A tasty ‘marshmallow’ of a ball at an affordable price
The duo that make up NiceBallz provide a good mix of experience, skill and schizophrenia when it comes to the game of golf. Corey is a single digit handicapper while I’m a bogey golfer perpetually on the cusp of that ‘next level’ breakthrough.
Corey’s played the same irons for approximately ten years and I’m about to get my second set in five years. When it comes to golf balls we’re also different – he’s a performance ball guy as his ability to spin the ball and desire for control around the greens is key, while I am always in search of more distance and value — due to the treacherous nature of the balls I play.
My gadget lust often drives me to try new clubs, balls, shoes, bags etc etc etc. Balls are no different. But this freewheeling, golf swinger may have finally found his ball soul mate in the Srixon AD-333.
I reached out on Twitter to @ClevelandGolf when I was in need of a new dozen and they helpfully suggested the AD-333 for my swing speed and handicap. To that point my main impressions of Srixon were from the cheesy Jim Furyk commercials with the talking golf ball (ugh).
The hype
Srixon’s website makes the following claims around performance and technological prowess for the AD-333:
- A soft Pana-Tetra cover (Seriously, are these names not market tested?)
- Moderate driver spin
- SOFT feel and
- A relatively high trajectory
Srixon positions the AD-333 against the likes of the Titeleist NXT and Bridgestone E5.
If there were one non-golf related critique I have of the AD-333 and Srixon, it probably has to do with their questionable marketing. While their website is crisp and easily navigable, I’ve never felt a strong presence from Srixon outside of going to their site. Most of the time when I tell someone I am trying out a new Srixon ball, I am met with a blank stare and the question of ‘What does AD stand for?’ (and we won’t even get into the questions about who/what is Srixon?). The answer? I have no idea as Srixon’s AD-333 page doesn’t clearly specify. Advanced Distance? Alternative Dimensions? It’s a riddle. I’m sure I could have found out with a thorough Google search but um…why should I have to?
Combine a limited grassroots push to players with the utterly forgettable name and it’s not surprising that I rarely need to mark my golf ball when playing the AD-333 – I’ve yet to run across another one in my occasional searches around the course. Too bad.
The reality
The ball is soft. Like a stick of margarine left on the kitchen counter during a warm July day or as @Addicted2Golf put it in an exchange we had with them – ‘like a marshmallow‘.
Hard to argue with that, and while for a player with a moderate swing speed like myself that feel was lovely – for better players and/or high swing speed players the ball may feel a bit too squishy off the driver.
I normally hit a high ball regardless and had a concern that I may balloon more shots with the promised high trajectory of the AD-333. Not the case. Ball flight was high and consistent with shots I hit with other balls. In fact I felt as though the trajectory with the AD-333 actually helped me get more carry vs. just flying higher. A key difference.
While the ball is soft I can’t say it is super sticky with chipping. It’s not horrible, but hardly remarkable either. But with short to mid-iron approaches the balls lands gently and sits tight. Swoon. Putting is also pleasantly consistent and the cover is fairly durable even with the soft feel it delivers. I’ve been known to bounce balls of cart paths and other obstructions and the AD-333 would slightly scuff but generally showed some toughness.
The net?
I like this ball, a lot. And especially for $20 a dozen it’s ridiculously affordable given the performance. Better players probably will shy away from it for reasons noted, but if you’re a mid-high handicapper with a moderate swing speed and are looking for a ball that will sit, fly high and feels like a baby’s butt off the clubface – give the AD-333 a try.
Hack
Hack made smores for dessert on Memorial Day in honor of the AD-333’s puffy white softness. You can find more from him at http://twitter.com/NiceBallz or his faster swing speed, lower handicap collaborator Corey at http://twitter.com/GolferWriterGuy.
Hack is a pen name for a marketing and media relations professional who enjoys blogging as a means to pursue his passion for his favorite sport – golf. He represents the yin to his collaborator’s yang. He doesn’t so much play golf, as the game plays him to his delight and likely demise. Follow his perspective on Twitter at @
Thanks for that thorough review Hack. I too have been looking for the right ball for me for some time now – this one might fit the bill. I think I’ll give it a try. You’re right about one thing for sure – I’ve never found one in the rough or the water’s edge for that matter – no need to mark them!
Who are you calling a mid-high handicapper?
I really love my Callaway tours even though it is probably a better ball than I should be playing. Whenever I try something else, I always come back.
Nice review and NICE photo of the keys in the fish bowl!
Great review. The rough on my course when it is in full strength, is a repository of golf balls, and I find as many as I lose. The Srixon ball, though rare, is keeper. I think I overspend on “Tour” balls anyway, but it is important to be able to stop the ball like you have it tied to a rope, and this is where the “Tour” balls ($4/ball) shine. On sloppy days with soft greens, even a Top Rock will do.
Heather – Mid-High handicapper = 20-30 index right? Right…right everyone? Of course that makes me a ‘low handicapper’. Yanno, in my own mind.
Hack–Would that make my 14 turned 15-index a “low-high handicapper,” or a “high-low handicapper?”
Hack: nice use of navigable.
Could that be a new golf word? New media journalism? Or, just Magellan navigable? Maybe….is that pot belly bunker navigable? You now need to use that word at least once on the course next weekend.
Nice review. I’ve been curious about Srixon but never used them beyond the driving range….and you obviously know range ballz. Agree that their marketing is as dismal as Furyk….not that I don’t root for the guy.
I’ve also been curious about Bridgestone and the new Taylor ballz.
GD – “I find this course highly navigable.” yes…I think that word will stick
. You should check it out for sure, I will loan you a ball or two or three, whatever it takes.
Heather – You are basically ’scratch’ in our book
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