Srixon Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE Golf Ball Review
The new Srixon Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE might be the most unique-looking golf ball on the market today, featuring a two-color outer design geared toward helping your short game. I had a chance to test these new golf balls recently, and while the colors might be an acquired taste, the performance is truly great.
Srixon Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE Tech
The obvious quality of the newest golf balls from Srixon is the Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE’s red and yellow “split” color design. One half of the ball is red, the other yellow, to form a golf ball that looks more like a fishing bobber than anything else.
Why did Srixon go down this path? Simple: to give golfers a high-performing ball option at a moderate price point, but with a twist.
“The new Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE looks great, but it’s so much more than that,” said Brian Schielke, General Manager at Srixon. “Easier putting alignment and increased visual feedback on your chip and pitch shots really adds to the greenside performance. It’s a ball every golfer must try.”
Visual optics in golf ball design have grown in popularity over the years as more research shows the value of the feedback a golfer receives from using such a ball. Whether it be on the practice green, chipping area, or on the course, there’s no doubt that golf balls with different paint patterns or designs offer an added layer of information to the player.
The Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE features a new thermoplastic urethane cover that has been infused with bright pigments rather than being painted on. The 50/50 Matte Urethane Cover delivers a high contrast, matte cover that provides the same tour-level spin and stopping power you’ve come to expect from the original Q-STAR TOUR.
With DIVIDE’s unique two-tone cover construction, putting alignment comes easy with a 360° line, while every shot will produce a strobe effect to help show off the speed and direction of spin.
DIVIDE might not look like a classic golf ball, but it still delivers true tour performance. Featuring the same FastLayer Core and 338 Speed Dimple Pattern found on the classic Q-STAR TOUR, DIVIDE provides the distance and control expected from a tour-caliber golf ball.
Performance and Feel
Similar to previous years, the Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE has a soft, muted feel at impact that I prefer. You can literally “feel” the softness of these golf balls when held in your hand, and this translates to on-course play.
Distance and spin rates were comparable to past years’ Q-STAR TOURs as well, offering a decent amount of carry distance and a healthy amount of spin around the greens. As I always say in these reviews, club type and fitting tendencies will determine how any golf ball performs for you. As a higher-spin player, I found these golf balls to provide exactly what I need to produce distances I expect throughout my bag, which performing very well off the tee.
But distance and feel isn’t the main story here: it’s the paint colors, and how they can help with putter and short gain alignment/feedback.
On chip shots, it’s very interested to literally see how much spin your ball is providing. This was interesting feedback as I could see the difference from a pitching wedge chip compared to a sand wedge pitch. With enough practice, this information will allow me to better gauge my shot options is relation to expected spin.
Putting was probably where the Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE offered the most assistance. I’ve putted with a line on my ball for years, with differing levels of success. However, during a practice session, the two-tone colors offered on the DIVIDE was easy to align toward the hole and provided clear feedback on the “trueness” of roll on each struck putt.
Overall Impression
I’ll say it: the Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE isn’t going to win everybody over due to the color design. This is unfortunate, since the ball itself is a high performer that golfers could benefit from long-term.
Personally, I view this golf ball as the perfect practice ball that gives you immediate feedback on spin, alignment, and feel. I probably wouldn’t use the DIVIDE during a round of golf, however spending time with it on the practice green makes a ton of sense.
Retail Information and Pricing
Price: $32.99
U.S. Retail Launch Date: April 15, 2021
