Equipment
Snell MTB-X joins MTB golf ball lineup; all MTB balls now available in Optic Yellow
Snell Golf has unveiled its latest model of golf ball – the MTB-X, with the company additionally now offering all MTB golf ball models in Optic Yellow.
The Snell MTB-X is the successor to the company’s MTB Red ball, and its two new models consists of the MTB Black and MTB-X. The MTB Black is designed for players who seek a softer feel, with the ball aiming to provide players with a medium level of iron spin. The MTB-X, on the other hand, looks to offer players both a firmer feel and higher iron spin. Both of the new models are designed for low driver spin to provide players with maximum distance off the tee.
The new addition from Snell is offered in a one dozen “MTB Test Pack,” featuring two sleeves of each MTB model and a fitting guide to help players choose which ball works best for their game.
Speaking on the new addition, Dean Snell, owner and CEO of Snell stated
“In 2018, customer feedback of our MTB RED model led us to a new design target. We felt we could provide high spin for approach shots while lowering driver spin and maximizing distance off the tee. The new MTB-X model has accomplished both of those goals and has added the elite feel & durability of a cast urethane cover.
“Players who enjoyed the MTB RED model will find MTB-X to be very long, extremely durable, and offer improved aerodynamics for strong performance in windy conditions.”
The company are now also providing every MTB model in Optic Yellow.
The MTB-X is available to pre-order now from SnellGolf.com, with shipments scheduled for early April. Pricing for the MTB models starts at $32.99 for a dozen, with the price being reduced to $27.99/dz should you order five dozen.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Tom
Feb 19, 2019 at 5:53 pm
Costco’s balls are just as good as anything out there, and under $12 per dozen…
Jase
Feb 20, 2019 at 11:29 am
The old ones were. New 3 piece ones suck
Tom
Feb 19, 2019 at 5:51 pm
The name, Smelly Balls seems odd, doesn’t it?
Jason
Feb 19, 2019 at 1:47 pm
I would like to know which ball will launch higher off of the driver?
Jon
Feb 18, 2019 at 3:14 pm
So people are going to bitch about the price of a dozen golf balls delivered to your front door going up by a buck? $31.99 vs $32.99 Wow. If that’s the case, I’m sorry about your plight and maybe you can find some affordable golf balls for your budget.
Tubo
Feb 18, 2019 at 2:09 pm
It really is one of the worst names fora golf ball.
Jon
Feb 18, 2019 at 3:09 pm
Why?
Rich
Feb 18, 2019 at 12:44 pm
The price has gone up, but the 5-pack deal is really good for a tour-level ball. They also offer 2-day shipping free. With tax, a pack of 5 dozen costs $147 (assuming 5% sales tax; YMMV). If you purchase the same number of ProV1s with the same sales tax it would come to $252.
Personally, I’m not particularly price-sensitive; I want the ball that fits me. But this is significant…and for a very good ball.
I preferred the MTB Black over the Red, so I’m looking forward to gaming the MTB-X to see if I like the firmer feel with the greater iron spin. Because I hit single-length irons, the trajectories are low for the 4-7 irons; extra spin might help.
Kim
Feb 18, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Looks like Snell is going the same way the others are. So much for the $25 bucks a dozen. Good ball, probably worth $35, just sad to see they didnt hold the line.
JCGolf
Feb 18, 2019 at 1:10 pm
$140 for 5 doz = $28/doz
Jay
Feb 18, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Kim, they start at $32 and get down to $27 as you buy a few dozen, plus FREE 2 day shipping. For cast urethane golf balls that perform well that’s a great deal.
Ht
Feb 18, 2019 at 4:19 pm
*as good as any ball that exists, definitely worth $35. Insane value at $28 a dozen