Some beginner golfers are under the misconception of thinking that all golf balls are the same.
So they aren’t?
Nope.And, it can be confusing knowing how to start choosing the very best golf ball for your game.
The reason behind this is, nowadays, more than at any time in history, golf ball manufacturers strive to maximize the performance of their products, so there are many options out there. Saying that, however, some are certainly superior to others. New and improved versions of top-of-the-line balls bear testimony to this, as do 2023’s innovative golf ball releases.
Have a look at our list of the best golf balls for 2023. Thereafter, we will even treat you to some need-to-know info about the more noteworthy ball characteristics and reasons to choose a specific golf ball.
What have you got to lose? Read on to find out loads of expert hints, tips, advice, and, of course, our comprehensive reviews list.
Which Balls Made Our List of the Best Golf Balls in 2023?
Let’s run through our list of the best golf balls in 2023. We’ll feature some premium golf balls while also looking at some that will not cost you the same as a prolonged stay at the 19th hole. There are balls better for your short-game spin and others that cater to better ball speed. Let’s start with our choice as the overall best golf ball in 2023.
1. Best Overall: Callaway Chrome Soft
Image Source: Callaway Golf
For many years, the Callaway Chrome Soft ball has topped many online golf ball charts and we’ve found absolutely no reason not to extend the trend. The Chrome Soft has a medium compression rating of 72 and possesses a soft feel.
It achieves substantial distance off the tee and launches impeccably with an iron. Moreover, it delivers admirable spin control on short approach shots. In short, the Calloway Chrome Soft urethane golf ball provides impressive performance from tee to green. Its forgiveness levels make it a logical choice for high-handicap golfers as well.
The latest Chrome Soft variant boasts a brand new hyper-elastic SoftFast core for advanced compression. This quality adds to its mantle-layered three-piece construction. The ball’s soft urethane covers provide a luxuriously soft feel and optimal control. These Chrome Soft golf balls deliver premium performance no matter the club you use.
Adding to the above, the latest Chrome Soft also incorporates Precision Technology from Callaway. This pinpoint design manufacturing results in better performance through tighter dispersions and faster ball speeds. If you’re looking for better spin control on your short game, you might want to try the Callaway Chrome Soft X ball as a great alternative option.
Finally, the HEX Tour Aero dimple design on the ball minimizes drag and enhances carry. This caps off the overall premium performance of the Callaway Chrome Soft. It really is hard to beat.
Specifications
- Colors: White, white triple track and yellow triple track
- Construction: Three-piece urethane
- Compression rating: 72
Pros
- Low level of spin off the tee box
- High-class all-round performance
- Smooth feel at greenside
Cons
- Poor in comparison to the Callaway Chrome Soft X in short-game spin control
Price
- You can expect to pay around $50 for a dozen, which is an affordable price for such a premium ball. Larger packs are available at reduced rates per ball.
2. Most Popular: Titleist Pro V1
The Titleist Pro V1 is highly established in the golfing world, having been in use for more than two decades. It has the distinction of being the most widely-used premium golf ball, both domestically and on the professional circuit.
In its latest iteration, the Pro V1 has an enhanced, firmer exterior high-gradient core that progressively softens toward the middle. What does this mean for your game? This innovation encourages rapid ball speed and low spin in your long game. The Pro V1 is outstanding when using mid-irons, meaning increased distance and reduced medium-iron spin.
From the tee box, it gives high speed and great distance with more penetrating ball flight than most. The Pro V1X does offer more spin than the Titleist Pro V1, but it’s the latter’s consistent performances on the course that earns it our vote. Don’t just take our word for it; professionals including Scottie Scheffler, vote it as the best of of tour balls.
Specifications
- Colors: White and yellow
- Construction: Three-piece urethane
- Compression rating: 87-90
Pros
- Luxurious soft feel
- Better medium iron distance
- More penetrating flight
- Exceptional tee-to-green execution
Cons
- The Pro V1X is a preferable alternative for low-spin golfers wanting more spin.
Price
- At an average of $55 per dozen, these premium balls are pricier than most, potentially due to their popularity. Certain loyalties are rewarded on larger orders.
3. Best Low Compression: TaylorMade Tour Response
TaylorMade is the golf manufacturer known for its innovative approach to designing golf equipment. As such, the brand is always looking to set new trends and push the conventional limits.
In the case of the Tour Response golf ball, this comes in the form of a low compression rating of 70 with a Hi-Spring Core, meaning that far less effort is needed to gain momentum off the tee.
This ball also includes a unique design that aids you in alignment if you’re struggling with your putting. How? The words “tour response” with arrows encircle the ball, showing how well it is rolling. There is also the option of a Tour Response ball with a brightly colored band.
Performance-wise, the latest Tour Response ball is an improvement over previous models when it comes to distance and ball speed. An increased 3 mph over older models gives you at least an extra five yards in distance, which can make a real difference where hazards are concerned.
With an ionomer cover, the TaylorMade Tour Response soft ball is affordable and offers very good control and a soft feel around the putting surface.
Specifications
- Colors: White, yellow, and striped
- Construction: Three-piece Ionomer
- Compression rating: 70
Pros
- Good greenside spin
- Improved ball speed and distance
- Helpful alignment tool in stripe model
Cons
- The design of the striped model may be distracting to some.
Price
- At a price of around $43 for twelve, this is a very affordable Ionomer-covered ball.
4. Best for Beginners: Titleist Velocity
The latest version of the Titleist Velocity travels further due to the design changes implemented by Titleist engineers. Adaption of the depth and firmness of each layer within the Velocity now generates better ball speed on full shots.
This two-piece ball is now slightly firmer than previous models. Its ionomer cover sports a new 350-dimple octahedral pattern to generate a higher flight trajectory. The latest technology has also produced other significant improvements, especially off the tee. You’ll experience increased spin and distance, which can greatly enhance your all-around game.
As the Titleist Velocity ball doesn’t target professional golfers, it doesn’t have the same greenside spin control as the Pro V1. We rate these balls as the best golf balls for beginners as they have an outstanding capacity for distance and come at a very affordable price.
Specifications
- Colors: White, blue, green, and orange
- Construction: Two-piece ionomer
- Compression rating: 84
Pros
- Firm feel
- High ball flight no matter the club
- Low long-shot spin
Cons
- Less short-game control
Price
- The Titleist Velocity is an economical alternative to some other high-compression golf balls. Priced at $30 per dozen through Titleist, they are affordable for every beginner.
5. Best for Distance: Bridgestone E9 Long Drive
Image Source: Amazon
Bridgestone has teamed up with the World Long Drive Association (WLDA) to come up with a ball that promises “maximum power on every shot.” And it certainly appears to be delivering on that promise. With an injection-molded seamless SURLYN™ cover, it offers enhanced aerodynamics to boost speed, making for more distance on long shots. Heaven!
The golf ball’s core has a harder outer layer which gets softer as you move toward its center. The E9 Long Drive delivers excellent distance, but that’s not all: it also affords you surprisingly good spin when using middle irons, with the feel being a little softer than you’d anticipate.
OK, so the ball might not be as soft as some others in the Bridgestone range, but you can expect very good performances on faster, harder golf courses.
If you’ve got a faster swing speed you’re going to love this ball. It lives up to its Long Drive name but is also very playable in other areas. It offers consistent distance and spin with iron shots, and holds its own around the green. Bridgestone E9 Long Drive balls get our vote as the best golf balls for distance – and are excellent value for money as well.
Specifications
- Colors: White
- Construction: Injection-molded two-piece SURLYN™ ionomer
- Compression rating: 75
Pros
- Excellent distance on every shot
- Consistent ball flight
- Official ball of the WLDA
Cons
- Average short-game spin
- Not ideal for lower swing speeds
- Only available in white
Price
- At a price averaging around $30 per pack of 12, the E9 Long Drive ball is affordable and great value for money if you’ve got a faster swing.
What to Look For When Buying a Golf Ball
Choosing the best golf balls for your game can be a challenge with so many options available to golfers.
In effect, you should be searching for a golf ball that produces an awesome distance from your drive. It should give off a pleasing feel and offer controllability through some decent greenside spin. Consider the following to assist with your choice:
Cover material
A golf ball’s cover material can influence its performance substantially. Fortunately, unlike the vast range of balls themselves, there are only two primary material choices – urethane and ionomer.
Urethane balls more often deliver the soft feel of a premium ball and allow better spin and control using shorter irons. In general, they seem to spin more than golf balls with ionomer covers.
The more affordable ionomer-covered golf balls tend to spin less and provide a penetrating ball flight for extra distance. Generally covered in the ionomer material, SURLYN™, they’re usually more durable as well.
Recent technological strides in urethane covers mean that the benefits that ionomer balls have had are now practically nullified. The biggest negative point of balls with urethane covers is their price, which outweighs that of Ionomer balls by some margin.
Another potential negative for some golfers is its travel distance on the drive for those with a slower swing speed.
Typically, skilled golfers with higher swing speeds fork out the extra for the urethane ball. Novices and others with slower swing speeds tend to choose golf balls with Ionomer covers.
Compression rating
When looking for the best golf ball for your game, you should definitely factor in the ball’s compression rating. Compression ratings have a typical range of between 30 and 120. What does the amount of compression in a golf ball indicate, though?
The lower the compression rating, the less club head speed is needed to compress the ball enough to achieve more distance in the air. With a higher compression rating, you need a higher swing speed to produce the same results in distance.
Golfing standards through time suggest there’s a close relationship between the compression rating of a golf ball and the club’s swing speed. In other words, if you swing your club at 60 mph you should use a golf ball with a compression rating of 60.
This isn’t always the case, though. More contemporary golfing theorists believe that a 60 compression rating is often high enough for a 100 mph swing speed. It’s commonly agreed that you should have a higher swing speed than your ball’s compression rating suggests.
High-handicap golfers, women, seniors, and other golfers with slower swing speeds will likely find benefits using a low-compression ball. It makes sense then that professionals and low handicappers usually see better results using golf balls with higher compression ratings.
A small but important word of warning: be aware that colder temperatures cause even the best golf balls to lose compression. Playing in warmer conditions means greater levels of ball compression.
Dimple count
We’d certainly not suggest selecting your golf ball based on the number of dimples it has, but it’s still necessary to understand why the ball has dimples and the role they play.
Most current golf balls have 300 to 400 dimples, with the actual amount depending on the ball’s manufacturer. The main reason for dimples on a golf ball is to enhance its aerodynamics by reducing its drag and improving its trajectory. This allows you to get more distance from a shot.
Do you get smooth golf balls?
Smooth golf balls do exist, but they’re nowhere near as effective as dimpled ones as they don’t achieve the same distance or lift. You get hexagonal and spherical-shaped dimples and even unique designs like the Bridgestone dimple-in-dimple shape. There’s some science to the designs, but it depends entirely on the golf ball manufacturer’s preference.
Sure, you can take the shape and number of dimples into account when choosing a golf ball. But it’s better to work with the information the manufacturer gives you and align this with your preferences and needs.
Golf ball colors
Why color? The pros don’t use colored golf balls. It’s true that it’s rare you’ll see a colored ball on the golf course, and likely never on TV. That doesn’t mean there aren’t different colored alternatives that could end up benefiting your golf game.
High-visibility golf balls have the same construction as white balls but come in different colors such as green, yellow, red, and orange. Additionally, they may have a matte finish instead of a glossy one to reduce glare from the sun.
Apart from adding a standout feature to your game, colored balls also serve a functional purpose. It’s often easier to track a brightly-colored ball in flight and to find it when it hits the turf.
Perhaps you have vision problems or are fairly wayward with your driver or long irons? In these cases, it’s worthwhile checking whether the golf ball you want comes in higher-visibility colors.
Colored golf balls also have the potential to hold your focus better while you’re addressing. A few good shots with your head down could convert you to color forever.
Golf ball price
What would you pay for a golf ball?
Price is an important factor to think about when you shop for golf balls, and it’s not cheap if you’re looking for a premium golf ball. Many golfers would balk at spending more than a few bucks for a ball and, let’s face it, it’s not always an affordable option for everyone to do so. Browsing can mean you locate some decent specials or more affordable options, though.
The old adage of “what you pay is what you get” is often applicable in golfing circles. With the majority of cheaper golf ball brands, you could experience a lack of feel, poorer energy transfer, and a general lack of performance. This isn’t always the case, though, and some more cost-efficient golf balls compare quite well with premium balls.
You might believe that a cheaper golf ball has a more basic construction so it’ll always perform worse than a premium golf ball.
You may have been surprised when you went through our list, which included some excellent golf balls spanning a broad spectrum of prices.
Can the Golf Ball I Use Affect My Game?
Without a doubt, the golf ball you choose can make a HUGE difference to your game. Not all golf balls are created equally, and different ones serve different purposes. Like what?
A golf ball can offer a high spin or low spin, a low or high launch, and a soft or firmer feel. Many come in different colors and might have alignment aids imprinted.
Many of these contrasts arise because of the various manufacturing processes used by different companies. Some create golf balls in two pieces, while others range from three to five pieces per individual ball. As such, golfers are afforded a choice of golf balls that suit their specific style of play and other choices.
At the end of the day, you’ll have to think about your skills and needs when making a choice.
FAQs
What is the difference between a two-piece and a three-piece golf ball?
A two-piece ball has a solid core and a cover, while a three-piece ball has a solid or liquid center, a layer of rubber or plastic, and a cover. Professionals and other experienced golfers will likely use three-piece balls as they provide more control and spin. Two-piece balls are often the choice of novice golfers or those looking to improve their distances.
How long do golf balls last?
The lifespan of a ball varies depending on its use. Balls may last from a few rounds to a couple of years depending on the shots played using them and whether they are cheaper or more expensive balls. You get what you pay for, but even the best balls will eventually wear out and lose their performance.
Can golf balls be recycled?
Yes, they can be recycled. Some companies collect used balls and refurbish them to resell. Others recycle them to use in products like turf fields or mulch for playgrounds.
How many dimples are on golf balls?
The number of dimples on different balls varies, but the average number is 336 dimples. The number of dimples combined with their pattern and size can have some effect on the specific ball’s flight and trajectory.
What does a golf ball’s compression mean?
A ball’s compression is the measure of the firmness of the golf ball’s core, and it is typically referred to by a compression rating. A ball with a lower compression is softer and compresses easier on impact. A ball with a higher compression rating is firmer and will likely travel further in the air.