Golf Balls
The golf ball is vital to the game of golf because you cannot play without it. The object in golf is to hit the ball into a 4.25-inch hole in as few strokes as possible. If you pick the proper ball for your game, you have a better chance of succeeding out on the course.
What are golf balls used for?
Golf balls are one of the main pieces of equipment used in golf and are the object golfers hit with clubs throughout the course in an attempt to land them in the hole. The golf ball is round in shape with a minimum diameter of 1.68 inches and a maximum weight of 1.62 ounces. The cover of the golf ball has a dimpled pattern to improve aerodynamics. There are typically 300-400 dimples on a golf ball, with each dimple about .01 inches in depth.
There is a lot of research and development done in the manufacturing of golf balls so that companies can produce different options for all skill levels and price points. This has led to a variety of balls with different characteristics. These characteristics are feel, distance, height, roll, and spin. The golf ball market is very competitive with many different offerings, so there is a golf ball available for you, no matter your skill level.
Things To Consider
When looking for golf balls, you'll want to consider the following:
- What type of golf ball are you looking for?
- How many golf balls are you looking to purchase?
- How much are you looking to spend on a golf ball?
- Are you right or left-handed?
Types of Golf Balls
Golf balls come in different types based on the design. They usually are constructed in two-piece, three-piece, four-piece, or five-piece variations. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses, with some designed to be softer with more possible compression, while others are harder with less possible compression. Generally speaking, beginner golfers should use balls with fewer pieces, as they tend to be the cheapest and most durable. As more pieces are added, the price also goes up, making five-piece golf balls the most expensive.
What are the best golf balls?
1. Titleist ProV1
Specifications:
- Price: $49.99 (12 Balls)
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Brand: Titleist
Undoubtedly the biggest name in golf balls, Titleist has prided itself on producing durable and high-quality golf balls since its founding in 1932. Today, over 10,000 professional players use a Titleist ball, far outweighing even the closest competitors. Titleist’s two main ball types, the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, both sell for about $50 a dozen but are of great value, made to fly long distances with consistency and to fly with very little spin. Their soft feel and spherically-tiled dimple design also work to improve performance, making the Titleist Pro V1 Ball one of the absolute best for golfers of all levels.
2. Callaway 2021 ERC Triple Track
Specifications:
- Price: $34.99 (12 Balls)
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Brand: Callaway
Callaway is one of the most modernized golf ball companies in America, with $50 million invested into their manufacturing capabilities in order to create state-of-the-art ball-making machines. These developments have led to the 2021 ERC Triple Track Ball, which consists of an innovative Hybrid Cover with a PARALOID™ Impact Modifier. The ERC Triple Track Ball is made for speed, distance, and enhanced control, and also possesses advanced alignment capabilities by way of its specialized Triple Track Technology. At $34.99 a dozen, the ERC Triple Track Ball represents a cheaper alternative for golfers who still desire many of the same perks as a Titleist Pro V1 Ball.
3. Titleist Tour Soft 2020
Specifications:
- Price: $34.99 (12 Balls)
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Brand: Titleist
Coming in at a similar price-point to the Callaway ERC Triple Track Ball, the Titleist Tour Soft 2020 is notable for featuring the largest inner core in Titleist’s lineup of golf balls, which allows the ball greater speed and distance off the tee. The size of the core means that the outer covering of the ball is thinner, which increases the ball’s short game spin, allowing greater control on and around the green. Other benefits of the Tour Soft 2020 include a responsive feel, penetrating trajectory, and consistent flight in mid-air. The Tour Soft 2020 is available in two colors: traditional white and High Optic Yellow for golfers who want an easier-to-see ball.
4. TaylorMade TP5
Specifications:
- Price: $49.99 (12 Balls)
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Brand: TaylorMade
The TaylorMade TP5, selling at $49.99 a dozen, is one of the company’s better-known balls, standing as one of the most complete and balanced balls in golf. The TP5 is named for its unique 5-layer construction and its balanced performance on the tee, fairway, and green. Among the TP5’s innovations are TaylorMade’s new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern, which enhances the ball’s carrying distance, as well as its soft-cast urethane cover, which provides control and precision near the green. These innovations make the TP5 a great all-around ball for golfers who want high performance on every stroke, no matter where it starts from on the course.
5. Callaway Supersoft
Specifications:
- Price: $24.99
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Brand: Callaway
Combining long distance and greenside control, the Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball has been one of the most popular and ubiquitous golf balls for years, standing alongside the Titleist Pro V1 as a mainstay of the sport. Like Callaway’s ERC Triple Track Ball, the Supersoft features a Hybrid Cover with a PARALOID™ Impact Modifier. Its Soft Compression Core takes as much energy from the club as possible in order to maximize the ball’s speed, allowing both high launch angles and low spin. This allows golfers to use their long clubs to gain greater distance on the course. Finally, the Supersoft Ball uses HEX Aerodynamics to reduce its drag during flight and increase lift, allowing it to fly higher and longer. At $24.99, the Supersoft provides able performance at an affordable price.
6. TaylorMade Distance Plus
Specifications:
- Price: $19.99
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: TaylorMade
One of the cheaper balls on our list, the TaylorMade Distance Plus (or Distance+), is designed for distance, giving golfers high-speed results on all shots. The Distance Plus contains TaylorMade’s special REACT™ Speed Core, which pairs with high-speed, low-drag aerodynamics to produce greater velocities on the course. The ball is made using two-piece construction and has a 77 compression rating, making it soft, light, and built for speed. The unique plus markings on the ball also aid with alignment, allowing golfers to use the markings as a visual aid during putts. Finally, the Distance Plus has a 342-dimple pattern, meant to increase aerodynamics and provide golfers with the speed they need to reach the green in as few strokes as possible. While it may not be as much of an all-around ball, the Distance Plus’ excellence in speed and low cost makes it a valuable choice for golfers looking to improve their speed and distance.
7. Noodle Long and Soft
Specifications:
- Price: $21.99 (24 Balls)
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: Noodle
Noodle’s Long and Soft Golf Ball is the cheapest on our list, coming in at $21.99 for 24 balls, twice the normal number of 12 balls per box. This great value makes the Noodle ball a good financial choice, but Noodle might not be the highest on the list for golfers looking for consistent high-quality. Nevertheless, Noodle’s Long and Soft Ball has its own unique perks, being notably moderate on the compression scale, leading to a ball that is neither too long nor too soft. Additionally, Noodle’s balls have solid core consistency, meaning that the balls will not be weighted too much to one side. Overall, for its price and value, the Noodle Long and Soft Ball is a solid choice for most amateur golfers but may not be the best for a professional or high-stakes round.
8. Titleist Tour Speed
Specifications:
- Price: $39.97 (12 Balls)
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: Titleist
Another golf ball designed for high velocity, the Titleist Tour Speed combines speed and performance by way of its multilayer construction and thermoplastic urethane covering. Designed for distance, the Tour Speed has boasted exceptional range and is known for its penetrating flights on long shots. The Tour Speed’s velocity is a result of its technology-driven core, which is designed to provide top speeds on a full swing. The Ionomer Casing Layer beneath the urethane cover allows for greater speed and reduced spin on long game shots, while the cover itself, with its 346-dimple design, allows for tight dispersion and scoring control near and on the green. At $40 per dozen, the Tour Speed is a bit pricey for a single-focus golf ball, but its price ensures that it will give users maximum performance.
9. Maxfli SoftFli
Specifications:
- Price: $19.99 (12 Balls)
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Brand: Maxfli
Among the many Maxfli balls produced by Dick’s Sporting Goods is the SoftFli, a cheaper but high-quality golf ball that combines a next-generation, low-compression core with an icosahedron dimple pattern to create greater speed and distance. The SoftFli is known for its uniquely low compression rating of 35, making it one of the lightest and softest golf balls on our list. This ensures greater overall speed and distance while also aiding in alignment. The lowered price of the SoftFli also allows golfers greater freedom and utility, but as with other balls of its kind, its focus on speed may make it deficient in other areas that more balanced golf balls are capable of attaining.
10. Vice Pro Plus
Specifications:
- Price: $34.99 (12 Balls)
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: Vice
The Vice Pro Plus is a unique golf ball with a 4-piece construction and a cast urethane cover. It contains Vice’s Size-increased High Energy Speed Core (abbreviated HESC), which permits greater speed and distance with a driver. Additionally, its elastic dual mantle allows for low spin on driver strokes, while the extra-thin urethane cover improves spin on the short game. The Vice Pro Plus’ 336-dimple design is made for durability, and its unique combination of lower launch angle and spin helps to increase penetrating distance to excellent levels. The Vice Pro Plus also makes use of Vice’s unique Stick to the Green (abbreviated S2TG) Technology, which gives the ball enhanced ability to adhere to the putting green, setting up good putts. With a solid price and excellent balance, the Vice Pro Plus neatly rounds out our list with a solid ball for advanced and amateur golfers alike.
FAQ
How much do golf balls cost?
Golf balls vary greatly in relation to cost. Factors that play into the cost of golf balls are brand, composition, and personalization. Lower-level golf balls will cost a little over $1 per ball, while top-of-the-line balls can cost about $4.25 per ball. Most often, golf balls are sold by the dozen in sleeves of three. There are some companies that will offer custom personalization on each ball for an additional cost of about $4 per dozen.
What kind of balls do PGA Tour players use?
Not surprisingly, PGA Tour players use the most expensive, best-performing balls on the market. Most tour players use a multi-layer golf ball, either three, four, or five pieces, that suits their individual needs. Titleist is the most used ball on tour, with about 70% of tour players playing a Titleist three or four-piece model. Callaway and Taylormade golf balls are the next most used on the PGA Tour. Callaway offers both a three and four-piece ball for the professionals, and Taylormade’s tour balls are composed of five layers.
How do you clean a golf ball?
Today’s golf balls typically have a surlyn or urethane cover that is easily cleaned when picking up grass stains or dirt. A simple wipe with soap and a wet towel will most likely make your ball look as good as new. Some golf courses will also feature golf ball washers on-site, which allow players to quickly clean their balls without gathering supplies and cleaning them from home. These washers are typically complimentary to use, helping players save money on golf ball upkeep.