- Construction: Multicomponent core with urethane cover.
- Colors: White, yellow.
- Price on publish: $54.99.
When I first started out as an amateur golfer, I’ll admit, I didn’t think the type of ball mattered much. It was more about the woods, irons, wedges and putters in your bag, weather conditions and honing your stance and skill on the green and, yeah, drinking in the clubhouse. While all of that definitely does matter, the right ball is a factor that’s too often overlooked. If you’re looking to elevate your game, I’ve found the best golf balls for every category and club.
The favorite among professional and low-handicap golfers for a reason, the Titleist Pro V1 is the king of this category. This premium pick is known for delivering exceptional distance, control and spin, making it the total package for golfers who demand the best all-around.
“It’s tempting for beginners to buy cheap balls and understandably so,” Huddleston says. “The truth is, the worse the golfer is, the more they stand to benefit from a premium ball. The Titleist Pro V1 is the undisputed leader.” The construction is designed to “promote maximum energy transfer at impact for explosive distance off the tee,” he adds. For golfers who demand the best possible performance in every area of the game, the Pro V1 is the clear choice. If you’ve never used one before, you’ll notice the difference.
This premium ball provides exceptional distance, control and spin, making it a top pick for beginners and professionals alike.
Get here: Titleist Pro V1
“Midhandicappers play good golf, but they can lose plenty of balls, too,” Huddleston says. “In my opinion, you can’t play your best golf without using a premium ball — the gap is simply that large. Aside from the premium balls, the Callaway SuperSoft or the Titleist TruFeel are good options for midhandicappers looking to save money.” This golf ball is also surprisingly durable, while the soft cover provides increased feel and forgiveness on those inevitable and occasionally embarrassing mishits.
Callaway Golf SuperSoft Balls are a straightforward option for midhandicap golfers who prioritize distance, affordability and a soft feel, but not necessarily a high level of control or spin. They’re also a surefire gift for any golfer.
Get here: Callaway Golf SuperSoft
Bringing all-around attributes at an affordable price, the Srixon 2023 Soft Feel Golf Balls are a solid option for midhandicap golfers who want a soft feel and good distance. They’re very forgiving and can help improve accuracy and control, while the midlevel spin offers versatility for varying types of shots.
You don’t have to be ballin’ to afford a good ball. The Srixon strikes a strong balance of distance, feel and affordability for solid value.
Get here: Srixon Soft Feel
While learning to play golf can be intimidating, the TaylorMade Distance+ is our top pick for novices to get going on the green. With a low-compression core and a high-energy transfer design, this ball is, as the name suggests, made for getting maximum distance directly off the tee for players of all speeds — both swing and skill level.
This golf ball will help you start learning the game and have more fun with it, too. While the Distance+ won’t offer the most spin for control around the green, it’s a reliable option for beginners who prioritize distance.
Get here: TaylorMade Distance+
While the Titleist V1 is always top of everyone’s list, pro golfers have a unique set of demands, and one size doesn’t always fit all balls. That’s what I like about the Srixon Z-Star Diamond — it’s a one-stop shop for discerning professional players. The construction is well-designed, with a reformulated core and innovative coating, so the ball delivers the trifecta of distance, control and feel that elite golfers seek.
Awesome for professional golfers who prioritize exceptional spin control, responsive feel, precise distances and trajectory, all at tour-level quality. If you notice that you already naturally generate a lot of spin, though, another ball may perform better.
Get here: Srixon Z-Star Diamond Golf Balls
Distance is an important factor, but for golfers who prioritize control, the Bridgestone Tour B XS is the go-to. The combo of this ball’s firm urethane cover and high-compression core reduces spin off the driver and long irons, helping it fly even in rough wind as a result of the decreased spin. Plus, it offers good greenside spin for more control during approach shots and as you creep up to the putting green.
To put it mathematically, control over distance equals this Bridgestone ball. It’ll perform even in wild winds and is reliable all the way up to the cup.
Get here: Bridgestone Tour B XS
I like the TP5 because it has the potential to add some serious yards to your game, but doesn’t mean completely sacrificing control either. That said, it’s a distance machine. The multilayer construction with a high-energy core transfers maximum energy on that first swing, and the urethane cover provides nice spin and control on approaching shots.
The TP5 is going the distance, it’s going for speed, though it doesn’t really offer as soft a feel as some other urethane-cover balls here.
Get here: TaylorMade TP5
Cold weather can completely ruin your game, as well as a nice day on the links. So if you’ve got a tee time that’s looking chilly, grab these Srixon Z-Star XV balls. They’re designed to perform even in cold conditions and feature a softer cover that stays flexible at lower temperatures, ensuring that you get a good feel and spin even when the mercury dips.
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean balls can’t maintain their distance and control, and the Srixon is proof, making them a reliable choice and (depending on where you live) opening up your game for the whole year instead of just the warm seasons.
Get here: Srixon Z-Star XV
This soft-core ball provides a pleasing feel on both full shots and around the green. It’s my top pick here since the SuperSoft also has a soft cover that dampens vibrations at impact, for an even softer feel. It’s, quite literally, super soft all around. Plus I like the eye-popping colors that are easy to find on (or off) the course.
These golf balls aren’t the best when it comes to maximum distance or spin. But if a softer-feeling ball is what you’re after, these hit the sweet spot.
Get here: Callaway SuperSoft
Go ahead and play with this golf ball like you hate it. I chose the Nitro High Durability Golf Balls because they’re tough little guys that can take a beating, and are affordable too. They likely won’t offer the same level of performance as pricier options, but still give good distance and spin, decreased drag and lively colors that are easy to spot.
For casual golfers or those on a tight budget looking to play for fun or stress relief, these golf balls provide plenty of satisfaction right off the tee.
Get here: Nitro High Durability Golf Balls
When you find the perfect golf ball, you’ll know it. The ball is super satisfying to hit and when you’ve got a feel for its weight and density, it can tighten your game, boost your confidence and shave strokes off your score. I asked Dan Huddleston, scratch golfer and professional golf instructor at TeachMe, to weigh in with his top picks and give some insider advice.
High swing speeds can compress a firmer ball more effectively, giving it more distance and control on its flight. Beginners who haven’t yet perfected their swing probably don’t need to worry about that, though, since slower swings struggle to compress a firm ball. A softer ball can compress more easily with less impactful speeds, maximizing distance potential and offering a more forgiving feel on those mishits.
Just like with swing speeds, beginning golfers or those with higher handicaps typically benefit from softer golf balls. They’re designed to provide more distance straight off the tee and a softer feel on approach to shots and putts. They’re also a great confidence builder for newbies on the course. If you’re just starting out, wait a while to graduate to a firmer ball that offers more control and spin for precision shotmaking.
This is all about the trajectory of the ball after impact. Where do you want it to go, and how fast? Some golfers may want a high launch angle, better for long distances and for stopping quickly on the green. Others prefer a penetrating trajectory, which helps slice through the wind and to roll the ball further on approach shots. This is another area where the construction of the ball matters too, specifically the core and cover materials. Lower-compression cores and softer covers are typically better for higher launch angles, while high-compression cores and firmer covers work better for a penetrating trajectory.
Spin is the rotation of the ball around its axis. It’s not always a good thing! More spin can be beneficial for control around the green, since it allows the ball to grip the turf and check up quickly after landing. But excess spin is what you want to avoid, especially off the driver, where it can often lead to a loss of distance and a ballooning ball flight. That’s where the dimple pattern and cover material of the ball can be a big factor.
A ball with a deeper and more aggressive dimple pattern will typically generate more spin than a ball with a shallower dimple pattern, while a softer cover will also tend to grab the clubface for more spin, and a firmer cover for less. “Perhaps most importantly,” Huddleston says, “is the material used for the outer cover of the ball. Premium balls, like the Titleist ProV1, use a high-cost urethane cover. Premium balls grab onto the club face better than midrange or budget options, producing high spin rates on shorter shots. This gives players increased control of the ball around the greens.”
You’re going to find a wide range in prices for golf balls on Amazon and in the pro shops, from a few dollars per dozen to well over $50. The best way to narrow it down is to know where you stand on skill level. Premium golf balls, usually the priciest, are typically preferred by lower-handicap golfers and designed for max performance, often featuring the latest technologies, build and materials. More affordable golf balls bring a good balance for midhandicap golfers and, I’ll say it, those who lose a lot of balls. It doesn’t always mean skimping on quality either, as there are plenty of well-built, low-priced golf balls available that are perfect for beginners.
Need a ball that can withstand the punishment of repeated impacts? Golfers who frequently lose balls may want to consider a more durable choice, even if it sacrifices some performance. But if you rarely lose them, prioritize performance over durability. The cover material of the golf ball is the primary factor that’s going to affect how much abuse it can take. A Surlyn cover is the most common type found on golf balls, while urethane covers are typically found on more premium options and offer the best feel and spin, but less durability.
I looked at a wide range of factors to find the best options for golfers of all skill levels and playing styles. Here’s a breakdown:
I took into account what people on the street had to say — or rather, people on the green. Reviews from golfers of all handicaps helped, particularly in feedback on five key areas: distance, control, spin, feel and durability.
I did a deep dive into the technical specs and performance characteristics of each ball. Distance, obviously, but I looked far beyond just yardage gains to see how the balls perform for golfers with different swing speeds and skill levels. Control goes hand-in-hand with distance, which is why trajectory matters too, especially for mid- to long-iron shots.
Spin, too, is a double-edged sword: Too much can lead to ballooning shots, while not enough can make it hard to stop the ball on the green. I looked for balls with optimal spin characteristics for different types of shots and factored in the feel of each ball, too.
Golf is an expensive game to play, especially as you upgrade your gear. That’s why I prioritized value, not just affordability. I prioritized balls that offered noteworthy performance at a price point that fit the budget of golfers at every skill level. This meant looking beyond the top-recommended options and weighing the benefits of the ball for the price.
For beginners and high-handicap golfers, a good value ball might be affordable and forgiving, but not necessarily provide tour-level performance. For our midhandicappers, I suggested a ball that balances performance with a budget-friendly price. For low-handicap golfers and pros, the best value might be in a premium ball that delivers the absolute best performance, even if it comes at a higher cost.
It’s gotta be built to last — for a few rounds, anyhow. For some golfers, a lost ball is an occasional nuisance. For others, it’s a frequent part of a day on the course. That’s why I factored in durability and looked for balls that could withstand the punishment of repeated hits, with scuff-resistant covers and durable cores. While no ball is indestructible, some are certainly more resilient than others. Just ask any golfer taking their frustrations out on one.
The reputation of a golf ball brand matters. I considered the history of innovation for each brand, looking at their commitment to research and development and their track record of producing high-quality golf balls. Trusted brands tend to have a consistent level of quality and performance, and they’re constantly pushing the boundaries of golf ball technology.
Familiarizing yourself with the different types of golf balls is a good way to start finding what’s going to work best for you. There are many different varieties, but the main types you’ll find are built for distance, tour performance, two-piece, soft feel and high spin. Golf balls may look similar, but that’s exactly where one of the big differentiators lies — the cover materials. All balls aren’t created equal, so finding the right one will all depend on what you’re shooting for. The same goes for dimple design. When chosen wisely, these two together can be a secret weapon for your swing.
Surlyn: If distance is your game, Surlyn is for you. This cover material is a durable ionomer resin prized for its cut resistance and longer lifespan, generally found on two-piece balls and distance-focused multipiece models. The downside of the distance here though is that Surlyn’s firmer feel translates to less spin on the green, making it less desirable for delicate chip shots.
Urethane: Surlyn brings the distance, but urethane is the champion of control and feel. Urethane covers are softer and create a higher friction rate with the clubface. That’s what gives balls made with this material significant spin, allowing golfers to achieve pinpoint accuracy on approach shots and hold the green on long irons. Urethane is less durable than Surlyn however, and will probably scuff more easily, too.
Balata: This material was once the gold standard for tour players, and balls covered with Balata are still known for their feel, spin and control around the green. They’re also usually expensive, and their extreme sensitivity to weather is another reason they lost popularity.
Ionomer blends: Modern tech has developed ionomer blends that attempt to bridge the gap between Surlyn and urethane. For the most part, they do a good job, delivering a balance of durability, spin and affordability.
Traditional round dimples: The go-to favorite we all picture when imagining a golf ball, this classic design has been around for decades and is popular for good reason. Round dimples promote a stable flight path and good lift, optimizing distance and control.
Shallow round dimples: These are similar to traditional round dimples, but they are slightly shallower to reduce drag and potentially increase distance as well.
Square or pear-shaped dimples: Less common and more innovative than round dimples, these aim to create a tighter seam between the dimple and the cover, reducing drag and gaining additional distance. However, compared to round dimples, they may mess with the ball’s flight stability.
Hexagonal dimples: Truthfully, this one’s a pretty unconventional design, but it’s gaining ground among golfers since it promises a more uniform airflow around the ball. When that happens, you’ll get a more penetrating ball flight and potentially more distance, especially in windy conditions.
Consider factors that are unique to you, your skill level, strengths and limitations, swing speed and what you generally prioritize. It’s a crucial part of your game, but thankfully, unlike golf clubs or golf bags, balls aren’t a massive financial investment that you’ll have for years, so if a certain brand or type just isn’t working for you, move on to another.
“Choosing the right golf ball is as important as choosing the right club for an approach shot,” says Huddleston. “Ball manufacturers invest millions in R&D to dial in precise launch characteristics for golfers of all swing speeds. These different design features include multipiece constructions, dimple patterns and outer cover materials. The major brands experiment with dimple patterns to achieve greater distances without changing ball speed. An object that flies through the air encounters wind resistance, which creates drag. Dimples turbulate the air around the golf ball and reduce drag, which makes the ball go further.”
Huddleston advises that players who are interested in optimizing their game should get fitted for a ball by a golf professional. “Ball fittings allow players to test all kinds of balls. A good golf ball fitter will look to optimize both distance and control by fitting a player into a ball that produces the right spin rate and ball speed for their individual swing,” he says.
Outside of ball fittings, players should follow these general rules:
“Some balls have two-piece constructions, meaning a smaller core wrapped with an outer layer,” Huddleston says. “More premium golf balls have three-piece constructions and others, like the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x, are a five-piece construction. On a basic level, these layers influence ball compression, which is a factor in achieving higher or lower ball speeds.”
“Premium balls rarely make it through a full 18 holes without scuffing,” Huddleston says. “This is because of their delicate urethane covers. Once a ball is scuffed, the ball can spin in unpredictable ways, leading to unpredictable ball flights. For this reason, I replace a ball as soon as it is scuffed. I use scuffed balls for short game practice.”
“Generally speaking,” Huddleston says, “players with high swing speeds should look for a lower spinning ball, and players with low swing speeds should look for a higher spinning ball. There are important exceptions, however. The player’s swing mechanics, the club head and especially the shaft all impart spin. This is just a general rule.”
