Which Golf Balls are the Best for me?
The golf ball is actually the only equipment that golfers use every stroke. It is of importance that you have a golf ball that fits your swing and the goal of this article is to guide you to the golfball that suits your game and a golf ball that suits your level of difficulty to get the most out of the game.
You could almost argue that the golfball has been something of a science project the way it has developed in the last 20 years.
They have been of mixed quality and have differed a lot in terms of spin rates, distance, and airtime. Today it does come down to the spin, compression, and feel.
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Interested in Tiger Woods complete gear, including his golf balls? Then you can read that article here!
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Golfballs – Callaway Titleist Bridgestone Vice Kirkland
Best Golf Balls for Beginners
HANDICAP 23 AND ABOVE
If you are a scratch golfer and hit the golf ball dead center every time, no golfball will perform poorly.
But if you do not hit the sweet spot with every shot, it is advisable to get a more forgiving golfball.
In this category, we will try to find a golf ball that gives you a result that is as good as possible for less than perfect hits, golfballs that are affordable if you tend to lose a few balls a round, and that gives you a high acceleration/ball flight.
Driver Swing Speed: Below 80 mph (Scroll down for more information)
Driver Distance: Below 185 yd
7-iron Distance: Below 135 yd
Do you hit the further or have a higher swing speed? Then we would recommend you to move on to the next category.
BEST FOR BEGINNERS – VERY SOFT GOLF BALLS
  | - Long Distance with Driver and Irons - Exceptional Feel on All Shots - Responsive Short Game Control - Cut-Proof Cover Durability | |||
  | - The softest compression Titleist - New longer distance through low long game spin - New improved short game performance for stopping power - Trusted quality and consistency | |||
  | - A long, straight distance ball that’s incredibly soft - An ultra-low compression core promotes fast ball speed and increased accuracy - Reduce drag and enhance lift for longer carry and longer distance - A new softer Trigonometry cover formulation has a low compression for enhanced feel and increased greenside control | |||
  | - Dialed-up feel for peak performance - High-energy, very low compression core creating the softest feel and low spin for long distance - Incredibly soft ionomer cover provides extremely soft feel on all shots WE RECOMMEND | |||
  | - Duo soft has the lowest compression, best feel of all competitive premium 2-piece golf balls - Low driver spin rate - Hard ionomer blend for exceptional distance performance - New and improved dimple pattern for maximum aerodynamic flight | |||
  | - Highly resilient and soft rabalon hr+ and pana-tetra blended thin cover. - Improved energetic gradient growth core increasing the ball's launch characteristics - High greenside performance - Consistent trajectory, distance control and dispersion with every shot | |||
  | - Dual-distance core is larger and softer - 2-Layer core reduces driver spin and adds speed - Less driver spin = less drag = more distance PREMIUM CHOICE |
BEST FOR BEGINNERS – VERY SOFT GOLF BALLS
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If you suffer from a low swing speed and you need aid in adding distance, we would recommend you to look into the list below.
Here you will find golf balls that will add to your distance with slower hits which will greatly improve your game.
To add distance and get the aid you need without a high swing speed, you should really pick distance golf balls.
BEST FOR BEGINNERS – DISTANCE GOLF BALLS
  | - World's first high-performance eco golf ball - 428 Monster dimple pattern for ultimate distance and accuracy - Resilient Eco-cover for maximum durability and spin control - They are 100% recyclable and made from reprocessable materials - Even the packaging is made from 100 percent recycled material ECO-FRIENDLY/ PREMIUM | |||
  | - Longer distance - Extremely low long game spin - High flight an all shots - Playable short game feel | |||
  | - Longer distance off the tee and from the fairway - Responsive feel off irons - Penetrating ball flight and added roll - White color shell - 2-piece ball: high velocity core and ionomer cover WE RECOMMEND | |||
  | - Enhanced durability - Value golf ball - 2 piece ball HIGH VALUE |
BEST FOR BEGINNERS – DISTANCE GOLF BALLS
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Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicap
HANDICAP 9-20
According to USGA, about 43 percent of all golfers are playing as “mid handicappers”, and that is roughly around HCP 9-20.
This group usually consist of golfers who are staying in this HCP range because they do not feel the need or have the time to manage into single digits or golfers who are either moving up from or down to single handicap.
Equipment is very important in this category since you do not want to use too easy gear or gear that is too difficult.
This could really push your game in different directions.
Here we try to find premium golfballs for a mid handicapper that still lose a few golfballs but that requires a little bit more feel, spin but does not lose to much of the forgiving attributes.
Driver Swing Speed: Below 95 mph (Scroll down for more information)
Driver Distance: Below 235 yd
7-iron Distance: Below 155 yd
With the abovementioned criteria, we would recommend golf balls from the table below.
BEST FOR MID HANDICAP – AVERAGE SWING SPEED AND DISTANCE
  | - Softer feel on every shot - Outstanding long game distance - Piercing and stable ball flight - Low long game spin - Shot stopping short game control with excellent consistency and durability | |||
  | - Power Core for superior control - Firm core near the outer edges for distance and low spin off the driver and irons - Soft center core creates more spin with shorter clubs for enhanced greenside control - HPF inner promotes spin for remarkable control and playability - HEX Aerodynamic dimple pattern reduces drag and produces penetrating flight | |||
  | - A unique cover blend of three ionomers maximizes ball speed for every club - Designed for the golf ball to jump off the face and convert its energy into more distance - The surface pattern has been re-engineered to produce even better low-speed lift for more distance while maintaining the stable, penetrating ball flight Two Color Options - HEX Hot is available in traditional White or the newly formulated Optical Yellow. | |||
  | - Resin core is a more responsive material that is lighter and faster than rubber - Faster speed - Hit longer, more penetrating shots - Generates maximum velocity on impact 3 piece ball |
BEST FOR MID HANDICAP – AVERAGE SWING SPEED AND DISTANCE
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HANDICAP 9-15 (or long hitters)
This is the category for those middle handicappers who are progressing down towards single digits.
You would still want forgiveness but you are starting to realize that you are willing to spend a little more on you golfballs and raise your requirements on your equipment, yourself and your game. If you are a player that either are perfection your game a lot on the driving range or using a golf launch monitor, starting to invest more in your equipment is probably not a bad idea.
The golfballs we list here reminds you of the premium golfballs in the previous category with regards to the long game but the difference here is that the golfballs have an outer shell made of Urethane, just like tour-balls.
This gives this category of golfballs more feel in and around the greens and make them just a bit more workable.
If you are a mid handicap golfer with greater distance than in the box above (and more like the box below) we would recommend golf balls from this table.
Driver Swing Speed: Below 100 mph (Scroll down for more information)
Driver Distance: Below 245 yd
7-iron Distance: Below 160 yd
BEST FOR MID HANDICAPPERS – HIGHER SWING SPEED AND QUICK PROGRESSION
  | - Exceptional driver distance - Long iron distance - Low long game spin - Deep downrange peak trajectory - Shot stopping short game control with soft feel and excellent durability WE RECOMMEND | |||
  | - Optimized Aerodynamics For more Distance Based on Your Swing Speed - Low spin reduces hooks and slices for your swing speed - Softest Multi-Layer Design: Providing incredible feel and control - Two Color Options: X2 Hot is available in traditional White or the newly formulated Optical Yellow | |||
  | - Remarkable Distance and Penetrating Flight - Very Low Long Game and Iron Spin - Exceptionally Soft Feel - Premium Scoring Control YELLOW/PREMIUM | |||
  | - Remarkable Distance and Penetrating Flight - Very Low Long Game and Iron Spin - Exceptionally Soft Feel - Premium Scoring Control YELLOW/PREMIUM |
BEST FOR MID HANDICAPPERS – HIGHER SWING SPEED AND QUICK PROGRESSION
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Best Golf Balls for Low Handicap
HANDICAP 9 and lower
To get down to this category of golfers you are required to hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens and sink those putts.
The distance of the drivers or long irons are not usually the biggest concern, rather you’d want to find a golf ball that gives you maximal control, spin, and workability.
Therefore, the ability to hit different variations of shots and make the golf ball stop where and when you want it on the green is of high importance.
The golfballs you will find in this category is the best, the finest and the most premium that the manufacturers offer. Among the giants, Titleist have for a long time been on the forefront of golf ball engineering. Especially among pro golf balls.
All golf balls have an outer shell made out of Urethane and the manufacturers usually offer 2 versions of every Tourball: One with higher spin and one with combined spin. (Scroll down to our buyers guide for more information).
Driver Swing Speed: Around 105 mph (Scroll down for more information)
Driver Distance: Around 270 yd
7-iron Distance: Around 170 yd
The measures above should work as an indication and not a rule. If you differ too much from the above, however, we would suggest looking at the golf balls in the previous category.
BEST FOR LOW HANDICAP – HIGH SPINNING GOLF BALLS
  | - Distance and forgiveness comes from "Gradational Compression core" - Added spin control from increased friction and feel - proprietary SlipRes urethane cover - Dual Dimple technology - Efficient ball trajectory thanks to less drag when the ball is in flight - Consistent flight and performance - "Seamless Cover Technology" | |||
  | - Extraordinary distance with consistent flight - Very low long game spin and penetrating trajectory - Drop-and-stop short game control Probably the most popular golf ball in golf at the moment WE RECOMMEND | |||
  | - The sofest core in the game today utilizes advancements in rubber chemistry to maintain high initial velocity - The speed generating HPF for low compression core to generate higher spin - Thin urethane cover provides premium feel with excellent scuff resistance From 60 yards and in, the feel of urethane is unmistakable - On the multilayer FG Tour, traction control integrates with the thin urethane to generate the highest spin possible | |||
  | - Fast Ball Speeds & Low Spin Off The Driver - Distance & Control Through The Bag - Pinpoint Greenside Control - Ultra-Soft Feel from Urethane surface - Premium performance and Forgiveness |
BEST FOR LOW HANDICAP – HIGH SPINNING GOLF BALLS
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COMBINED SPINN
Some single-digit handicappers still want or require less spin in their drivers or tee-shots and are willing to sacrifice some of the feel and spin for distance. You would still want premium golf balls and you would probably rarely lose any on a round.
Even though it does not differ that much we divided the list and below you will find “Combined Spinn” golf balls.
BEST FOR LOW HANDICAP – COMBINED SPINN
  | - 5-layer golf ball construction that is specifically engineered to perform with every club in your bag. - Progressive compression, enabling maximum energy transfer and generating massive speed on full shots. - Exceptional spin performance with full wedge shots & pinpoint control from around the green. | |||
  | - Tour-caliber golf ball with maximum feel - Cast urethane cover for great workability - Great performance and popular on tour WE RECOMMEND | |||
  | - New mid compression and high energy core provides faster ball speeds and low spin for performance - 4 mantle layers move weight from the core to achieve higher MOI for lower spin and straighter flight - New cast urethane cover construction adds durability and is preferred by Tour professionals | |||
| - NEW 4th Generation Spin Skin with SeRMA coating - Maximizing spin for more control and more stopping power - 338 Speed Dimple Patternless drag and more lift boosts overall distance and flies straight, even in the toughest wind conditions - 3 piece golf ball with a 90 compression |
BEST FOR LOW HANDICAP – COMBINED SPINN
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Best Golf Balls for Women
This category is for all you golf ladies out there. Here you will find really soft golfballs, and by soft golfballs, we mean that it has a large, soft, center and low compression. Soft golfballs give the golfer with a low swing speed the possibility to compress the golf ball which results in a softer feel at impact and extra distance.
Soft golfballs are more forgiving with mishits and are easier to play with, get up in the air and so forth.
IMPORTANT: If you have a higher swing speed or distance you should look into any of the categories above!
Driver Swing Speed: Around 90 mph (Scroll down for more information)
Driver Distance: Around 175 yd
7-iron Distance: Around 115 yd
The measures above should work as an indication and not a rule. If you differ too much from the above, however, we would suggest looking at the golf balls in the previous category.
BEST GOLF BALLS FOR WOMEN
  | - Softest Ladies specific ball on the market - Engineered for lady golfers looking for longer distance with soft feel - 2-piece soft ionomor cover with soft gradational core - 330 seamless dimple design for longer distance Optic White WE RECOMMEND | |||
  | - Softer, lower compression core - - The Ionomer cover on the new soft feel is 11 percent thinner and 5 percent softer than the previous model, with the softest feel rating tested in the low-compression category - The 324 speed dimple pattern, which combines greater uniformity of dimple design with better surface coverage | |||
| - The Callaway Superset is a long, straight distance ball that’s incredibly soft - An ultra-low compression core promotes fast ball speed and increased accuracy - A new softer Trigonometry cover formulation has a low compression for enhanced feel and increased greenside control | |||
| - Dialed-up feel for peak performance - High-energy, very low compression core creating the softest feel and low spin for long distance - The incredibly soft ionomer cover provides extremely soft feel on all shots and ideal, consistent flight 15 doez - GREAT VALUE |
BEST GOLF BALLS FOR WOMEN
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GOLF BALLS COMPARISON CHART REVIEW www.PineClubGolf.com
TOUR BALLS
The most advanced golfballs on the market. A tour ball is constructed of multiple layers and an outer shell made out of Urethane. Tour balls primary attribute is that it will generate a lot of spin.
The most advanced players would like to have a golfball that is workable, meaning you can hit a different type of shots (fades, draws or stingers), and have a lot of spins. These are very common on the PGA Tour.
The spin and the soft shell makes the ball stay on the green that will benefit those skilled enough to wield these balls.
With that said, the tour balls are not as forgiving as other golfballs and therefore we would recommend them to the better golfer. They can, of course, be used by anyone – amateur to professional.
The popular golfballs in this category are Titleist Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft and TaylorMade TP5.
DISTANCE GOLF BALLS
The distance golfball suits you that want your shots to fly longer and straighter. Duh, you might ask, doesn’t everybody?
What you give up in this trade-off is the spin, where it might be more difficult to get the ball to stop on the green or might be more difficult to hit fades or draw on purpose.
But these balls are perfect if you suffer from a slice or a hook. It will reduce the spin and also the curve in either way if you suffer from any of these misses.
Previously, distance golfballs were hard as rocks but have now become more of a competitor to the soft golfball and will give you a decent feel around greens why we think you definitely should give them a chance!
Common golfballs in this category are Titleist Velocity, Taylormade RocketBallz, and Callaway Warbird Plus.
Best Golf Balls for the Average Golfer
PREMIUM GOLF BALLS
This is the perfect ball design for amateurs or mid handicappers. The design and attributes are a combination of spinn, feel and distance. The premium ball reminds you of the tour ball but adds a little bit more forgiveness and is more affordable for your everyday golfer.
Common golfballs in this category are Titleist NXT Tour, Bridgestone E6 Soft and Callaway HX Diablo Tour.
SOFT GOLF BALLS
When you talk about soft golf balls you usually point towards its soft feel, soft center, and low compression.
The soft center gives those with a lower swing speed the possibility to compress the ball and utilize the mechanism that makes golf balls travel in the air properly.
This results in a soft feel and greater distance with the added forgiveness that some players need in order to perform as a golfer. Popular golfballs in this category are
TOUR BALLS – COMBINED SPINN
Ball design that gives you low spin from tee and fairway. This to keep the ball flight lower and get the increased distance. Around the green, they give the same spin count as balls in the high spin category.
This kind of tour ball is the most popular out on the worlds pro tours. The utilize the low and high spin it does demand a higher swing speed.
Tour balls with combined spin tend to be a little bit harder than high spin balls. Its not always easy to know, or even work up a preferred spin. Some people lik to practice their spinns and swings in a golf launch monitor, where statistics such as spin rate and andle of impact etc can be shown.
URETHANE SURFACE
The shell on all tour balls is made out of Urethane. This provides a soft surface with a lot of spinn and feel.
This is usually what drives up the price of tour balls and is the obvious downside. Another downside is that is might not be as durable but most players will probably lose their balls before they get too worned out.
Looking for Golf Clubs at Beginner level?
We have put a whole article with reviews and buyer’s guide to aid you in your search for the best iron clubs for you.
“Beginner golf clubs are often called “Game-improvement irons” and aids the golfer in terms of forgiveness and distance. This often reduces “control” in the shot, why better golfers would prefer blades or forged clubs that are less forgiving but add control.
We highly recommend every new golfer (or with higher handicaps) to look for game-improvement irons to improve your game and add forgiveness to poor strikes. This is extra true for golfers who stopped playing years ago and now try to pick up golf again – but with your old clubs!”
My name is Andrew and I have been playing golf since I was 5! I currently play on HCP 2 and I have been working as both PRO for many years where I have been instructing both junior golfers and more established and experienced golfers. I have been working part-time at a large Golf Shop where I have been in charge of purchasing and custom fitting.
My favorite item in the bag at the moment? My TaylorMade Spider X Putter, for sure.
I hope you enjoy my guides here at Pine Club Golf. Leave a comment or send me an e-mail at Andrew@pineclubgolf.com if there is something you want to ask!
Great and complete list!
This was it, I was trying to find. Thanks a lot for taking the time on going through so many different golf balls.
All the best
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