There are so many great golf balls on the market that it’s tough to find one you like better than the rest. I played one the other day that you may well want to try, once it hits shops in mid-April. Srixon’s Q-STAR Tour ($30/dozen) is a premium, three-piece ball with a urethane cover and low compression. It’s made specifically for skilled golfers who don’t generate tour-level swing speeds but want tour-level ball performance. Like many Srixon models, this has the Energetic Gradient Growth core that helps the ball get distance on tee shots, with a consistent launch and spin. Its dimple pattern aims to neutralize wind. And the SpinSkin coating enhances greenside spin control.
My driver swing speed is in the low 90s, and I tend to hit the ball low. I thought this ball did a terrific job of maxing out driving distance and trajectory for me. Two of my playing partners typically out-drive me, and I was hanging with them most of the day. The ball also performed extremely well around the hard greens, too, generating plenty of spin when I needed it. And it felt nice and soft the entire way. One friend — a much higher swing speed than me — thought the ball spun too much for his preferences, but for the average guy I think this ball will be awesome.
Veteran golf writer Scott Kramer has covered the golf equipment market full-time since 1990. His career has spanned senior editor positions at both Golf Pro Magazine and GOLF Magazine. He now works on a freelance basis for many consumer and trade publications, including the SCGA’s FORE magazine.
