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TEE-FLIP DRILL
By Jeff Johnson, PGA
How much of a descending blow do you need? Now that you know you need to clip the ball first before you make contact with the ground, how steep should you be?
To get started, try the tee-flip drill. Take a tee, and place it in front of the ball (toward the target). Push it into the ground so it’s snug and does not pop out too easily. From this position, make a swing! If you execute the proper downswing, you not only should hit the tee, but also be able to pop the tee out of the ground.
Practice this drill anytime you feel as though you’re hitting it too fat or too thin. You’ll quickly be on your way toward making crisper contact.
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Bridgestone
B330 Key Feature: The new B330 features a larger core and softer cover, not to mention Dual Dimple Technology, which offers superior aerodynamics and enhanced performance in the wind. |
Bridgestone
B330-S Key Feature: New for 2012 is Dual Dimple Technology, a larger core and a softer cover than the previous B330-S model. The Dual Dimple cover has optimized its aerodynamics and results in greater overall distance and more consistency in the wind. Its dual-mantle construction will fuel 105+ mph swing speeds with more distance and better wind piercing. |
Bridgestone
B330-RXS Key Feature: Boasting a softer urethane cover than its B330 cousin, this ball was engineered for swing speeds that measure under 105 mph. |
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Bridgestone
B330-RX Key Feature: Features a new mantle layer and Dual Dimple Technology for longer distance, better accuracy and optimized greenside performance. The softer urethane cover allows slower-swinging players to achieve great greenside spin and the newly formulated mantle layer reduces spin for longer drives. |
Callaway
Hex Chrome Key Feature: Callaway engineers say that the HEX Chrome is the best three-piece ball the company has ever made, and for $36, it’s definitely one of the most affordable. Look for a low-compression core called s-Tech, which helps reduce spin off the tee and add it around the greens. |
Callaway
Hex Black Tour Key Feature: Callaway’s most highly engineered Tour ball ever. Innovative dual-core construction, durable cover material called DuraSpin and HEX Aerodynamics all combine to create a ball with optimum “spin separation” or rather the difference between how the ball spins on full and short shots. |
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Callaway
HX Diablo Key Feature: Its proprietary, resilient core and ultralow compression complement the thin ionomer cover that helps keep driver spin low to maximize distance. It’s long and soft—and everyone likes that combination. Its HEX Aerodynamic design reduces drag. It felt like balls just flew forever |
Callaway
HX Diablo Tour Key Feature: Its core is firmer at the outer edges and softer in the center, helping tee shots fly longer with less spin, and approach shots have more spin for better stopping power. Hard not to like a ball that performs like a premium offering but costs little. |
Dixon
Earth Key Feature: The world’s first eco-friendly golf ball made of recyclable material, the Earth also is a venerable distance ball with exceptional durability. All full shots feel soft and fly with a long and high trajectory. |
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Dixon
Fire Key Feature: A recyclable cast urethane core, “energy-intensifying mantle” and “high-intensity green core with ignite technology.” Maybe we were just having a good day, but these things may be the longest balls we’ve ever hit. These quality balls fly a mile and spin like crazy around the greens. |
Nike
20XI Key Feature: Proprietary technology includes resin, a neutralized polymer in the core that’s faster and lighter, for longer distance, straighter flight and more controlled shots. Designers have increased wedge and short-iron spin where you want more, and decreased driver spin where you don’t. |
Polara
XD Key Feature: The XD has an asymmetrical dimple pattern that self-corrects hooks and slices by up to 50%. Unlike last year’s offering, these balls can be used with lower-lofted drivers. |
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Srixon
JR-Star Key Feature: A soft, durable and affordable ball for junior golfers? What a great idea. Made specifically for kids with 50-70 mph swing speeds and who could use some added lift, the JR-Star’s 2-piece construction is all a budding superstar needs to learn the fundamentals of the game. |
Srixon
Z-Star Key Feature: Its urethane cover is very soft, so you get added spin control without sacrificing distance. Also, it pierces through the wind–thanks to its core and aerodynamic dimple design–so more shots go where you aim them. Easy to stop on approach shots, but doesn’t spin much off the tee. That equals big drives. |
Srixon
Z-Star SL Key Feature: STAR performance technology. What’s that? Spin, Trajectory, Acceleration and Responsiveness. Srixon has combined all four so this ball performs well for golfers with midrange swing speeds. The result is a Tour-caliber ball with a high launch angle and exceptional greenside spin. |
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Taylormade
Penta TP3 Key Feature: Boasting the same urethane cover as the TP5, the Penta TP3 has three (as opposed to five) layers and rings at a very reasonable price. TaylorMade engineers optimized the core, mantle and cover materials, all of which helped lower spin on drives while increasing it on mid- to long irons. |
Taylormade
Penta TP5 Key Feature: This new and improved five-layer ball features a 28% lower core compression. That equates to lower driver spin (and, hence, longer shots), and a softer feel around the greens. |
Taylormade
RocketBallz Key Feature: Constructed for mid-handicappers who want to hit the ball a long way, spin it (but not too much) around the greens and generate higher ball speed off the clubface. As TaylorMade says, the “ball speed gains come from a proprietary REACT core technology and new SPEEDMANTLE for increased velocity.” |
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Titleist
DT SoLo Key Feature: Titleist has made the softest DT yet. How’d they do it? By making a crazy soft core and surrounding it with an aerodynamic cover constructed from two soft Surlyn ionomers. |
Titleist
NXT Tour Key Feature: Engineered for longer distance, the new three-piece NXT Tour has a large dual core and a smaller, soft center. Coupled with a higher-volume outer layer, this new version of an old favorite goes a mile. |
Titleist
Pro V1 Key Feature: Delivers increased spin control and a more consistent flight, thanks to a ZG process core technology, responsive ionomeric casing layer, urethane elastomer cover and dimple design. It’s still the standard by which all other premium balls are measured. |
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Titleist
Velocity Key Feature: Titleist has implemented something they call LSX core technology to produce the fastest solid core of any of the co Related ArticlesOne thought on “2012 Buyer’s Guide Balls”Leave a ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment. |
Enjoy your magazine alot. Would like a rating on the balls in the July 2012 issue. They all sound good. Some have suggested swing speeds; most have suggestion for type of player. Need help on choosing brands and ball type. Would suggest that individual brands might sell a box with sleeves of different balls to encourage stepping up
Thanks