MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) My mailman came today with not only 2 dozen Epon F4 golf balls, but my new RomaRo Barque putter...even though it's pretty cold I couldn't wait to run out to the local dog track a mile down the road and walk 9. I am also comparing my new V-Spec/Crazy 519 combo with my KPX/Fubuki setup I have been playing the past few weeks. No one was on the course so I played 2 Epons vs 1 Wilson FG Tour X and 1 Bridgestone B330 RX every hole. (I am out of Hex Black and XV right now for cold months but am familiar with them for a comparison) My first impression was that if this is the high compression ball, I can't even imagine how soft the mid or soft compression must be. The ball is soft. Like a stick of butter covered in lotion sitting on a velour pillow on a Tempurpedic mattress. I was expecting them to be more Hex Black or XV like but they play more like a ProV1 or FG Tour. So soft that on flushed iron shots you barely feel them and on mis**ts a bit of a rubbery feel. Every bit as soft as the RX, and softer than the FG Tour X. Drives: The ball seemed to be as long as the FG Tour X and longer then the RX for me. Of course 9 holes and 14 drives in 45 degree weather isn't really conclusive evidence, but I thought it seemed to launch somewhat low and then climb to a high apex, than have a more abrupt drop than the normal balls I play. It seemed particularly noticeable with the Ryoma combo which has a higher ball flight than the KPX. There was a slight breeze into my face on a couple shots and I swear I hit one that reminded me of the old balata days when you could hit a low screamer that flared up into the sky then just kind of dropped. It wasn't near as dramatic as those were but had a similar flight. Again, it is cold here and while I keep the balls in my pocket as much as possible, it will have an impact on performance for sure in the cold dense air. Bear in mind I am a fairly high SS and spin player. There's a short 295 par 4, flat with no elevated tee box, with a ravine 20 yards before the green, severe left to right slope on the green, it is drivable but you don't want to be right. I smoked both Epons on the drive, one with the Ryoma and 1 with the KPX. Would have sworn the Ryoma was going to be 15 yards farther, pin high and maybe a bit right. When I got to them they were pretty much the exact same distance, 8-10 yards short of the green, which was pretty much all carry. Not bad in 45 degree temps, no elevated box. Irons: The ball performed very well off the irons, I again noticed a higher ball flight than what I am used to, with a softer "drop out of the sky" descent. I really thought on a few approaches that I was going to sail the green then it just dropped right onto the center. The ball held the greens really well but they're soft this time of year anyways. Short Game: I probably liked the ball best here. Super soft, great controllable spin, predictable release. Probably just a coincidence but my approach shots and chips with the Epons all seemed to be the closest to the pin vs the other balls. Putting: Again, just incredibly soft. They really don't even make a sound off the putter face. Roll was true and they felt good, just not a lot of auditory feedback for those that like a good click. Love the RomaRo putter thus far as well. Pretty much idiot proof which is exactly what I need! Durability: The ball withstood several shots from an aggressive Chikara Proto 58* wedge with very minor abrasions at worst. It didn't fishgill or peel at all. The FG Tour X on the other hand I have completely cut through the cover before with the Chikara. After playing both balls the 9 holes, I washed them up and they looked great still. Overall: I kind of wanted to dislike the ball simply because they cost about $5 a piece for us US people, but I am definitely intrigued with them. Seem to be a very soft, long, carry oriented ball with outstanding approach spin and greenside manners. I hope to have the opportunity to get a bunch of time in with them in the next week as they say the weather will be cooperative. Edited November 6, 2012 by MoreBeerBetterGolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Great review. As I'm a Srixon ball player, can you compare the Epon to any Srixon ball you may have played? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocchin Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Thanks Matt for the feedback and glad you got them quickly. Also factor in you played them in cold weather... they may very well do even better with some nice warmth. Your comments back pretty much what Epon touts in these balls, soft. good off the tee without sacrificing good spin around the greens. Though the ballooning should not be the case and hopefully was isolated. The test numbers I have show them outperforming many top big name balls all around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Great review. As I'm a Srixon ball player, can you compare the Epon to any Srixon ball you may have played? I have a ton of experience with Srixon balls...The XV is one of my favorites. With just 9 holes playing 2 balls, I can't make any concrete comparisons but I can say 100% it is much softer than the XV especially on wedges and the putter. It would compare more with the Z Star in terms of feel. The one complaint I have about the XV is it feels "heavy" on pitches and touch shots for me. The F4 feels much livelier and crisp feeling if that makes sense. In terms of launch, feel, spin, distance, etc, with a gun to my head, I am not even sure what ball I would say it most reminds me of. Maybe a pre-dual dimple B330S or a softer ProV1x? I like the fact that it doesn't feel or perform quite like anything else I am familiar with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 wow you got them fast! nice reviews! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIduffer Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 M, Great write-up, would love to hear more comparison to the Hex Black as that is my current gamer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 M, Great write-up, would love to hear more comparison to the Hex Black as that is my current gamer... I played the Callaway Tour ix for 2 full seasons as my primary ball, and I hated the iz. When the HB came out and I tried it and the Chrome, I was ecstatic. They somehow got almost all the distance of the ix in a much more user friendly, soft feeling, responsive ball. I played at least a dozen of every major premium ball this year, at least of their "firmer" lineup, i.e., the X version normally as I have found those to best suit my game. And I always kept coming back to the HB and the Z-Star XV. The HB is softer and more responsive around the greens, the XV is just a flat out distance monster with just acceptable approach and greenside manners. My first impressions are that the F4 isn't really in the same category of those balls firmness wise. My hope is that they drive as straight as those other two do but with their ultimate soft feel, would be the perfect ball. I hit em straight tonight, but I was swinging well. Part of the reason the XV and HB are so favored by me is that on those off days they keep me in play whereas a Z Star or Pro V is long gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisstrader Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 "Like a stick of butter covered in lotion sitting on a velour pillow on a Tempurpedic mattress" Best line of the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 I'm playing this exact putter right now, same center shaft. I love it! considering sending it to Sasaya for some mods, it really doesn't need it I just want to tinker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 I'm playing this exact putter right now, same center shaft. I love it! considering sending it to Sasaya for some mods, it really doesn't need it I just want to tinker. That's hilarious because after receiving it I thought...man what Sasaya could do to this thing! It is very austere and businesslike. I think I will have it refinished eventually. I realized that as much as I wanted to play a blade/8802 or some other really sexy putter, it made more sense for my score (most important thing, to me) to play with a forgiving face balanced putter with a lot of heel/toe weighting. The box it came in was insane. You would have thought I was opening Elvis' casket. That no nonsense look with the subtle shimmer to the finish is just perfect. No bling, no flash. It just looks like something that was made to make putts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiromikey Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 ...In terms of launch, feel, spin, distance, etc, with a gun to my head, I am not even sure what ball I would say it most reminds me of. Maybe a pre-dual dimple B330S or a softer ProV1x?... this ball could be worth a try as your statement sums up my feelings about the original penta (which i game now). the penta is the only ball i've liked since the original gen 1 prov1x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 this ball could be worth a try as your statement sums up my feelings about the original penta (which i game now). the penta is the only ball i've liked since the original gen 1 prov1x. I think if you enjoy the original Penta then you will really like this ball. Now that you mention it, I harken back to the single dozen of that ball I played...For me it was too spinny off the tee for my swing and I didn't get the distance I wanted. I feel that this ball is longer than the original Penta but shares many similarities in regards to feel, short game spin, etc. Maybe that's the right way to describe this ball...a longer, lower driver spin original Penta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiromikey Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 I think if you enjoy the original Penta then you will really like this ball. Now that you mention it, I harken back to the single dozen of that ball I played...For me it was too spinny off the tee for my swing and I didn't get the distance I wanted. I feel that this ball is longer than the original Penta but shares many similarities in regards to feel, short game spin, etc. Maybe that's the right way to describe this ball...a longer, lower driver spin original Penta. that's the only fault i can find with the original penta...i enjoy it's workability but if you're not careful you can put a little too much side spin on your shots, including drives. however, i don't mind giving up distance for control but if this ball lives up to your billing, i'll have it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idrive Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Will be comparing this ball to the ProV1 and the Srixon Z star tomorrow. Chipping and putting around the house you can feel how much stickier? the cover is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted November 6, 2012 Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 Will be comparing this ball to the ProV1 and the Srixon Z star tomorrow. Chipping and putting around the house you can feel how much stickier? the cover is. Looking forward to your comparison with the Z Star. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreBeerBetterGolf Posted November 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2012 I noticed the stickiness as soon as I took them out of the box... I am just happy they seem to have something a little different here and not just another v1x clone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idrive Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) I noticed the stickiness as soon as I took them out of the box... I am just happy they seem to have something a little different here and not just another v1x clone. It's for sure not a ProV clone. Played 18 today with it and will playing again tomorrow. I'm going to wait until tomorrows round before giving my thoughts only because I didn't get to run it through the drills like I was hoping today. One thing that I'll be paying closer attention to is the ball flight. I swear it did have a different ball flight as MBBG wrote. It was/is a different ball flight. . Edited November 7, 2012 by idrive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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