In recent times, there has been extensive discourse surrounding the diverse array of golf balls offered by Volvik. While the company is renowned in North America for its vibrant colours and distinctive designs, it is essential to highlight that they also boast a comprehensive line of Tour inspired golf balls. From firm to soft, three-piece to four-piece, Volvik manages to cater to almost every niche within this segment.
The XT Soft is the company’s foray into the highly sought-after and competitive “soft” urethane ball category. These types of balls are favoured by amateur players, particularly those with moderate swing speeds, who seek superior greenside performance while also desiring a softer feel on their full swings. Priced at £39.99 per dozen, the XT Soft offers exceptional value, prompting us to eagerly put it to the test.
Key Technologies
The XT Soft is a three-piece urethane ball with a 70-compression rating, making it the softest Tour ball in Volvik’s lineup. It is designed for golfers with a driver swing speed in the 75-95mph range.
The core, which Volvik claims is engineered to maximise energy transfer rebound and added distance for moderate swing speeds, contains a NdBR rubber blend. This Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber is described as “high-resilience,” signifying that the golf ball efficiently transfers energy from the club into speed, particularly with slower swings.
The V-Hybrid S1 mantle layer, situated between the core and cover, is composed of an ionomer compound, crafted to enhance speed while optimising spin performance across all clubs. This translates into lower full-swing spin, especially with the driver, and higher spin with wedge shots.
The thin VU-X2 urethane cover is constructed for durability while providing high levels of greenside spin. Its “336 Perfect Symmetric” dimple pattern is designed to produce a mid-high trajectory, stability in all conditions, and consistent performance shot to shot.
Furthermore, the Volvik XT Soft features the same three-line V-Focus alignment system found on the Vivid and Vivid Combi balls. This unique system provides a visual reference for setting the face square to the target and operates like a standard alignment line for putting, with the central “bullseye” area offering a focal point at address.
Appearance, Feel, and Performance
Unsurprisingly, the XT Soft exudes a soft and pliable sensation when held, instilling confidence that the ball will spin around the green. Its cover showcases one of the brightest shades of white, making it stand out among its counterparts. The contrasting black and blue lettering of the logo, coupled with the unique alignment system, adds to the ball’s visual appeal. The overall package exudes an intangible allure, making it exciting to set the ball down in front of the club.
The XT Soft provides an incredibly plush feeling at impact, making almost any impact position on the face enjoyable to some degree. Direct comparison with a well-known “firm” Tour ball revealed just how pleasant the XT Soft feels.
On full swings, the XT Soft produces medium ball speeds, high launch, and slightly less spin than some of the other current “Tour” golf balls on the market. This results in close-to-average distances, thanks to the combination of launch and spin. The trajectory ranges from mid-high to high, ensuring the ball stops quickly on well-struck shots into the green.
With shorter swings, the soft urethane cover and mantle layer come into their own. Launch is slightly higher and spin is slightly lower than some Tour level balls, yet the end results are in line with expectations in terms of carry and stopping power. Overall, the XT Soft is an extremely playable, great feeling ball that delivers solid short game performance, high trajectory, and reasonable distance, particularly for players with lower swing speeds.
Product Details
The Volvik XT Soft is available at volvik.com
Priced at £39.99 per dozen
Available in White or Yellow
The Volvik XT Soft golf ball is a solid choice for amateur players seeking exceptional performance and a comfortable feel without breaking the bank. With its innovative technologies and impressive characteristics, it certainly stands out in the competitive market of golf balls.