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Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on the Vice Tour golf balls – do they offer golfers a great value-for-money option seeking extra distance?
If you’re in the market for an affordable golf ball that delivers on distance, the Vice Tour may be the golf ball for you. No doubt this ball is excellent value for money, but does performance match the affordability? Let’s take a look at the numbers produced during the Vice Tour golf ball review..
The Vice Tour golf ball is a great choicefor golfers prioritising distance and durability over short-game control. While it lacks green side spin, it delivers excellent driver and iron performance, making it one of the better budget-friendly options available.
It is an attractive option given its price point offering stable distance gains at the fraction of the cost of some other golf balls.
The first thing you notice is the firm feel. Unlike premium urethane-covered tour balls, the Vice Tour has a Surlyn cover, which gives it a noticeably harder touch. Off the putter, it produced a high-pitched, clicky sound which isn’t the most pleasing feedback if you’re used to a softer response. That said, the Tour alignment aid is a handy feature for those who like to line up putts.
NCG Verdict
It’s fair to say that though the overall feel off the putter and wedges is firm, the short game area wasn’t where the Vice Tour golf ball is supposed to excel.
Despite the lack of some technological inclusions for performance gains, this ball will last you a while due to its choice of cover. The Surlyn cover provides added durability, making this a good option for golfers who don’t lose many balls but frequently play from bunkers or hit multiple chips per round.
Unlike urethane-covered balls, I found the Vice Tour’s cover holds up well over repeated shots.
For those who rely on greenside spin, this ball may disappoint. In 50-yard pitch shots during my testing, spin rates hovered around 5,000 RPM, which is relatively low. This high launch and low spin profile meant stopping power on approach shots was limited. Compared to similarly priced alternatives like the Kirkland Signature I have previously used, which offers more spin, the Vice Tour was noticeably less responsive around the greens.
Where the Vice Tour shines is in distance performance. When I had a 7-iron, ball speed reached 117.5 mph, carrying 164 yards with a total of 173 yards. While the spin was slightly lower than ideal operating at 6,000 RPM instead of 7,000 RPM, the high peak height and descent angle made up for it.
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When it comes to driver performance this is where the Vice Tour really delivered for me. Off the driver, the numbers I was able to reach were impressive for a ball at this price point. The carry of 275 yards and a total distance of 294 yards in the table above was very good visible, especially considering the price point.
Compared to the Kirkland I had previously hit, the Vice Tour was around 10-12 yards longer with the driver. This makes it a solid choice for players prioritising distance.
Final Verdict
While the Vice Tour delivers excellent driver and iron distance, I think its lack of greenside spin and firm feel make it a tough sell for players who rely on finesse shots. Although, if you’re after an affordabledistance ball that performs well off the tee, this is a great option.
If you’re a golfer where spin and feel around the greens matter to you, alternatives like the Kirkland or a urethane-covered ball might be a better fit.
