Within the golf industry, there may not be a sector that is as dominated by such a small number of brands like golf balls are. It can also be argued that there may not be a sector that has changed the game as much either. Those two things always make it interesting when a company comes along with an idea and tries to jump in and make their mark. It is typically a mixed bag of results when someone without the financial backing of the major “players” presents an idea that they truly believe can change the way people think about equipment. One such company is “I Need the Ball”, and their quest is to blend distance with greenside accuracy to create a quality all-around performer from tee to green.
I Need the Ball – From the Company About “The Ball”
The Ball is brought to you by three high school buddies who wanted to bring something new to the world of golf. We created a three-piece ball with a tungsten core. It’s the only one on the market, so you’ll have to peg it up yourself to see how it performs. This thing really rips.
We made the Ball for people like you who, like us, are looking for a competitive advantage to blow past your buddies on the links. A day on the course is that much more enjoyable with the Ball, whether it’s spinning it back to within three feet or hitting your 5-iron 210.
These aren’t our dad’s balls, they’re ours.
Introducing: The Ball
The only 3pc cast urethane ball with tungsten core technology on the market today. The ball combines the makeup of a high-performance ball with the core of a distance ball.
Cover: Cast Urethane – 318 Dimple Design
- Slow cure ensures strongest chemical bonds, increasing durability and performance.
- Soft Feel & Good Spin with Wedges and Short irons.
- Cast Urethane Cover produces more “grab” on an iron clubface resulting in more spin and fewer flyers.
Mantle: Multi-Blend Ionomer Mantle
- Promotes high initial velocity and low launch angle generating lower spin for longer distance off driver.
Core: Largecore Tech with Tungsten
- Large Core with just the right compression to get the most out of the ball.
- Tungsten in the core to add length without giving up feel and overall ball performance.
Aesthetics:
The most noticeable thing about “The Ball” is the branding itself. There are no numbers on these golf balls, rather, the company has chosen to go with an alignment arrow and a logo in a different color for each sleeve within a box. There will undoubtedly be mixed emotions on this but the fact is smaller companies have to find ways to stand out and “The Ball” certainly does that. The logo itself has some pretty interesting ties to chemistry that make it even more unique. At the center of the logo is a “W”, the atomic symbol for Tungsten, which is used in the core of the golf ball. Additionally, the outside of the logo is a snake eating its own tail, a reference to German chemist Friedrich August Kekulé’s “Benzene Dream”, in which he dreamt the atoms aligned themselves to look like a snake eating its own tail. Obviously, not something that everyone is going to get, but incredibly clever in reference to the science that went into developing this golf ball.
Beyond the logo, the ball itself features a urethane cover and a 318 round dimple design. If one did not know these balls were from a smaller company they would never be able to guess by the quality in hand. The cover lacks any imperfections and there is also not a noticeable seam on the. All in all, when up close and in hand the quality stands out on its own.
Performance:
Clearly the most important thing about a golf ball is the performance than it gives the golfer on the course. Naturally, results will vary as it pertains to distance from user to user, as we all have different swings and swing speeds. With “The Ball” the companies goal was to design a ball that could be played by many levels and give the different traits that many seek in one package.
Obviously the big push here with “The Ball” is the use of tungsten within the core. Although this is not the first ball to use tungsten to try and improve distance, it is the first one to combine it into a three-piece package in an effort to produce a ball with distance and greenside capabilities. According to the company, the key with the tungsten being used within the makeup of the core is that it allows for a better overall compression, which should produce the best launch numbers and distance. According to the company, when the tungsten core combined with the Ionomer blended mantle layer they achieved a ball that can produce lower spin off the tee than some of the other major 3-piece golf balls on the market. They then added a urethane cover and some spin was regained where most golfers need it, around the green. Everything sounds good on paper, but what it comes down to is performance.
- From the Tee
During testing off the tee (driver, fairway wood, hybrid, and irons) “The Ball” proved to be a solid performer time and time again. Although it was not longer than most golf balls that it was put against, it also was not shorter and this should very much be considered a good thing, even with the claims of additional distance off the tee. The fact is golf balls will fit swings differently and result in varied performance from a distance standpoint the majority of the time. For “The Ball” the similar distance seen very much makes it a contender with many of the major balls on the market. Additionally, spin off the tee was in a very comfortable range and did not accentuate misses like some urethane coated balls can tend to do.
- Into the Green
Off of the long irons, short irons, and wedges into the green “The Ball” performed as one would expect a urethane golf ball to. The golf balls produced the necessary spin to pull off the shot required depending on the situation. From a full release to a hop and stop and even getting some shots to dance a bit with the higher lofted clubs, it responded quite well. One additional note is that the ball gave off a bit of a higher pitched (more clicky) sound than several that it was hit side by side with. This fact is likely a compression factor in coordination with the core being a different material than we typically have seen. That said, even though it was a bit different sound, it was in no way, shape or form what could be considered harsh or plastic like. It is just different than what many may be used to. Much like with the driver, the performance here is not necessarily better than other competitors, but it also does not lag behind, which should definitely be considered a good thing.
- On the Green
The way a golf ball performs on the green obviously is not in relation to its distance, but rather the overall feel off of the putter. Despite having a higher pitch off of the irons, on the green “The Ball” provides a plush feel off of both inserts and milled faces. The lack of harshness off the putter face is likely another benefit of the urethane cover.
Parting Thoughts:
All told, “The Ball” may get indifferent initial glances because of the packaging/branding or the fact that it is such a small company of friends that have designed it, but the quality really speaks for itself. At a cost of $34.00 per dozen for a three-piece urethane golf ball, “The Ball” stands up well against other bigger named golf balls on the market. Although it may not be exponentially better than similar 3-piece golf balls on the market it also does not fall behind in any particular category. In fact, this is a golf ball that provides solid all-around performance and when combined with a solid price-point it certainly comes down to exposure and making the product more accessible to the masses to try out for their specific games.
For more information, be sure to check out www.ineedtheball.com.
I actually like the logo, it’s an interesting look. The tungsten core has been done so not surprised by the performance. But I’m sure there is a market for the ball
Nicely done buddy! I’d give these a go! Something different to try is never a bad thing. The alignment arrow is kind do sweet too
Thorough review here James. Sounds like the ball performance wise falls in line with its competitors but maybe a bit higher priced. I don’t tend to spend $35/dozen, especially without seeing a major improvement over my $20 gamers.
I commend them for putting out a product that can hang with the few manufacturers that dominate the industry.
Good stuff here, James. Intriguing product, especially with it being from a smaller company trying to take on such a dominated sector of the golf industry.
Wonderfully thorough review, James. I LOVE the logo and the story behind it, and it certainly makes this ball look unique. But at $35/dozen, and with no noticeable performance increases, this ball might not do so well in the market compared to some cheaper urethane covered balls.
I love the idea of something different in the ball market, I think the logo is pretty cool with the colors and I hope they succeed. Thanks for the write up.
I like the small companies and I hope these guys can sell some balls and make a little money. They certainly came up with something different and that should help them make a few fans. Good work on the review James. Sounds like a pretty solid ball.
Great writeup. Love to see a compnay do something different. That whole science logo stuff would have been beyond me, so thanks for explaining that to me. For those who want something different, but still a ball that performs, this seems like a good option.
Well done James. Good information. Gotta be honest, the name is kinda corny/quirky. The packaging and presentation is really good. Like I say with any piece of equipment, if it works, its for me. Would love to at least give these a try. Any idea on distribution? Will we see these in stores or just available online? Thanks!!
I know it might be a small thing, but I love the branding and packaging on this one, it really helps them stand out in a very similar ball market. Kudos to them for taking a bit of a different approach!!!
Good thoughts James, I was looking forward to your review on these balls. Although I would love to try them I don’t know that I will being as there is no noticeable improvement on others that are more readily available on the market. If I ran across them in a store I believe I would give them a try.
Well done James! Since the logo, the name, and packaging is enticing, as well as the softer feel off the putter faces, “The Ball” has a chance at surviving the market and competition. Competition is always good!
James thanks for the great review. As to the question on our current distribution. Currently we are only selling online at our website http://www.ineedtheball.com . We are running a sale from Thursday 11/28 til 12/2 for 20% off all purchases. If people are interested and it is okay to post, I could give the code here and possibly move it up a day 🙂 to start today. Any questions please feel free to ask.
Sounds like an ok ball from a start-up company. I like the logo, but having a number on the ball is something you don’t think about much, but I would miss the ball not having one. Straight off the tee is a good thing.
Interesting. My guess is they hope to be bought out my a major OEM. I really can’t imagine an entirely new manufacturer breaking into this market.
Very interesting. I agree with staticline that if it works they will probably get bought out by a large company, but hey, thats still a great success if you ask me!
Great write-up James. Personally, I really like the use of colors vs. the traditional numbers and the logo is a fun touch, especially for the science geeks. The fact that a start-up can produce a quality urethane ball that holds it’s own against the big guys, at a nice pricepoint, says alot for the company. I like supporting start-ups whenever I can and I will be ordering a box so I can see how they work for my game.
Good review James. Funny, I found one of those in the rough this year and had no idea what it was so i left it on the next tee for someone who might use it. Next time I find one I’ll give it a try.
It’s good to see other companies attempt to bring something different to the ball market, but unfortunately, with “The Ball” being at or above the same price point as the Chrome + I play now I don’t see any reason to make a change.
Josh,
Are you guys able to ship to Australia? and if so, how much would i be looking at?
Cheers
Selas – We do ship internationally. Send me an email at Josh@ineedtheball.com and we can see what we can work out.
Great write up James,
The Ball sounds like a great option and will compete with the large names out there with the performance that you describe.