DT TruSoft for Cold, Out of Season Rounds

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By Doug E

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  • 8 Replies
  1. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    I typically play Pro V1/Pro V1x. I use both, depending on the way I am hitting the ball and the wind/weather. They both provide very similar characteristics around the green, so I am comfortable with either. Been playing them for years. No reason to change.

    Here in MD, we only have a few weeks left of GHIN score posting before going "out-of-season." This year I am considering playing the DT TruSoft in yellow for my winter rounds. First, for the visibility, second, for the softer feel, and third, I really hate losing new ProVs during rounds that don't count. In the past, I always used ProVs all winter, but typically those from the bottom of my bag which had been used a few rounds already. So if I lost one, I still felt like I got my money's worth out of it.

    I have mentioned on other threads my process of warming my ProVs in a heating pad before heading to the course and then keeping them in the insulated pocket of my bag, so that first few tee shots felt more like a mid-summer shot rather than like hitting a frozen rock. I will still continue this practice, but after my round yesterday, testing a new DT TruSoft, I may be doing so with one of them instead.

    I can not believe how well the TruSoft held up, nor how well it checked up coming into the green. Granted it is not a ProV, but it was as good or better than any other non-urethane-covered ball on the market. I had three birdies in my round yesterday with the TruSoft. Each one was a result of my approach shot landing next to and stopping by the pin. No long bomb putts that just happened to go in. Real birdie chances. Ball marks were within a couple feet of where the ball ended up. One shot was from a fairway bunker 90 yards out. Yes, it had a bunch of spin off the face as a result, but it looked like a one-hop-and-stop ProV, ending up within 3 feet of the pin. I was not only impressed with myself for hitting such a great shot, but just as impressed with the way the ball sat immediately.

    After 18 holes with the same TruSoft and then putting it in a ball washer, it still looks, literally, brand new, even with the many high-spin approach and bunker shots I made with it. I am truly pleased with the TruSoft.

    My index is 8.2. I shot a 77 with the TruSoft yesterday. Do the math. That's a pretty darn good round for me. Was it all as a result of the TruSoft? Of course not, but never once did I think the ball was costing me a stroke in any way shape or form. At about 21 bucks a dozen, I think I will buy a couple boxes for the winter. When the ground is hard as a rock, I don't believe any ball's built-in characteristics will be able to do the job they are designed to do. When it's 38 degrees outside and the greens are like trampolines, the ball bounces off frozen water hazards, and you've got 5 layers of bulky clothes on, it ain't really golf. So why waste good ProVs when TruSofts are great balls at half the price? And, you can find those yellow ones a whole lot easier in the winter's washed-out landscape. It's a win-win for me.

  2. Dino J

    Dino J
    Burnaby, BC

    Hi DE, Interesting comments and perspective. I too typically use the Pro V1x throughout the playing season. Yet, as the winter playing or "off season" playing months rapidly approach, I am going to switch my ball out.

    I was playing last week, using the new prototype balls and my tee shot on a shorter par 3 plugged "pin high" but about 2 feet left of the green. It was a quiet day after a steady rain so there were hardly any other golfers out there.

    I spent about 15 minutes looking for my ball -- I did find it, but it reminded me that we are now in the season where I simply do not want to lose a new or near new Pro V1x in these playing conditions.

    I will be switching to the NXT Tour S balls in optic yellow. I have not tried the TruSoft balls as of yet --- but have you tried the NXT Tour S and if so, how would you compare it to the TruSoft balls?
  3. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    I know a lot of people say that one should play the same ball year round, but for the reasons you've cited it makes sense to change. Why play a ball in the winter that costs on average $4, when you can play one that performs almost as well but only costs $1.75. Tried a dozen TruSofts last winter and the only issue was the amount of bounce on the frozen greens, although Pro Vs bounced almost as much and when I would loose one in the leaves it was not a big deal.
  4. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Barry B said:

    I know a lot of people say that one should play the same ball year round, but for the reasons you've cited it makes sense to change. Why play a ball in the winter that costs on average $4, when you can play one that performs almost as well but only costs $1.75. Tried a dozen TruSofts last winter and the only issue was the amount of bounce on the frozen greens, although Pro Vs bounced almost as much and when I would loose one in the leaves it was not a big deal.

    You guys are allowed to play on frozen greens? Ooooh noooooooooo. Am surprised the superintendent will allow you guys to play. If we have frost on our greens in the south, that is taboo, walking on the greens will burn them. Of course we do not have that days that we cannot play in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Frost delays. We are very fortunate.
  5. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    Barry B

    I know a lot of people say that one should play the same ball year round, but for the reasons you've cited it makes sense to change. Why play a ball in the winter that costs on average $4, when you can play one that performs almost as well but only costs $1.75. Tried a dozen TruSofts last winter and the only issue was the amount of bounce on the frozen greens, although Pro Vs bounced almost as much and when I would loose one in the leaves it was not a big deal.

    Yes, frozen. Most courses in my metro area don't close in winter unless there is snow on the ground. Usually in Dec & Jan the ground is frozen and damage too greens is negligible due to the top dressing courses do here. There are some pretty cool, pun not intended, advantages you can play when courses are frozen...bounce your ball across the frozen lake, balls don't plug in bunkers, drives roll out pretty well, etc... Since it is cold and I'm layered up, it's difficult to swing easily so shots aren't traveling as far, so most of the time I'm hitting bump & runs on to the greens. Like your area though, in the fall and spring when we get frost, courses have a frost delay until the sun is out and clears the frost from greens.
  6. Jim K

    Jim K
    Bel Air, MD

    I'm with you Doug. Not even close to your handicap but I think the TruSoft is legit. I've long been on the record as favoring a yellow ball for visibility if nothing else.
  7. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Chuck: We have frost delays too, but when it gets below freezing at night, and then warms up during the day, the surfaces of the greens thaw enough to allow play. However, an inch or two down, the soil is still not thawed completely, resulting in very hard greens with little, if any holding ability.

    Once the temps are below 32 consistently, they don't allow play or they use temporary greens. We also play Bent grass greens here, which, from my understanding, has a very shallow root and as a result, thaws down past the roots faster, allowing play during the warmer parts of the day.
  8. Tom P

    Tom P
    Stanley, NC

    These are some very interesting thoughts and comments. I understand the concept of playing the same ball year round in all conditions, and making adjustments in club selection. But I agree, it is much more palatable to lose a $2 ball in the leaves instead of a $4+ ball. Tomorrow, I plan to play the yellow NXT Tour S on the front nine and the yellow DT TruSoft on the back nine. I'll report on my experience in a few days.
  9. Tom P

    Tom P
    Stanley, NC

    Well, I tried. Played the yellow NXT Tour S for several holes. I have tried it previously as well. Yes, I can see it much better. The feel is soft, but spin and ability to hold the green are lacking relative to the ProV1. After that, there was no reason to purchase a sleeve of DT TruSofts. I have played the ProV1 since it's inception. I have been through two ball fitting sessions. Both sessions confirmed that the ProV1 is the best ball for me. Therefore, I have no reason to even try another ball. I play it year round in all conditions. I rarely lose a ball. But if I do, I will deal with it. When I cannot afford to lose a ProV1 , then it will be time to hang it up.

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