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Ball Lab: OnCore ELIXR Golf Ball Review (2022 model)
MyGolfSpy Ball Lab is where we quantify the quality and consistency of golf balls. Today, we’re reviewing the 2022 OnCore ELIXR. To learn more about our test process, click here.
About the OnCore ELIXR
The 2022 OnCore ELXIR is OnCore’s value-priced urethane offering. At $30 per dozen, it’s among the more intriguing options at its price point. It’s classified as a mid-launch, low-spin ball.
OnCore ELIXR Construction
The OnCore ELIXR is a three-piece ball with a TPU (injection-molded) urethane cover with a 350-dimple aerodynamic package.
The pattern, along with the fact that it’s produced in Taiwan, suggest it’s manufactured by Launch Technologies. That’s notable because OnCore’s other urethane models, including the Vero series and the prior-generation ELIXR, are produced by Foremost (also Taiwan) and feature cast-urethane covers. Launch Tech produces balls for a number of direct-to-consumer brands, which helps to explain some of the findings we report below.
Compression
On our gauge, the 2022 iteration of the OnCore ELIXR has an average compression of 83. Comps within our database are the 2021 MaxFli Tour and the Titleist Tour Speed. It runs about five points firmer than the original which is enough of a difference that some will notice.
Across the market as a whole, the ELIXR qualifies as a firm ball. When only urethane balls are considered, the compression is the very definition of average.
Compression Comparison
We’ve had several requests for a standalone compression comparison tool. As it turns out, that tool exists. We created it as part of our Golf Ball Compression FAQ page. At some point, we may merge the two charts but for now the plan is to include this chart in future Ball Labs.
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Diameter and Weight
All of our sample conformed to USGA rules for both diameter and weight.
Additionally, all of the balls in our OnCore ELIXR sample met our standards for roundness.
Inspection
Centeredness and Concentricity
We flagged three balls for concentricity defects. In all cases, the issue was noticeably thin areas on the mantle layer.
Core Consistency
This is perhaps the most intriguing portion of our test. Within our sample, we found 34 balls with pinkish-red cores and two with something akin to pale yellow or perhaps a shade of taupe. To my eye, they were indistinguishable from the previously reviewed Sugar G1 (also produced by Launch Technologies). While neither ball stood out in our gauge measurements, both were ultimately flagged as bad. More on that in a bit.
Cover
No cover defects were identified.
OnCore ELIXR – Consistency
In this section, we detail the consistency of the 2022 OnCore ELIXR. Our consistency metrics provide a measure of how similar the balls in our sample were to one another relative to all of the models we’ve tested to date.
Weight Consistency
At the time of testing, weight consistency for the 2022 OnCore ELIXR fell within the Good range—and that’s with the two balls with anomalous cores in the mix. Weight was generally consistent across all boxes with none standing out as appreciably heavier or lighter than the other two.Diameter Consistency
Diameter consistency falls in the Average range. Based on the average diameter of the balls in our sample, we’d classify the ELIXR as an average-sized ball. No balls in the sample challenged the USGA limit. None of the balls was appreciably larger than expected.Compression Consistency
Compression consistency rates within the Average range. The compression delta across the sample is 7.3 points, which is excellent.True Price
True Price is how we quantify the quality of a golf ball. It's a projection of what you'd have to spend to ensure you get 12 good balls.
The True Price will always be equal to or greater than the retail price. The greater the difference between the retail price and the True Price, the more you should be concerned about the quality of the ball.
Summary
To learn more about our test process, how we define “Bad” balls and our True Price metric, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.
The 2022 OnCore ELIXR rates within the Average range relative to the market as whole. While not the least expensive urethane-covered ball on the market, it falls within what we’d consider the value range.
What About the Two Pale Cores?
It goes without saying that significant core color variation can be cause for concern. In this case, OnCore has acknowledged that there was likely a mix-up at the factory.
After posting our preliminary findings in the Lab on our social media outlets, OnCore provided the following statement from Michael Jordon, Senior Designer at OnCore.
While diameter, weight and, to an extent, compression measurements are similar between the 2022 ELIXR and the misplaced balls in the sample, OnCore’s offerings are unique to the brand. In this case, similar is not the same. The two pale cores are not OnCore ELIXRs and, as such, we flagged them as Bad.
Finding alternative cores in a box is unusual but it does happen. OnCore is working with the factory to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s certainly not an ideal situation but it’s not an end-of-the-world type of thing.
The Good
Average quality at a below average price. Weight consistency falls into the Good range.The Bad
Three balls with significant concentricity defects. A few more that were obviously less than perfect. Two balls in the sample were not ELIXRs.The 2022 poses a bit of a scoring conundrum. On one hand, five bad balls in the sample isn’t ideal. On the other, despite a couple of eggs falling into the wrong basket, the consistency is solid. It’s average for two metrics and better still for a third. The “Good” rating for weight helps to offset the “bad ball” count and that leaves us with a Ball Lab Score of 75, two points better than the database average at the time of reporting.
Ask the risk of introducing a bit more commentary than usual to this report, the Average rating feels right. If the factory can get the quality issues sorted out, at $30 a dozen, the ELIXR is one of the better values on the market right now.
The True Price of $32.73 is a nine-percent increase over the $30 retail price.
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