I did not have the black and gold, but I do vary the gb3 pearl and the pink. The two do not have much in common. Oob, the gb3 was over under and the pink was both too early and angular. After adjusting the surfaces to the way I Lol them, and both being the same, I can say that the gb3 is longer, smoother, and weaker overall than the pink by at least an arrow. Both are fantastic balls and fit different roles. I would never say one is a better than the other