Golf Equipment - Best
Golf Balls for Beginners
So you're an absolute
beginner to the game of golf. You'll need golf balls, and - because
you'll probably be losing them quickly - a lot of them. But golf balls
can get expensive. An absolute beginner can certainly start at the top
by purchasing top-of-the-line balls from Titleist, Callaway and others.
But most true newbies will want something affordable and easily
replaceable. So here are some suggestions for budget-conscious
beginners.
1) Range Balls
No, we're not being snarky (not this time, at least). Every newbie
should spend plenty of time at a driving range, shelling out a few bucks
for bucket after bucket of balls. Practice is how you improve, natch.
Going to a driving range and hitting range balls - whether chipping or
hitting full shots - is one of the two most effective ways for any
newbie to improve (the other is taking lessons, which will include
hiting range balls).
2) X-Outs
X-Outs are golf balls produced by the big-name companies, but balls that
suffered some sort of slip-up in production. Usually the slip-up is
merely cosmetic, rather than a real problem with the ball. But
exhibiting quality control, the companies don't release the balls under
their brand names - instead, they stamp a row of X's over the brand and
sell the balls at a steep discount. X-Outs can commonly be found with
the sporting goods in major department stores.
3) Used Balls
OK, so playing golf with used golf balls isn't very glamorous. But as a
total newbie, your golf likely isn't very glamorous either. Used golf
balls can be found at garage sales, at most on-course pro shops and at
many online golf shops. You'll save a ton of money playing with used
balls as you start out. Obviously, you'll want to stay away from used
balls with any clear signs of defect (cuts in the cover, bulges,
discoloration, etc.).
4) Refurbished Balls
Refurbished balls are used balls that are in very good condition.
Refurbished balls are often repackaged by resellers into attractive
boxes complete with branding. They'll be more expensive than the used
balls you might find when you check in at the golf course, but much less
expensive than that brand's new price. Online retailers and online
closeout retailers are good places to find refurbished balls.
5) Closeout Balls
Go to just about any major online golf retailer website and you'll be
able to find a link for closeouts. Click it and see what you find.
Companies are always introducing new brands of golf balls; as they do,
they often discontinue older brands. Those older, discontinued brands
can be had on the cheap if you find them in a closeout bin.
6) Logo Overrun Balls
Another item common at online golf retailers, especially those focusing
on golf balls. Companies often purchase custom orders of golf balls with
their company logo stamped onto the ball. Logo overrun balls are such
balls that the company has either returned or never took possession of.
Often, they are top-of-the-line balls, almost always good, name-brand
balls. Depending on brand, they can be more expensive than "value"
balls, but always sell at a good discount to the same brand's new price.
7) Value Category Balls
"Value" golf balls are those name brand balls that are marketed at the
lower price points, usually sub-$20 per dozen. Dunlop, Top-Flite, Maxfli,
Precept, Callaway, Titleist - in short, most of the major ball
manufacturers - produce balls in the value category. These balls are
generally built to minimize spin, maximize distance and resist wear and
tear. For absolute beginners who don't want used, refurbished or x-outs,
but want brand new, name-brand balls, value balls are the ones to
choose.
From:
http://golf.about.com/cs/clubsequipment/tp/ballsfornewbies.htm
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