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Ball Lab: Trust Bison V
MyGolfSpy Ball Lab is where we quantify the quality and consistency of golf balls. Today, we’re reviewing the 2022 Trust Bison V. To learn more about our test process, click here.
About the Trust Bison V
The Trust Bison V (K8 – 2022) supersedes the previous model by the same name, the Trust Bison V (K5 – 2020). Sean Lin, founder and product developer for Trust, says “the Bison V derives its name from the powerful symbolism of the bison, evoking themes of discovery, strength, and endurance.” In addition to its unique name, upon opening the first sleeve, another eye-catching characteristic is its pearlescent-like finish. The Bison V is available in white and yellow. It’s a direct-to-consumer ball with orders fulfilled from their facility in San Gabriel, California.
Lin says the Bison V represents one of Trust’s compression models tailored for golfers with swing speeds ranging from 95 to 105 mph. “This model offers medium to low trajectory, low spin and excellent wind resistance for wood clubs while delivering precise ball-stopping performance with medium to high spin in short game scenarios.” For those of you not in this swing speed range, the Trust Bison is available in three other compression models, the Soft, X and XL, “each designed to accommodate golfers with varying strengths and swing speeds.”
The Trust Bison V is manufactured by Kerichem Materials Science Co. Ltd in Taiwan. Lin reported, “while Kerichem Material Science Technology Ltd. is open to collaborating with new brands, its focus remains on research and development.”
Key Takeaways
A direct-to-consumer ball marketed to/designed for higher swing speed players in mind. At the current sale price of $25 per dozen/$90 per four dozen, it offers another alternative in the urethane space. With an average compression of 100, the Trust Bison V is an option for golfers who prefer an extra-firm feel.Trust Bison V Construction
According to Trust, the Bison V is a three-piece ball with a twin thin soft urethane cover and 332-dimple pattern designed for extra distance, pro trajectory, durability and increased greenside control.
Trust Bison V Compression
The Trust Bison V has an average compression of 100 and is therefore on the extreme end of the compression scale. It is tied with the third firmest ball in our database, the TaylorMade TP5X (2019), and solidly within our “X-Firm” range.
Other balls falling a point above and below at 101 and 99, respectively, include the Maxfli Tour X (2023) and the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS (2021)
The compression consistency across the sample was rated as “Average” (see below) with an eight-point compression range across the sample.
Compression Chart
We’ve had 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.
Diameter and Weight
None of the balls in the sample fell under the USGA’s minimum diameter standard. All met our standard for roundness. Size consistency across the sample was average.
Five of the Trust Bison V balls in our sample exceeded the USGA’s weight limit of 1.62 ounces and therefore were flagged as “Bad.” You may be asking yourself, “What is the significance of a heavier ball?” It’s physics. A slightly heavier ball has more potential energy and therefore can offer a distance advantage to efficient, high swing speed players in the form of higher kinetic energy. You really thought that physics course in high school would never come up again?
If the USGA had purchased the same sample we did, the Bison V might not be on the conforming list.
Trust Bison V – Inspection
Centeredness and Concentricity
No notable concentricity defects/off-center layers were detected across the three dozen tested.
Core Consistency
The core colors of the balls were consistent throughout the sample. No unmixed material/chunks were noted.
Cover
No cover defects were identified in our sample.
Trust Bison V – Consistency
In this section, we detail the consistency of the Trust Bison V. Our consistency metrics measure how similar the balls in our sample were to one another relative to all of the models we’ve tested to date.
Weight Consistency
Weight consistency falls in the “Average” range. Boxes 1, 2 and 3 had average weight of 1.6158 ounces and therefore classified as “Extra-Heavy.”Diameter Consistency
The diameter consistency of the Trust Bison V falls on the “Average” range. Box 2 maintained variability while Boxes 1 and 2 exhibited slightly more variability to the average.Compression Consistency
Due to some variability across the sample, compression falls within the “Average” range. Compression across the sample ranged from 96 to 104 with a compression delta of eight points.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.
Trust Bison V – Golf Ball Quality 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 Good
“Average” consistency across all the metrics that we test. Value price point in the three-piece, urethane golf ball market.The Bad
Five balls out of the three dozen were flagged as “Bad.”The Score
The True Price for the Trust Bison V is $34.83. That’s a 16-percent increase over the retail price we paid at time testing of $29.99 per dozen.
At the time of testing, the Trust Bison V received a Ball Lab score of 71, putting it two points below another extra-firm ball, the Maxfli Tour X (2023), and below the current database average of 73. While there were five bad balls in our sample due to exceeding the USGA weight limit, the rest offered good continuity from ball to ball.
As noted early on, the Trust Bison V is available now, on sale, for $25/dozen or $90/4 dozen. The Bison V may offer those averse to paying for premium balls an alternative into the urethane ball market. If you’re looking for a middle-of-the-road ball at a lower price point that may offer you “mid-launch trajectory and low spin on driver shots off the driver”, you may consider taking a look at the Trust Bison V.
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