True story: I just finished marking my brand new Titleist Pro V1x with my signature "R" and teed off on the first hole of one of the nicer courses in my city. I hit a pretty good drive, but I pulled it a little left just out of the fairway. Sure enough, a gentleman that was playing a hole adjacent to mine hits a ball that is in close proximity to where I estimate my ball to have landed. When I get up to that specific area, there is a ball there, but it isn't mine -- it's a Top Flite. "Oh no you DI-ENT!" I exclaimed under my breath.

Without hesitation, I picked up the ball and began sprinting towards the green of the adjacent hole where the ball thief had gone. (Unfortunately we didn't rent carts.) When I got to the green, I asked the man politely as he addressed his ball (or rather MY BALL) with his putter, "Excuse me sir, what ball are you playing?"

"Top Flite," he quickly replied. I walked over, picked my ball up from in front of his putter, showed him my mark on the ball, and handed him his Top Flite and went on my merry way. Of course, the group on the tee behind us (waiting to tee off) was not too impressed.

Okay, so perhaps I'm a bit of a ball snob, but the Pro V1x will set you back a little more than the Top Flite XL 3000. But this ball is an inexpensive ball that will go a long, long way. If you are a weekend hacker, by all means enjoy these balls (with your Big Mac and Coca-Cola).

Also, for the premium Top Flite ball, check out The Gamer. These balls have a better feel around the greens than the XL 3000. They're a little more expensive, but a lot more playable. Give them a try -- just make sure you keep an eye on ‘em.

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A quick funny anecdote: Many years ago, my buddy Nick and I were at a PGA Tour event, The International at Castle Pines in Colorado. We were following Mark Calcavecchia when he lost his ball in the tall grass. He's getting pretty frustrated... when a man in the gallery shouts that he has found Mark's ball. The gentleman was quite a ways away from where the rest of us were looking for the lost ball. Mark shouts out to the man, "What kind of ball?"

The man replies "Top Flite XL 2000." The crowd broke out into laughter.

However, Top Flite is trying to bring up their game a little, and these Gamer Balls prove it. They are chock-full of technology. They have a dimple-in-dimple pattern with a multilayer construction. The Mantel (or middle) is firm to decrease driver spin, and the cover is thin for a good feel around the greens.

Of course, they are still going to feel like a rock compared to a premium ball like the Titleist PRO V1x, but for the money, I would certainly recommend this ball for the average golfer that wants a little more bang for his buck than the typical distance ball.

However, Calc probably won't be playing these anytime soon.

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Before we get to the technology of these clubs, let me start by saying that I really like the look of the carry/stand bag. I think the pink and grey is sporty looking, yet feminine. It's a cool look for a lady bag.

Now the good stuff -- let's take a look inside the bag. These clubs were designed for the beginner. It has a big ol' mallet putter with alignment stripes, and the irons are all very large forgiving cavity backs.

My favorites are the two hybrids, the 4H and the 5H. I wish they had hybrids when I was learning the game. These clubs are so easy to swing as compared to the old traditional long irons with the small club head.

Finally, the driver is a big 460CC forged club with a lightweight graphite shaft and weighted especially to help you square the club head. Grip it and rip it with this bad boy; just make sure to give it a test drive on the driving range before you head out to the first tee.

Find this Top Flite XL Set:

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That's right, I'm singing that old '80s classic Super Freak by Rick James. This Top Flite Freak Ball will have you singing the same song if you catch it on the screws with your driver.

This is a pure distance ball that is two pieces and uses Top Flite's "Dimple in Dimple Aerodynamics." The cover is thin and made of soft ionomer with a firm ionomer boundary layer and a extremely durable rubber core.

This is a good ball if you're looking for an economical ball that is durable and goes a mile. If I did my math right, you can be getting these "Freaks" for less than one dollar a ball.

What you are giving up though is feel. This ball feels like a rock and limits my touch and workability.

If you want to take a look at a quality golf ball, please read my review on the Titleist Pro V1x. This is my top pick for any golf ball. It's a ball that goes very far off the tee, but has a very soft feel from the fairway and around the greens.

You should also check out the Bridgestone Tour 330s. This ball matches up very well with the Titleist Pro V1x, but it has a little firmer feel. Finally, take a gander at the Nike ONE Platinum. This is Nike's equivalent to the Pro V1x. It is a good ball with a soft feel, but I still prefer the Pro V1x for softness and spin around the green.

"She's a super freak. She's super freaky, YOW!"

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I usually don't like these box set clubs, but let's face it - Who has the money to shell out thousands on buying irons, woods, a putter and a golf bag separately, especially if you're not even sure you are going to stick with the game?

With this set, The Top Flite XL 5000, you get the whole kit and caboodle for a reasonable price. The set comes with an offset 460cc forged driver with draw weighting to help you square the clubface, two matching stainless steel fairway woods, two stainless steel hybrids, six cavity back stainless steel irons, and a putter. It also comes with a stand bag and head covers.

I would recommend buying this set of clubs if you aren't really sure how much time you are going to spend practicing -- or perhaps you are looking for a gift for somebody who hasn't ever golfed before, but has shown interest in trying it.

Otherwise, take a gander at the Adam's Golf A2 Irons. For a few more dollars, you will get a set that with some practice you can grow into and use for many years. You might even beat your buddy who got you started in the first place.

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