Golf Gear

I am a 38 year old male of average size. I am currently 6’3” and weigh 225 lbs. I currently play off of a 12 handicap. The Top Flite XL Extreme Distance golf ball is long and straight off of the tee. Approach shots from 90 yards and out seem to stay straight and will sit on the green. It does not fare too well when chipping onto the green as well as on short pitch shots. Here is where the ball feels like you are hitting a brick. It does not spin and sit on the green. It will roll past the pin and toward the other side of the green. It will not give any feedback on these type of short shots. The ball does roll pretty well on the green when using the flat stick considering it feels like putting a range ball. In my opinion the Top Flite XL Extreme Distance golf ball is best suited for a golfer who prefers distance over feel. This ball is again long and straight, but it just does not provide the softness and feel around and on the green that I am looking for.

Kevin

I was recently asked by a friend of mine, who is a new golfer, “What are dimples for on a golf ball?” I told him that dimples actually contain air in flight which allows for the ball to travel with less resistance. Imagine a “coating of air” surrounding the surface of the ball while spinning in flight. If it didn’t have dimples, as it traveled, the ball alone would be pushing through the atmosphere. Incorporating “dimple technology” is a very real aspect of overall golf ball performance. Physics “smarties” have this stuff all figured out.

I recently incorporated two new Top Flite golf balls into my game. I believe lower handicap players can really tell the difference in golf ball performance, e.g. hard-for distance, soft-for feel and target/ball placing management, ball trajectory in different weather conditions, etc. Even though I’m only an 18 hdcp I’m able to enjoy the overall feel and results of the Top Flite XL Extreme Tour & Top Flite XL Extreme Distance golf balls. At age 44 my clubhead speed is still pretty high. These balls come off the tee “hot”. During a scramble tournament my partners let me go for it. “Grip it and rip it.” However, when playing my usual round and not trying to kill it, I do like the results this $17.95/doz product gives me.

In comparison to another ball that I’m using, the Calloway HX Tour, at twice the price of the previously mentioned Top Flight, doesn’t perform twice as good. It is “a great ball with great performance”. But, until I earn the right to justify a $39.95/doz ball, I’ll probably keep playing the ball that fits “my game”. This way, when I watch my next several balls go for a swim, I won’t feel so bad.

Seriously, I do believe if the quality of ball is better it will improve your game. Maybe not twice as much, but at least those one or two few precious strokes that may be the difference of who has to buy the drinks at the 19th hole.

Troy

I am a 61 year old male golfer with a true 11 handicap. I’ve been playing golf for exactly 40 years and have tried numerous brands of golf balls. I like playing with the higher quality brands of golfballs but I don’t like the $40 and $50 cost. So I’ve resorted to buying used golf balls. Today I decided to try a brand I used a long time ago. I got a sleeve (new) of Top Flite XL Extreme Tour golf balls. My thoughts on this golf ball is as follows…

From the first hit I felt it compress very well and it flew high and long. The flight pattern was surprising tight. It’s a golf ball that you can work a little bit when your in trouble but the side spin is minimal. It stops well with short irons and it felt good on the putter head. The pros for this golf ball are the distance, height and tight flight pattern. The cons are that I prefer putting with a golf ball that has an equator that I can line up with my intended line to the hole.

If I were to rate the Top Flite XL Extreme Tour I would give it a 4 out of 5.

Steve