Let me set the scene. I cracked open the box and pulled out a sleeve, and my initial thought was that the Noodle Long and Soft looks... perfectly fine. That might sound like faint praise, but hear me out. I've tested budget balls that looked like they were molded in someone's garage, with uneven seams, dull finishes, and dimple patterns that seemed almost random. The Noodle doesn't have any of that. The cover has a clean, glossy white finish with a 342-dimple pattern that looks intentional and uniform. The alignment aid is simple but functional. There's nothing about the visual presentation that screams "I paid a dollar a ball for these." It's not going to fool anyone into thinking you're gaming a Pro V1, but it doesn't need to. It just needs to look like a real golf ball, and it does.
I will say the name still makes me chuckle. "Noodle." It's one of those product names that either endears you or makes you cringe, and after all these years, I've landed firmly on the side of endearment. There's something pleasantly unpretentious about a golf ball that doesn't take itself too seriously. In fact, the name could arguably be improved; something like "Long And Straight" might better highlight the ball's straightness off the tee, which is really its defining characteristic.
Softness is great, but does it last? Our long-term review of the Noodle Long and Soft looks at material quality, wear-and-tear resistance, and final value.
Here's where I have to be upfront about something: I tested the Noodle Long and Soft alongside the Callaway Supersoft and the Titleist TruFeel, two balls that occupy a similar space in the market but come at a slightly higher price point. I wanted to see if the Noodle could hang with its closest competitors, and the results were more interesting than I anticipated.
Off the driver, the Noodle Long and Soft produced a high launch with noticeably low spin. For perspective, my driver swing speed hovers around 95 mph, which puts me slightly above the ideal target demographic for this ball. But even at my speed, the ball flew straight with a penetrating arc that carried well. I was consistently hitting it within 5-7 yards of the Callaway Supersoft, which frankly stunned me given the price difference. The low spin off the tee is the real story here. It reduces those big, sweeping slices and hooks that plague recreational golfers, and it helps the ball hold a line through the air more effectively than you'd expect from a ball at this price.
Where the Noodle really shines, though, is for golfers with swing speeds in the 75-90 mph range. That ultra-soft compression core TaylorMade lists it at around 34 compression, though independent testing from Ball Lab suggests it plays closer to the high 60s on their gauge, which is designed to compress fully even with moderate clubhead speed. What that means in practical terms is that a senior golfer or a beginner who can't compress a Titleist Pro V1 (which requires substantially more speed to access its performance) will actually get more distance out of the Noodle. The ball does the work for you. It launches high, carries well, and rolls out with surprising consistency.
I tested the Noodle with my 7-iron and saw similar results. The ball flew on a consistent flight with good height, and the distances were repeatable. I wasn't getting the kind of shot-to-shot variation that I sometimes see with ultra-cheap balls where one goes 155 and the next goes 140 for no apparent reason. The Noodle was predictable, and in golf, predictable is your friend.
One more thing worth mentioning: the 342-dimple design isn't just a marketing number. Aerodynamic dimple patterns genuinely affect how a ball moves through the air, and TaylorMade's pattern here is designed to reduce drag and enhance lift. Does it perform like a multi-layer tour ball with a urethane cover? No. But for a two-piece ionomer ball at fifteen bucks a dozen, the flight efficiency is genuinely impressive. That said, the ball did struggle in windy conditions, where the high-launching trajectory became a liability rather than an asset.
I'll admit I was skeptical about the "soft" part of the name. Every golf ball on the market seems to claim it's soft these days, and half the time I can't tell the difference. But the Noodle Long and Soft actually delivers on this promise in a way that I noticed immediately.
Off the putter face, there's a muted, dampened feel that I found surprisingly pleasant. It's not the buttery, multi-layered feedback you get from a urethane-covered ball like the Chrome Soft, but it's noticeably softer than something like the Top Flite XL or other rock-hard distance balls I've played over the years. When I was rolling putts on the practice green, the ball came off the face with a satisfying quietness that made distance control feel intuitive. I wouldn't call putter feel exceptional, it's not going to rival a Kirkland Signature v2.0 or a Srixon Soft Feel in that department, but it's solidly above average for the price point.
Off the irons is where the softness really comes through. Full swings with a 7-iron or 8-iron produced a compression feel that was noticeably easier on the hands compared to harder two-piece balls. If you've ever hit a range rock on a cold morning and felt the sting travel up your forearms, you know exactly why soft compression matters. The Noodle eliminates that harshness entirely. For seniors dealing with arthritis or joint issues, or for beginners who are still making inconsistent contact, that softer impact is more than a luxury it's a genuine comfort improvement that might keep you playing longer and enjoying it more.
I also noticed the feel was consistent from club to club. Some budget balls feel fine off the putter, but turn into little rocks off the driver. The Noodle maintained its soft character throughout the bag, which tells me TaylorMade got the core compression dialed in correctly for this ball's intended audience.
Okay, here's where I have to deliver the news that every budget ball review eventually has to deliver. The Noodle Long and Soft does not spin much around the greens. And I mean noticeably less than even mid-priced options like the Srixon Soft Feel or the Callaway Supersoft.
I tested a series of 40-yard pitch shots to a front pin position, and the Noodle consistently landed and released forward. There was no grabbing, no checking, no spinning back. On chips from just off the green, I could get the ball to stop reasonably well with a bump-and-run technique, but anything requiring a high, spinning lob shot was basically off the table. The ionomer cover simply doesn't generate the friction that a urethane cover produces, and the low-spin core compound that makes the ball so forgiving off the tee works against you when you actually want spin.
Now, here's the crucial perspective: if you're a 25-handicap golfer, how often are you actually executing a high-spin flop shot that checks up and spins back two feet? Be honest. (I'm not judging; it took me years to develop any kind of reliable short game.) For the vast majority of recreational golfers, the lack of greenside spin is a theoretical limitation, not a practical one. You'll learn to play bump-and-runs, you'll aim for the middle of the green, and your scores will probably be just fine.
But if you're a single-digit handicapper who relies on being able to flight the ball low with check spin or throw a 60-degree lob shot that bites on the second bounce, this ball will frustrate you. That's not a flaw in the product, it's a design choice. The Noodle Long and Soft was never built for that golfer, and expecting it to perform that way is like being disappointed that your Honda Civic can't tow a boat.
Let's talk money, because at the end of the day, the Noodle Long and Soft's biggest selling point might be its price tag. At roughly $14.99 per dozen at most retailers and Ball Lab reports a true price closer to $13.55, you're paying about $1.25 per ball. Compare that to a Pro V1 at roughly $4.50 per ball, or even a Callaway Supersoft at around $1.85 per ball, and the math becomes pretty persuasive.
Here's how I think about value in golf balls: every ball you lose is money gone. If you're a golfer who loses four or five balls per round (and statistically, most recreational golfers lose at least two or three), you're talking about $5–6 per round in lost Noodles versus $18-22 in lost Pro V1s. Over a season of 30 rounds, that's a difference of $150 to $500. That's a new wedge. That's a dozen range sessions. That's a couple of greens fees. The psychological benefit is real, too. I played noticeably more aggressively when I wasn't worried about dunking a $4 ball into the pond. I went for carries I wouldn't normally attempt, and that actually led to some of my better shots of the day.
The durability also factors into the value equation. The ionomer cover on the Noodle held up well through multiple holes. I didn't see significant scuffing or cuts even after cart path bounces and tree strikes (yes, plural). A single Noodle lasted me a full 18 holes without needing to be retired, which is about what I'd expect from balls at twice the price.
One caveat I do want to flag: some sources indicate that the Noodle Long and Soft may no longer appear on the USGA conforming ball list. If that's currently the case, it means the ball wouldn't be legal for tournament play or rounds submitted for handicap purposes at clubs that enforce conforming equipment rules. For casual weekend golf, this doesn't matter at all. But if you're playing in your club championship or posting scores, it's worth checking the USGA's current list before teeing up a Noodle.
Softness is great, but does it last? Our long-term review of the Noodle Long and Soft looks at material quality, wear-and-tear resistance, and final value.
Honestly, it's murky. Most sources say Noodle Long and Soft balls are USGA and R&A approved, but there's credible info suggesting they've been pulled from the USGA Conforming Golf Ball List. If you're playing a casual round, nobody cares, swing away. But if you're entering a sanctioned tournament, don't risk a DQ over a budget ball. Check the current USGA conforming list yourself before teeing up. Takes two minutes.
They hold up surprisingly well. The low-compression core keeps its soft feel when temperatures dip below 60°F, and you'll retain more distance than you would with a firmer ball. You'll still lose some carry, that's just physics, but the high launch helps offset it. Store them at room temperature, not in your cold trunk. For $13–$15 a dozen, they're a no-brainer winter ball for slower swing speeds.
Most sources list the Noodle Long and Soft at 34 compression, which is ultra-low, basically built for slower swing speeds. But here's the catch: some independent tests peg it closer to 69, which is solidly mid-compression. Big difference. You're probably getting something softer than a Pro V1 but firmer than TaylorMade's marketing suggests. Bottom line, it's a soft-feeling ball, but don't take that 34 number as gospel.
The Noodle Long and Soft is the budget pick, around $13–$15 a dozen, with higher launch and low spin for max distance. The DT TruSoft sits softer (mid-50s compression vs. the Noodle's ~69 measured) and flies lower, generating distance through roll. If you're a slower-swing golfer watching your wallet, grab the Noodle. If you'll pay more for that genuinely plush Titleist feel, the DT TruSoft delivers.
Golfio has the best deal I've found: $15.99 for a 15-ball pack, which shakes out to about $1.07 per ball. That's hard to beat. Walmart Business sells a 24-pack for $33.06, but you're paying more per ball there, so skip it. I'd also check GlobalGolf, Carl's Golfland, and Golfballs.com, since their prices weren't fully visible; you might catch a sale or coupon that edges out Golfio.
So, is the TaylorMade Noodle Long and Soft for everyone? Absolutely not. If you're a low-handicap player who shapes shots intentionally, who needs to spin the ball on approaches, and who plays in competitive events where conforming equipment matters, this isn't your ball. Look at the Titleist Pro V1, the Callaway Chrome Soft, or even the Bridgestone Tour B series instead.
But if you're a beginner still figuring out your swing, a high handicapper who wants to play better without spending more, a senior golfer who needs a ball that launches easily with a smooth swing, or simply a weekend warrior who'd rather spend money on greens fees than golf balls, the Noodle Long and Soft is one of the best values in the game right now. It delivers honest distance, genuinely soft feel, and reliable performance at a price that makes losing a few balls per round completely painless. I went in skeptical, and I came away genuinely impressed. Sometimes the most unassuming product in the store is exactly the one you should be reaching for.
