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If there’s a single piece of golf equipment that’s more important than any other, it’s the golf balls. You could have all nicest clubs in the world, perfectly tailored and fit to your game and swing speed but, if you’re playing the wrong piece golf balls, you’ll never realize the potential of all those nice clubs. Your scores will not be better and your game and performance will be same.
When it comes to the choosing the best golf balls for your game, the obvious choice seems to be whatever the pros are playing. Maybe, it’s the Titleist ProV1 or ProV1X. Or the TaylorMade TP5, or Callaway Chrome Soft. It makes sense too. Those are the most expensive golf balls and the ones that the major manufacturers market the most. Also they are used on all major tournaments.
The reality is that those premium balls aren’t always the best balls for golfers with higher handicaps and slower swing speeds.
So, just how do you go about finding the best golf ball for your game? We’re here to answer all those questions and help you choose the best quality ball for your game so that you can have more fun, shoot lower scores and gain long distance.
Titleist ProV1 and ProV1x Golf Balls Review
Srixon Men’s Soft Feel Golf Ball
TaylorMade Project A Yellow Golf Balls
Callaway Supersoft Magna Golf Ball
3-Piece Kirkland Signature Golf Ball
Top 10 Best Golf Balls for Amateurs
Titleist ProV1 and ProV1X Ball
The Titleist ProV1 and ProV1X aren’t necessarily the best balls for people with slow swing speed. Titleist Pro v1 is more often used by professional golfers and advanced players. They are considered by many golfers as the number one golf balls. Pro V1 is great for pros and fast swing players. it has 80 compression rating the ProV1x has higher compression. Both have high end aerodynamic design for better spin. It provide great greenside control with less spin and soft feel. With that being said, both the distance and control around the greens advantages of these balls are hard to beat for a lot of players.
In the latest version of the Pro V1 and ProV1X tour level ball the 2.0 ZG Process inner core is engineered for maximum distance with moderate swing speeds. At the same time, the ultra-thin urethane elastomer layer maximizes feel and control giving players the best of both worlds. These balls offer great driver spin for consistent flight from tee to green. High skill level amateurs can benefit from the perfect high spin rate of this premium ball and great ability for chip shots. If you don’t mind paying a premium price for high quality premium balls, the Titleist Pro V1 and ProV1X might well be worth trying out.
Srixon Soft Feel
If you’re looking for a tour quality ball at a reasonable price, don’t overlook this ball. These balls have proven most beneficial for players with slower swing speeds. With a compression of 60, this ball enables slower swing speeds players to gain great distance and greenside control that other balls simply won’t afford. One of the best two piece construction ball on the market.
The Energy Gradient Growth Core is extremely soft which gives players of all levels exceptional feel. As the ball’s construction moves further away from the core, it becomes gradually firmer which also helps with distance. The ball’s 338-dimple pattern makes it one of the most aerodynamic around with low spin. This improves control and playability in the wind. This 2 piece design ball with lower compression is great for amateur golfers and ideal for beginners skill level players. If you’re a player looking for a playable ball with low spin at a reasonable price, this ball has best value for the money. Amateurs golfers should take advantage of this two piece ball.
TaylorMade Project A Golf Balls
While TaylorMade is most known for making premium drivers and irons, their golf balls are top-of-the-line as well. The Project a golf balls has been met with rave reviews from amateurs of all skill levels. This two layer ball is designed to give players both adequate distance, great greenside control on short shots, soft feel and spin. The players most suited for these balls are mid to high handicappers who seek distance and longer straighter ball flight. They’re a little too much ball for beginners and better players with faster swing speeds might not see the same benefits.
Callaway Magma Supersoft Ball
The Callaway Magma Supersoft golf balls are a step up from the previous generation of the multi layer Callaway Supersoft. An ultra-low compression core is ideal for players looking for exceptional distance. Callaway’s patented hex-pattern dimple design is one of the most aerodynamic in its class for good distance. These supersoft golf balls will improve your performance. In short, this ball delivers unmatched distance and is a great choice for golfers who regularly play in windy conditions. If you would like to have a great balls and game without thinking about losing one or two take a look at this model.
Kirkland KLS Urethane Cover Ball
Even though they’re known as anything but a premium golf manufacturer, Kirkland has made waves ever since it brought it’s first golf ball to market. The KLS three layer construction ball sells at a rational price and is one of the most durable of its kind. Urethane cover provide soft feel, ball spin and control with bit more distance. This means you won’t have to replace this ball as often as it’s more resistant to scratches and abrasions.
Three-piece construction implements the very best in both distance and feel characteristics making the ball extremely versatile. Great for low handicap golfers. If you want to play an all-around high-performance ball but don’t want to pay premium prices, the KLS from Kirkland is for you.
Vice Pro Golf Ball
Small startup golf companies have long had a history of not being able to compete with the game’s most notable manufacturers. That’s proven to be anything but the case with Vice golf. As a company that sells their balls from the manufacturer straight to the consumer, with no middleman involved, Vice has proven widely popular. And the Vice Pro ball more than lives up to all its hype. Even though it isn’t quite as long as the ProV1 and Pro V1X, it’s true flight and exceptional feel are every bit as good. This ball have low compression rating with 318 large dimple design. It provide longer drives with nice side spin and it is great for iron shots. The inner core is high energy speed core and it has urethane outer layer ideal for spin off the tee. it has great seed with excellent control in trajectory and great control. The best part is these premium three piece balls comes at a fraction of the price of other top-shelf balls. If you haven’t tried the Vice Pro golf ball, you need to. Vice manufacturers design ball with great value. You won’t be disappointed.
Bridgestone Tour BX Golf Ball
Bridgestone has been a staple in the market for both premium golf balls for great players and especially, mid and high handicappers. In fact, the company was the pioneer in custom ball fitting for the individual; something most of their competitors have adopted as a practice since. The ball keeps rolling (pun intended) with Bridgestone’s BX golf ball best known for its performance.
Bridgestone created these top picks balls specifically for golfers who can benefit from more distance to help them shoot lower scores. The Gradational Compression Core increases ball speed off the face which means increased distance with less spin for players of all levels. Even though this ball was designed to help golfers gain distance, its revolutionary SlipRes urethane cover provides soft feel and side spin control around the greens. While you probably won’t spin this ball backward with your wedges, it’s a great distance ball that doesn’t sacrifice the soft feel on short shots all golfers know and love. Excellent value for money you spent on this ball.
Srixon Z Star Golf Ball
We can safely place the Srixon Z Star golf ball in the premium ball category. That doesn’t mean it’s meant only for the pros though. Amateurs that carry single digit handicaps are sure to benefit from the design and technology the Z Star employs. This three piece golf ball with 344 speed dimple pattern is engineered from its core to its cover to deliver maximum distance off the tee and spin around the greens. Even though the Z Star lacks the catchy marketing lingo and proprietary technologies of its competitors, it’s trusted for long time by more than a few of the world’s best players. This ball have some similarities with Srixon q star model. It is great ball for golfers with fast swing. The good news for low handicappers is that it have great price point and it sells for up to $20 less than its competitors and goes toe-to-toe in every aspect of performance.
Titleist Tour Soft Golf Ball
Replacing the incredibly popular Titleist NXT Tour golf ball, is the Tour Soft. Even though the technology and design haven’t changed a ton with this soft compression rating ball, players report that it’s markedly softer feeling than the previous generation of the NXT. It has new Ionomer cover with 342 spherically-tiled cuboctahedron dimple design with high spin. The higher spin best for its stopping power provide more control. Their dimple design provide more performance. Many golfers with mid range handicap use these balls with softer feel.
The core in these two piece golf balls are the largest that Titleist has ever created. The result? Unsurpassed extra distance off the tee with moderate swing speed. Just because it’s longer off the tee than previous models, doesn’t mean it sacrifices feel and control around the green. In fact, it spins even more. Suffice it to say Titleist got it right in delivering both increased ball flight distance and control in this super soft ball. Even tough these are ionomer cover golf balls they offer great value for money. Because of the name, expect to pay a little more for this ball. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the price of admission. One of the best balls on the market.
Callaway SuperHot Golf Ball
Let’s face it, there’s not much better than outdriving your buddies by dozens of yards. The longest hitters at Golfer’s Authority ideal for beginners like to give the rest of us a hard time about the new Wal-Mart shopping center between their drives and ours. At least it’s funny to them…
That’s exactly what drove the design behind the Callaway SuperHot golf ball.
This three layer ball sets itself apart due to it’s hyperenergetic core. It’s literally the hottest core on the market. The result? Scary good distance.
Even though this ball boasts side spin control around the green and a soft feeling cover, the reality is that it’s meant nothing more than raw distance.
If that’s what your after, then fire away and more power to you. These three piece balls won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
However, for most mid to high handicap golfers, the Callaway SuperHot is an affordable option for fun rounds of golf like company scrambles when you’re swinging out of your shoes and don’t mind donating a couple to the Audubon Society. These balls have best value for money. Just make sure you yell FORE when necessary.
What to Consider When Buying a Golf Ball
Cost
Golf balls are expensive. The premium ones mentioned above can go for as much as $5 a ball. If you lose a couple during a round, the cost can add up quickly.
The truth is you don’t necessarily have to spend an arm and a leg to find a ball that’s right for your game. Whatever decision you come to, make sure you buy balls that leave you enough money left over to greens fees.
Distance vs. Control and Feel
There are golf balls designed for literally every type of golfer. That means the right ball for someone else, might not be the right ball for you or the average golfer. If you swing at a high rate of speed and distance tee to green isn’t an issue, you might opt for a high quality soft core ball with much spin and gives you better ball flight, added feel and more control. Conversely, if you could use a little more distance off the tee, a harder rubber core, high ball speed, low spin ball might be just the ticket. Often rubber core reduce spin for more distance. The technology in most balls for golf gives players benefits of both distance and short game control. The best way to find the best golf ball for you is through good old fashion trial and error.
Compression
When you hear people talk about golf balls, the word compression gets thrown around a lot. So, what exactly is compression? It’s a measurement of the deflection a ball undergoes when struck by a different swing speed. The higher a ball’s compression, the less it deflects at impact.
Balls with high compression are better for distance without drag and have lower spin but aren’t as soft around the greens and not so good or the short game. On the other hand, the low compression balls deflects at impact. Low compression golf balls generally have more spin rate and are advantageous for feel and control on short shots. Ultra low compression balls are great for lower swing speed players because it provide extra distance. Knowing what compression measurement is most beneficial for your game will be a big help in choosing the right ball.
Conclusion
When it comes to balls for golf, there’s no shortage of balls on the market to choose from. And all the top manufacturers know this and market their most expensive products accordingly. Don’t be fooled, though. Not always the most expensive balls are best for amateur golfers with moderate swing speeds. Depending on your ability and your game’s specific needs, it’s highly likely that a premium tour ball isn’t the best for your game. But you have to choose ball suited for your skill abilities and to have best value for money. Ball for average golfer should provide good distance, greenside control, soft feel, aerodynamic design, less drag, low compression core and excellent spin control. Often distance balls with high speed are great for amateurs, while professional golfers with higher swing speed use more soft balls with soft urethane outer layer.
As such, we suggest doing some of your own research, trial and error, to find the best ball that you get the most out of. Hopefully this guide will at the very least get you started in the right direction. Should you have any comments or questions, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. We’ll be sure to respond quickly with our best advice and options to get you on the path to shooting lower scores. Take a look in our guides to help you choose the right golf equipment.