Golf games can be incredibly close affairs, so it’s important to take advantage of every edge you can. While a lot of players will focus their energy and money on new clubs, your choice of ball could be every bit as crucial. Picking the right golf ball allows you to boost and support the key areas of your game. With the right balls at your disposal, you can extend the distance of your driving, master spin for your putting, and/or increase your ability to play in cold conditions.
There are golf balls to suit every budget and playing style, and we’re going to outline all the best options in the buying guide below. We also have some top tips on how you can save money while still picking up some premium balls. Heed our advice and your golf game should improve by leaps and bounds - and all without breaking the bank.
How to buy the best golf balls to buy
There are countless different types of golf ball to choose from, which can make it tricky for you to pick the exact right ball to suit your game. What’s more, there’s a lot of variation in the pricing, and you don’t want to waste your money on new balls that do nothing to meet your golfing needs. Putting in some thought before you purchase could save you cash and enhance your game.
What are the different types of golf balls?
There are some obvious differences between balls that you can spot just by looking: high visibility bold coloured balls, for example, or snazzy matte finish golf balls. But other differences can be more subtle. Distance golf balls, for example, have a larger core than the average ball, which can boost the distance of your drives; low compression balls give a softer ‘feel’, allowing for closer control; and ‘tour-level’ balls tend to be the high end, super-reliable options.
If you’re on a budget, it’s well worth keeping an eye out for ‘second chance’ balls: these are second-hand balls that the big brands are reselling. They’re cleaned up and inspected to make sure they’re in great shape, and they’re a good, cheap way to get your hands on some quality golf balls.
Are you buying golf balls for a long game or short game?
Certain types of golf ball are more durable and reliable over time than others, suiting players that golf regularly and for lengthy periods of play. Tour-level balls are usually designed for this longer and more regular playing routine, while cheaper options may force you to put in some extra effort in, which can tire you out sooner. The difference between long-term and short-term balls is often found in the ‘dimples’ on the exterior of the ball: if you’re looking for a ball you can drive with all day, keep your eyes peeled for deep dimples that maximise your distance.
Are you a beginner or a high handicapper?
Whichever stage you’re at in your love affair with golf, there will be a perfect golf ball to suit your needs. If you’re just starting out, look for something that will boost your drives while supporting a softer putting game – you don’t need anything fancy just yet. Once you’re getting the hang of the game, you’ll find that snazzier options can help enhance the trickier parts of the game: spin shots and chipping are the key areas where you can push towards a lower handicap and shave a few shots off your game.
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The best golf balls to buy in 2018
1. Titleist NXT Tour golf balls: The best golf balls for the average golfer
Price:£29 | Buy now from Amazon
Titleist is a highly revered brand in the golfing marketplace, and the NXT Tour golf ball is a perfect choice for average golfers with a low or medium handicap. They are designed specifically to improve playability for golfers in this intermediate category between beginners and experts, with a softer and responsive feel that will help you step up to that next level.
A soft compression core couples with a thin Fusablend cover to create a ball that will whizz off the tee at pace, but with solid shot-stopping accuracy that help you approach the green with confidence. In basic terms, it has everything you need to graduate from a medium handicap to a high one.
Key specs – Quantity: 24 (used); Different design options: None; Dimple count: 302
2. TaylorMade Burner Soft golf balls: The best golf balls for beginners
Price:£15 | Buy now from Amazon
With their Burner Soft range of golf balls, the popular brand TaylorMade has gone for a very durable product: the resilient Iothane cover and low-drag aerodynamics ensure that the Burner Soft balls are very long-lasting, which makes them perfect for beginners. You can practise endlessly with these balls, and they’ll keep delivering top-quality results.
These balls have a REACT core that makes them fast in the air, which should come in handy when you’re trying to hone your driving abilities and other long-distance shots. However, they’re also still soft when you need them to be, so your short game won’t suffer at all. These are another strong all-round set, especially if you’re just starting out with the sport.
Key specs – Quantity: 12; Different design options: None; Dimple count: 360
3. Bridgestone E6 Speed golf balls: The best golf balls for distance
Price:£25 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’re looking for the perfect ball to improve your long game, Bridgestone’s E6 Speed golf balls might fit your requirements. Bridgestone employed their ‘Delta dimple’ here, which is designed to create smoother air resistance and better velocity. This should help your shots from the tee to stay in the air for longer, getting you further along the fairway and quite possibly improving your handicap. Rather than focusing on spin as some other balls do, these E6 Speed balls are dedicated to helping your balls fly straighter and longer. If you’re currently wasting extra shots on the fairway and struggling to stay on par, these balls could transform the way you play.
Key specs – Quantity: 12; Different design options: White or Yellow; Dimple count: Unspecified
4. Titleist Pro V1 golf balls: Best golf balls for high handicappers
Price:£42 | Buy now from Amazon
These Pro V1 golf balls, used by many pros, are among the very best golf balls on the market. They have been engineered to be true all-rounders, which makes them the ideal choice for high handicappers who are looking to improve their game as much as possible in every imaginable area.
These balls have the next-generation 2 ZG process core, which should contribute to longer distances from the tee. The 352 dimples should also aid your long-distance game, giving you enhanced consistency and control in your drive. And when you get close to the hole, the soft urethane elastomer cover system should deliver ‘drop and stop’ greenside control, allowing you to land the ball with top-notch accuracy. Finally, the responsive ionomeric casing layer should help with your speed and spin shots.
Key specs – Quantity: 12; Different design options: Standard Numbers (1-4), High Numbers (5-8), Pink Numbers; Dimple count: 352
5. Second Chance Callaway Warbird golf balls: The best cheap golf balls
Price:£12 | Buy now from Amazon
The Warbird golf ball from Callaway is a powerful long-distance ball, boasting an optimised core, ionomer cover and hex aerodynamics. It’s perfect for getting up the freeway while the soft feel will also come in handy when you’re putting. It’s a speedy ball with loads of positive reviews on the web.
To make them even more tempting, however, you can buy ‘second chance’ packs of Warbird balls second hand through Amazon. There’s no shame in buying used golf balls when they’re of this high quality, and you can stock up and improve your long game without over-stretching your budget. If that sounds good to you – and it should – then the Second Chance Warbird packages are perfect.
Key specs – Quantity: 12; Different design options: None; Dimple count: 382
6. Bridgestone E6 Soft golf balls: The best golf balls for winter
Price:£24 | Buy now from Amazon
The dual dimple technology within these soft Bridgestone balls gives them reduced drag and increased lift, which makes them perfect for zipping through the dense, cold winter air. They also have an anti-side spin inner layer designed to reduce hooks and slices, which could also help your putts to stay on target when you’re playing in frosty conditions. They come in yellow, too, which could be useful if you’re worried about losing a white ball in frosty grass. Even when the weather clears up and the sun’s shining, these are top quality balls that will help you drive straight and putt consistently.
Key specs – Quantity: 12; Different design options: White or Yellow; Dimple count: Unspecified
7. Srixon Z-Star Men’s Golf Balls: Best golf balls for spin
Price:£27 | Buy now from Amazon
A soft urethane cover and a thin urethane coating combine to create a very effective ‘spin skin’ on these Srixon Z-Star golf balls, giving them an excellent feel on the green. This makes them the perfect balls for sprucing up your short game, and perfecting your putting technique. Aerial shots will also be boosted, thanks to a new dimple pattern which is designed to enhance speed and reduce drag. And, as if that weren’t enough, the outer core of these balls has been through a temperature process in a vacuum, giving the balls an added firmness that will help improve the speed of your shots.
Key specs – Quantity: 12; Different design options: White or Yellow; Dimple count: 338
