Best Golf Balls – Ultimate Buyer Guide
The best way to chose a ball (from best brands of golf balls) for the game is to actually play with it once. However, for that, you would have to purchase several different sets which can cost you a lot. To counter this, in this section, we will help you select THE ball for you with only the information provided by the manufacturer.
Below are some of the features you need to keep in mind when going for any golf ball.
- Type of Game – Long or Short Decide Accordingly
In golf, you can broadly classify the game into two types; long game, and short game. The long game involves plenty of straight driver shots while the short game requires putters. Both of these games are different from each other and therefore require a separate set of the ball.
For example, if you are playing on a long field, you need to play driver shots. In these shots, you want your ball to go as straight as possible with a minimal amount of spin. If the spin of ball is not optimum it will go off its intended trajectory moving you far away from the target.
Similarly, in a short game, you want to get some amount to spin in order to put the ball in the hole. Now, not all the balls are able to provide both speed and spin at the same time. Therefore, before getting a set make sure you know the kind of game you want to play with them. Once you have figured it out, it is time to move on to features you need to look in the ball.
- Budget – An Ever-Important Factor to Consider
One thing which is important to consider in any of buying is your budget. It determines, although not always, your ability to spend but also the quality of the product. The same can be said for golf balls.
There are a variety of balls available in the market with their prices ranging from one to ten bucks for a single piece. As you increase your budget, you start to step into the “premium” range of balls. These balls would provide optimum spin, speed, and drag. However, even if you are running low on budget, it is not something to be worried about. There is plenty of good options you can get in a price as low as 50 cents per ball.
The quality and performance of these balls would not be quite similar to the premium ball. However, they would get the job done just fine. These balls can also be a good option if you are just a recreational golfer.
- Cover of the Ball – Determines the Durability and Hardness of Ball
Good golf balls are not inexpensive and when you are getting an expensive product you want it last a good time. Cover plays a key role in making a ball durable and strong.
The cheaper covers would cost you less but with these after a single game you would see the signs of wear and tear. Ionomers and urethane are two main materials that are typically being used in the golf balls. The urethane costs a little more than ionomers but is stronger and more durable. Therefore, if you are going to get a premium ball make sure it has urethane in the construction.
Ionomer, on the other hand, is relatively inexpensive, however, it competes for urethane on quite a few properties. It is softer than urethane which provides a nice feel. However, when it comes to durability it lacks behind, but still allows you to play three to four solid holes with it. The point is, whenever you decide to get a golf ball make sure it has a cover made from either of these two materials.
- Compression of the Core – Imparts Important Attributes to the Ball
The compression of the core refers to how tightly the core of the ball has been wounded. It defines the main attributes of a golf ball. You would normally find three types of cores, low, medium and highly compressed. As the number of compressions goes higher, you would get a harder and more solid ball.
The lower compressions, on the other hand, are soft and travel fartherer than the hard balls. However, the problem with the softer balls is that these do not fly as straight as the hard balls, therefore these are harder to control.
Contrary to this, a harder ball goes straight with minimal spin, but it takes a lot of swing rate to get them near the holes. These balls provide you the accuracy but demand an effort in the swing.
The third category is the mid-compressed core, which is somewhere between both softer and harder balls. These balls tend to provide a balance between spin and the speed which enables the player to play all kinds of shots. These go straight when intended and produce spin around the green.
If you are starting out, a mid-compressed core would be the best option for you. However, if you have spent some time on the field you should move on to the harder ones for a premium experience.
The above are the most important factors which should determine your golf ball and you don’t have to be an expert to get hold of these concepts.
What are best brands of Golf Balls in 2020
1. TITLEIST AVX
The best golf ball with a high-tech performance
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 352 Handicap: Everyone Colour: White
Titleist’s AVX ball takes the top spot among our best golf balls round-up thanks to its combination of clever technology and excellent performance. It has a soft feel due to its smart core, cover and aerodynamic design, yet delivers significant distance.
It’s a premium ball and price on a level with the Pro V1 and Pro V1x in all-round tee-to-green performance, but creates a lower spin and launch angle while still having the softest feel of the lot.
The core is low in compression, allowing for high speeds and greater distances. Plus, the spherically-tiled 352 tetrahedral catenary designed dimples aim to create an optimal and consistent flight path.
2. TAYLORMADE PROJECT (S)
A great budget-friendly golf ball for beginners
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 342 Handicap: Beginner to intermediate Colour: White, Yellow, Orange
“Soft is slow without speed,” says TaylorMade, which is why they’ve produced the all-new Project (S) that aims to offers soft feel around the greens, but still with low driver spin and substantial driver distance.
The dual-distance core in the Project (s) reduces compression for softer feel while maintaining rebound and speed. The outer core is a softer-resilient polymer that continues to improve feel and velocity.
An aerodynamic ionomer cover, paired with TaylorMade’s high-lift 342LDP dimple pattern, decreases drag to increase distance. Overall, a great budget option for beginners likely to lose a few balls in the trees or lakes during their round.
3. TITLEIST PRO V1
The best golf ball for distance, but with short game control
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 352 Handicap: Everyone Colour: White
Titleist likes to remind us that that the Pro V1 is the No 1 ball used by professionals on worldwide golf tours, but that it’s a great ball for non-superstars as well.
The ball is manufactured to perfectly balance short game control without sacrificing good yardage from the tee. Whether it achieves that might be subjective, but our testers sing the Pro V1’s praises as a great all-round golf ball with consistent results.
This model is one of the most expensive in our round-up of the best golf balls, but if you have at least some level of skill it’s worth the investment. If you’re a total newbie, consider one of the cheaper options here to hone your skills first.
4. TAYLORMADE TP5X
The celebrity endorsed TP5x works for pros and amateurs alike
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 332 Handicap: Everyone Colour: White
Famously used by former world No.1 golfer Rory McIlroy, who says: “I started hitting the TP5x ball and I was like, ‘This is what I’ve been missing’.”
Made with five layers, leading manufacturer TaylorMade intends for these balls to be compatible with every club in your bag, on the tee or the green.
A favourite in our best golf balls round-up, the TP5x’s core supplies progressive compression to transfer as much energy from your swing to the ball. A dual-spin cover ensures accuracy when putting.
You might find there’s a little too much spin on the ball, but we think it’s a decent alternative to the Titleist Pro V1.
5. VICE PRO SOFT
The best golf ball for increased visibility
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12Dimples: 336Handicap: Beginners to intermediateColour: White, Lime, Red
The Pro Soft has been optimised for distance for serious amateurs who have a medium-to-fast swing speed. This is one of a range of premium golf balls by Vice, available at a lower price compared to similar spec models.
Vice says the Pro Soft is the the first matte-finished cast urethane golf ball in the world, thanks to silicate particles in the lacquer, which creates an anti-glare effect when you’re addressing the ball.
Improved visibility in the sky and on the ground is another reason why the Pro Soft has made our round-up of the best golf balls you can buy. Also, S2TG tech in the cover has created a very thin skin, which some reviewers say creates nearly as much backspin on iron shots into greens as top tour balls.
6. MIZUNO MP-S
This tough golf ball can withstand windy days on the course
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12Dimples: 330Handicap: : Sub 15Colour: White
The Mizuno MP-S makes is one of best golf balls for experienced players looking to give improve their game. There’s a lot of power in this ball due to the 330 dimples, which aid flight and offer excellent stability, even on windier days.
The ball’s outer layer is just 0.5mm thick which helps to further aid in ball speed. This makes this ball great driving off the tee for range as well as accuracy when struck just right. The outer is a refined urethane material which also helps to further increase the velocity of this ball in flight.
Despite the range and power on offer, a three-piece build means the MP-S is also highly responsive and offers a controlled, accurate shot.
7. CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT GOLF BALLS
Weekend warriors, this is the best golf ball for you
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 332 Handicap: Everyone Colour: White
For golfers looking for more distance without paying a premium, there’s Callaway’s four-piece Chrome Soft, designed with a Graphene Dual SoftFast Core.
Graphene is the strongest and thinnest material on earth. At just one atom thick, it weighs a seventh of the weight of air yet is 200 times stronger than steel.
This means that Callaway’s Chrome Soft golf ball has the thinnest possibly outer core, and a larger inner core. That all works to enhance the ball’s speed, while it still retains a soft feel for around and on the greens.
Thanks to aerodynamically designed Hex dimples, the Chrome Soft also provides longer carry distance off the tee and long shots into greens.
8. HONMA TW–X GOLF BALL
Meet the golf ball designed to boost your driving game
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 326 Handicap: Everyone Colour: White
You might not have used a Honma ball before but when you do you’ll wish you had sooner. The TW–X is built not only to offer enhanced speeds for your driving game but also offers short game control too.
How? No, not magic. This is thanks to a three-piece urethane ball that features a high–speed core for power, high–repulsion mid–layer for low spin and a soft cover so you can add more spin should you need. The 326-dimples mean low penetration when in flight, making this your best buddy even on a windy day.
9. SRIXON Z–STAR
A spin–friendly golf ball for your short game
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 338 Handicap: Low Colour: White
This is a one–of–kind when it comes to smart technology, thanks to its macromolecule Slide–Ring (SeRM). It sits in the cover of the ball and uses a moveable cross–link, which means the ball’s shape returns better than traditional balls.
It also means this golf ball can withstand more damage, is impact resistant and, crucially, absorbs vibrations better. All that gets you a ball that’s really helpful when it comes to the green thanks to lots of lovely spin. You can also enhance spin without losing distance off the tee.
Since they’re tougher, you’ll notice these balls last longer, looking like new too, presuming you don’t spin too much and send these beauties off into the rough.
10. VOLVIK S4 2019
The best golf ball for fast-swinging golfers
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 336 Handicap: Low Colour: White
If you know your game has a good swing backing it up, this is the best golf ball for you. Built for fast swing golfers, the S4 is a soft feeling ball with a premium finish. While it performs well at speed, from a fast swing, it will also offer tour level control on the green.
For spin there’s a urethane cover which offers enough grip to let you take maximum control in your short game. A solid core helps to keep a balance so that you get the ideal follow-through off the tee meaning you actually get to use that short game control as soon as possible in your game.
11. MIZUNO RB TOUR
The premium fast tour golf ball for drag reduction
SPECIFICATIONS
Quantity: 12 Dimples: 360 Handicap: High Colour: White
This premium ball, new for 2019, features a new Cone Profile Dimple for drag reduction. This is done by creating more trigger points to let faster flowing air move quickly closer to the ball’s surface.
But the performance isn’t just at the tee, thanks to a urethane cover there is high traction on the outer which allows for excellent control on the green.
You get low driver spin from this ball thanks to soft compression, which means downward attack angles are there when you need them. This four-piece ball, 12 years in the making, uses a speed enhancing 360 cone dimple system for more penetrating flight and less drag. A must try.
FAQs
Q. How to clean golf balls?
• Add bleach into a bucket of warm water.
• Soak the balls in this solution for half an hour.
• Get balls out and dry them.
Q. How to pitch a golf ball?
• Make sure that club face is open depending on how high you want to hit it
• Have a wider stance
• Keep the ball a little forward in your stance
• Let out on the club a little
• Slide underneath the ball as you come through
• Move your body with the shot but not much
Q. Golf lost ball rule 2019?
A. In this new rule, with a two-stroke penalty, player is allowed to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball was lost.