🚀 go-pugleaf

As winter ends in New England, I'm considering a ball switch.  I've been
playing the Titleist HP2 Tour 100 for two years with pretty good
results; however, I feel like I'm missing some touch qround the greens
(140 yards and in) with the HP2.  I messed around with different balata
balls, and they do seem to give better feedback and spin around the
greens.  I also like the fact that it is easier to make the ball move in
the air easier with the balata.  So, with this stuff in mind...........

Here are some stats about me:

30 years old  - male
playing golf for 20 years
5 handicap
long off tee - 270 to 280 with 9 degree, stiff shaft Big Bertha
short game is my strong point
very upright swing (my 855 irons are 2 degrees upright)
stiff shafts in irons
2 iron distance - 215 yards
56 degree SW distance - 90 yards
7 iron distance - 165 - 170 yards
*** all yardages are with HP2 100 Tour balls
ball travel is straight or slight fade
very strong short game
I play 4 or 5 days a week and spend 4 hours per week practicing my short
game.


I plan on switching to the Titleist Professional 100 or the Titleist
Tour Balata 100.

In response to my questions, please compare the two balls I've mentioned
to each other as well as to the HP2 Tour 100.


What are the differences between the two in terms of playability (I went
to the Titleist home page, and they had a bunch of technical
differences.  I want to know how they play differently)?

I don't want to lose control off the tee, but I want more playability
around the greens.  Is there a huge difference here?

How much does cold weather (below 55 degrees) affect balls?

How does putting seem to be affected?  Dave Pelz said in his book that
balata balls seemed to role straighter than 2 or 3 piece balls.

How long does a balata ball last before it becomes "out of round"?  I've
seen balata balls that had no cuts but looked like eggs they were so out
of round!!

How much distance will I lose going from HP2 Tour to a balata ball?

That's it..........  any tips??



Thanks,

Darrin Lucas
Danbury, CT