 1.3 MPH).  Spin rates are very close – the Tour X spins about 250 RPM more than Tour with a 7I, 70 RPM more with driver.

At 100 MPH, these differences translate to a 2.5 yard advantage for the Tour X which is also 5 yards longer than the original PXG Xtreme.  With an 85 MPH driver swing, the Tour is reported to be 1 yard longer than the Tour X.

Also, PXG reports a difference between the white and yellow versions of the Xtreme Tour.  The yellow version spins a little more with the 7I – 60 RPM – and a bit less with the driver – 64 RPM.

Conclusion

The original PXG Xtreme golf ball wasn’t an experiment, it was a warning shot to the rest of the golf ball market.  With the Xtreme Tour and Xtreme Tour X, PXG shows that they’re committed to making an impact in this competitive sector with two premium offerings geared toward different feel preferences and players with varying swing speeds.

Buy PXG Xtreme Tour Golf Balls HERE

The post PXG Xtreme Tour & Xtreme Tour X Golf Ball Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The 2024 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls continue to be leaders in fitting options and high end performance.  Mindset markings remind players of the importance of the mental game.

Introduction

The Bridgestone Tour B golf balls are consistently among the best performing Tour balls available.  Bridgestone makes four models that are clearly differentiated to fit a wide array of players and uses some of the best cover technology in the game.  The 2022 Tour B [review HERE] was in regular rotation for many of our writers, so Matt Meeker and I put the 2024 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls through their paces to see if they’re even better.

Feel

All of the 2024 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls fit comfortably into the normal feel parameters for a Tour ball.  There’s no doubt that a lot of recreational golfers wouldn’t notice if you traded one for the other.  But you’re not most golfers, so we’ll dig into the tiny details of these four models.

On the green, the Tour B X is the firmest of the four with a crisp, clear “tock” and responsive feel.  Compared to Tour balls generally, this is right in the middle for feel.  Next in line is the Tour B XS which feels a little softer and has a slightly duller sound.

I’ve always felt that there was overlap between the feel of the Tour B XS and the Tour B RX, and that’s still true here.  The Tour B RX still has a responsive feel despite being built for slower swing speeds.  Finally, the Tour B RXS is the softest of the four with the quietest impact sound.  I found that the audio difference between the RX and RXS was bigger than the feel difference.

Looking year to year, Matt Meeker noted that the 2024 Tour B RX had a little more “click” to it than the previous version.

Moving to the full swing clubs, the differences in feel are more noticeable.  The Tour B X has a firm feel and “snap” off a wedge.  There is a pretty dramatic change to the Tour B XS which is softer in feel, duller and quieter in sound.  The Tour B RX and RXS are closer to each other and the Tour B XS with a softer feel and slightly duller sound.

Short Game

For those not familiar with Bridgestone’s Tour B family, it divides on two dimensions.  The Tour B X and Tour B XS are meant for players with swing speeds over 105 MPH.  The RX and RXS are meant for players below that mark.  Choosing the X or RX prioritizes distance; the XS and RXS offer more spin, per Bridgestone.  Matt Meeker and I each did our own testing as players with swings speed below and (sometimes) above 105 MPH.

In wedge testing, Matt Meeker found a modest difference across the 2024 Bridgestone Tour B line up.  He got the most spin with the Tour B RX, but only a few hundred RPM – less than a 10% difference.  At a Tour level, that type of difference might be meaningful, but amateur players can regard all four balls as high spin in the short game.

My results were not too different from Meeker’s, but they were more in line with Bridgestone’s stated specs.  I got the most wedge spin from the Tour B XS and Tour B RXS.  The gap to the Tour B X and Tour B RX was, like Meeker, a few hundred RPM.  What impresses me about the entire 2024 Bridgestone Tour B line up is the spin consistency.  My poorly struck shots still get a lot of spin, which makes my short game more predictable.

Long Game

Typically, I find that performance differences shrink in the irons and expand at the edges of the bag.  Matt Meeker found the opposite with the 2024 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls.  The largest difference between the four models was with his irons where he found 5% more spin with the Tour B RXS.  This added extra height and carry distance to his shots, explaining why this is his preferred Tour B.

I also found more variance than normal in the iron performance of these four balls.  The Tour B RXS and Tour B XS both had iron spin that was a few hundred RPM above average.  In contrast, the Tour B X and Tour B RX were a few hundred RPM below average.  These aren’t huge, day-and-night differences, but they can affect carry distance and stopping power, especially for players who are already on the higher and lower ends of the spin spectrum.  I will add that I was seeing about 2 MPH more ball speed from the Tour B and Tour B XS compared to the “R” models.

Finally, with the driver Matt Meeker found limited difference among the four 2024 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls.  His exact words were “virtually identical on Trackman.”  For me, the driver performance mirrored what I saw with the irons.  The Tour B X and Tour B XS were faster than the RX and RXS.  In terms of spin, the XS and RXS were a bit higher than the X and RX.  The spin differences were fairly small for me, but I’m a low spin player; high spin players may see larger gaps.

Bridgestone Tour B Mindset

While the excellent performance of the 2024 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls is the most important thing, Mindset is what’s getting the most attention.  At first glance, it just looks like a colorful decoration.  Nothing new there, plenty of OEMs are covering their balls in all types of designs.

However, the Mindset markings are a lot more than a fancy ornamentation.  This symbol was designed in conjunction with Jason Day and his mental coach, Jason Goldsmith.  The idea is that the three circles remind you to perform the three-step Mindset process – identify your target, visualize the shot path, and focus on the dot.

Overall, I’m a big fan of almost anything that puts a spotlight on the importance of the mental game, so I like this.  Matt Meeker did point out that these graphics work best on tee shots and putts – on other shots, you may not be able to see the green dot at all.

Conclusion

The 2024 Bridgestone Tour B line continues to give players an unmatched level of choice in their Tour golf balls.  Whether you’re a faster or slower swinger, a high or low spin player, you can find exactly what you need in this line.  Take advantage of Bridgestone’s focus on fitting to make sure you’re getting all the distance and spin you deserve.

Visit Bridgestone Golf HERE

Buy the 2024 Bridgestone Tour B HERE

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The 2024 Callaway Chrome Tour has outstanding all-around Tour performance.  The Chrome Tour X raises the spin throughout.  Chrome Soft is the softest Tour ball with lower spin.

Introduction

A few weeks ago, Xander Schauffele won his first major at the PGA Championship.  Among his complete set of Callaway equipment was the Chrome Tour golf ball [full WITB HERE].  Chrome Tour is a new name in the Callaway golf ball family, so I tested it alongside the new Chrome Tour X and Chrome Soft to see how these balls stack up to other premium offerings.

Feel

The Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls lives up to its name, continuing to be one of the softest Tour caliber balls available.   It doesn’t quite get into the uber-low compression, marshmallow feel, but it’s not far off.  This is enhanced by the quiet impact sound.

More prototypical Tour ball feel is found in the 2024 Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X.  Callaway describes these two as “Medium” and “Medium Firm” respectively, which I think it fair.  The Chrome Tour is just barely on the soft side of Tour balls.  The Chrome Tour X is very close to the Chrome Tour, being just slightly firmer and louder off the putter.

Moving to the wedges and irons, the Chrome Soft is noticeably softer and quieter than its brothers.  It’s probably the softest Tour caliber ball off a wedge.  The Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X are also on the softer side of the spectrum, but closer to other Tour balls.

Short Game

As you can see above, Callaway makes their Chrome golf ball line up easy to understand.  The Chrome Soft stands apart with its soft feel, Chrome Tour X is the higher spinning Tour ball, and the Chrome Tour sits in the middle.  I did my own launch monitor testing to see how those descriptions held up for me as a mid/high speed, lower spin player.

What immediately jumped out to me was the higher peak wedge spin of the Callaway Chrome Tour X.  It’s on the high end for spin among premium golf balls with a very slight edge over the Chrome Tour.  Where my results differed from Callaway’s is with the Chrome Soft.  I saw a measurable loss in spin – about 7% – compared to the 2024 Callaway Chrome Tour.  As always, your mileage may vary; my results are meant to be a starting point in your search for the best golf ball.

Long Game

For 2024, the Callaway Chrome Tour X has taken the place of 2022’s Chrome Soft X [review HERE] as the high spin ball.  This is true in the long game just as in the short game.  With the irons, it’s a few hundred RPM higher than the Chrome Tour and a bit above average overall.  This is why it earns the “High” rating from Callaway for Workability.  If you like shaping your shots or need more spin to hold greens, this is the ball for you.

The 2024 Callaway Chrome Tour golf ball is right down the middle in terms of Tour ball performance.  Callaway rates the long game spin as “Low,” but I would say it’s average.  This is a semantic difference – everyone says they make a “low spin” ball, so whether we call them all low or average, we’re saying the same thing.  I’ll also note that both the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X produce outstanding ball speed.

Finally, the 2024 Callaway Chrome Soft was the lowest spinning ball for me.  It’s measurably lower spin with the driver but noticeably lower with the irons.  This could be outstanding for the higher spin players.  Additionally, I found that at their best the Chrome Tour balls were a little faster (about 1 MPH) than Chrome Soft, but the Chrome Soft seemed to retain speed better on mishits.

Conclusion

In addition to covering a range of performance needs, the 2024 Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Soft golf balls come with several looks.  Each model is available in white, white with Triple Track, and yellow with Triple Track.  Callaway is also carrying forward their limited edition TruTrack balls with USA flags, major-specific designs, and more.  Whether you prefer something bold or traditional, the performance of the Callaway golf ball line up is worth serious consideration.

Visit Callaway Golf HERE

Support Plugged In Golf, Buy HERE

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The Honma TW-S golf ball is a soft, high flying Tour-style golf ball.  The Honma TW-X golf ball is similar but with a firmer feel.  The Honma D1 is built for distance and value, but it punches above its weight in short game spin.

Introduction

Honma is best known for their high end BERES drivers [review HERE] and their forged irons, such as the TW757 VX [review HERE], but they’ve recently made their way into the world of golf balls.  Their new line includes three models: two Tour-caliber balls in the TW-S and TW-X and an affordable, distance first model in the D1.  I tested all three to see how they compare to the established names in this space.

Feel

On the green, the Honma D1 punches above its weight in terms of feel.  While the ionomer cover is firm, the sound is much quieter than I expected.  This leads to an overall sensation that’s responsive but not unpleasant.

The Honma TW-S and TW-X fall into the typical roles of soft and firmer Tour ball, respectively.  Both have a medium soft feel and premium “tock” impact sound.  The TW-S is a bit quieter and lower pitched; the TW-X is louder, which might be preferable for players who game putters with soft inserts.

Moving to the full swing clubs, the difference between the Honma D1 and the TW golf balls was quite stark.  With a wedge, the D1 has a louder sound and a feel that’s more hollow.  This harder feel is particularly harsh on thin strikes.  The Honma TW-S and TW-X fit nicely in to the premium feel category, though I would place both on the firmer and louder half of the bell curve.  The TW-X is firmer than the TW-S, but the sound difference is marginal.

Short Game

In launch monitor testing, both the Honma TW-S and TW-X golf balls produced spin that’s on par with most other Tour-caliber golf balls.  Both models have three-piece construction and urethane covers, so this is not a surprise.  Comparing the two, I found very little difference.  Based on feel, I was expecting the TW-S to produce more spin, but, for me, there was not a meaningful difference.

The Honma D1 golf ball is a two-piece with an ionomer cover, so my expectations for short game spin were much lower.  While the D1 did not create nearly as much spin as the TW golf balls, it was on the high end for a non-urethane ball.  If you’re looking for a more affordable ball with more spin than its peers, the D1 is worth a try.

Long Game

I want to start by noting that Honma advertises the D1 golf ball as delivering distance for players with sub-90 MPH club head speed, so I am not the target player.  Take my notes with a grain of salt and give it a try for yourself if you’re in that swing speed range.

My long game testing start with some mid-irons where I had an unusual discovery.  All three balls – D1, TW-S, and TW-X, produced nearly identical spin.  I’ll quickly offer my standard caveat: I’m a fairly low spin player and your mileage may vary.  I like that Honma didn’t give their distance ball unplayably low spin, but I would have liked to see more differentiation between the two Tour balls.  When I got to the driver, I saw slightly less spin from the TW-X than the TW-S, though the gap was not huge.

Where the three balls diverged was in ball speed.  The D1 was significantly slower from mid irons through the driver for me, which I expected based on its target audience.  Both the TW-S and TW-X were about average in ball speed compared to other Tour balls, but the TW-X slightly outpaced the TW-S.

Taking these golf balls to the course, what stood out was the peak height of the Honma TW-S and TW-X.  My drives were flying higher than normal, though they were not ballooning with either ball – I still hit my normal distances.  That extra height translated to approach shots that spun back more than normal.  If you have problems with getting your approach shots to land softly, these golf balls are worth a try.

Conclusion

Honma has come into a crowded golf ball market and still managed to offer golfers unique, valuable options.  For the slower swinger, the Honma D1 golf ball provides good distance with additional spin into and around the green, compared to its peers.  Both the TW-S and TW-X have Tour-caliber feel, spin, and speed, while also offering more height and stopping power.

Visit Honma Golf HERE

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The 2024 TaylorMade TP5 & TP5x golf balls are superb Tour-style golf balls.  Performance differences are fairly slim for players without elite speed or high spin.  TP5 is noticeably softer.

Introduction

The shelves are full of Tour-style golf balls, and each one claims to be unique.  The TaylorMade TP5 and TP5X can make that claim with more veracity as the only two 5-piece golf balls on the shelf.  TaylorMade claims that this allows them to make the most complete ball on Tour.  I tested the latest versions to see if it’s true.

Feel

Golf balls often feel the same on very short putts, but the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5X show their personalities even at very short distances.  The TP5 sits in that sweet spot between soft and responsive (TaylorMade hasn’t deviated much from the “damn near perfect” TP5 they made in 2018, review HERE).  Switching to the TP5X, there’s a small but noticeable uptick in firmness.  On longer putts, the TP5X remains more firm and a sound difference appears.  The TP5X produces a “tock”; the TP5 stays a slightly quieter, lower pitched “thud.”

Moving to the wedges and irons, the TaylorMade TP5 remains one of my favorites.  The sound is deep and robust, and it’s soft in the hands.  The TP5X is similar, but it’s a bit louder and the feel is more crisp than soft.  Both of these feel excellent, in my opinion, it’s just a question of what you prefer: soft or responsive.

Short Game

According to TaylorMade, both the 2024 TP5 and 2024 TP5X have more short game spin than their 2021 counterparts.  They rate the new TP5 to be higher spinning than the TP5X.

In my testing, both balls were above average in short game spin.  This held true from pitch shots through full wedges.  The TaylorMade TP5 does have a slight spin advantage over the TP5X, but, for me, it was only a few hundred RPM.  This is a measurable difference, but I don’t think it would be noticeable on the course.

Interestingly, I found the spin on the TP5X to be slightly more consistent than the TP5.  It’s always possible that this can be accounted for by strike quality or sample size, but I found it difficult to hit a shot with the TP5X that didn’t produce very strong spin.

Long Game

The advantage passes from the TaylorMade TP5 to the TP5X as we move from the short game to the long game.  Per TaylorMade, the TP5X should have lower driver spin, driver trajectory, and iron spin compared to the TP5.  Additionally, both 2024 models are lower in spin than their 2021 versions.  TaylorMade also promotes the TP5X as being faster than the TP5.

My iron testing revealed a spin difference similar to what I saw with the wedges.  The TP5 produced spin that’s at what I consider average for a Tour-style golf ball.  With the TaylorMade TP5X, my spin was down a couple hundred RPM.  As always, I’ll note that I’m a low spin player.  High spin players may see a bigger difference between models.

Shifting to the driver, the difference in spin was again quite modest.  The TP5X was slightly lower spinning than the TP5, but the gap was under 200 RPM on average.  Similarly, I found slightly more ball speed in the TP5X, but the difference would be hard to notice on the course.  On average, but the TP5X was about 1 MPH faster for me.  Here I’ll note that I’m in that liminal space where my speed is above average but far from elite.  For Rory, I would suspect there’s a significant speed difference between the two models.  For we mortals, a launch monitor is required to find the difference.

TaylorMade TP5 & TP5X Graphic Options

The TaylorMade TP5 and TP5X are being offered with a range of graphics.  White is an option, of course, as is Hi-Vis Yellow.  The focus, however, is on TaylorMade’s pix graphics.  According to TM, these graphics improve visibility, meaning fewer lost balls.

The pix graphics are also a way for golfers to show their personality.  TM will be offering pix USA and pix Collegiate golf balls in 2024.  There will also be limited edition runs like pix Pickle and pix Poker.

Conclusion

Whether you opt for plain white or something visually bolder, the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5X are high performing golf balls that excel in every facet of the game.  For me, the TP5 is at the very top of my list for feel, but players who want something more crisp and responsive will gravitate to the TP5X.

Visit TaylorMade Golf HERE

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The OnCore Vero X2 golf ball represents the pinnacle of OnCore’s line up.  Firm, responsive feel.  High wedge spin with lower iron and driver spin.  Perimeter weighting can offer some help.

Introduction

Golf’s pyramid of influence is clear cut.  Tour players are at the top, followed by the club pros and high level players we actually encounter in our regular lives.  Any brand hoping to achieve success needs to court those players with products built for their game, and that’s exactly what OnCore has done with the Vero X2 golf ball.  The successor to the Vero X1 [review HERE], the X2 promises even lower spin and firmer feel for the elite, high speed player.

Feel

Looking over OnCore’s golf ball comparison chart, one thing that jumped out to me is the increase in compression from the Vero X1 to the Vero X2.  Where the Vero X1 is at 85, similar to the Elixr 2022 [review HERE], the Vero X2 is at 95.  This is noticeable in the feel throughout the bag.

On the green, the OnCore Vero X2 is on the firm side of the premium ball spectrum.  It’s still obviously a Tour ball, but it’s closer in feel to a Z-Star XV than a Pro V1.  The sound matches – a medium volume “tock.”

Moving to the full swing clubs, the Vero X2 is noticeably firmer than the Elixr.  This enhances feedback through the hands and ears as mishits are noticeably firmer and louder than pure strikes.  Again, the Vero X2 isn’t a range ball by any means, but it’s on the firmer side for a Tour ball.

Short Game

The OnCore Vero X2 is rated as having “High” spin, just like the Elixr 2022, and my testing bore that out.  With a wedge, half shots were within a couple hundred RPM of other Tour balls – a negligible difference.  On full swings, there was no difference at all.  This short game performance can be credited to the cast urethane cover, which is also notable for its durability.  Even after dozens of wedge shots, the cover was unmarred.

Long Game

The OnCore Vero X2 separates itself from the rest of the OnCore lineup with its focus on the high speed player.  This is the highest compression ball that they make; a full 10 points higher than the next closest (95 to 85 in the Vero X1).  OnCore states that it’s built for the “Advanced to Tour Level Player” with swing speed either “100+” or 110+” depending on where you look on their site.

With irons, the Vero X2 produces below average spin for me.  This led to a small uptick in distance and slightly more roll out.  As a lower spin player, this is not ideal for me, but higher spin players may find more control and consistency with the Vero X2.

Off the tee, OnCore states that the Vero X2 has the “Lowest” spin with “High” launch angles.  For me, the launch angles were not markedly different than with my PXG ball.  The spin was also in the same range, which I regard as average for a Tour-style ball.  As always, I will note that your results may vary.  Additionally, I do not currently have the “110+ MPH” speed that OnCore says this ball is designed for.  Players with that speed may see a bigger spin gap between the OnCore Vero X2 and other balls.

With regard to OnCore’s claims of higher MoI and reduced side spin, I don’t have a clear conclusion.  Because of the time of year, I wasn’t able to test them on course.  My launch monitor testing showed slightly better spin consistency with the Vero X2, but my poor swings still curved the ball.  The best I can say for now is that the perimeter weighting may be a marginal improvement, but it won’t turn a hook or slice into a fairway splitter.

Conclusion

The OnCore Vero X2 golf ball lives up to its claim as being a strong performer for the elite player.  It offers plenty of spin around the green with lower spin in the long game.  There’s also the opportunity to show a little personality with this ball being offered in white, yellow, and lime green.

If you’re not a high speed player, or you just want help choosing a ball, check out OnCore’s online ball fitting tool HERE.

Visit OnCore HERE

The post OnCore Vero X2 Golf Ball Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The 2024 Wilson Staff Model golf balls have very soft feel and lower spin for more distance.  The 2024 Wilson Staff Model X golf ball is higher spinning throughout the bag with a firmer feel.  Both golf balls offer strong consistency and durability.

Introduction

Wilson Staff is a name with deep historical roots in golf that’s been successfully brought back to the fore.  While the Staff Model Blades [review HERE] get the lion’s share of the spotlight, Wilson has built a strong family behind that name, including the Staff Model golf ball [2020 review HERE].  New for 2024, Wilson has expanded the Staff Model golf ball line up to include the Staff Model X.  I tested both for this review.

Feel

I broke my habit and started testing the Wilson Staff Model golf balls with full swing clubs rather than the putter.  The Staff Model immediately caught my attention for its soft feel off the wedge.  It’s not the super compressed, tennis ball feel of the Wilson DUO [review HERE], but it’s clearly different from most Tour balls.  From pitches to full wedge swings, the Staff Model feels almost dull on the face.  As I moved into longer clubs, that softness became less noticeable, but it was always there if I was paying attention.

The Wilson Staff Model X golf ball is easily distinguished from its brother, but it’s still on the softer side of the Tour ball spectrum.  Wilson states that the X is 10 compression points higher, and that translates to a more “normal” feel for a Tour ball.  That said, the X does not have any of the “click” or “tock” associated with the firmest Tour balls.

Moving to the green, the feel gap between the two balls shrank, to my surprise.  On medium and long putts, both Wilson Staff Model golf balls produce a very quiet “tock.”  This was a more lively sound than I was expecting from the standard Staff Model.  There is a small difference in the hands, but both balls are, again, on the softer end of the spectrum.  The Staff Model has a little more give, which comes out on longer putts, but the Staff Model X is still very soft and satisfying.

Short Game

I tested both 2024 Wilson Staff Model golf balls against two different Tour-style golf balls with a variety of wedge shots.  From short pitches to full wedge swings, the results were very consistent.  As Wilson Golf states, the Staff Model X creates more short game spin than the Staff Model.  The difference was not dramatic for me – a few hundred RPM on shots with as much as 11,000 RPM.

Comparing the Wilson Staff Model golf balls to other Tour-style balls, their spin was slightly lower across different wedge shots.  On full wedge shots, the gap was about 8%.  The difference was less on pitches and half shots, closer to 6%.  While this may turn off players seeking every last revolution, what I find more important is the consistency.  Both Staff Models kept their spin in a tight range, even on imperfect strikes.

Long Game

The biggest advance in the 2024 Wilson Staff Model golf balls is the V-COR.  This is a new core material that “magnifies energy” to generate more ball speed.  According to Frank Simonutti, Wilson’s Global Director of Golf Ball Innovation (you may remember him from Wilson’s commercials a few years back), “Both Staff Model and Staff Model X yield faster ball speeds than any other urethane golf ball in their respective class” in Wilson’s internal testing.  That’s a bold claim I was eager to test.

My long game testing started with a run through the iron set.  My findings there mirrored what I saw with the wedges.  Both Wilson Staff Model golf balls spun a hair less than other Tour balls with the Staff Model X spinning a bit more than the Staff Model.  The slightly lower spin of the Wilsons was offset by a modestly higher launch angle.  In the end, there was no significant difference in landing angle or roll, but the Wilson Staff Models traveled a couple yards farther.

Finally, moving to the driver, both Wilson Staff Models stood up to the company’s claims of low spin and high ball speed.  As a low spin player, I did not find any difference between the spin of the Staff Model and the Staff Model X.  Higher spin players may.  In terms of speed, I found both Staff Models to be excellent, though I could not discern a difference between them and other Tour balls.  Robot testing may show them to be faster, but for me all the Tour balls I tested were effectively equal.

Conclusion

Wilson Golf’s biggest success in golf balls came with the inimitable DUO, and they’ve clearly brought some of that magic to their Tour line.  The Wilson Staff Model golf ball and the Staff Model X have a soft, satisfying feel blended with the performance you expect from a 4-piece urethane-covered ball.

Visit Wilson Golf HERE

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50 Words or Less

The OnCore Elixr 2022 golf ball is a mid compression ball with wonderful feel.  Strong wedge spin.  Low spin throughout the long game.

Introduction

Breaking into the golf ball market is hard.  Titleist is the undisputed king and almost all the major OEM are fighting for their piece of the pie, making it a true heavyweight fight.  In spite of that, OnCore has survived for over a decade, offering some genuinely novel innovations.  We first looked at their Elixr golf ball when it was launched in 2017 [review HERE], and today we’re checking out the new version.

Feel

I went through all of my testing of the OnCore Elixr 2022 golf ball before I looked at the price or specs on the website.  Based purely on the putter feel, there’s no way I would have pegged this as a $30/dozen golf ball.  On the green, the Elixr feels premium, right on the border of soft and responsive.  Long putts produce a quiet “tock.”

Moving into the full swing, the lower compression of the Elixr 2022 comes through.  It feels very soft off of wedges and irons with a bit of the squishy, tennis ball feel that’s characteristic of low compression golf balls.

Want a firmer feel? Check out the new OnCore VERO X2 golf ball HERE

Short Game

With its 3-piece construction and urethane cover, we should expect the OnCore Elixr 2022 golf ball to spin well around the green, and it does.  Comparing the Elixr 2022 to premium, Tour-style golf balls, the spin on half and full wedge swings was within a few hundred RPM.  On the course, you would not be able to tell the difference.  Around the green, the OnCore Elixr 2022 will give you all the spin you need.

Interestingly, according to OnCore, the Elixr 2022 has slightly less spin than the original version.  Their comparison chart rates the Elixr as having “Higher” wedge spin and the Elixr 2022 as “High.”  I did not test the original Elixr, but Matt Meeker’s review noted that the original Elixr spun a couple hundred RPM more than a Pro V1.

Long Game

My long game testing started with the mid irons and a fairly big surprise.  Most often, golf balls “cluster” in the mid irons.  Even if they’re quite different, the mid iron performance ends up being fairly similar.  That wasn’t the case with the OnCore Elixr 2022 golf ball.  For me, the Elixr spun about 800 RPM less than an average Tour ball with the 7I.  That’s a difference of over 10%.

Two important notes must be made here.  First, your mileage may vary.  I feel confident in saying that the Elixr is lower spinning than a Tour ball with the irons, but you may see a smaller gap or a larger one.  Second, spin is not inherently good or bad.  I’m a moderately low spin player who is not seeking more distance, so I’m not willing to give up stopping power to gain extra yards.  Other players will happily make that trade.  The goal is finding a golf ball that gives you the things you need.

Returning to the testing, my driver results bore out OnCore’s claim of “Low” spin with the big stick.  I saw a small drop in spin with the Elixr 2022 compared to my Tour ball.  The difference was not large – less than 5% – but that might be a meaningful drop for higher spin players.

Conclusion

The OnCore Elixr 2022 golf ball is a strong performer through the bag.  Around the green, it has all the spin you could want.  In the long game, the low spin performance can help you gain distance, though you need to be mindful of maintaining stopping power.  At just $30/dozen, this is one of the better values in golf balls.

Visit OnCore HERE

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Forely golf balls are some of the highest spinning golf balls I’ve tested.  High spin throughout the bag will mean reduced distance for most players.

Introduction

Stop me if you’re heard this one before: there’s a new golf ball that promises Tour-style performance at a direct-to-consumer price.

While the basic pitch for Forely golf balls is not unlike Odin [review HERE] or Sugar [review HERE] or countless others, the performance actually is.  Keep reading to find out if the Purely ProTouch should be your new ball of choice.

Feel

My testing of the Forely golf balls started out with a bang…or, more accurately, a “clack.”  I hit a pitch shot that was so loud I did a double take, wondering if I’d shanked the shot.  Fortunately (or, perhaps, unfortunately), I had not.  Off of the wedges, irons, and drivers, the Forely golf ball is very loud.  The sound is also rather harsh – the aforementioned “clack”.  While not as harsh as the sound, the feel is quite firm, too.  This ball isn’t a range rock, but the long game feel is not Tour caliber.

Interestingly, the sound and feel are much better off the putter.  The feel is soft enough to fall into the premium category.  There is a slight disconnect with the sound, a small knock.  Finally, if we’re getting deep into nitpicking, there’s a hollowness to the feel of the Forely golf balls that I don’t get from my favorite Tour balls.

Short Game

Forely states that their golf balls are “Made for Spin,” and this was borne out in my testing.  The peak spin numbers on pitches and full wedge shots were as much as 1,000 RPM higher than other premium golf balls.  As a percentage, this is a spin increase of between 8% and 12%, very substantial.  If you’ve never seen a wedge shot check or back up, Forely golf balls are one of your best chances to experience that.

While the spin is excellent, it must be noted that these balls do scuff more easily than others I’ve tested.  One ball had a significant cut in the cover after less than ten swings.

Long Game

For better or worse, that high spin continues through the irons.  As a lower spin player, I typically don’t see a huge spin deviation between golf balls.  However, with the Forely golf balls, I saw 1,000 RPM more spin in my mid irons compared to my gamer, the PXG Xtreme [review HERE].  That led to a decrease in carry distance of almost a full club.

With the driver, the results were worse.  I was consistently losing over 2 to 4 MPH of ball speed, which is a deal breaker.  Additionally, the spin was higher and inconsistent.  With my gamer, my spin was around 2,200 RPM.  With the Forely ProTouch, my best shots were at 2,600 RPM but I had shots well over 3,000 RPM with comparable club delivery numbers.

Forely states that their golf balls are for, “beginner and intermediate players, mid-to-high handicappers.”  Given that higher handicap players need more help controlling their long game and adding distance, I don’t find this to be an accurate statement.

Conclusion

At $31 per dozen, Forely golf balls are priced significantly below any major Tour ball, and even below some mid-tier balls.  However, the high spin performance through the bag makes them a fit for only a fraction of the golfing population.  If you want maximum spin around the green, the ProTouch is great option, but know that you’ll likely make sacrifices in other areas of your game.

Buy Forely Golf Balls HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Bridgestone e9 Long Drive golf ball has plenty of ball speed and low spin.  Surprisingly good short game performance.  Firm feel.

Introduction

With so many golf balls on the shelf, it can feel impossible to understand who or what they’re designed for.  The new Bridgestone e9 Long Drive golf ball, however, puts its raison d’etre right in the name: Long Drive.  This ball was developed to deliver more ball speed for more distance.  I tested it to see if it delivered.

Sound & Feel

With “Long Drive” in the name, my expectations for sound were quite low, but it only took a few putts for the Bridgestone e9 Long Drive to surprise me.  Off the putter, the e9 is much quieter than I expected.  With a deep-milled putter, it is only slightly louder than a Pro V1.  More importantly, the sound is not a harsh “click” but a medium “thud.”  That audio difference is more pronounced with a fly milled putter, but the Bridgestone e9 still never produces a “click.”

While the sound surprised me, the feel of the e9 is quite firm, as expected.  Regardless of the putter being used, this ball creates a feeling of impact, not the soft compression of urethane-covered ball.  If you want a softer feeling ball, check out the Bridgestone e12 HERE.

Through the rest of the bag, the Bridgestone e9 Long Drive golf ball feels good.  The sound off the wedges and irons is surprisingly quiet.  I wouldn’t regard the sound or feel as a selling point, but it’s not a strong negative, either.

Short Game

With short game spin, my expectations for the Bridgestone e9 Long Drive were, again, low.  And, again, I was pleasantly surprised.  On medium and long pitch shots, the e9 spun about 1,000 RPM less than a urethane-covered Tour golf ball like the PXG Xtreme [review HERE].

On full swings with wedges and scoring irons, that gap was slightly larger, around 1,500 RPM.  Overall, I found that the e9 spun about 15% less than a Tour ball.  While this is a substantial gap, it’s not the difference between a ball backing up and one running through the green.

If you’re looking for a Bridgestone ball with maximum stopping power, check out the Tour B HERE.

Long Game

Before I get into the results, I want to offer two important notes.  First, my swing speed is above average but far from elite.  Second, I am a low spin player, especially with the driver.  I say that up front to emphasize that your results may be very different from mine.  Take my results as a data point, not the final word.

The long game is where the Bridgestone e9 Long Drive is meant to shine, and it did just that.  From the mid irons through the driver, the e9 produced ball speed on par with the best golf balls I’ve tested.  In terms of both peak speed and consistency, I got as much speed from this $30 ball as I do from those costing almost double.

Looking at spin, the Bridgestone e9 Long Drive produced measurably less with the long and mid irons when compared to a Tour ball.  The difference here was smaller than with the wedges, closer to 8%.  This was enough to add a couple yards of carry distance.  With the driver, the e9 spun about as much as a low-spinning Tour ball.  Again, higher spinning players may see a gap here, but as a low spin player, I did not.  Spin consistency was impressive with the e9 Long Drive through the testing.

Conclusion

For players looking to maximize their distance off the tee and into the green, the Bridgestone e9 Long Drive golf ball is worth a look.  At an affordable price, it offers excellent ball speed and low spin for more distance.  There are sacrifices to be made in the short game, but it may be worth it for longer drives.

Visit Bridgestone Golf HERE

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