As part of the About.com Golf "Best of 2004" equipment ratings, here are our selections for the best new golf balls of 2004 (more selections on the Best of 2004 homepage; see also last year's picks in the 2003 rankings).
1. Ben Hogan Hawk
If you're going to give a ball Ben Hogan's nickname, you better make it a great ball. "The Hawk" produces less spin on driver and long iron shots, and lives up to its "SOAR" Energy Core monicker with a soaring trajectory. Great distance, feel and control make The Hawk a winner.
2. Callaway HX Tour
Callaway's "Black" ball, because it comes in a black box, and to differentiate it from the HX Red and HX Blue balls. The HX Tour features Callaway's thinnest cover, which allows for a larger core. That, along with Callaway's "HEX" dimple pattern, translates into distance and feel.3. Nike One
The Nike One comes in Black or Gold versions. The Gold is manufactured for feel and control, and the Black for penetrating ball flight and roll. Heck, they're both manufactured to be good enough for the world's best players (and they are played on tour by many), which makes them good enough for you and me.4. Srixon HR-X 333
A 3-piece multilayer with Srixon's "E.G.G." (Energetic Gradient Growth) core, the HR-X 333 is targeted at higher-swing-speed players who seek distance without giving up control. The Rabalon-HR cover is a new soft elastomer built for speed. More info5. Dunlop LoCo Pro
Dunlop's pro-caliber equipment in 2004 might be called the equipment that John Daly built. Engineered to be played by Daly on Tour, the LoCo Pro follows on the very successful LoCo brand launched by Dunlop in 2003. The LoCo Pro is Dunlop's first multilayer, urethane-cover ball. More infoMake Your Own Choices
Visit the About.com Golf Forums to make your own selections for the best new golf balls of 2004.
