The Nike 20XI S golf ball is the softer of the two 20XI golf balls and will spin a little more as well. The resin core is 15% lighter than a rubber core and therefore the 20XI is more stable and up to 66% more consistent according to Nike. This stability should result in more accurate shots and in the wind the 20XI S is very good, although maybe not as stable as the lower spinning Nike 20XI X golf ball as it flies a little higher, but it is still better than average thanks to a market leading MOI figure of 84 g/cm2.
Both versions of the 20XI golf ball feature one of the softest covers in the premium ball market and the S version is slightly softer so you will get a little more spin around the green and it feels a little better than the X version to putt with. The cover durability is also comparable with most other balls and each one should last you 2 or 3 rounds, depending on how many bunkers you go in!
Due to the lighter core the sound and feel is a little different to rubber core balls and this takes a little getting used to, but for us it was not a big deal as the distance, feel and wind stability are all excellent reasons to put this ball in play.
We met Rock Ishii who designed this ball in conjunction with Stewart Cink and Tiger Woods and says Tiger is testing the S version. Prices are going to start at the premium end of the market, but we think the Nike 20XI S golf ball will still be worth the investment.