Nike 20Xi Balls

Much hyped, these balls have been in play in the US for most of this year, but aren't due to arrive in the UK until February. Has anyone played them, and if so are they noticeably different? I've managed to secure a dozen on ebay, and will report my own experience when I try them next week, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has tried them already.

I've tried them. A friend of mine bought some back from the US, and gave me a sleeve of three. I gave one a go for a few holes on Saturday.

They seem to be very durable, fly a mile and spin probably more than any other ball I've played, but they have the weirdest feel. They feel absolutely dead off the club face, almost as if the ball isn't compressing at all (even though it obviously is). I'm sure it's all down the new-fangled cover material.

I'm sure I'd get used to it after a few more hits, and maybe I'll try them again when they're more readily available, but for the time being I think I'll stick with my usual.

Marcus wrote:I've tried them. A friend of mine bought some back from the US, and gave me a sleeve of three. I gave one a go for a few holes on Saturday.

They seem to be very durable, fly a mile and spin probably more than any other ball I've played, but they have the weirdest feel. They feel absolutely dead off the club face, almost as if the ball isn't compressing at all (even though it obviously is). I'm sure it's all down the new-fangled cover material.

I'm sure I'd get used to it after a few more hits, and maybe I'll try them again when they're more readily available, but for the time being I think I'll stick with my usual.

Thanks Marcus, I'll look out for that feel (or lack of!). Just as a matter of interest, what is you usual?

I recall someone raving about the new Nikes a while ago - found this thread:

http://www.606v2.com/t6621-balls

That would've been me raving about them, I got hold of 2 dozen when I went out to Doral, and have to say I love the feel of them, I don't think there is a dead feel to them at all. They come off the face very well and you can feel when you have correctly compressed the ball. I also think the spin rate is superb I get less and more controlable spin rates with them than I did the Pro V on which I think there is to high a spin rate.

The new Nike is certainly longer than most but more importantl for me extremely playable and controlable around the greens than the other premium rate balls

So, just to sum up...

1. they feel almost as if the ball isn't compressing at all
or
2. you can feel when you have correctly compressed the ball

3. They feel absolutely dead off the club face
or
4. They come off the face very well

5. They spin probably more than any other ball I've played
or
6. They spin less than I did the Pro V on which I think there is too high a spin rate.

You've got to love the consistency! To each their own

Ray you post though done in jest, actually highlights very well the reason that people should try things for themselves instead of going on advice of others, for the simple fact were all individual and will look for different things in even the same ball.

Absolutely Mav, it's amazing how much difference "feel" makes in golf, and how personal it is, whether it is clubs, clothing, or balls.

On another thread recently someone commented on a scratch golfer they knew who liked the feel of an Ultra over premium balls.

Maverick wrote:That would've been me raving about them, I got hold of 2 dozen when I went out to Doral, and have to say I love the feel of them, I don't think there is a dead feel to them at all. They come off the face very well and you can feel when you have correctly compressed the ball. I also think the spin rate is superb I get less and more controlable spin rates with them than I did the Pro V on which I think there is to high a spin rate.

The new Nike is certainly longer than most but more importantl for me extremely playable and controlable around the greens than the other premium rate balls

As a matter of interest which of the 20x1's were you using? The "X" or the "S" .

Can't use Nike out of principal. It would be like wearing Gola football boots or using an Asics Tennis racket, they're just a brand which doesn't really belong in golf.

super_realist wrote:Can't use Nike out of principal. It would be like wearing Gola football boots or using an Asics Tennis racket, they're just a brand which doesn't really belong in golf.

Nothing to do with your mate with the 14 major W's?

raycastleunited wrote:

super_realist wrote:Can't use Nike out of principal. It would be like wearing Gola football boots or using an Asics Tennis racket, they're just a brand which doesn't really belong in golf.

Nothing to do with your mate with the 14 major W's?

If not that it could be the slave labour in third world countries.

raycastleunited wrote:

super_realist wrote:Can't use Nike out of principal. It would be like wearing Gola football boots or using an Asics Tennis racket, they're just a brand which doesn't really belong in golf.

Nothing to do with your mate with the 14 major W's?

Not all of them were with Nike.

Them being in Golf is like having a Berghaus set of irons. Completely ridiculous.

Nothing wrong with Gola footie boots, I had some when I was 16 which is getting on for 30 years ago. Had a green stripe down the side, I loved them.

K@S wrote:

Maverick wrote:That would've been me raving about them, I got hold of 2 dozen when I went out to Doral, and have to say I love the feel of them, I don't think there is a dead feel to them at all. They come off the face very well and you can feel when you have correctly compressed the ball. I also think the spin rate is superb I get less and more controlable spin rates with them than I did the Pro V on which I think there is to high a spin rate.

The new Nike is certainly longer than most but more importantl for me extremely playable and controlable around the greens than the other premium rate balls

As a matter of interest which of the 20x1's were you using? The "X" or the "S" .

Ball I tried and am now still using is the "S" version I find I can get a good spin rateoff the ball and the feel on and around the greens is fantastic. It may not be the best ball for all but it certainly is for me and is staying in the bag. The "X" version is very much for someone looking for premium distance whereas I prefer the softer S for control.

For me the 20XI is better than the Pro-V with its to high spin rate, is more durable than the bridgstone which is a shame as its a damn fine ball, outperfromed the Zstar which I was using and I just cannot stand the Penta doesn't feel right when putting. So I'll be using the 20XI S for many years to come

Just brought back 6 dozen Penta's from the States, local superstore is doing buy 2 doz get 1 free. Worked out at £18 a doz so I'll be sticking with them for a while.

Fortunately they are my fave ball

raycastleunited wrote:Absolutely Mav, it's amazing how much difference "feel" makes in golf, and how personal it is, whether it is clubs, clothing, or balls.

On another thread recently someone commented on a scratch golfer they knew who liked the feel of an Ultra over premium balls.

i cant imagine any scratch golfer being able to get to scratch with an ultra unless the course has stopable greens all year round. i suppose i can understand one prefering the feel- but ultras can not play certain shots

SmithersJones wrote:

Marcus wrote:I've tried them. A friend of mine bought some back from the US, and gave me a sleeve of three. I gave one a go for a few holes on Saturday.

They seem to be very durable, fly a mile and spin probably more than any other ball I've played, but they have the weirdest feel. They feel absolutely dead off the club face, almost as if the ball isn't compressing at all (even though it obviously is). I'm sure it's all down the new-fangled cover material.

I'm sure I'd get used to it after a few more hits, and maybe I'll try them again when they're more readily available, but for the time being I think I'll stick with my usual.

Thanks Marcus, I'll look out for that feel (or lack of!). Just as a matter of interest, what is you usual?

At the moment I'm using the 2011 Bridgestone B330-S, but have also been trying out the Srixon Z Star XV. I'm not sure what version of the Nike 20xi ball I used, but by the sound of Maverick's experience with them, it may well have been the harder version.