Ball tested: Top-Flite D2+ Distance
Category: Value/Recreational/Distance
Feel: Firm
Tested for golfers with average driving distance of: 125 yards or less (carry + roll) / 126 to 195 yards (carry + roll) / 196 to 245 (carry + roll)
Specs: Construction – Two-piece; Cover – Ionomer; Core – Polybutadiene; Dimples / Pattern – 332 in “Dimple in Dimple” design
Compression: High
Price as tested (new): $15.99 per package of 15
Ball notes: “Top-Flite” and “Distance” go together like burgers and fries. So why bother tagging this ball with the seemingly redundant D-word?
Simple: The Top-Flite D2+ Distance is one of three balls in the D2+ lineup, along with the D2+ Feel and D2+ Straight. (The company also offers a women’s version called the D2+ Diva.) The self-explanatory names tell the story, with each ball designed to optimize a different performance quality.
The next obvious question is, what differentiates the D2+ Distance from Top-Flite’s XL Distance model? Basically, it’s a little softer and promises an extra bit of spin with the irons and short game.
Within the D2+ series, Distance features the hardest cover and core combination; materials, dimple design and pattern, and price are identical across the trio, which fits between the Gamer, Gamer Tour and XL Distance in the Top-Flite performance/price pecking order.
Could we make out any discernible differences between the three D2+ models? Read the remainder of this review, and click on the links above to the Feel and Straight versions, to find out.
On the clubface: Going in, we figured the D2+ Distance would feel about like the Top-Flite XL. That is, quite hard (if a touch softer than the “Rock-Flites” of old). So we were pleasantly surprised to sense a modicum of compression against the clubface throughout the bag. As we’ve noted in other reviews, any hint of softness in a “value” ball is a bonus. Give the D2+ Distance an extra point for feel.
Off the tee: With the USGA setting limits for how far a golf ball can travel (see Overall Distance Standard), it’s tough for one model to truly stand out from the crowd. We can’t say the D2+ Distance is the longest ball we’ve tried, but it ranks right up there. Carry, roll and accuracy were all excellent, while the D2+ Distance displayed solid stability in flight.
From the fairway / rough: After raising our expectations ever so slightly with its performance off the tee, the D2+ Distance met them in the approach game. Trajectory was pleasingly high, spin moderate. Short iron shots stopped after a bounce and a bit of roll, which was perfectly fine all things considered.
Around the green: Even a hint of softness can equate to better confidence in the short game, so the D2+ Distance had that in its favor. Otherwise, we’ll just say this: It’s far from the worst distance ball in this all-important area.
Bottom line: The Top-Flite D2+ Distance lived up to its billing off the tee and proved above-average (category-wise) for feel and greenside performance. All in all, a definite contender among value/distance golf balls – especially at this price.
Golf Ball Videos:
– Compression Video
– Spin Video
– Dimples Video
– Golf Ball Brands Video
– Titleist Video
– Understanding Spin Video
Categories Explained:
Value/Recreational/Distance – Designed for mid- to high-handicap golfers with swing speeds below 90 mph; typically feature two-piece construction and firm covers; promote greater distance over high spin rates. Examples: Pinnacle Gold, Slazenger RAW Distance
Premium – Designed for low- to mid-handicap golfers with swing speeds of 90-99 mph; typically feature multi-layer construction and medium-soft covers; happy medium between Value/Recreational and Tour categories for distance and spin qualities. Examples: Titleist NXT Tour, Callaway HEX Diablo
Tour/Advanced/Performance – Designed for low-handicap and professional golfers with swing speeds in excess of 100 mph; typically feature multi-layer construction and soft covers; promote greater spin rates and enhanced feel over distance. Examples: Titleist ProV1, Bridgestone Tour B330
