You’ve been a Nike golf ball user but they won’t be making them anymore, here’s a guide to making the switch to a new ball.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With Nike recently making its monumental announcement that they are cutting production of all golf equipment and sticking to apparel sales, you might be left with a decision.
If you have been playing a Nike golf ball your going to have to choose a new golf ball sooner or later. For the casual observer or player, you might just see a golf ball as a golf ball, but if you’re really looking to maximize your game, you’ll already know just how big of a change this could be.
Even with Nike’s withdrawal from the equipment game, there’s no shortage of options on the market for those moving to a new option. So where do you start and what should you choose?
Throughout the next few slides I’ll offer new ball suggestions for you to try based on the Nike ball that you have been playing.
In other words, taking your skill level, budget and preferences into consideration, let’s help you to find your new best friend on the golf course.
Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
There are two types of Nike RZN Tour balls: RZN Tour Black and RZN Tour Platinum
These are the top of the line tour level Nike golf balls boasting a selling price of $40.00 for a dozen. They’re designed for more experienced golfers with a high swing speed. They are also the balls played by Rory McIlroy, who when was asked about his ball, said he had a three-year supply of them at his house. So as for now, McIlroy has time to decide which ball he wants to play next. If you don’t have such a supply here’s a few suggestions to help you make your decision:
RZN Tour Black:
The RZN Tour Black is designed to provide more distance while still not giving up the around the green control because it’s a tour level ball. With that being said, compared to the Tour Platinum, the Tour Black has a lower spin rate for more distance. The lower spin and lower ball flight gives the player distance off the tee and better control around the green than non-tour level balls.
In summary, you have a high swing speed and play this ball for distance while giving up minimal control.
Suggestions: Titleist ProV1x ($47.99), Bridgestone B330 ($44.99)
RZN Tour Platinum:
The RZN Tour Platinum is the tour level ball counterpart to the Tour Black. The Tour Platinum aims to provide control while not giving up much distance. It provides a higher spin rate than the Tour Black which is how a bit of distance is lost.
In summary, you have have a high swing speed and play this ball for control while giving up minimal distance.
Suggestions: Titleist ProV1 ($47.99), Bridgestone Tour B330S ($44.99)
Mandatory Credit: Eric Sucar-USA TODAY Sports
There are two types of Nike RZN Speed: RZN Speed Red and RZN Speed White
These balls are apart of Nike’s four type RZN series. As a level below their RZN Tour counter parts, these premium balls sell for a slightly lower price of $29.99 per dozen. They are designed for the player just below skill level of those using RZN Tour. However, they still maintain similar quality to the RZN Tour just a bit softer for players with a more moderate swing speed.
RZN Speed Red:
The RZN Speed Red ball is comparable to the RZN Tour Black, in that it’s for the player looking for a bit more distance. It has a lower spin rate and lower trajectory than the RZN Speed Red to maximize the distance off the tee. As the RZN Tour Black is, this ball still aims to have control, but just places more of an emphasis on distance.
In summary, you have a moderate swing speed and play this ball for distance while giving up a bit of control.
Suggestions: Titleist NXT Tour ($33.99), Bridgestone B330-RX ($39.99)
RZN Speed White:
Similarly, the RZN Speed White is comparable to the RZN Tour Platinum, in that it’s for the player looking for control. Unlike the RZN Speed Red, this ball has a higher spin rate and higher trajectory to maximize control while still holding distance.
In summary, you have a moderate swing speed and play this ball for control while giving up a bit of distance.
Suggestions: Titleist NXT Tour S ($33.99), Bridgestone-RXS ($39.99)
Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
There are two types of Nike Power Distance balls: Power Distance Long and Power Distance Soft
These are designed at a low price point and reside as Nike’s cheapest golf ball. They sell for $15.99 a dozen from their website and aren’t designed for the top of line golfer. Rather these are for the golfer with a rather slow swing speed looking for the more economical choice.
Power Distance (PD) Long:
The Nike PD Long ball is exactly what you would expect it to be from its name. This ball aims for maximum distance. Its low spin off the tee creates a sure bet for a golfer to get quite the distance. However, the low ball flight and low spin makes it hard to control around the green.
In summary, you play this ball to get maximum distance. Steer clear of this type if you’re looking for around the green control.
Suggestions: Callaway War Bird ($17.99), Pinnacle Rush ($19.99)
Power Distance (PD) Soft:
The Nike PD Soft ball is the counter part of the PD Long. This ball is also designed for distance but adds a bit more control compared to the PD Long. This provides more spin than that of the PD Long therefore creating some around the green control not seen with its counterpart.
In summary, this ball is provided for those who like the PD Long’s distance but want a soft ball for more control.
Suggestions: Srixon Soft Feel ($19.99), Pinnacle Soft ($19.99)
Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Nike Mojo
Dustin Johnson comes to mind when I think of distance off the tee. So does the Nike Mojo ball. Its not hard to find out the features of this ball as you don’t have to look any further than one of its packaging designs. The phrase “extremely long” is displayed right across the front of the package. These balls have excellent distance at a rather cheaper price going for $19.99 for a 24 pack. It minimizes spin off the tee for some pure distance.
In summary, these balls are for people looking for a long ball at an economical price.
Suggestions: Top Flite Bomb ($19.99/ 24 pack), Taylormade Burner ($19.99/ 24 pack)
What will you be making the switch to? Let us know in the comments below!
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