Best New All Around Ionomer Under $10 per Dozen

[games]

In my opinion, the benchmark price for a new, high quality urethane ball has been established at $15 per dozen or $1.25 per ball.

Urethane spins well, but might not be optimal for some.

 

On the other hand, $15 per dozen is hard to beat.  

Is there a decent, high quality surlyn ball to be found for less than $12 per dozen or $1 per ball?

 

Off the top of my head, I can only think of something like a Pinnacle Rush, but even online appears to be more expensive than the urethane I reference in the spoiler below.

What about the Top Flite Hammer? 

 

Spoiler

Kirkland Signature / Costco

 

[Pearson10M]

I am a huge fan of the Top-Flite D2+ Feel for a top quality inexpensive all around ball.  Sadly they have discounted the Feel and "Improved" it with Hammer Control.  I find the HC a step back.  I find the cover to be less durable and the "Feel" less.  It may be the exact same ball just relabeled, but I really do see a difference in the durability with wedges.

I am now looking for a replacement for the D2+ Feel. 

 

[lefthack]

My Nitros are $.50/each. They work for me and I like the color. But I did just order 4 different dozen reds to try for fun. All are $20 or less per dozen.

[HyzerFlipDG]

Top Flite Hammer Control would be close IMO. it's a great ball and the cover feels great for a top flite. I'm really impressed with what they were able to do with their 2020 lineup.    

one of my other favorite ionomer balls is the Srixon Soft Feel, but it won't hit the price point you are looking for unless the BOGO sale comes back this year. then you'd be looking at about $11 a dozen. 

[HyzerFlipDG]

1 hour ago, Pearson10M said:

I am a huge fan of the Top-Flite D2+ Feel for a top quality inexpensive all around ball.  Sadly they have discounted the Feel and "Improved" it with Hammer Control.  I find the HC a step back.  I find the cover to be less durable and the "Feel" less.  It may be the exact same ball just relabeled, but I really do see a difference in the durability with wedges.

I am now looking for a replacement for the D2+ Feel. 

 

it's definitely a different ball. I can pick out which one is which just by having them in my hands and doing a finger nail test on the cover.  the HC cover is slightly softer which might be why you are having a durability issue compared to the D2+F.  Personally I prefer the HC over the D2+ Feel.  I play the yellow version though. not sure if that makes a difference.  

[games]

9 hours ago, Pearson10M said:

I am a huge fan of the Top-Flite D2+ Feel for a top quality inexpensive all around ball.  Sadly they have discounted the Feel and "Improved" it with Hammer Control.  I find the HC a step back.  I find the cover to be less durable and the "Feel" less.  It may be the exact same ball just relabeled, but I really do see a difference in the durability with wedges.

I am now looking for a replacement for the D2+ Feel. 

 

Before the benchmark urethane ball was around, the D2 Feel was easily my most purchased new ball.  TBH, I probably couldn’t tell the difference between it and the urethane being compared to!

[Tanner25]

As stated above, Soft Feel in yellow, if you get a bogo or $10 off coupon during Black Friday or Christmas at Dick's. IMO it's worth 20-22 a dozen.

 

Below, 15? Wilson 50, Bridgestone Treosoft or Noodle at Academy Sports? 

[North Butte]

If you're seriously wanting to spend less than a dollar a ball, you don't need to be buying retail name-brand balls off the shelf at a store one dozen at a time. There are Tour balls brand new on eBay for less than the retail price of those 2pc Surlyn balls that cost pennies to produce and whose performance is decades out of date. Or if you want a Surlyn cover ball you can find deals on them as well. But you've got to shop around and be willing to buy several dozen at a time.

Edited May 6, 2021 by North Butte

[wantacigar]

IMHO the Vice Tour is a 3 pc surlyn ball that performs great.  At $16.99/doz if buying 5 or more is a good deal.  The Vice Drive is 2pc Surlyn and is a priced at $11.99/doz 5 or more.  The Snell GetSum is similarly priced. BUT for the money, Ksig 3.2 is the best ball deal in golf right now.  I think you can get Wilson Ultra at reg. price for $9.99/doz not on sale 

[lefthack]

4 hours ago, North Butte said:

If you're seriously wanting to spend less than a dollar a ball, you don't need to be buying retail name-brand balls off the shelf at a store one dozen at a time. There are Tour balls brand new on eBay for less than the retail price of those 2pc Surlyn balls that cost pennies to produce and whose performance is decades out of date. Or if you want a Surlyn cover ball you can find deals on them as well. But you've got to shop around and be willing to buy several dozen at a time.

 

This is where I started. Bags of 50 "mint" balls for $25-$30 each. My bag if 100 Nike mix was $38 or something. 

 

If you NEED a good ball and are cheap like me, the Pro V1 Practice balls are cheap. I don't need a good ball.

[North Butte]

34 minutes ago, lefthack said:

 

This is where I started. Bags of 50 "mint" balls for $25-$30 each. My bag if 100 Nike mix was $38 or something. 

 

If you NEED a good ball and are cheap like me, the Pro V1 Practice balls are cheap. I don't need a good ball.

I posted in another thread a link to an eBay listing of 8 dozen Srixon Z-Stars for around $90. That's actually closer to your Nike mix than to Pro V1 PRACTICE balls.

 

Having played golf for three decades, I am constantly amazed by how cheaply we can source top-quality golf balls nowadays. Twenty years ago if someone had shown me a ball like those Z-Stars I'd have thought they were joking that they were even legal. And I'd have never believed they would become available at less than I was paying for 2pc Top-Flite rocks at that time!

[lefthack]

I've been trying to tell the difference and I really don't notice any noticeable difference in the balls I play. Today was a Nike Vapor Black 2.0, Srixon Q Star and my trusty Nitro orange. I hit really great shots with all 3.

 

Maybe once I am more consistent I will notice spin or distance. But right now I play my cheap a** Nitro Crossfire (45 for $24.99) just as well (or as bad) as the Nike or Srixon.

 

<edit> I play 3 balls at a time on 9 holes. I might only hit one drive, but I will hit all 3 from a given spot towards a given target (par 3's are all 3 driven).

Edited May 6, 2021 by lefthack

[Texas Golfer]

I would have to say the Precept Laddie is the best in this price range.  I’m not a fan of Top Flite after they got bought by Dick’s Sporting Goods.  My understanding is that Callaway kept all of the good Top Flite patents when Cally sold the brand to Dick’s.