 First off we have to congratulate one of our forum members, who lives in France, for sourcing this particular item - something that will be of benefit to every serious player who also wants to keep the cost of golf sensible. David the Duffer in the poor mans Pro V1 thread stated: - In France, a big sports chain called Decathlon has brought out their own top-of-the-line ball, the TD-Tour. It is just a tiny bit less spinny than the Prov1x, but not by much. Quite a few good players over here who play in regional comps have switched to it. Greg Begy pointed out that Decathlon were also in parts of the UK - and indeed they sell these balls Well done guys - I bought some of these at the weekend and played with one for 18 holes today - so how does it play? Well I have the one I played with sitting on the desk in front of me - unmarked - which is unusual for a ball of this quality as the spec is: - - three piece ball
- urethane cover
- 432 dimple seamless
It is long - as long as any premium ball I have played and it bores on well through the wind The feel is softer than a lot of current top end balls, particularly Blackmax which was my normal gamer ball. It feels very similar to the Taylor Made TP red or (dare I say it?) Pro V1. It maybe lacks a bit of the stop of a Pro V1 but it was hard to tell on our greens at the moment as they are not very receptive - so playing short and chasing them in suited this ball Putting with them is a pleasant experience as they feel softer than the Blackmax - not as soft as the phenomenal Maxfli A10 but not hard and clicky like some urethane covered balls. So what is the real benefit? Well for me I would easily expect to pay £3 a ball for this performance, or wait for a sell off - but these balls are brand new and cost £14-95 a dozen This - for me - makes them the best find in golf since they sold off the A10's cheap They are only available at Decathlon retail sports hypermarket, unfortunately. David the Duffer - I owe you a drink Cheers! 
|
 |
|
|
 |
I noticed that I have a couple of bits of Inesis gear around from the last time I went to Decathlon. Pretty minor stuff like a shoe bag and a Chipper that I used to need. Both of these are top quality
|
 |
 As a former user of the Inesis Exia, and having suffered under that particular cross for a year or so, I find it incredibly hard to believe they have produced anything of quality. Is this a wind up, Taz, by any chance?
|
 |
 Glad you liked them Taz. I forgot to mention that they tend to last longer than ProV1's but I see you found that out for yourself. Tin Pot, Decathlon (i.e. Inesis) is a bit of a conundrum. As golf is not all that well established in France, they tend to make/sell mainly cheap, low-cost equipment aimed at beginners. However, now and again they bring out something that's really good. I know someone who swears by their new 3-wood (in a good way).
|
 |
 Tin Pot - I daresay some of the stuff they sell is, as D the D says, aimed at beginners. Plus the fact you mention the Exia which must be the cheapest beginners set they do - hell the heads ain't even steel - they do a more expensive range These are their top irons I did point out in the poor mans Pro V1 thread that I thought it unlikely that Decathlon would manufacture their own balls, they say 'made in Japan' on the box, had they said 'made in China' then I would have been as sceptical as you. Take it from me, it's not a wind up, these balls are good - whoever makes 'em. They just happen to have an Inesis badge.
|
 |
|
|
 |
 Seen this logo on Levet's bag for a few years, looked bit like it was spelt Ginesis ? must be my poor sight ) ....v nice looking gear/wedge and will have to give these balls a go for this lolly. Welll done DTD
|
 |
Any change of those in charge getting in a couple of boxes and running a full test and review?
|
 |
 I've mentioned it to Bob Incidentally, I have plowed through a load of old balls ... (no - not 'the other' golf site ) ... and have found out that the nearest balls for pattern, dimple shape, construction, manufacturers marks on the ball etc. are Precept U-Tri's, the Inesis however, sound softer off the putter. My betting is, as previously stated, that these Inesis are a Bridgestone badge job.
|
 |
 Going down to Manchester on business next week. Will have to pop into their Stockport branch for a look-see
|
 |
 Robster - if your amenable would happily pay postage and packing for a pack of these. Thanks
|
 |
 Levet is very selective with his Inesis gear using only their 3 wood and irons. His ball; a Pro V1x. But then he probably doesn't have to pay for his... See what's in his his bag here.
|
 |
 Inesis/Decathlon do varies "grades" of golf gear. Generally: Inesis is the lowest, Exult is lid-level, Canaveral is top. Thomas Levet (French player on the US PGA Tour) is sponsored by Canaveral and actually seems to play a lot of their clubs - was in the top 10 at the Augusta Masters last year. I've perused the clubs at my local Decathlon and the Exult/Canaveral stuff looks decent (if nothing really exciting) with Aldila shafts etc. Only item I've ever put into play were some Canaveral balls and they were good. The bags are top qual!
|
 |
 I used Decathlon in London, Canada Water - its been there for years, and I go tmy Ping putter from there. Nothing wrong with the shop itself for gear, especially cheap stuff. T shirts and trainers that sort of thing.
Okay, I won't write them off entirely as I've not seen them, but let's just say I'm heavily skeptical of the entire brand especially with proven brands offering balls at the same price.
|
 |
 Oh, Taz, I'm looking at that wedge now, and thinking maybe 310 miles isn't so far... 
|
 |
 especially with proven brands offering balls at the same price. 
Tin Pot - there is not a proven brand offering new balls at the same price. The same price 2 piece balls offered by proven brands are not in this league. The reason so many guys use Pro V1's is that they perform better than cheaper versions - an NXT will never be a Pro V1 no matter how many revamps it has. The Pinnacle Exception is exceptional but not a Pro V1. The overall performance of a top 3 piece urethane ball justifies its price but if an Pro V1 equivalent ball from a lesser known manufacturer can be bought at half the price, then that is the bargain.
|
 |
 Okay, keep your wig on. 
|
 |
 So can they be bought online? If not, why not? Isn't someone missing a trick here?
Put it this way, I trust Taz not to big up any old sh!t & we're in absolute agreement on the A10 red-dots.
Maybe Decathelon need a quiet word in their shell-like as I would be interested in making an initial doz purchase followed by a bulk buy if proved to be even almost as good as a ProV1/variant (don't wanna be left in the old A10 situation as before).
|
 |
 Over here, Decathlon have many big mega stores, where they sell a lot of their own stuff as well as some big-name brands. I suspect their business model is to get you into the store, and I can't see them changing that philosophy soon. They have little competition from the Internet as a) they obviously wont sell their own brands to anyone else, and b) they have such a big volume here that it would take a really big reseller to match them on price.
|
 |