The unending search for distance and feel
What is the best golf ball for senior golfers like me to play? For me, the search for the Holy Grail of golf balls is neverending.
Do a quick Google search, and you’ll find dozens of articles claiming documented proof of the “best ball.” While I don’t deny the experts’ scientific evidence, I firmly believe in the rule of: “I’ll know it when I see it (or hit it).”
Like almost everyone, when Titleist first introduced the Pro V1, I couldn’t wait to buy a box. As the most expensive ball on the market at the time, and made by the most respected manufacturer in golf – it had to be the best, right?
And yes, it did seem to travel a little farther… but my drives didn’t suddenly jump from 240 yards to 260.
As the years passed and my age climbed (a bit faster than I’d like), I continued experimenting with different golf balls as my swing speed slowed to a crawl. The next big hit on the scene was the Callaway Chrome Soft; it was Callaway’s answer to the Pro V1.
Everything I had read said seniors should play a softer, lower-compression ball to help compress it properly. Adding the word “Soft” to the name was a clever move, clearly aimed at us seniors. While the Chrome Soft did feel a bit softer than the Pro V1, it still wasn’t the answer I was looking for.
The disappearing balls
Around the same time, Costco introduced its now-famous Kirkland ball at a fraction of the Pro V1’s price. Golfers across America immediately claimed it performed just as well. The ball became so popular that whenever a Costco store received a shipment, it would disappear in days. In fact, they sold so quickly that I never managed to purchase a box.
For months, rumors swirled that Costco had somehow cracked the code of Titleist’s secret sauce.
I did manage to try a few stray Kirklands I found on the course, and agreed – they played very much like a Pro V1. Unfortunately, they still weren’t what I was searching for as a senior golfer.
Suddenly, overnight, the original Kirkland ball disappeared forever. Costco later reintroduced a “new” Kirkland ball, but sadly, it never captured the magic – or the following – of the original. Like many golfers, every time I visited Costco, I’d wander the sports aisle hoping to stumble upon one last dusty box of the original Kirklands.
On one of those searches, I noticed a new ball on the shelf: the Callaway Hex Tour Soft. At the time, the price was about $25 for two boxes of 24 balls. At roughly a dollar a ball – and once again featuring the magic word Soft – I had to give it a try.
The first swing told me everything I needed to know.
The words of Archimedes came instantly to mind: “Eureka! I have found it.”
I could actually feel the ball compress on the clubface. My drives suddenly found new real estate: fairway real estate I hadn’t visited in years. At last, I had found my ball.
Interestingly, the Hex Tour Soft was only available at Costco, but that didn’t bother me: the shelves were well stocked, and the price remained low.
Unfortunately, my joy lasted only a couple of years. One day, I went to Costco to resupply and found only two boxes left. When I asked about the next shipment, I was told there wouldn’t be one. Callaway had stopped producing the ball for Costco. No explanation….just no more. I was told another Costco across town still had some Hex Tour Soft balls in stock. I immediately drove there and bought their last six boxes. One box remains under lock & key, awaiting the day I get that phone call from Augusta National with my invitation to play.
Perhaps the Last Box of Callaway Hex Tour Soft golf balls in America?
Renewed search for the Holy Grail of golf balls
My personal warehouse of Hex Tour Soft balls lasted for another couple of years. When they were finally gone, the search began again. The Callaway Super Soft ball seemed like a logical replacement, but for me, it didn’t have that same magical feel. Callaway later released a Hex Soft ball, but without the word Tour in the name, and it just wasn’t the same ball.
Each time I needed golf balls, I tried another brand and another “soft” model. Nothing ever quite matched the feel and distance of the Hex Tour Soft
Last year, I was invited to attend the 2025 PGA Show to preview new merchandise and write an article about the event. Like everyone else, I left with a goodie bag stuffed with freebies. Among those freebies were a couple of bright lime green golf balls called Spectra, made by a company named Zero Friction. These balls were nearly neon – far easier to see than traditional white balls – and featured a matte finish.
At first, I tossed them into my bag as emergency spares. But when I finally teed one up for a driver shot, my reaction was immediate: I once again found the Holy Grail of golf balls.
“OMG….the Hex ball has returned… and it’s lime green.” My regular playing partners were suspicious right away.
“Illegal ball!” they declared.
“There’s no way you gained 20 yards with that thing unless it’s illegal.”
But the Spectra ball is 100 percent legal and has that same soft, compressed feel that I love. It flew farther, felt great off the clubface, and only costs about $22 a box.
Zero Friction, was founded in 2001 and originally became known for its golf tees, which were designed to reduce contact between tee and ball for longer, straighter drives. I use their tees, though I’ll admit I’m not smart enough – or good enough – to validate their claims. However, Zero Friction does state their tees are the number one tee used on the PGA Tour, so there’s that.
In 2011, Zero Friction expanded into golf balls; balls designed – you guessed it – with less friction. I’m no scientist or golf guru, but as I said at the beginning of this article: When I find the right ball, I’ll know it when I hit it. Once again, I have found my ball.
I like it so much that five boxes of lime green Spectra balls are currently sitting behind my desk. I strongly suggest that any senior golfer searching for a new ball give the Zero Friction Spectra golf ball a try.
Closing message to Zero Friction: Please… don’t ever discontinue this ball.
Larry Hall is a contributor to Alabama Golf News
Featured image: Still from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail
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