Volvik is a brand that has seamlessly injected the fun element of golf into their product lines. Their inventory boasts an extensive range of golf balls, many featuring vibrant colors, and some even contain superhero emblems. However, despite their playful approach, Volvik still strives to reach the golfer who is more focused on performance, and that is the golfer they are targeting with their two newest offerings within their Tour Performance line, the Condor and Condor X golf balls.
Since Volvik positions these golf balls as their tour balls, it should be no surprise that they both come with a soft cast urethane cover, which is here to help give increased and consistent spin, but the real story about the Condor line is what is happening on the inside.
Condor is the first golf ball to incorporate a new white carbon material commonly found in high-end tires. This material has high density and cohesion, which ensures that energy transfer is not lost and that the rubber does not age. Thanks to this material, the ball’s core employs increased elastic energy that gathers and releases the condensed force at the moment of impact. In simpler terms, adding white carbon improves the rebound efficiency and ball speed.
One of the distinguishing features between Condor and Condor X is their structural setup. Condor is a three-piece golf ball, while Condor X utilizes a fourth layer as part of a Hyper W-Carbonic and Elastin Dual Mantle design. Additionally, in terms of compression rating, the Condor possesses a compression rating of 85, which is ten lower than that of the Condor X.
While warmer weather is on the horizon, we could not get these balls out on the golf course during the review period. However, with the help of a SkyTrak+ unit, I captured all the data needed to see how these two balls performed for my swing. Below is a chart of how these balls performed with a driver, 7-iron, and SW.
Condor
Condor X
As you can see, there were some similarities in numbers between these two balls, but also several differences. One of the most noticeable differences was the peak height achieved when using a driver. As you can see, Condor X peaked 7 yards higher than the Condor, and in all of the sessions I compared these two balls, Condor X carried a higher peak every single time. Condor also flew slightly lower when comparing 7-irons and spun less across the board. Both options also provided plenty of spin during the wedge test, meaning there would be no worries about stopping these balls quickly on the green. Volvik does mention that a differentiating factor between these two balls is the amount of spin, with the Condor X being the higher-spinning ball of the two, so I am glad to see that is how it tested out for me as well.
Testing data is valuable, it does not reveal how these balls sound or feel. After hitting each ball with various clubs throughout the bag, the Condor has a slight advantage for my preference. However, the difference is minimal compared to other brands that offer two different variants of the same line. The tone of the Condor is only slightly deeper than that of the Condor X.
Although not entirely relevant to the review itself, one question that inevitably arises is which option is better suited for my game when comparing two similar products. Based on my testing process, I would likely put the Condor in play first. As someone who tends to launch the ball high, I typically play a golf ball with a slightly flatter trajectory off the tee and with my irons. Currently, the Condor fits that bill. It will be interesting to see how both balls play out on the course in the future.
Volvik’s new Condor series is available at a retail price of $42.99 per dozen. More information is available at www.volvik.com.
Interesting read is the white carbon material similar to graphene that Callaway had? 42.99 is a good price on a urethane ball these days.
Quite frankly, I wouldn’t consider the spin off the 7I or the wedge to be “performance” Heck, I saw better numbers off of a Super Soft I found.
[QUOTE=”Golfers Anonymous, post: 12180413, member: 59233″]
Interesting read is the white carbon material similar to graphene that Callaway had? 42.99 is a good price on a urethane ball these days.
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It is pretty different, but in some ways you could say act similarly. Weight and strength come to mind.
[QUOTE=”1860VS, post: 12180427, member: 71354″]
Quite frankly, I wouldn’t consider the spin off the 7I or the wedge to be “performance” Heck, I saw better numbers off of a Super Soft I found.
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Congrats?Some things to consider…testing off a mat generally produces less spin than outdoors. The wedge shot was not a full SW, those wedges were showing much more spin, but I preferred the consistency in this data set and went with that. As always with anything data related in a review, your mileage may vary.
Nice write up [USER=782]@ddec[/USER]! It’s surprising that Volvik is using chaoite, a.k.a. “White Carbon” in their golf balls, when rubber/tire companies like Bridgestone and Sumitomo are not. I don’t believe that the rubber cores on these Volvik Condor golf balls “will not age”. All rubber products will degrade over time. Now, it certainly might delay these effects.
I put the Condor in play for a good chunk of my round on Monday and I was pretty impressed with it. Early season golf can lead to some rather interesting swings and results but I saw some good things. Condor reminds me very much of the Z-Star I played for years, so that is definitely not a bad thing. Conditions were soft which I’m sure helped, but liked what I experienced with wedges and even had several short iron shots rip back a bit. See how that evolves when things firm up.
I love this picture [USER=782]@ddec[/USER]
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I have been testing the Condor quite a bit recently. Seeing over 11k spin on the wedges, and on 50% shots, getting plenty of spin as well.
Distance is rock solid for me. A ball I wouldn’t hesitate to play at any time.
Definitely interesting stuff. I think the Condor is the no-brainer pick of the two for you based off the data you produced. How do they compare in feel to the V1/V1x and the new Callaway balls? Just a good baseline for me in my mind.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12180471, member: 1193″]
I love this picture [USER=782]@ddec[/USER]
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Credit to [USER=3]@JB[/USER] on that one. And yes I love it too.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12180475, member: 1193″]
Definitely interesting stuff. I think the Condor is the no-brainer pick of the two for you based off the data you produced. How do they compare in feel to the V1/V1x and the new Callaway balls? Just a good baseline for me in my mind.
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for me these two feel more like going from Z star to Z star diamond. The difference I got from them was much closer than I see with something like Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X in the sound/feel department.
This photo was from a few weeks ago. While messing with the Condor.
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[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 12180489, member: 782″]
for me these two feel more like going from Z star to Z star diamond. The difference I got from them was much closer than I see with something like Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X in the sound/feel department.
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Ok that helps quite a bit actually. In my mind it would baseline as a touch softer. The Z is a great feeling golf ball, so that’s a solid compliment imo.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 12180496, member: 782″]
This photo was from a few weeks ago. While messing with the Condor.
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If you set a green out there that ball would have spun back 3 yards lol. That’s a lot of spin!
Great write up [USER=782]@ddec[/USER]! The technology in these is pretty interesting. They talk about the core material maintaining its properties longer. This is not something I’ve ever thought about before.
Pretty interesting the trajectories vs spin. It’s not what I would have expected.
The price point for these is awesome just as [USER=59233]@Golfers Anonymous[/USER] indicated.
[QUOTE=”Golfers Anonymous, post: 12180413, member: 59233″]
Interesting read is the white carbon material similar to graphene that Callaway had? 42.99 is a good price on a urethane ball these days.
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[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12180501, member: 1193″]
If you set a green out there that ball would have spun back 3 yards lol. That’s a lot of spin!
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Esp for a hack like me haha
Nice write up [USER=782]@ddec[/USER] !
As a user of the Volvik S4 back in the day, I know that Volvik makes a good “Tour Performance” ball.
I’ll be interested to read your feedback from your rounds with these golf balls.
Hmm seeing more data has me stopping at GG tonight.
Never really thought of Volvik as a performance ball. Especially with Bubba Watsons disaster year when he made the switch. I do like the name Condor and the alignment aid seems solid. How would you describe the color white? Bright or slightly off?
Also personally I found it amusing for some reason that Volvik has some how beat Bridgestone to using something from a tire in their golf ball, although it’s entirely possible maybe they have and I missed it.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 12180496, member: 782″]
This photo was from a few weeks ago. While messing with the Condor.
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A straight ball with a little baby fade? Sign me up!
I really like what Volvik is doing, their releases so far this year are super interesting. Definitely want to give these a go.
Great write up [USER=782]@ddec[/USER]
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 12180666, member: 5944″]
Never really thought of Volvik as a performance ball. Especially with Bubba Watsons disaster year when he made the switch. I do like the name Condor and the alignment aid seems solid. How would you describe the color white? Bright or slightly off?
Also personally I found it amusing for some reason that Volvik has some how beat Bridgestone to using something from a tire in their golf ball, although it’s entirely possible maybe they have and I missed it.
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I’ve only ever thought of colors, Bubba, and spiderman. My little guy has a 4 pack of the Spiderman balls that he uses to hit in the back yard.
But this ball was honestly a little eye opening for me. Indoors I was impressed, 1 outdoor round, I’m still impressed.
Nobody near me even shows them on their website. Not even Carls. 50 years and I have never known Carls to not have any serious product in stock. Golf Galaxy doesn’t have them. Neither does Dunhams. Weird…
[QUOTE=”1860VS, post: 12181382, member: 71354″]
Nobody near me even shows them on their website. Not even Carls. 50 years and I have never known Carls to not have any serious product in stock. Golf Galaxy doesn’t have them. Neither does Dunhams. Weird…
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They literally just came out and are being released currently.
Lots of places carry Volvik and will be carrying this line as well in the near future.
Im going to run a test on these with the driver, because early on, the Condor is giving me really really good results. Almost dead on numbers to Pro V1 and Srixon Z-Star
The driver numbers are interesting to me and honestly I might consider slightly shorter avg for higher flight, especially in the summer time when courses dry up
Great write up. Dean you always deliver. I recall using Condors way back when they were british size and illegal in US. Got a few just for haha’s.
Nice writeup! The differences between the two balls off driver is pretty interesting
Just spent a good 90+ minutes hitting shots on the ST+, from wedge matrix, to iron target practice, and then some long iron work. I’m pretty impressed with the Condor ball.
Huh. Interesting.. I will try them..
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 12184775, member: 782″]
Just spent a good 90+ minutes hitting shots on the ST+, from wedge matrix, to iron target practice, and then some long iron work. I’m pretty impressed with the Condor ball.
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This was me yesterday, minus the 90 minutes part. Just hit 8 irons for a bit and then wedge matrix working with some various golf balls. The Condor is pretty impressive to me.
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Interesting but somehow I can’t get past the “old” Condor name, however, they do make a ball called the XT soft which is a urethane cover at 70 compression and it’s under $40! Something soft and with spin…up my alley.
Condor and Condor X Direct on website are buy 3 get 1
Stay tuned to the THP Home page for some forum testing coming up on Condor and Condor X.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 12230603, member: 3″]
Stay tuned to the THP Home page for some forum testing coming up on Condor and Condor X.
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Exciting times!
Hey [USER=782]@ddec[/USER] do we think X for me?
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 12232134, member: 1193″]
I gotta say that $130 for 4 dozen of these is really tempting.
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I was thinking the exact same thing.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12233081, member: 1579″]
Hey [USER=782]@ddec[/USER] do we think X for me?
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That could be a good fit.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 12233234, member: 782″]
That could be a good fit.
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The price is SO tempting as [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] said.
I think I’m going to jump on the B3G1 for the Condor X
Through 4/15
with coupon code[B] volvikpro[/B]
you get 3 dozen for $99 on Condor or Condor X
Arrived today.
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Little evening comparison work around the green.
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First thoughts. This is just on the standard Condor. The sound is a little more clicky to my ear compared to the TP5s and chrome soft X LS I brought to compare against.
Initial launch “seems” a little higher on chips as well which typically indicates a little less spin off the face but it also seems to be checking up and rolling out the same as the other so I am not sure.
Of the putter it also seemed a little clicky but does not necessarily feel firm..
Played the Condor today for quite about 27 holes. I actually really enjoyed the experience. Doesn’t feel too firm, distance off the tee was solid. Greenside and iron spin wasn’t as good as Chrome Tour for me though today. A little mist this morning may have affected that though. Really looking forward to trying the X
I’ll get a photo too but color is a bit more off white than bright white and the seam is noticeable if anyone cares about that
Got my test packs in today along with my new wedges. That’s surely a sign to do a little short game comparison with a Pro V1. So out the my short game area, aka backyard, I went. These are just a few initial impressions, not a review. That will come when I can get them on the course.
Condor – Soft but not too soft. A little firmer that the Pro V. Sound is similar to my ear. Ball flight and spin look the same to me. I don’t have any numbers to back that up, just the eye test. Initial impression is if you like the Pro V you’ll like this.
Condor X – It’s the firmest of the bunch by a lot. Sounded really clicky off the face also. I’ve been playing the Left Dash this year and the Condor X felt firmer. It may not be, I didn’t grab a Left Dash to go against, I’ll compare them head to head later. Ball flight was higher than the Pro V and Condor. It definitely seemed to spin less. It had a noticeable amount of rollout compared to those two. Not really sure how I feel about this one.
What did stand out to me was the consistency of each ball. They’re pretty different from what I can tell but they each do what they do the same every shot. In this session anyway. I’ll know more when I can get them on the course.
First off, I think the Condor lineup presents itself well. Condor X is a bit brighter white than the Condor. Difficult to capture on camera. I cannot see the seam, like was mentioned above, but I’ve also only putting with them inside. Something I will keep an eye on. Condor X has the red number.
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Went through a little putting test with the Condor and Condor X. I put it up against some of the balls I typically game:
The Condor felt very similar to the previous version of the Callaway Chrome Soft. Solid feet off the putter face, not clicky, not too soft either. Very pleasant feel.
The Condor X felt very similar to the previous version of the Callaway Chrome Soft X-LS. A bit of a click sound off the putter face, but definitely not as firm feeling as some others I’ve played.
The other ball I was putting with was the Bridgestone Tour B X. I feel like the Tour B X was a little bit firmer than the Condor, and a little bit softer than the Condor X.
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The one thing I did notice, especially since I had the XT Soft out as well, was the alignment aid. The Condor lineup has a very simple Condor as the alignment aid. But I really wish it has something like the XT Soft, shown in the middle. I use the Triple Track from Callaway, so this look was familiar for me. And I like the added dot in the middle, that my eye can focus on.
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Step 1 for me: Testing each ball out on the putting mat. I spend a lot of time putting at home. I’ll putt during meetings, for a break, and generally sometime every evening I’ve been rolling putts for 30 minutes or so. Some of the information in this review will align with my XT Soft post, but I wanted to make sure all information was in one place for each ball type.
To start with, I rolled 10 putts with my current gamer (Srixon QStar Tour) to make sure I was in the right frame of mind. I setup a target at 8′. Put 9 of 10 in the target. Pretty typical result for me.
Switched to the Condor and hit a few aiming for 3′, and they were all within a few inches of each other. I then went to the 8′ length and was able to put 8 of 10 in the target. The two that missed, I blew them past the target. Then I spent about 30 minutes kind of playing around with mishits, shorter putts, faster putts, etc. Each time I setup a new scenario I would compare it to my current gamer so that I could have a baseline.
The sound/feel is very different than my current gamer. I’d call the Condor medium firm off the putter. Much more solid feel than the XT Soft. The sound is a little clicky, but not in a bad way.
For me, off the putter, the Condor and CondorX were basically identical. I couldn’t tell a difference in sound or feel, and the results were basically identical.