Tweener ball

skibmg · July 30

Ok ball gurus, need some help thinking about ball to try. Long time player of old Tour B XS and more recently been consistently in Tour B X but find it not quite spinny enough around the greens. So essentially I need something that feels like Pro V1 (softer side of tour balls) but spins like a Pro V1x. When I have tried Titleist in past, preferred Pro V1. Any others I should be looking at? Have I perhaps found it with 2025 Tour B XS? I had an extra lying around and was quite impressed.

Thoughts on

TP5

Zstar diamond

Others?

The Pearl · July 30

I don't think a ball exists that combines soft feel with greenside spin like the BXS.

Duffman57 · July 30

This is exactly what the other sites ball test is for, it literally gives you a graph where you can pick the axis. So you can put compression on one side and spin on the other. For the 2023 balls (so not the most up to date testing but gives you an idea). The best options seem to be the srixon balls, or funny enough the Bridgstone B XS. Both seem to be exactly what you're looking for, a touch softer than the pV1 and just a bit spinnier than the x with the irons.

For the Srixon balls the z-star is basically the exact same as the B XS for mid iron spin/compression numbers, but the Z Star is way lower spinning with the driver. Honestly this seems to me like the one you should try most. The other option if you want to go to the extreme with the spin is the Diamond, which is a bit higher compression than the prov1 but sort of sits in between the two but spin is through the roof compared to even the pv1x

ScooterMcTavish · July 30

What I’ve found interesting in my own ball journey is that “spin” isn’t consistent from ball-to-ball depending on clubhead speed.

So although the BX or Z-Star XV or ProV1x may be listed as high spinning, much of this benefit may be lost with a slower SS.

Someone recommended trying the Z-Star, and it is a reliable middle of the road ball. Also saw BXS recommended, and it is a nice feeling high spinning ball. However, I did find it a bit spinny off the driver.

May also want to try the Mizuno Pro S. I like the feel, very straight off driver, and it spins well - only issue is poor durability.

Duffman57 · July 30

3 hours ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

What I’ve found interesting in my own ball journey is that “spin” isn’t consistent from ball-to-ball depending on clubhead speed.

So although the BX or Z-Star XV or ProV1x may be listed as high spinning, much of this benefit may be lost with a slower SS.

Someone recommended trying the Z-Star, and it is a reliable middle of the road ball. Also saw BXS recommended, and it is a nice feeling high spinning ball. However, I did find it a bit spinny off the driver.

May also want to try the Mizuno Pro S. I like the feel, very straight off driver, and it spins well - only issue is poor durability.

Thats why I thought Z-star might be kind of the goldilocks ball here. BXS is super spinny off the driver, whereas the Z-Star is far more middle of the road driver spin wise.

ScooterMcTavish · July 30

3 minutes ago, Duffman57 said:

Thats why I thought Z-star might be kind of the goldilocks ball here. BXS is super spinny off the driver, whereas the Z-Star is far more middle of the road driver spin wise.

Another option might be B-RXS. Although it doesn't spin quite as much as the XS, that ball certainly does launch high. Might also be a good fit if current launch is low, as an increased descent angle may compensate for a lower amount of spin. And it's not like the ball doesn't spin a decent amount (unlike the B-RX).

Think asking @skibmg for their swing speed might of helped.....lol.

If their SS is moderate (i.e. 95-100) then they may appreciate the higher trajectory of the B-RXS, AVX, or Tour Response. If their swing is faster (over 100) then the Z-Star may be the magic ball.

skibmg · July 30

Thanks for all your thoughts. Driver SS is right about 102. I've never struggled for height nor stopping power so don't need a higher spinning ball off irons per se, more a preference around greens (high spin) and all around feel (softer but not mush).

Duffman57 · July 30

50 minutes ago, skibmg said:

Thanks for all your thoughts. Driver SS is right about 102. I've never struggled for height nor stopping power so don't need a higher spinning ball off irons per se, more a preference around greens (high spin) and all around feel (softer but not mush).

Well the reality is that you’re not going to get one without the other in terms of greenside spin and iron spin. So you’re going to have to swallow one with the other.

ScooterMcTavish · July 30

2 hours ago, skibmg said:

Thanks for all your thoughts. Driver SS is right about 102. I've never struggled for height nor stopping power so don't need a higher spinning ball off irons per se, more a preference around greens (high spin) and all around feel (softer but not mush).

Sounds like the Z-Star may be it, though the XV may also be worth a try. It’s a firm ball but not overly so. Certainly softer than the B330 X.

Though maybe the Mizuno Pro X might be worth a try. Firmer ball but very soft cover.

Edited July 30 by ScooterMcTavish

phizzy30 · July 31

On 7/30/2025 at 4:40 AM, The Pearl said:

I don't think a ball exists that combines soft feel with greenside spin like the BXS.

Z Star Diamond is pretty close although it's firmer than the B XS but not quite XV firm.

Edited July 31 by phizzy30

skibmg · July 31

14 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

Z Star Diamond is pretty close although it's firmer than the B XS but not quite XV firm.

Cool. Going to grab a sleeve of these, and TP5 to try for next round, especially since playing with daughter I have more time to practice around the greens.