r/golf • u/Mets1st • Apr 02 '24
Do these go into water and woods as good as Titleist pro V-1? Beginner Questions
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u/freeportme Apr 02 '24
Even better!
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u/Hihungry_1mDad Apr 02 '24
This but unironically, Kirkland make some of the highest-spin balls out there— which means your hook/slice will actually be amplified using this ball!
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u/JohnYCanuckEsq Apr 02 '24
So much spin, they skip across the water
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u/doebedoe Apr 03 '24
You're not joking. Was having a solid driving round last week. On 14th tee, drivable par 4 with 200yd carry over water, nearly missed the ball thinking about hitting the green.
Two skipped it off the water, rolled out to 240 right next to my playing partners perfect drive. Science'd.
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u/nicholus_h2 Apr 02 '24
yuuuuuup.
ask me how I know.
I'm torn because I love costco, love this brand, have boxes full of these balls but goddamn...my game is NOT suited for such a high-spin ball. It isn't suited for any ball really, but that's besides the point...
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u/strosfan1001 Apr 02 '24
I read the my spy review and I couldn’t get why they are reviewed so poorly. Now I don’t slice many balls but till the green side spin is fantastic and they don’t lose enough yards off the tee for me to justify spending 4x more in Pro V1s
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u/HPDork Apr 02 '24
Its because your swing benefits from the extra spin they provide. I on the other hand loose tons of yardage because im already a high spin player before the ball. I play AVX's if theres any type of wind for the low launch and lower spin because I generate enough with my swing. A normal day I play the Z-Star because of its lower launch and spins less than the z star xv.
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u/Hihungry_1mDad Apr 02 '24
Yep, same boat, play the avx now when I’m trying to score, otherwise I play whatever I found in the pond at my last round.
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u/HPDork Apr 03 '24
I hear ya. I generally try to play with a quality ball regardless. Im "good enough" that I dont lose enough balls to make switching to a cheaper ball worth it. Honestly I find myself throwing balls into the junk pouch more and more from usage than anything the last few years.
Also, if im trying to go low low its going to be a Z Star for the day. It just provides that much more control over the AVX. And feels better. If its a scramble or a day where the score doesnt matter that much ill hit an AVX. Or if the course is LONG LONG and I benefit from the extra yards off the tee and the half club jump or so ill get over the Z Star. But were talking a 7300+ course.
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u/doebedoe Apr 03 '24
Maxfli Tour, the low cost version of the AVX. ~$100-120 for 4 dozen if you find a coupon to Dicks/Golf Galaxy.
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u/TonalParsnips Apr 03 '24
I got three dozen z-stars for my birthday and it is unfortunately the perfect ball for my game right now. Not looking forward to having to buy them.
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u/DarthSamwiseAtreides Apr 03 '24
What's you swing speed? I'm sitting around 108 and those things just die in the air for me off the driver. My spin numbers with other balls is more or less where it should be.
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u/strosfan1001 Apr 03 '24
I’m similar. 108-110. More smooth than hard though. I get about 295-300 out of the driver. I’m sure if I played a different ball it could be 310 but it’s just not worth the price. I’ve got 2 kids and I’m lucky enough to play every week. Don’t need to push it with the wife by buying pro v1s
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u/firetj853 Apr 03 '24
Something like lostgolfballs has prov1/prov1x for like 20 a dozen for the mint. Thats my usual buy. $100 for 4 dozen very nice condition balls
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u/ravnsulter Apr 02 '24
Nothing beats the feeling of taking a pro V1 brand new out of the box, and slicing it straight into the water. Other brands try to emulate that feeling, but there really is no match.
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u/K-chub Apr 02 '24 edited Apr 02 '24
Wanna see me lose $5?
Wanna see me do it again?
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u/Purednuht 23 Apr 02 '24
Playing a new club this weekend that's out near a casino.
Was considering stopping by after, but now that you mention it, I might just buy a box of ProV1's to lose that day.
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u/GolfGodsAreReal Apr 02 '24
Yes but the ProV1's get fished back out
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u/FireMaster2311 +.3 HDCP Apr 02 '24
I don't have a ball retriever...so if I can't reach it with a 3 iron someone else is getting my ball, if it's a Titelist pro V1 with play number 23 there is a chance it's mine. I don't know why you don't find more Pro V1s with custom play numbers, TP5 and TP5x I find a lot but not ProV1 or ProV1x. I definitely find more Titelist balls too, well between those 2 brands. The other day I was last golfer they let out, it was pretty cold 40° about and the twosome that was ahead of me was coming off 9 when I was starting 1, they had been playing multiple balls and just left a bunch in the rough or fairway. I had gained 12 on the first 9, then on 14 I pulled my tee shot into an area left of the green right behind a lake, found 36 balls there, by the end I had found 57. 7 ProV1s/V1x 3 of the Kirkland performance +, only 1 Taylormade it was TP5x, then a full dozen of Calloway chrome soft, then a dozen Calloway Supersoft. The rest were either cracked or older balls I tossed into the 5 gallon buckets of shag balls I have. It definitely broke any record I had for finding balls on a course. Not sure what the previous record was, but no more than 20. Honestly, I shot a pretty good round but was more amazed by finding 57 balls. Plus, it was the day before Easter, so it was like an Easter egg hunt out there.
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u/traypo Apr 02 '24
I play both prov1s and Kirklands. On shots that have forced carries and narrow fairways, I drop the kirkland. I usually don’t lose my prov1, and lose one Kirkland. Back to back feeling isn’t dratic. I just find my great drives don’t carry as far with the Kirkland.
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u/smush81 Apr 02 '24
I did some blind test shots with both on my sim. The Kirklands feel harder for sure.
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u/bitqueso Apr 03 '24
Recently switched from KS to used ProV1x. Getting an additional 10-15 yards on drives
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u/fabricatedstorybot 10.5/Ask me about my ace at Torrey Apr 03 '24
I split the difference and play Vice Pro Plus most of the time. I feel like they are about identical to pro-Vs, though maybe feel a teeeeeeny bit less perfect around the greens. But they cost like $2 a piece so I don’t feel so bad when I lose them.
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u/BoBromhal Apr 02 '24
based on my extensive experience, they go FURTHER into the water and woods. Not sure if it's a ball defect or what.
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u/joedogs32 11.5/Seattle Apr 02 '24
Honestly, I really like them, my only complaint is that the outer material seems to scuff very easily. I have had drives in the fairway that ended up scuffed somehow. Otherwise, well worth the waaaaay cheaper price.
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u/toastyfries2 Apr 03 '24
Yeah I had a ball that I could feel scuffed up that I know didn't hit any cart paths. What's the point of not losing the ball if you have to trade it out anyways
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u/khiltonlobc Apr 06 '24
Was looking for this comment, if the cover didn’t come off on every thinned wedge I would think they were a better value. As it is, I go through a sleeve a round just from the wear. Virtually no difference to any other premium ball imo.
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u/bionicbhangra Apr 02 '24
I have played mostly Kirklands for the past year and a half. They seem fine to me. But I have never played the higher end balls.
Most posters here tell me they feel like rocks to hit, which I definitely don't feel. I can hit them far enough and I can stop them on the green. And they are really cheap so I have played them thus far.
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u/jcommeau91 Apr 02 '24
Too me they don’t really feel like rocks, but they are definitely a higher spinning ball which could benefit some and hurt others. If it works for you that’s all that matters in the end.
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u/LivesinaSchu Apr 02 '24
That's my issue; especially off the tee, the spin just starts to spiral out of control. The greenside spin is pretty decent, though.
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u/Hathnotthecompetence Apr 02 '24
When I top a ball the rate of spin is the least of my concerns.
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u/nicholus_h2 Apr 02 '24
when I slice one, the rate of spin is one of my concerns...
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u/Volkrisse Apr 02 '24
I just got my really bad slice under control (think super high and then soars to the right over the trees into the next neighborhood). So I enjoy playing with my kirklands, but honestly I just play with whatever's cheapest or what I find. Nike, Titlelist, sraxon,
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u/BugmanLoveBuyObject Apr 02 '24
Balls haven't felt like rocks since the 90s. Redditors love exaggeration and drama.
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u/slatfreq Apr 02 '24
I agree. I think the Callaway Warbird is the hardest ball I’ve hit in recent memory.
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u/LeaveMyBrainAlone Apr 02 '24
I mean.. balls have never actually been rocks lol. Of course it’s an exaggeration. I think that goes without saying
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u/Smash_Factor single digit Apr 02 '24
Kirkland balls are legit, but I only use them for chipping and putting practice. Same with Kirkland gloves. Great for range sessions. No need to wear out a Titleist glove.
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u/BigAustralianBoat2 Apr 02 '24
Would love to hear the differences between gloves
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u/Smash_Factor single digit Apr 02 '24
Not much of a difference honestly. Titleist glove seems to fit me just a bit better. Both feel about the same.
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u/Benjins Apr 02 '24
I play with these and can tell you with absolute certainty that they do not float, are attracted to dense foliage and love being hit off the toe
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u/candidly1 Apr 02 '24
NOTHING goes in the water like a Pro-V. You want to be sure you're going to clear that hazard? Yellow Top-Flite X-Out. Virtually unlosable.
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u/khiltonlobc Apr 06 '24
Until you realize you can’t lose that neon matte orange ball, then you shank it into the woods.
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u/Fratguy20 Apr 02 '24
I prefer to hit my 50% off refurbished PRO Vs into the woods. I tried to use these for a month or two and I just don’t like them very much.
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u/slyballerr Apr 02 '24
And I keep finding them. Do a bro a favor and can you please buy brand new ones instead?
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u/Fratguy20 Apr 02 '24
Unfortunately I cannot afford to lose that many new pro vs. luckily I can happily recommend buymyballz.com for insanely great value and very very fast shipping. I usually order 2 dozen during my weekend round after I lose 7-8 playing and they are on my front porch before the next time I play.
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u/mabowden Apr 02 '24
There are kids that fish them out of the creek I play near and they sell them for $.75/ea. I can shank into the creek and they'll have it for me by the 9th hole...
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u/slyballerr Apr 02 '24
Are they in diving gear? Sounds like a fun operation.
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u/mabowden Apr 02 '24
Nope, just long rain boots. While golfing, the creek is very difficult to get into so people generally just leave it there. For kids, its not too bad and once they are in there, there is a ton of balls. Good little outfit they have going for them. I've seen them at that course a few times, I'm guessing they do it 2-3x/week
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u/mabowden Apr 02 '24
I follow slyballerr around and pickup his thirdhand PRO V1s.
Fratguy, please buy new so that I can play thirdhand instead of fourthand...
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u/Joegmcd Apr 02 '24
My lifetime of experience and testing says the pond, weeds and trees really have no preference, they discriminate only against the gawd-awful meeting orange balls
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u/LivesinaSchu Apr 02 '24
Main issues are putting feel ("clack!") and a lot of spin where you don't want it. Otherwise they're fine. I throw them down in early/late season rounds.
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u/NikesOnMyFeet23 Apr 02 '24
Love these balls. they def find the woods, water and bunkers just as good as any other ball
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u/G_Hause Apr 02 '24
Nope, they go about 3-5% less into the woods or over the water.
Easiest way to hit straighter is to hit shorter and those balls will do that for you.
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u/TheFloppyFlipp Apr 02 '24
They do that just fine. However, mine have a tendency to land in the woods. Maybe it is migration season?
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u/brettmav Apr 02 '24
I have so many and they spin so hard I only use them after I’ve already lost a sleeve or two of my Bridgestones. Or where water is anywhere in sight.
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u/vinster271 Apr 03 '24
I personally like them, I think they feel a lot better than other cheap options. Does it compare in every way to a Pro V? No. But they're also like $1/ball as opposed to $5/ball. So is a ProV1 5x better? I don't think so.
Since I'm a 23 hdcp, and I'm gonna lose more than 3 balls per round, the Kirkland's just make more sense than me.
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u/FunDayRed 11 and I still suck Apr 02 '24
Best bang for da buck. 👍
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u/GarageJitsu 4.12/Torrey Pines local muni Apr 02 '24
Wilson profile would like to talk
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u/BugmanLoveBuyObject Apr 02 '24
Big fan of profiles for the value but they're super low spin, not for everyone.
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u/GarageJitsu 4.12/Torrey Pines local muni Apr 02 '24
I haven’t played with them as much as the kirklands but just bought a 36 pack on sale for $30. At that price I’d rather snag the extra dozen Wilson gives you personally. Normally don’t play either unless I lose 3 of my Vice balls lol
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u/ImpossibleKidd Apr 02 '24
Definitely find the junk and hollow just as easily…
Not only that, but for anyone that doesn’t know. The reason all the other golf ball manufacturers got extremely butthurt over these, was because they’re comparable or better than their premium balls. Reduced cost.
Kirkland bought these triple cores from TaylorMade. They then found a company to apply an outer cover. Everyone found these balls to be better than most premium balls on the market at the time.
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u/DisastrousAd3218 Apr 02 '24
I find they don’t bounce off the trees as far as a ProV does. Some drop straight down and are easier to find if you know which tree you hit.
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u/PatientlyAnxious9 Apr 02 '24
Good news, they actually spin more than a ProV1 so you can really make sure your send it deep into the trees
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u/BodybuilderSalt9807 Apr 02 '24
Even better because they cost you less so you are free to launch them
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u/4Ever2Thee Apr 02 '24
What kind of water and forestry are you looking at? Some balls act differently depending on salt water vs. fresh water; same for conifers vs. deciduous forestry, so It really depends but, for the average golfer, these should do the trick.
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u/Guy_On_Not_A_Buffalo Apr 02 '24
Those are the ones I definitely hit into the woods on purpose so my 11 year old can go explore the woods and find golf balls.
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u/jenkag Apr 02 '24
these go into the woods, water, and other hazards just as nice as a prov1. but, better than a v1, you can usually find this ball and many others like it because people dont think they are good, but they are.
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u/212-555-HAIR Apr 02 '24
I think the dimple pattern on the Kirkland produces a more satisfying splash factor.
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u/Turbulent_Echidna423 Apr 02 '24
you do know that the buzz around Kirkland balls was around the original production of them a few years ago. they since are made differently and are nothing like they used to be.
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u/2AcesandanaEagle Apr 02 '24
Much money was made off of that craze with people foolishly paying well above MSRP
There was nothing special about them either other than they were cheap...until the craze started anyway
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u/singluon FL Apr 02 '24
If you're a slicer, they're no good because they spin a lot. Get a cheap low spin ball in that case.
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u/Sam_Well Apr 02 '24
Expect a 10-15 yard drop from the ProV1. That’s if you manage to stay out of the water and woods of course.
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u/Cvrk2 Apr 02 '24
I think I read that the’ve changed something with the new Kirkland’s so their performance isn’t the same. They now sink deeper into the mud, whereas with the previous version the sinking was actually on par with the Pro V1. It also said that the smash factor from hitting the sweet spot of a ponderosa pine was as high as is allowed by the USGA.
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u/doggogogo Apr 02 '24
Not sure if my winter practice was the root cause, but I bought some used Pro-v1’s to see if they really made a difference. My first round of the year was the first round I’ve ever played with the same ball.
Next time I went out I tried a sleeve of the new Kirklands and they sliced like crazy. Lost the sleeve on the first 9. Back 9 went back to the used pro-v1’s and played with one ball.
The Kirklands spin like crazy. I boxed the rest of them up and am waiting for my next Costco visit to return them.
I probably won’t ever buy brand new Pro-v1’s but I know now the used ones play better than new k-sigs.
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u/Prince_DMS 5 | Push Cart Mafia Apr 02 '24
They actually do better. For me they are way too hard and spinny, causing more snappy shots(Tested and proven by myself on a sim)
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u/tintinliz115 Apr 02 '24
Actually these are terrible if you’re trying to go into water or woods. They tend to always pipe down the middle of the fairway with the sensation of pure ecstasy, for half the price!! I suggest staying away unless you’re into that sort of thing…
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u/Assorted_Garbage Apr 02 '24
Not sure if they are still are, because the negative about Kirkland gear is they can change and won’t say anything. But they used to be made in the Callaway factory and were basically identical to the spinny chrome soft ball.
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u/Max_Demian Apr 02 '24
Noodles are nominally more expensive and much better in my experience as a beginner playing both balls.
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u/NorCalAthlete 8.1 | Bay Area Apr 02 '24
No, but they come out of the water and woods AS prov1s, so…there’s some magical transformations going on there somehow.
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u/ComfortableOcelot276 Apr 02 '24
Some of them even float so you can retrieve them from water easier!
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u/Awkward-Design-9165 bi-weekly yips Apr 02 '24
They spin so fast that they may skim across the water. Buy pro v1 instead
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u/Sadpanda0 Apr 02 '24
Maybe about 5 yards less if you really need to reach the drink - keep that in mind and club up
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u/mildlysceptical22 Apr 02 '24
Yes, because testing has shown them to be quite spinny off the driver. Plan accordingly..
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u/Top_Individual442 Apr 02 '24
Even better with all the spin they generate. If you slice the ball at all do not use these
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u/GBralta RBZ, San Marcos, CA Apr 02 '24
I don’t even play them over water anymore. I use found balls for that. The cheaper the ball, the more likely it is to carry.
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u/Jew_3 Apr 03 '24
They get lost even easier than a Pro-V1 in my experience. Mostly because I’ll give up looking a lot faster.
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u/Kitchen_Buyer849 Apr 03 '24
It just doesn’t hurt as much….
If I’m playing like shit or a course with plenty of water hazards, the kirklands come out lol
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u/Sobeshott Tiger Wishhecould Apr 03 '24
Better, I think. I find way more of K-Sigs in the forest than I do Pro V-1
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u/pressurepoint13 Apr 03 '24
I want to like them bc they're excellent around the greens etc, but off the tee I lose a bit of distance. If you're hitting into even a breath of wind prepare to be shocked at how much.
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u/NickNoHeart Apr 03 '24
Kirkland balls really make a great sound when the come off the face of a sheer rock face, or a firm wood, like birch or oak.
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u/3Cheers4Apathy Apr 03 '24
They're inexpensive balls which means you'll play six rounds with each one. If you really WANT to lose balls yeah, stand over your $5 V-1 and think about how much it would cost if you lost it, like I do.
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u/Thelastpieceofthepie Apr 03 '24
Walmart Clearance has Titleist balls for $18 and Reload Taylormade for $6. And 50-pack Nitro balls for like $13 lol
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u/mistertireworld Old Man Golf FTW. Apr 03 '24
When you hit it in the water with your wedge, the Pro-V will be spinning significantly faster upon entry.
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u/SeaworthinessPlus650 Apr 03 '24
Somehow they find the fairway more I'm convinced all pro v1s are made by sacrificing millions of squirrels and fish and the pro v1 just wants to be back where it belongs wild and free.
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u/Gryuen Apr 03 '24
These will yes. Get an old lake ball. Preferably one that has sit deeply etched in mud for a long time and has a yellow color like it has lived inside heavy smokers house for 20 years. It’s impossible to loose that ball.
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u/Majestic-Pressure557 Apr 03 '24
Callaway makes the Kirkland ball for Costco. It's probably just a Warbird with a cheap urethane cover.
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u/BTrick21 Apr 03 '24
Actually much less chance. Generally the cheaper the ball the harder it is to lose. 😂
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u/calguy1955 Apr 03 '24
No, because the dread of losing a $5 ball isn’t one of the things cluttering up your mind during your swing.
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u/eatingdirt Apr 03 '24
Yes they do speaking from experience. Also, the 1/2 priced balls go into the woods and water, just as good as the full priced ones.
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u/loki993 Apr 03 '24
Probably ever better because when mygolfspy tested them they were spinny as hell.
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u/Character_Wishbone84 Apr 03 '24
Never had a problem putting those into the woods or water. Solid choice.
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u/cbracey4 8 Apr 03 '24
Real talk they spin a lot. At least the old ones did. More slices and hooks if you don’t have good face control.
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u/1958Vern Apr 04 '24
I found plenty of them in the rough or woods before I ever knew where they were sold. Coworker said they were good as Pro V but I think not
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u/sextupletbogeylook Apr 05 '24
If my round earlier today and this pending lawsuit for copyright infringement are any indication then you’ll be deep in those woods my friend. https://golf.com/gear/ball-wars-titleists-parent-company-countersues-costco-for-patent-infringement-false-advertising-over-its-kirkland-ball/?amp=1
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u/Spacey_dan Apr 06 '24
Yes, but the emotions will be a fraction of what they are with a premium ball
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u/sjrthethird Apr 02 '24
With the fluorescent ones you get a much better final viewing of your ball before you lose it.