32 golfdigest.com | may 2019Play Your Best Hot List
Which model will help you executeall the shots you need?bridgestone
tour b
x/xs/rx/rxs$45 ▶ The X and XS are
for better players who
don’t mis-hit it often. For
the rest of us who need
low-compression help
for our average swing
speeds, there’s RX and
RXS. The firmer X and
the softer RX promote
less curve on driver
shots. The XS and RXS
offer softer feel and the
most greenside spin.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
demand ★ ★ ½taylormade
tp5
with tp5x$45 ▶ new These five-
layer balls feature a new
mantle material that’s
designed to increase
ball speed. How does
it work? The material is
stiffer and more durable
so that when the ball is
compressed on driver
and long-iron shots, the
ball returns to shape
and comes off the face
with more velocity.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★ ★callaway
chrome soft
with chrome soft x$45 ▶ The nano-
substance graphene
strengthens a thin outer
core over a larger, soft
inner core. The inner
core offers less spin
and high launch on long
shots. The firm outer
core boosts energy and
helps pinch the soft
cover for short-shot
spin. Fast swings will
prefer the X version.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★ ★titleist
avx$48 ▶ The low-
compression alternative
in the Titleist multilayer,
urethane-cover ball
lineup combines a new
urethane cover with a
flexible mantle layer.
Those two elements
work with the core to
provide greenside spin
for short shots and ball
speed off the driver and
long and middle irons.performance ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
demand ★ ★ ½callaway
erc soft$40 ▶ newThe dual
core uses the same
Nobel Prize nanoparticle
found in Chrome Soft.
That strengthens the
outer core, allowing
the large inner core to
create distance through
less driver spin. A hybrid
cover brings more short-
shot spin than typical
distance balls, and three
lines focus your aim.performance ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★titleist
pro v1
with pro v1x$48 ▶ new The
changes to golf’s top
seller might measure
small, but the effect
on distance is big.
Reducing the cover by
.005 inches and adding
a thicker mantle boost
driver and iron ball
speed. As usual, the X
will fly higher, spin more
and feel firmer than the
standard Pro V1.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★ ★ ★ ★mizuno
rb tour
with rb tour x$43 ▶ new Twelve
years of wind-tunnel
testing yielded a cone-
dimple design. The
shape has more surface
points, which provide
more efficient airflow for
better distance. The RB
Tour reduces spin on
swings with a downward
attack angle. The X
favors fast swings with
an upward attack angle.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★volvik
s3
with s4$50 ▶ new These
two balls use bismuth
mixed in the core to
add density for better
energy transfer. The
S4 features a firmer
compression and is
designed for swing
speeds of more than
105 mph. The slightly
softer S3 is meant for
those swinging 95 to
110 mph.performance ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★srixon
z-star
with z-star xv$40 ▶ new The firmer,
dual-core XV and the
standard Z-Star have
graduated cores and a
more resilient mantle
for better long-game
distance. The thin
cover still provides
optimal spin thanks to
a supermolecule in the
urethane coating
that better grabs your
wedge grooves.performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
demand ★ ★wilson staff
fg tour$45 ▶ new The firm
core on this four-piece
design is surrounded
by two firm mantle
layers, but an extra-soft
urethane cover provides
relatively higher spin
on all clubs, including
the driver. This results in
a more workable ball
flight off the tee and
a high-spinning ball into
the green.performance ★ ★ ★ ★
innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
feel ★ ★ ★ ★
demand ★ ★▶ OVER $35
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