Ball tested: Pinnacle Bling

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 – High velocity, low compression; Dimples / Pattern – 332 in “spherical icosahedral” design

Compression: Mid

Price as tested (new): $24 per dozen

Ball notes: First things first—the Pinnacle Bling is not specifically geared toward women. That’s a common misperception since each package of a dozen comes in four “High Optix” colors, including pink and violet, plus the more masculine orange and yellow. (Pinnacle does make a women’s ball, called Ribbon.)

There’s little question, however, that the color range is key to Bling’s appeal. The ball is not only a head-turning conversation starter, it’s made to be easier to spot than traditional white against the green and blue hues of a golf course.

For golfers who tend to stray from the fairway, that’s a nice feature indeed.

On the clubface: It’s a Pinnacle circa 2013, which means two things. 1) It’s softer than the Pinnacles of old (pre-2000), and 2) It’s still pretty firm. Few golfers interested in this particular model are likely to complain about that, however, and they may even appreciate the modest cushion supplied on impact.

Off the tee: It’s a Pinnacle, so it’s long. We were pleased with the high trajectory, excellent roll-out and, best of all, the accuracy of the Bling. There was little curve on tee shots and a noticeable lack of backspin or sidespin. Nothing wrong with long and straight.

From the fairway / rough: High Optix, indeed. Shining brightly in the rough or trees, these balls are easier to find than a salesman on a used car lot. Once located, the Bling performs about as expected. Good height compensates for low spin, and it’s a terrific choice for golfers who play a lot of run-up shots.

Around the green: The touch of softness is a definite plus when chipping and pitching. That said, we noticed little if any difference in performance from the flagship Pinnacle Gold model. Bling won’t impress anyone with its action, but it does fine on basic, straightforward shots.

Bottom line: Looking to make a splash on the course? Pinnacle’s Bling golf ball will get you noticed. It will also deliver plenty of distance and good accuracy off the tee, without the harsh, rock-like feel of the brand’s bygone models.

– Compression Video

– Spin Video

– Dimples Video

– Golf Ball Brands Video

– Titleist Video

– Understanding Spin Video