Balls: Here's some we tried earlier

David Duval - ace tester.

"Originally, having my own ball was never part of the deal. No one promised to make me a ball but after playing Tiger's ball (Tour Accuracy TW), I told them what I'd like to see different - a little less spin and a little bit higher trajectory.

"So they made three balls for me, I tested them and picked one, they made a few more like that, I picked the best one, they made a few more like it and I picked the best one again."

The final test came during a practice round at The Colonial club in Texas, Duval recalled.

"The fourth hole at Colonial, is a 230-yard, par-3 and was straight downwind. I hit a 5-iron with one model, kind of a quail-hook right into the front bunker. The next one, I used the ball that's now the DD. It started out right at the pin, landed short and rolled. It hit the flagstick and popped back six or eight inches."

"I said, 'That's too bad, I'll just have to hole the next one.' I took an identical ball, tried a third shot and holed it!. Some guys on the range nearby saw it - a near-ace and an then an ace made the decision pretty easy," commented the former world No.1.

We've been testing balls this week - the Tour Accuracy DD has still to come under the microscope - and we've been having fun too.

Here's some we tried earlier…

Hogan Apex Tour.

HOGAN APEX TOUR

Price: £11.25 for three

What they say: Simply the finest golf ball ever made. Delivers, distance, speed, feel, consistency.

What we say: The first ones we tried were disappointing. A later sleeve performed better but is suited to faster swing speeds of the pros. Maybe at that price amateurs are simply frightened to lose them.

Callaway Warbird pack.

CALLAWAY WARBIRD

Price: £5.30 for three

What they say: Solid core, 2-piece for maximum distance and durability. Performance and quality at an affordable price.

What we say: Initially felt heavy and awkward off the clubface but rolled on and on and got me a telling off from the group in front. Soft feel for chipping and putting. Typical, distinctive discoloured look of Callaway balls but good value.

HIPPO DOUBLE TITANIUM

Price: £16.99 per 15

What they say: Breakthrough technology for exceptional distance. Titanium cover and core. Available in white or yellow.

What we say: Ouch! The kind of hard ball that might cave in the face of my favourite driver. Not for me but a bright, shiny confidence booster for starter golfers.

MAXFLI M3 TOUR

Price: £10 for sleeve

What they say: Three-piece ball designed for reduced spin and extra distance for driving. Superior Tour feel.

What we say: The ball Paul McGinley plays and he generates good distance for a small guy and has an exquisite short game. Ball is maybe not as durable as it might be but a good performer.

NIKE TA2 SPN

Price: £8.70 for three

What they say: Durable, responsive urethane blend for distance and spin. The cover undergoes a new curing process to make it the most responsive and durable cover Nike has produced.

What we say: Soft cover and lower compression but too much distance sacrificed for feel.

STRATA TOUR ACE

Price: £10 for three

What they say: Four-piece, multi-layer technology and dimpled for extra distance. 'One hop and stop' spin around the green.

What we say: Excellent distance but with the weather still cool, the jury's still out on its green action claims.

PTS SoLo from Titleist.

TITLEIST PTS SO-LO

Price: £5.50 for three

What they say: Low compression core with soft Surlyn cover for low spin and straight distance.

What we say: Certainly straighter and softer than most balls I tried this week. Not as durable as I'd hoped from Titleist but hey! at £1.80 a ball I'd still get at least 27 holes out of it.

Wilson True Tour V - balanced.

What they say: Soft feel, maximum distance, without sacrificing control. Perfectly balanced four-piece design.

What we say: Good feel on the greens and off the clubface but marked up easily on its cover. Will re-assess Wilson's putting claims when the greens get faster and smoother.