gear
Thinking out of
the box >
Two guys from
Germany aim to
roughen up the
Australian golf
ball market.
WE
TRIED
IT! >
VICE Golf Balls
Over the last couple of
months, Inside Golf has
tested the VICE golf balls
on a variety of courses.
W
hat do you get when you combine
an innovative marketing concept,
aggressive price/performance ratio
and ultra-cool style?
According to VICE Golf, an innovative
and technically advanced startup based in
Germany, you‘d get a „Golf Ball revolution“.
The young company, founded by Ingo
Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl, positions itself
in the premium quality segment of the
golf ball market by young designs, highest
quality products and a completely new
business concept. The company offers three
technically demanding and R&A/USGA
certified golf balls that have been developed
at par with the market leaders, but cost only
a fraction of the price of their competitors.
The trio of models offers something for
players of all levels. The 3-piece cast urethane
VICE PRO is the company‘s top-of-the-line
ball. Next is their 3-piece DuPont Surlyn
VICE TOUR, which features a maximum spin
reduction. Rounding out the offering is
the 2-piece DuPont Surlyn VICE Drive, the
company‘s entry-level ball.
At the order quantity of 60 balls, VICE Golf only
charges between $1.25 and $2.95 per ball. This
makes them far more affordable than similar
products of other premium manufacturers.
“VICE balls are on average half the cost
than similar products of other premium
manufacturers,“ Stöckl says.“A new ball at the
price level of a lake ball, yet achieving quality
standards of the leading golf ball brands. By
avoiding the intermediate trade and distributing
exclusively through the VICE website this strong
price/performance ratio can be possible, and the
savings will be passed on to the customers giving
them a drastic price advantage.”
Off the tee, the
VICE balls have a very
satisfying feel off the
clubface, and offer a good
amount of “workability“. The 318 large
dimple design provides a trajectory from
the tee and fairways like a bullet through
the air, while around the greens, we
were surprised at the amount of spin/
bite we could impart when needed.
Many of our approach shots—and par3 tee shots—hit the green and stopped
softly. Short chips and pitches were
equally responsive, as the ball reacted
as expected. From high flop shots to the
low bump-and-runs, the VICE balls were
consistent throughout.
can compete with the highly acclaimed and
high priced competitors in all factors, despite
its significantly lower price. Its all-round
performance has completely convinced me
and in terms of length it’s ahead of the wellknown compet ][ۋ8