2023 Maxfli Trifli Golf Ball Review
One change to the Maxfli Trifli golf ball for 2023 transformed it from a ball that had no defined home in the market, to one that should appeal to most recreational golfers. With that in mind, I tested the 2023 Maxfli Trifli to figure out if the new and improved version can be a dominant ball among weekend golfers.
The 2023 Maxfli Trifli Golf Ball Specs
2023 Maxfli Trifli golf ball
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Price |
$35 (or 2 for $45) | SHOP |
|
Construction |
3-piece |
|
Cover |
Ionomer |
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Compression |
45 compression core |
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Dimples |
374; Find The Fairway pattern |
Maxfli’s Trifli ball has always been a three-piece, ionomer-covered ball that offered an extra layer for improved greenside spin compared to the Straightfli and Softfli, but without the premium urethane cover of the Tour and Tour X.
RELATED: Maxfli Tour vs. Tour X: Tested & Reviewed
While Maxfli may have intended this ball to fill the middle of the market between golfers who want a straight-flying distance ball and a premium ball, it really didn’t fit too many players. The Straightfli in particular offered excellent performance to mid-handicap golfers who wanted maximum distance and reduced side-spin. Players who wanted greenside spin and control jumped straight to a premium ball like the Tour or Tour X, leaving the Trifli as the odd ball out.
Rather than kill the Trifli, Maxfli improved it by adding the Straightfli’s Find the Fairway dimple pattern for 2023. That one change makes the Trifli a long-distance ball that eases the severity of slices and hooks and delivers the added bonus of a three-piece ball around the greens.
Offering that combination, the Trifli gives mid-handicap golfers advantages that the Striaghtfli (three-piece construction) or Tour (Find the Fairway dimple pattern) can’t provide.
The only question is, does it work?
2023 Maxfli Trifli Golf Ball Review
I’m a mid-handicap golfer myself, and have really enjoyed using the Straightfli golf ball in the past. The unique dimple pattern definitely works, and playing the Striaghtfli gave me confidence to swing away over full swing shots, knowing my misses would likely be findable, and my best shots would fly forever.
The problem was I just wanted a little more greenside control and spin. For the most part, the distance and accuracy gains off the tee were worth the tradeoff around the greens, but when I saw Maxfli was adding its Find the Fairway dimple pattern in a three-piece ball, I knew I had to try it.
Distance
Maxfli claims the Trifli is longer than the Straightfli and Softfli. I’ve played both the Straightfli and now the Trifli a good amount, and I was very satisfied with the distance I got from the Straightfli, so I was skeptical the Trifli would be even better. However, in my testing, I can say that the Trifli at least matched the distance output of the Straightfli.
I tested both balls on the golf course without the advantage of a launch monitor, and in different weather and course conditions, so I can’t give you an apples-to-apples distance comparison, but I can tell you that my longest drive with the Trifli is longer than my top-end distances with the Straightfli, and that at the very least, the Trifli matches every bit of the distance the Straightfli is capable of churning out.
Accuracy
The Find the Fairway dimple pattern that I keep talking about is Maxfli’s design of 374-dimples with large and small dimples strategically intermixed to reduce sidespin and optimize launch.
The large dimples are in a triangular shape that resemble racked billiard balls, with smaller dimples filling the space between.
I’ve fought the ugly tri-fecta of a slice, hook, and two-way miss enough to know how a normal ball curves when you don’t want it to. With the Trifli (as with the Straightfli), slices and hooks become much more manageable pushes and pulls. You really can notice the difference, and those misses are much more likely to find the rough than sail out of bounds or into a penalty area. For me, this is the most appealing element of this ball.
Feel & Greenside Control
While I’m very satisfied with the distance and accuracy of the Trifli, I felt the feel and greenside control were pretty average.
Maxfli says the Trifli is a softer feeling ball, and while it does have a 45-compression core, I thought it felt hard on full-swing shots (which I don’t mind), and clicky around the greens.
Yes, the greenside feel and control is an improvement compared to the Straightfli, but it’s still not enough to make this ball the total package. The Trifli can hold greens just fine, but don’t expect to hit two-hop-and-stoppers all day from around the greens. Instead, the Trifli will run out and roll to a stop, just like most other distance balls.
Earlier this year I tested the Maxfli Tour and Tour X, Maxfli’s premium performance, urethane covered offerings. Both of those balls performed incredibly well around the greens, and made 10-yard chip shots a true joy to hit. I didn't exactly expect that type of performance from the Trifli, but something a little closer to that would have been nice.
Value & Durability
$35 for 12 Balls or $45 for 24 Balls | SHOP NOW
The standard price of the 2023 Maxfli Trifli is $34.99 per dozen, but you can usually find a deal on two dozen for $45. At full price, they’re not the greatest value golf ball you can find, but at the discounted two-dozen price, I’d recommend every mid-handicap golfer give them a try. At just under $2 per ball for a long distance, fairway-finding ball that performs just fine around the greens and will save many golfers strokes compared to their current gamers, it’s a small price to pay to put these to the test yourself.
Maxfli is the in-house brand of Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy, and can be purchased at their stores and online, but you probably won't find them in pro shops, in other retailers or other places online.
As for their durability, the Triflis held up fine for me. I bounced a couple off trees and cart paths, and predictably, they scuffed and had to go into the practice ball pile, but throughout normal play they held up great.
Maxfli Trifli Pros & Cons
At the end of the day, the Trifli is an impressive golf ball that should appeal to a huge segment of golfers. Essentially, any golfer who wants top-end distance and some added accuracy, and a pretty good bargain and is willing to sacrifice some greenside control, should give these a try in my opinion. Here are my overall pros and cons.
Pros
- Distance is as good as any other ball
- Added accuracy gives confidence when standing over full swing shots
- At $45 for two dozen balls these are a great deal
- Alignment line is subtle but very helpful
Cons
- Greenside performance is OK, but doesn’t compete with premium, urethane covered balls
- The single-dozen price of $35 is not a great bargain
- Trifli models prior to 2023 do not feature the Find the Fairway dimple pattern
2023 Maxfli Trifli: The Final Verdict
If you’re a mid-handicap golfer, I would highly recommend giving the 2023 Maxfli Trifli balls a try for yourself. I came for the fairway-finding dimple pattern and stayed for the impressive distance, and overall I’m very satisfied with these balls.
When I’m hitting the ball straight enough on my own, my preferred ball is the Maxfli Tour, because of how fun it is to hit around the greens. But, when I need some extra help keeping it in play (which happens more often than I’d like), the Trifli is a great go-to.
The final word of advice, if you are going to give these a try, is to make sure you get the 2023 edition. If the box doesn’t highlight the Find-The-Fairway dimple pattern, it’s the old version and you won’t get that differentiating benefit.