27 replies to this topic

[getting_to_scratch]

What do you guys think?  

At first I went to the Callaway just so in tournaments I didn't have the same ball as everyone in my group, but after a while I'm pretty sure they play better.

Low spin and more distance on the driver.

Cuts through the wind good.

Stops on a dime on the green.  Short Game & Putting it performs well.  

Only drawback I would say is durability...

What say ye?

Didn't Titleist copy the Callaway Patent for the Pro VI or something as well?

[highdraw69]

i believe the original patent was owned by top-flight, and when callaway bought them, they acquired the patent....others can speak more about the years of legal battles over patent issues

[ram01002]

Hex Black is much better for me than 2011 prov1 and prov1x - - markedly better in the wind. Actually reminds me of the 2009 prov1x.

[cristphoto]

I would compare the Hex Tour to the ProV1X as the Hex has a firmer feel.

[Titleist-Golfer]

I'd say no, and after testing the new ProV1 (much softer feel), I'd say a more emphatic no.  However, a soft feel is very important to me.

[Swingem]

It's better then a ball bearing, even though they feel similar, but not as good a PV1. My opinion of course.

[Padre John]

Will wait for the new Titleist to compare. Played the callaway all last year and hcp dropped several strokes. Hex was longer than provx and softer.

[Bensdad]

Just my two cents but I find the spin more consistent with the Hex Black than with the Pro V 1 or X.  The Hex Black usually stops somewhere close to the pitch mark and the Pro V will stop there sometimes and sometimes will spin back 15 feet.  I'm a pretty consistent ball striker and prefer not have unexpected spin on iron shots.

Distance and trajectory are similar and the Hex Black is better in the wind but that whole spin thing is the deciding factor for me.

[feedlotdoc]

I agree with OP.  The only reason I don't game it anymore is the durability issue.  One good wedge shot and it is shredded...

[Harry Longshanks]

 getting_to_scratch, on 14 November 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

Didn't Titleist copy the Callaway Patent for the Pro VI or something as well?

Without getting too deep into the details ... no.  The original judgement was vacated by the appellate court, which ordered a new trial. At the new trial, the Callaway patents (that Titleist was accused of infringing) were declared invalid.

[vegas005]

I played a round where i had the course to myself and I played a ProV1, Penta 5 and the Hex Black. The ProV1 was the longest of the bunch, the Penta seemed to hold the wind well and the Hex was short and had a lousy feel when putting. I rated them ProV1, Penta, Hex (and I was playing Penta at the time). ProV1 was an all around good performer.

Edited by vegas005, 16 November 2012 - 10:12 AM.

[Padre John]

Harry, I am going to retry to case when the new prov1 is available!!

[cristphoto]

 vegas005, on 15 November 2012 - 01:41 AM, said:

I played a round where i had the course to myself and I played a ProV1, Penta 5 and the Hex Black. The ProV1 was the longest of the bunch, the Penta seemed to hold the wind well and the Hex was short and had a lousy feel when putting. I rated them ProV1, Penta, Hex (and I was playing Penta at the time). roV1 was an all around good performer.

That's interesting as my resuts are just the opposite. Hex the longest followed by Penta5 and then ProV1. Of these three I find the Penta5 has the most balanced overall performance.

[Hstead]

I played the Callaway Tour i series balls, preferred the i(s) and went to it because I was shredding Prov's a couple of years ago.  I took a year off.  Came back and the Tour i(S) was no longer around and the new ball was the HEX Black.  So I bought three dozen.  I was really disappointed.  I do like it in the wind and off of the driver, but it sucks around the green, way too hard, clicky sounding, and just overall firm.  I found a ProV on the course, the new 2012 and loved it.  I messed around the green with each from varying shots and there was no comparison on chips and putts.  So I switched to the ProV.  They were about the same durability for me.  They both hold up well.  

I did just by two dozen old Tour i (S)'s from Fariway Golf because they had them on sale for $19 and I thought I would play them this winter, but I will go back to the ProV in the spring.

I used to have a launch Monitor in my basement and tested quite a few balls.  Back then, the Tour i(Z) was almost identical in distance to the ProV1x and the i(S) was identical to the ProV for me, with the V1x and i(Z) about 4 yards longer than the softer versions.

[myronm]

My experience with the Callaway Hex was a bit different.  Spin and distance were similar to the Pro V1 and Pro V1X, if anything the Hex spun a bit  more on wedge shots.  However, the thing that convinced me not to play was in moderate crosswinds and headwinds, the Hex seemed to "flutter (wobble)" (can't describe it better) on me and was way more impacted by the wind.  Understand I'm a slower swing speed senior (mid 80s) so that might be the reason it doesn't react as well for me.

For some reason, the Pro v's (and x's) just are longer than almost other balls and react on the green much much better so I play them rather than other balls, even though my swing speed is much lower than some of the usual bombers on this forum.

[gambit]

I've been playing the 2011 Bridgestone B330s series and Penta TP5s most of the season. Just bought a dozen Hex Tours based on some positive reviews. Now I'm wondering if I should give em a chance or trade them for some Pro V1Xs.

[sharkiesj]

My 2 cents, maybe not really on topic but just some random thoughts ill throw out. I've always liked Callaways balls. The iX was awesome, the iz was a slight stinker, loved the iZ and absolutely love the Hex Black Tour. Stocked up when Ernie Els special hit. That being said, I found a Penta TP5 and was shocked at how much I like this ball. Soft, spins great and is long off my driver. I almost like it better than all the Hex Blacks I bought.

[J13]

All depends on the individual hitting the ball.  Neither is "best"

[Pepperturbo]

Hex Black Tour is an outstanding ball, least for me.  Its long, yet provides feel around greens and spins really well off my "V" groove LW.  But especially like how it behaves in wind, which I face too often.  Additionally, I average 3-5 rounds per ball before putting it to rest in the shag bag.  PS, I use to play Prov1X.

[gambit]

I'm going to give it a chance. Hopefully it will be awesome. I really, really love the Penta TP5s. Gonna be hard to beat.

[miz85uno]

 Pepperturbo, on 15 November 2012 - 02:51 PM, said:

Hex Black Tour is an outstanding ball, least for me.  Its long, yet provides feel around greens and spins really well off my "V" groove LW.  But especially like how it behaves in wind, which I face too often.  Additionally, I average 3-5 rounds per ball before putting it to rest in the shag bag.  PS, I use to play Prov1X.

+1, i play the prov1x and the more and more i play the hex black, the more i like it...does everything the prov1x does if not better...only thing is i prefer the prov1x feel off the putter

[Padre John]

Prefer the hex black to the pro v1. To me it is longer and spins enough to stop but not too much that it spins off tbe green like the pro v1

[Airmick]

I play either the Hex Chrome, or the ProV1 because they feel pretty much the same to me. It depends on how I feel that day. I have played a few rounds with the Hex Black and the ProV1x. They both seem pretty much the same. A little longer off the tee, but I like the short game of the Chrome and the ProV1. They are both very good balls. I do like the fact that the Chrome comes in yellow for twilight. I think it's just a personal choice. Whatever make you feel confident when you stand over the ball. Does this seem too diplomatic?

[Tactical Golf]

I also just switched to the Hex Chrome...love the ball, and it is always windy here in the Ft Lauderdale area, but this ball handles the wind nicely.

[Texan In The Northwest]

I discovered the Hex Black as I walked through the long grass along the fairway. I was pleasantly surprised with it's characteristics!

[JB lefty]

It hard and clicky. The pro v is a far superior ball for feel and spin.

[gambit]

Played the Hex Black Tour for about 9 holes the other day after losing a Penta TP5 on my 2nd shot on the 10th. I agree with those that say the Hex Black is a little clicky. It did perform well though. Distance was fine off all irons. A little shorter off the tee with woods, but a little longer with the hybrids. Neither was too significant. Spin on the greens was pretty good. What I didn't care for was feel off the putter. I never got used to it and has one of the worst putting 9 holes in a while. Played a Pro V1x on 18 and much preferred the overall feel and performance over the Hex Black. Also, shredded one  Hex on a full wedge shot. Better durability with Penta TP5, Bridgestone, and Pro Vs.

[JB lefty]

 gambit, on 24 November 2012 - 01:54 PM, said:

Played the Hex Black Tour for about 9 holes the other day after losing a Penta TP5 on my 2nd shot on the 10th. I agree with those that say the Hex Black is a little clicky. It did perform well though. Distance was fine off all irons. A little shorter off the tee with woods, but a little longer with the hybrids. Neither was too significant. Spin on the greens was pretty good. What I didn't care for was feel off the putter. I never got used to it and has one of the worst putting 9 holes in a while. Played a Pro V1x on 18 and much preferred the overall feel and performance over the Hex Black. Also, shredded one  Hex on a full wedge shot. Better durability with Penta TP5, Bridgestone, and Pro Vs.

I think the Penta TP5 are a quality ball also. I was playing the pro v1 for a while and then had some nike tours. I found the Nike tours high spin. The Penta TP5 is the best all round value ball going atm. Pretty close performance to the pro v but a fraction of the price. I don't mind so much when my jaws wedges eat them.