Ball tested: Nike Power Distance Long

Category: Value/Recreational/Distance

Specs: Cover – Ionomer; Construction – Two-piece; Core – Polybutadiene; Dimples – 432

Compression: High

Price as tested: $16 per dozen

Ball notes: Nike’s entry in the value category is, indeed, a terrific value at just $16 per dozen. You won’t find many name-brand balls at that price point. The company touts the Power Distance Long’s high-velocity, Polybutadiene core and the durability of its ionomer cover.

The PD Long is designed to produce a lower, more penetrating ball flight and added roll to optimize distance.

Sound and feel: Nike has come a long way in this department. Where even its tour category offerings once felt hard and heavy, the PD Long is relatively soft on contact. We’re not comparing it to the Titleist ProV1 or anything, just saying it’s a marked improvement over past Nike balls, and competitive with others in the distance category.

Off the tee: The PD Long delivers as promised. In fact, it goes against the conventional wisdom, which holds that a high launch (with low spin) generates optimum driving distance. Tee shots with the PD Long fly with a lower trajectory than other balls and hit the ground hot. While this is negated somewhat if the fairways are soggy, under normal or firm conditions this ball really cooks.

From the fairway / rough: Like most distance balls, the Nike PD Long isn’t built for workability or stopping power. Indeed, the low trajectory combined with low spin can make it difficult to hold firmer greens. We must note, however, that anyone accustomed to playing distance balls will notice little if any difference between this ball and other models.

Around the green: Again, if high-spin controllability is your priority, you’re in the wrong category. The Nike PD Long has typical greenside performance qualities, though it does feel a bit softer than some. It pays to factor in plenty of roll on your chips, pitches and bunker shots.

Bottom line: Power. Distance. Long. That pretty much sums up this Nike model, which ranks at or near the top of the category for combined carry and roll off the driver. Add the small price tag and the PD Long merits strong consideration if you’re looking for value.

– Compression Video

– Spin Video

– Dimples Video

– Golf Ball Brands Video

– Titleist Video

– Understanding Spin Video