When it comes to premium tour-level golf balls, the conversation often begins and ends with the Pro V1. But what if you could get comparable performance for nearly half the price? That’s the promise of the Seed SD-01.
This Irish based golf company are fairly new to the golf market but that hasn’t stopped them from making a splash. A direct consumer that has a wide variety of different golf ball types. Our focus was on their tour offering.
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So, did our testing find that it would turns heads and challenges long-held assumptions or just not live up to the billing. Find out here with our full Seed SD-01 golf ball review….
NCG SUMMARY
The Seed SD-01 is a premium three-piece urethane golf ball that offers impressive all-round performance at a price that will appeal to any golfer looking to save without sacrificing quality. With spin numbers that rival the best in the business, excellent control in the short game, and solid performance throughout the bag, this ball delivers serious value.
While it doesn’t quite match the top-end ball speed off the driver seen in more expensive models, the difference is marginal and unlikely to be noticed by most club golfers. For its price, the SD-01 is simply outstanding.
PROS
- Outstanding spin and control
- Soft urethane cover offers excellent feel around the greens
- Excellent value for money, especially in bulk
CONS
- Slightly lower ball speed off the driver compared to top-tier models
First Impressions
Design upgrades
A big plus point was their appearance straight out of the box. I know, there isn’t particularly that much to critique when it comes to a golf ball’s appearance. They all look pretty much the same; round, white and have dimples.
Seed have continued to refine their flagship ball, and the third generation of the SD-01 introduces a number of upgrades designed to boost performance. It features a larger core for added ball speed, a thinner and softer urethane cover for improved feel, and a more responsive mantle layer to increase energy transfer and spin control.
While it is clearly designed to rival the Pro V1, the SD-01 is not just a copy. It has been thoughtfully engineered to deliver top-tier performance in its own right.
NCG Verdict
An all round golf ball
It’s important to know ahead of purchasing these golf balls that the Seed-01 golf balls are designed to be an all-round ball. Hence its comparison to the Pro V1, it encourages a complete performance from tee to green.
Spin control
I have always been under the belief that spin control is one of the key markers of a high-performance golf ball. The SD-01 certainly excels in this area. During my 50-yard wedge shots, it consistently produced spin rates averaging around 8000 RPM which is a gold-standard benchmark among premium tour-level golf balls that I have tested previously.
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One standout shot even reached nearly 9000 RPM, which is a rare achievement and speaks to the quality of the cover and construction.
Feel around the greens
Feel around the greens is another strong suit. In my opinion, the soft urethane cover provides a soft feeling off the putter and wedges, closely mimicking the feedback of that of the Pro V1. Despite its lower price point, there is nothing budget about how this ball performs in the scoring zone.
7 iron performance
With a 7-iron, my numbers remained impressive with the SD-01 golf ball. I was able to produce a ball speed of 118 mph, carried it 165 yards, and generated 6100 RPM of spin. These are numbers I would expect from a much more expensive ball. The flight was stable and the ball delivered excellent stopping power on approach shots, which is essential for confident iron play.
Off the tee
Off the tee, the SD-01 continued to deliver solid results, although it did not quite reach the very top-end speeds of some competitors. I was able to post a ball speed of 159 mph with a carry distance of 273 yards and a total rollout of 293 yards. While slightly down on ball speed compared to the performance seen with the irons and wedges, the overall distance and control were still impressive and I think are more than adequate for most amateur golfers.
Final Verdict
More than just a budget golf ball
Overall, the Seed SD-01 is not just a budget alternative, I think it’s a legitimate contender in the premium golf ball market. From spin and feel to distance and control, it delivers everything a serious golfer could want. If you’re chasing tour-level performance without the tour-level price, the SD-01 deserves a place in your bag.
Seed SD-01 Golf Ball Review: The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £35.00 / $29.00
More information: Seed Golf / Amazon website
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