If you are looking for something "softer", you might want to give the Titleist DT SoLo a try. A good ball at a value price. http://www.titleist.com/golfballs/DTSolo.aspx

I have been using the dt solo since my first round of golf when I was 8 but I really didn't like it much. I just now started using the prov1x but I feel like I'm not good enough to play it and do not want to pay the money. The nxt tour is a lot cheaper but I don't think I like it as much

Andrew,

I had the same dilemma when I was a competitive junior golfer when budget was a major concern. Back in my day is was choosing between the lesser priced and more durable Titleist DT and the more expensive Tour Balata ball. The Tour Balata clearly out performed the DT but it was more expensive and would get dinged up fairly fast. Oftentimes I would practice with the DT and play matches/tournaments with the Balata ball -- unfortunately this was not ideal due a big difference in feel between the balls.

Fortunately today's top-end balls from Titleist (PROV1 & PROV1x) are very durable, so ball longevity is no longer an issue.

Here's what I would suggest: For practice, I'd buy a box of PROV1 or PROV1x X-Outs or Practice balls. These balls are half the price of the regular PROVs and should have the exact same feel and performance. Now for your matches and tournaments use your brand new PROVs (not the X-Outs / Practice balls). This should save you some money while allowing you to learn the play characteristics of a top-end ball. 

As a developing player, it's real important to learn "feel" and the best way to do is to stay with one ball. The PROVs clearly have the best feel of all the Titleist balls. My hunch is the PROV1 will be the best ball for you since you don't have a high-swing speed yet.

Hope this helps and best of luck with your game!

Cheers,
Jeff  

I have the same prob as the author (im 12) and normally just a buy a sleeve of the PRo V1s before a tourney. As for the on course evaluation, it's worthless to me, cuz not all my shots will even hit the green, and I don't have time to be playing 2 balls. (hardly even 1!!!!!)

Hi Andrew,

You're best bet would be to conduct an on-course evaluation and compare the performance of the Pro V1x and NXT Tour to see which golf ball works best for your game. Conducting this evaluation on a golf course really is the best way to determine which golf ball is going to help you shoot lower scores.

Here is a link to our golf ball fitting page where you can get more information on our selection and fitting process:
http://www.titleist.com/golf-ball-fitting/

You can also download an on-course evaluation scorecard here:
http://media.titleist.com/images/titleist/pdfs/US/2011/scorecard.pdf

And if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can download our new golf ball fitting app here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/titleist-golf-ball-fitting/id447636227?mt=8

As for the question about compression, it's important to remember that the golf ball is always going to compress when force is applied. It might compress more if you are hitting a shot with a full-swing and it might compress less with a partial swing shot, but it is still going to compress.

We also like to remind golfers during the education process that when we are developing golf balls we are designing them for all shots, with all of the clubs in a golfers bag. Within any particular golfer’s game, he or she utilizes a variety of shots that require large variation in swing speeds. The golf ball has to perform for all shot types and the varying swing speeds with which those shots are hit.

That’s why we look at the entire game with our fitting process and not just one performance attribute like driver swing speed. Again, our goal in golf ball design and fitting is to help golfers shoot lower scores. The best way for golfers to do that is to get out on the course and see how well they can execute shots into the green.