The Strata Professional Control offers this novice (about 30 rounds to date) the right blend of feel, control, durability, and price. I am, by no means, a big hitter, so the bulk of my effort goes into improving my short game, at least until my swing develops into a labor of habit. The very soft feel of the Professional Control is much to my liking, whether struck by the putter, wedges, or irons. It seems to roll well off the putter: no surprise blast-offs like one might expect from a harder ball, nor is it mushy like an old kiwi. Wedges can impart a useful amount of spin on this ball, and the ball will give the greens what-for when it drops in. Iron shots feel nice and respond well to amateur input via the club. As for wood characteristics, I have no solid opinion. Feel and ambition have come more quickly to my short game than to my long. I might like a slightly firmer feel from the woods, but I can't point to any specific detrimental effect on my long game as a result of choosing the Professional Control. I think this was among the earliest of 3-piece balls on the market, so performance should be well-rounded even if technology is a few years old by now. In any case, I don't notice any higher incidence of slicing, nor any reduced distance with this ball. Barring a greedy cartpath, a hungry crocodile, or a run-in with an airplane propeller, the Professional Control ought to last through at least one round. Hey, for $12.97/dozen on closeout (discontinued...bummer!) I'll take what this ball does for my game. No sense, at least to my way of thinking, paying $30 for the U-Tri Tour or even $20 for the TopFlite Strata Tour Soft when the results and durability with the Strata are comparable if not indistinguishable. And since I have developed most of my feeling for the clubhead and the lie while playing Professional Control, I will tend to stick with what works. A fine, durable ball at a harmless price. And a superb tool for developing feel around the greens! Now go out there and...don't buy any because I want them.

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Precept U-Tri Tour--nice ball, but no need to spend that much. TopFlite Strata Tour Soft--ditto. Pro V1 (several types)--ditto. Nike (several types)--either too hard or too easily blemished. Most other balls are too hard. Were it not for the premium pricing, I wouldn't mind trying Callaway HX Blue, Titleist NXT Tour, maybe some Hogans...others in the soft, high-spin class.