50 Words or Less
The Volvik VTU3 golf ball has extremely soft feel and strong performance for average swing speed players. The Volvik VTU4 golf ball is also soft but is geared toward players with a little more speed.
Get 3 dozen VTU3 or VTU4 balls for $95 with code MATT95 HERE
Introduction
Earlier this season, I got to take a look at Volvik’s Condor golf balls [review HERE]. I found them to be strong performers that compared favorably with the biggest, most expensive names in the golf ball arena. In this review, I’m examining the Volvik VTU3 and VTU4 golf balls. Like the Condor, these are premium, urethane-covered balls, but these have lower compression ratings, potentially making them a better choice for players without elite swing speed.
Feel
By the specs, both the Volvik VTU3 and VTU4 should offer golfers very soft feel. They have “Linking Reaction Technology” Urethane covers and compressions of 80 and 90, respectively. Volvik rates the VTU3 as “Extremely Soft” and the VTU4 as “Very Soft”.
With the putter, that difference between the two models is very obvious. The VTU3 is about as soft as any Tour-style golf ball. Its sound is quiet and low-pitched, on the border of a “tock” and a “thud”. In contrast, the VTU4 is firmer and louder, right on the averages for a tour ball. The sound is a clearer “tock”, and the feel is more responsive.
Moving to the wedges and irons, the Volvik VTU3 has a low pitched “tock” and a medium soft feel. While not quite in that marshmallow soft range, it is close. This is definitely the softest feel of Volvik’s Tour-caliber balls. The VTU4 is noticeably louder. I would still describe the sound as a “tock,” but it’s clearer, more pronounced. This pairs with a firmer feel – just a hair softer than average.
Short Game
All four of Volvik’s Tour-caliber golf balls – the Condor, Condor X, VTU3, and VTU4 – are described by the company as having “Excellent” short game spin. My testing, however, revealed substantial differences among the four different models.
The Condor and Condor X produce spin at or above the average for a Tour-style golf ball. For me, that was not the case with the VTU models. I found the Volvik VTU3 to be about 5% below average in wedge spin. The VTU4 was as much as 10% lower. While the spin was lower, I found that both VTU models were consistent in their spin production across a large sample of shots and across different golf balls, indicating quality manufacturing.
It’s important to note that more or less spin in any facet of the game is not inherently good or bad. If you are a naturally low spin player who wants to see the ball stop on a dime, you will want the highest spinning ball available. However, players that are naturally high spin may prefer a lower spinning ball for more control and predictability. The key is fitting the equipment to your needs.
Long Game
Both the Volvik VTU3 and VTU4 have a 332 dimple pattern that aims for a stable flight and accuracy. Where they differ is in the core. The VTU3 has a White Carbon Single Core; the VTU4 has a White Carbon Power Dual Core, that dual core accounting for the fourth layer.
That added layer and higher compression (90 vs. 80) made the VTU4 slightly faster than the VTU3 for me. My swing speed is above average but not elite (around 110 MPH), and I was seeing consistently better ball speed from the VTU4. Per Volvik’s recommendations, neither of these balls is meant for high speed players – the VTU4 is labeled “85+ MPH” and the VTU3 is “75+ MPH” – but the VTU4 is a better fit for me than the VTU3.
Turning to spin, both balls are rated “Low” driver spin by Volvik, but I saw a measurable difference between the two. For me, the Volvik VTU3 spun slightly higher throughout the long game testing: mid-irons through driver. Both balls are on the higher side of the average range for a Tour-style ball. If you are a high spin player, there are probably better options, but I think these will serve the majority of golfers quite well.
Conclusion
While loads of Tour-style golf balls aim to be the lowest spinning, the Volvik VTU3 and VTU4 serve a different part of the market. These balls are built for players who prioritize soft feel, want Tour performance, but may not have elite swing speed. If that describes you, and you like saving money compared to the biggest names, give these a try.
Get 3 dozen VTU3 or VTU4 balls for $95 with code MATT95 HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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