Volvik XT Soft Golf Balls Review

[Coloradomrg]

Played 3 of 9 holes with the XT soft today.

Off the driver today, high ball flight with a predictable fade. That makes this a fun ball for me to play. I don’t over spin it, and can rely on my swing to find a fairway.

Irons, not quite as high of a ball flight as the Condor but still getting decent amount and landing pretty soft when hit well. When I get this ball a little thin, it does seem to take off a bit more than I expect.

Wedges today, I was getting this to stop pretty quickly (when I didn’t want it to). Finally got one to roll out just right on the last hole. Too bad I made a mess of the hole up to that shot.

Putting was good. Nothing of note to report on that today.

 

[pumbaa]

After work yesterday got to get to the short game area and try this out just hitting shots around the green and putting. Of the 3 balls given for testing for my game and swing speed this is the winner so far for me.

Off the putter face it is soft but doesn't feel like a marshmallow and I have very solid speed control with the xt soft. I had short, intermediate, and long putts I tried 1 of each volvik ball and the xt soft for me was the closest to the pin overall. I believe this ball performed the best for me due to it feeling very similar to a qst and that my normal ball I use.

Around the green with 5 to 10 yard chips when hit well the shots would usually 1 hop and stop and I was getting pretty confident towards the end and actually trying to carry the ball almost to the hole and have them check and was successful multiple times. My game isn't consistent enough to do it regularly but when hit correctly it was actually fun to watch. I hit some low bump and run shots and did roll a little more than I am used to not sure why but I will try again next time on the chipping green to see if it's truly the ball or just me.

Durability is there for sure because I hit probably 20 wedge shots with the soft xt ball and didn't notice anything that would concern me to put it back in play. I did thin 1 pretty bad when trying to carry the ball almost to the hole and I thought for sure that would have done it and there was a spot but it most rubbed off and would feel comfortable playing it in a round. This will now be my dedicated practice ball and the rest will be used in rounds.

 

[pumbaa]

Put it in play with the Condor balls. Again it performed well but the regular condor gave it a run for the money. Putting is still elite for me and had the best speed control. Sank a 10 footer for par on 18 with it. Off the driver I have solid distance but seem to keep it in play well. Wedges and putting are still where this ball shines for me the feel and control I have is 2nd to none for the rotation of balls I normally play.

 

[Hawk]

Put it in play with the Condor balls. Again it performed well but the regular condor gave it a run for the money. Putting is still elite for me and had the best speed control. Sank a 10 footer for par on 18 with it. Off the driver I have solid distance but seem to keep it in play well. Wedges and putting are still where this ball shines for me the feel and control I have is 2nd to none for the rotation of balls I normally play.

When you say that the Condor gave it a run for your money, what do you mean? I'm just curious if how they compared in specific parts of your game. Is one better for some things and one better for others?

 

[pumbaa]

When you say that the Condor gave it a run for your money, what do you mean? I'm just curious if how they compared in specific parts of your game. Is one better for some things and one better for others?

Bit more distance with the condor and iron shots were more consistent. Could have been the day but the condor really shined with my irons. Putting the xt still is the leader.

 

[Hawk]

Bit more distance with the condor and iron shots were more consistent. Could have been the day but the condor really shined with my irons. Putting the xt still is the leader.

Nice. Consistent as in distance control?

 

[pumbaa]

Nice. Consistent as in distance control?

Yes and flight. Seemed to hold straighter ball flight off the irons. Again could have just been having a good day . Overall if I had to choose 1 for my game currently it would still be the xt.

 

[G-Man]

So fired up the tap soda and compared this to the tour bRx and prov1. Unfortunately a lot of lost ball speed here. Lost aboun7 yards from each of those. Then would on chipping and just not a great fit for my preferences… confirmed at chipping green as there was a strange feeling off the face and then pretty consistent meh feeling. Not what I experienced with Conor and other premiums

The visibility and cover are amazing the alignment seems like a helping hand, however not my favorite

 

[Hawk]

So fired up the tap soda and compared this to the tour bRx and prov1. Unfortunately a lot of lost ball speed here. Lost aboun7 yards from each of those. Then would on chipping and just not a great fit for my preferences… confirmed at chipping green as there was a strange feeling off the face and then pretty consistent meh feeling. Not what I experienced with Conor and other premiums

The visibility and cover are amazing the alignment seems like a helping hand, however not my favorite

Tap soda took me a minute

Was that 7mph with a driver?

 

[jdtox]

I totally forgot to post this apparently! I played the yellow XT Soft last Friday for 9 holes as the sun was setting. Comments I kept getting where how bright the yellow was and it is which is pretty much perfect for what I'm using it for.

Feel wise I think this ball is a bit on the soft side for me, however that was to be expected, hence the name soft haha and even though it felt soft it did not feel like a marshmallow. That being said I quite enjoyed the experience. On full swing iron shots I had no issue holding greens. Distance wise I really didn't notice anything that stood out to me as being off.

As I mentioned the yellow is bright! I kind of dig the alignment aid, I didn't feel the need to have to add my own lines like I do with some other balls. The only issue I experienced when putting was a few came up short after playing a different ball earlier in the day the XT Soft being softer didn't quite have the same distance control.

My plan to play these balls for 9 holes about every other week or so right now after playing 9 holes with a different ball so I can compare the experience.

 

[Hawk]

I totally forgot to post this apparently! I played the yellow XT Soft last Friday for 9 holes as the sun was setting. Comments I kept getting where how bright the yellow was and it is which is pretty much perfect for what I'm using it for.

Feel wise I think this ball is a bit on the soft side for me, however that was to be expected, hence the name soft haha and even though it felt soft it did not feel like a marshmallow. That being said I quite enjoyed the experience. On full swing iron shots I had no issue holding greens. Distance wise I really didn't notice anything that stood out to me as being off.

As I mentioned the yellow is bright! I kind of dig the alignment aid, I didn't feel the need to have to add my own lines like I do with some other balls. The only issue I experienced when putting was a few came up short after playing a different ball earlier in the day the XT Soft being softer didn't quite have the same distance control.

My plan to play these balls for 9 holes about every other week or so right now after playing 9 holes with a different ball so I can compare the experience.

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I like to add a line to many balls as well, but haven't bothered touching these. It's a nice touch imo.

I kind of think durability is an overrated aspect of golf balls, but I will say that these have really been tough to beat up for me.

 

[jdtox]

I like to add a line to many balls as well, but haven't bothered touching these. It's a nice touch imo.

I kind of think durability is an overrated aspect of golf balls, but I will say that these have really been tough to beat up for me.

I only have 9 holes on these but I have noticed that with the Condors as well.

 

[LLIB]

I plan to get out this weekend for at least 9 and put this into play. Should be interesting as I haven’t played this type of ball for a few years.

 

[jdtox]

I plan to get out this weekend for at least 9 and put this into play. Should be interesting as I haven’t played this type of ball for a few years.

I curious to see how you perform with this one.

 

[LLIB]

I curious to see how you perform with this one.

Me too. I don’t have spin issues so the short game and shots into greens shouldn’t be an issue. Be interesting to see if I pick up any distance also.

 

[G-Man]

Tap soda took me a minute

Was that 7mph with a driver?

I found that pretty much all clubs were flying shorter throughout the bag and i was making good contact. This was seen on course (no wind) as well as in the Rapsodo (not tap soda) data.

 

[pumbaa]

Got rained out this past weekend and will be at the WF this weekend, but hopefully can get to the range to test these again Thursday.

 

[Hawk]

I found that pretty much all clubs were flying shorter throughout the bag and i was making good contact. This was seen on course (no wind) as well as in the Rapsodo (not tap soda) data.

Sorry, I may have missed it - what’s your 7i/driver swing speed (approximately)?

 

[G-Man]

Sorry, I may have missed it - what’s your 7i/driver swing speed (approximately)?

80mph and 101 driver.

 

[Coloradomrg]

This will be in play tomorrow afternoon.

I also managed to win a dozen of each type in an Instagram contest, so I’ll be able to continue to post comparisons and notes through the summer

 

[G-Man]

This will be in play tomorrow afternoon.

I also managed to win a dozen of each type in an Instagram contest, so I’ll be able to continue to post comparisons and notes through the summer

nice which ones do you think will be key?

 

[Coloradomrg]

nice which ones do you think will be key?

It’s a toss up right now with the XT and the Condor for me. The XT might have a slight edge. I do wonder if I’ll like the CondorX more as my swing speed increases this summer. Right now, it’s a little too firm for me.

 

[Coloradomrg]

Played the XT Soft for my round today. Temps in the low 40’s, lots of moisture in the air, and overcast.

This ball off the tee is great for me. I don’t overspin it, which keeps me in the fairway. Off irons I get a nice high flight, and decent stops on the green. I am finding that wedge spin for me is inconsistent - which is probably just highlighting a flaw in my swing. Putting is great, though the ball is much softer and not as hot off the face as the Condor seems to be. If I am switching between them on the practice green, it’s tough to manage speed control. Sticking with one type, I have no problem with speed.

Playing the standard Condor tomorrow for more testing.

Really impressed with the XT Soft, especially given how hard they are to get your hands on around here!

 

[G-Man]

Played the XT Soft for my round today. Temps in the low 40’s, lots of moisture in the air, and overcast.

This ball off the tee is great for me. I don’t overspin it, which keeps me in the fairway. Off irons I get a nice high flight, and decent stops on the green. I am finding that wedge spin for me is inconsistent - which is probably just highlighting a flaw in my swing. Putting is great, though the ball is much softer and not as hot off the face as the Condor seems to be. If I am switching between them on the practice green, it’s tough to manage speed control. Sticking with one type, I have no problem with speed.

Playing the standard Condor tomorrow for more testing.

Really impressed with the XT Soft, especially given how hard they are to get your hands on around here!

I find these really have to play for the roll out. Landing slightly short of the hole I found myself going past it on full shots. More a hop roll stop but nothing a little course management it did better than some of the other balls that I have played. Chips were more controllable and got decent spin on course.

On my third time using these, I have to admit that while maybe it was the game I had a bit timid on power or something causing a bit shorter, these continue to leave me in most playable driver position. The dispersion with these is limited to the fairway and the ball goes straight.

 

[gkeller813]

Enjoying the feel of these. I was expecting a lot softer, just based on the name, but it's been a pleasant surprise. Off the driver saw good distance, but with the wet weather we've been having I'm saving full judgement until I can see if I can get any roll out. Irons have also been good. No issues holding greens, with good height into the greens as well. Wedges, I do wish I had a bit more bite on shots inside 50 yards from the fairway. I can adjust, just a wish. Off the putter I really enjoy the alignment aid. That dot in the middle really helps me focus on putts. But I'm still trying to dial in the distance. Just seem to be less consistent that where I was. Jumping between multiple balls doesn't help this, so more time with the XT and hopefully this continues to get better.

Overall, for a ball that's probably not for me personally, it's been a pleasant surprise. Looking forward to continue to test this out.