Check Out The New Golf Balls

Much like a library, the golf ball market has so many offerings that you just can't check them all out at once. But there's no need to worry. We've gone through and checked out the entire library of golf balls to tell you what's new, what's hot and what's going to drive you right past your playing partners. We've read up so you can read up and decide which of 2006's new golf balls should find a place in your bag.

Among the newest introductions to the golf ball market are TaylorMade's branded TP Red and TP Black golf balls. The balls are three-piece designs constructed with an NdV4 core, multi-blend ionomer mantle and ultra-thin thermoset urethane cover. These balls also employ a new advancement called PDP (pentangular di-pyramid) dimple design. The tour-quality, urethane-covered balls generate faster ball speeds for more distance while offering low spin off the driver and high spin with the irons.

The performance difference between the balls is a result of different core dia-meters and mantle thicknesses. The TP Red's larger core and thinner mantle promote low spin off the driver and a slightly lower, tour-like launch angle off every club for increased control. The thinner mantle also generates a somewhat softer sound and feel. The TP Black's thicker mantle permits the ball to slide up the clubface a fraction at impact for a higher launch angle while promoting an even lower rate of driver spin. The combination of higher launch angle and lower spin rate helps encourage increased carry and distance.

The Ignite from Nike Golf is a performance ball that offers longer distance, penetrating ball flight and terrific multi-layer feel and control to a wide range of players and swing speeds. The core is hot and responsive and generates exceptional energy return. The mantle also lowers driver spin and responds to aggressive strikes. The softened Surlyn cover and penetrating 408-dimple pattern help to produce long drives and ideal control with irons. This ball is for players who prefer low spin, long distance and penetrating flight off the tee without compromising on mid-iron control or greenside feel.

The three-model Wilson Prostaff 360 family of golf balls features a proprietary Flash Metal pearlescent cover to make the balls easier to see in the air and on the ground. The Max Distance model is for golfers looking for added distance and incorporates a high launch angle and maximum initial velocity off the clubface. The Straight Flight offering is targeted at players who appreciate distance but need to hit the ball straighter. It produces low driver spin for straighter flight off the tee and a mid-launch angle that creates a boring trajectory and increased roll. Golfers who want drop-and-stop performance on the green prefer the Tour Performance model that promotes high spin with irons and a soft feel while maintaining excellent distance.

Dimplit's 1070 golf ball is a performance-oriented ball based on the company's All-In-One (AIO) concept. AIO provides the distance benefit of a two-piece ball with the control and spin benefit of a premium three-piece ball at a non-premium price. It's the first golf ball with 1,070 multi-faced dimples to produce optimum lift and increased carry for added distance. The ball's core is also more compact and solid to create an even energy release for a smoother flight and increased distance. The ball's compression maintains the required softness.

Srixon unveiled an improved version of its acclaimed AD333 golf ball. The new AD333 features an enhanced cover that delivers more spin and control than the original, plus a more resilient Energetic Gradient Growth core. The result is a ball with softer feel that launches higher with less spin and more ball velocity for greater distance. The improvements don't override the feel and control that were the hallmarks of the original AD333. The highly resilient Rabalon-elastomer blended cover is exclusive to Srixon. Rabalon is a soft and durable material that is 35 percent more resilient than standard ionomer found in most two-piece balls. Increased resilience offers greater ball speed and initial velo-city off the tee while providing soft feel and spin on all approach shots into and around the green.

Precept's new XP3 golf ball offers golfers a unique blend of distance, feel and durability at an affordable price. This is the first Precept ball to feature the company's X-Polymer core. It produces a softer feel while increasing the energy released at impact through its repeating X-shaped molecular structure. The advanced make-up of the polymer provides a more efficient energy transfer at moderate swing speeds, giving players the ability to generate the relative distance with this ball that players with high swing speeds get from tour-level balls. The soft Surlyn cover also creates acute feel on short-game shots. The injection-molded cover allows for consistency in spin, feel and distance yet is still highly resistant to abrasions and scuffs. The Seamless Cover Technology provides a consistent trajectory even in windy conditions.

Callaway upgraded its HX Tour and HX Tour 56 golf balls. Both are now manufactured using the company's proprietary RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) technology, which locks in the core and mantle layers to ensure maximum concentricity while injecting an ultra-thin, exceptionally soft cover for high-speed drives and iron shots with plenty of spin. A new finishing system also creates better adhesion and improved gloss retention so the balls keep a whiter, brighter finish longer and resist scuffing and groove-shear for longer life.

The performance differences in the HX Tour and HX Tour 56 golf balls are a function of the thinness of their covers. The thinner cover of the HX Tour generates a bit more speed off the driver. It flies farther but maintains tour-caliber spin around the greens. The HX Tour 56's thicker cover generates more spin and softer feel around the greens while producing high-level distance performance. Both balls feature the HEX Aerodynamic dimple pattern that virtually eliminates the ball's seam to enhance shot-to-shot consistency, reduce drag at impact and increase lift in flight for longer, more stable shots.

Callaway also introduced the HX Pearl, a three-piece, high-performance ball with HEX Aerodynamics. It is specifically designed to provide women golfers with exceptional distance and soft feel.

Top-Flite introduced three improved versions of its Top-Flite XL golf balls that carry forward the company's focus on distance, durability and value. All three balls (Distance, Distance Yellow and Straight) were designed to meet a specific objective. The Distance version provides golfers across all swing speed segments with superior distance. The Straight produces superior distance while reducing hooks and slices for longer, straighter shots. The Distance Yellow gives golfers the same benefits as the Distance model with an Optic Yellow cover for better visibility.

Each ball features Afterburner Core Technology that enhances large-core technology by increasing energy transfer and adding an extra burst of power to maximize distance. The Seamless Dimple Technology improves aerodynamic performance by decreasing drag, while the symmetrical dimple pattern increases consistency from shot to shot. The Straight model also incorporates the Slickote covering, which is a proprietary clear coating that further reduces spin.

Maxfli's wildly popular Noodle golf ball line continues to expand. The new Noodle Ice is engineered to deliver the classic long and soft performance that Noodle balls are known for while incorporating two compelling cosmetic elements designed to enhance the way the ball looks, increase visibility and appeal to a broader audience. The cover of the ball is transparent, like a thin layer of ice, allowing the colored core beneath to clearly show through. Four high-optic colors (lime, lemon, tangerine and raspberry) are available. Each color is striking in appearance, making it easier to focus on at address for a higher level of ball-striking confidence and easier to track in flight than standard white balls.

For golfers looking to improve flight trajectories, reduce sidespin and better fit a ball to their game, Bridgestone offers the e5 and e6 balls. The e5 is targeted at players who seek a higher trajectory from the tee, equating to more distance. Tour-like feel is also a benefit of the e5. The two-piece urethane cover, 432-dimple pattern and Seamless Cover Technology (SCT) make the e5 a great alternative to conventional balls that have a seam. The e5's brother, the e6, is for players who lose distance on tee shots that are affected by hook and slice sidespin. The e6 incorporates an ultra-soft multi-layer construction and a patented SCT 330-dimple design to give golfers straighter, longer shots.

Although relatively un-known, the Amur 460 DMS+ ball is a high-technology choice for golfers looking to try something new. An extra-large energy-charged inner core provides superior velocity, while a soft thermoplastic elastomer comprises the second layer and results in extended flight time. A side-marking aim system creates straight putts and consistent results at correct speeds.