By Jeremiah Ritchie, Maple Hill Golf
Spring has arrived in Michigan. The greens are green again, The Masters theme song sings in the background, and new golf equipment is in stores (and probably in your bag, too).
You’re holding onto the promises of straighter shots, extra yards, and lower scores. Weekend warriors and club champs alike are making early-season adjustments to their respective games – tweaking a driver loft from 10° to 10.5°, dropping an 18° hybrid from the bag and adding a 52° wedge, or picking up a new rangefinder to help navigate the course. But there’s one more essential piece of equipment that cannot be overlooked as you begin the 2019 golf season: the golf ball. 
The number of golf balls available on the market can be dizzying. Between the medley of models and a rainbow of color options, it’s easier to ignore the noise and stick with the logoed Warbird you found in the weeds. But there are several exciting options on the shelves this year, across all brands, that you’ll want to check out before you tee off. Here are three we think you should consider putting into play this season.
TITLEIST PRO V1/PRO V1X
We pay attention when Titleist releases a new version of the number one ball in golf. This update to the Pro V1/Pro V1X is all about improving ball speed while lowering spin in the long game. They achieved this with just a few key changes. The new Pro V has a 17% thinner cover, allowing for a larger casing layer (the layer just under the cover). The larger casing layer, combined with a new, faster core, allows for higher ball speeds and lower spin in the long game for greater distance off the tee. This is all accomplished while maintaining the spin and control around the greens that Pro V players love.
And if these improvements weren’t enough to get you excited, the Titleist Pro V1/Pro V1X is now available in yellow.
MIZUNO RB TOUR/RB TOUR X
We’ve seen Mizuno golf balls in markets outside the US for years. You could get your hands on them, but you had to go through eBay and be willing to overpay. Now Mizuno is offering a tour-level golf ball here in the US. This isn’t an overnight decision for Mizuno. The company spent over a decade in wind tunnel testing to create their Cone (C) Dimple. The C-Dimple helps to reduce drag, allowing the ball to move more quickly through the air and perform especially well in the wind. The RB Tour offers low driver spin for more downward attack angles while the RB Tour X model provides mid/low driver spin for flat to upward attack angles.
WILSON STAFF DUO PROFESSIONAL
If you have that champagne taste for a quality golf ball but don’t want to pay the higher prices, the new Wilson Staff Duo Professional (Pro) is a ball you must try. Coming in at $8-$13 per dozen under the tour-level golf balls, the Duo Pro can still boast a urethane cover like those on premium golf balls but with a low 60 compression for softer feel and increased spin off irons. The Duo Pro is also available in four colors: white, matte yellow, matte orange, and matte green.
