Top 15 Best Golf Balls To Buy in 2024
With the arrival of the new season, major brands have been rolling out updated versions of their flagship golf balls, alongside a slew of innovative newcomers and next-gen models. But before diving into the cream of the crop, it’s important to understand what features to look for. In the premium segment, the goal is to achieve synergy among the multiple layers of the ball to produce desired flight characteristics for the long game, such as reduced spin and increased speed, while still maintaining a soft feel and precision control in the short game.
Meanwhile, for golfers with moderate swing speeds, manufacturers offer half-price golf balls designed with lower compression to meet their needs. So, which golf balls stand out as the best? After thorough testing of the market’s leading contenders, here are our top selections.
What to Look for in a Golf Ball?
When selecting golf gear, it’s crucial to consider several key factors, with golf balls being no exception.
Firstly, consider the cost. While not as pricey as a brand-new driver, golf balls are a recurring expense. Prices range from a few dollars to $60 per dozen, varying by brand. It’s important to find a ball that not only performs well but also aligns with your budget.
Your skill level is another vital consideration. Opting for a ball used by top professionals may not suit your game and could be counterproductive. Golf balls are designed to cater to all levels of players, from beginners to pros. It’s wise to test a ball before committing to it, ensuring it matches your playing style.
Your swing speed and the ball’s compression rate are also important. If you have an average or below-average swing speed, a lower compression ball will likely suit you better. Conversely, those with swing speeds over 100 mph may benefit from a higher compression ball.
Feel and performance are critical too. After narrowing down your options, choose a ball that feels good and performs well during play. The right ball should boost your confidence and feel comfortable upon impact.
Lastly, consider the color of the ball. Gone are the days when white was the only option; now, balls come in various colors like pink, red, yellow, and green. Colored balls can be easier to spot, so experiment with different hues to find your preference. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal taste.
Best Golf Balls for your 2024 Games
Best Overall Golf Balls
1. Titleist Pro V1 2023 Golf Ball
Titleist Pro V1 2023 Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Improved distance (especially with the mid irons) and excellent tee-to-green performance
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White and yellow
Since its debut in 2000, this golf equipment franchise has become one of the most successful in history, consistently being the preferred choice on professional tours. Now, 24 years and two updates later, Titleist’s engineering team has delivered on their promise of longer distances, reduced spin in the long game, and more consistent flight paths.
The latest model introduces a significant technological advancement with its high-gradient core, which is firmer on the outside and progressively softer towards the center. This design enhances ball speed and reduces the spin of the tee. Additionally, refinements in the manufacturing process have improved the ball’s consistency in speed and spin.
The new Pro V1 offers a high, strong trajectory with excellent stopping power. It also showed remarkable consistency off the tee, with minimal variation in spin. This ball is especially beneficial for players looking to reduce excessive spin and lower their ball flight.
In the short game, the Pro V1 switches gears, offering ample spin control for pitches and chips within 50 yards, instilling confidence with its soft feel and precision around the greens.
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2. Srixon Z-Star Golf Ball 2023
Srixon Z-Star Golf Ball 2023
- Reason to buy: Premium performance with a mid-soft feel
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White and yellow
Srixon offers a diverse range of golf balls, with the Z-Star standing out as their top-tier model. In terms of design and technology, the Z-Star retains its high-performance urethane cover but now features a new Spin Skin+ coating. This innovation allows for greater interaction with the grooves of irons and wedges, enhancing control. The ball also sports a 338 dimple pattern and a core constructed from an updated FastLayer DG material, which is softer at the center and progressively hardens towards the outer layer of this three-piece ball.
When it comes to long-game performance, the Z-Star, with its 92 compression rating, is notably softer than its siblings, the Z-Star XV and Diamond, resulting in slightly reduced spin rates. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for players with higher swing speeds. Additionally, its dimple pattern and firm core composition offer commendable performance in windy conditions, maintaining control and distance.
In the short game, the Z-Star excels in control, thanks to the Spin Skin+ coating’s effectiveness on chips and pitches, offering a mid-firm feel that provides valuable feedback on strikes. The only minor critique is the cover’s durability, which doesn’t seem to match that of other models in the market.
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3. Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Ball
Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Stable ball flight and excellent in the wind
- Construction: Four-piece
- Color: White, yellow, and triple-track design
Callaway stands as a titan in the golf industry, and their latest Chrome Tour range represents their most luxurious golf ball to date. Callaway touts this as the ultimate Tour-level ball, designed for skilled players seeking unparalleled distance and feels, a choice already popular among Callaway professionals. Additionally, the Chrome Tour features a unique dimple pattern that combines hexagonal and spherical dimples, enhancing its aerodynamic qualities.
When it comes to performance off the tee, this innovative dimple design ensures exceptional stability and performance in windy conditions, setting a new benchmark for us. While it may launch slightly slower, its soft feel and muted sound will attract a broad spectrum of players. The ball produces relatively low spin, yet its consistency and reliability were particularly impressive.
In the short game, the Chrome Tour shines, offering one of the softest feels available, which may suit players looking to dial back their spin. For those adept at generating high spin rates and seeking control, the Chrome Tour emerges as a top contender.
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4. Bridgestone 2022 Tour B RXS Golf Ball
Bridgestone 2022 Tour B RXS Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Exceptional tee-to-green performance and stable in windy conditions
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White and yellow
Bridgestone has become a household name in golf, notably with Tiger Woods selecting their golf balls for play. Among their extensive lineup, the Tour B RX and Tour B RXS stand out as the premier choices for players with driver swing speeds under 105 mph.
The Tour B RXS is packed with cutting-edge technology, notably featuring the new Reactiv iQ cover. This innovative cover is designed to increase the time the ball spends in contact with the clubface, enhancing spin without sacrificing durability.
In terms of long-game performance, the B RXS competes for head-to-head with other top-tier golf balls in distance, both off the tee and in full approach shots. It tends to launch higher and achieve greater peak heights, but its standout feature is its exceptional stability in windy conditions – a hallmark of Bridgestone golf balls.
Around the greens, the B RXS offers a remarkable feel that is soft yet not overly compressive. The spin control is outstanding, providing confidence and versatility for a range of short game shots, from pitches and chips to challenging bunker escapes. The B RXS ensures mastery over the ball, allowing for precision in every shot.
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5. Taylormade 2024 TP5 Golf Ball
Taylormade 2024 TP5 Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Greenside spin and very durable
- Construction: Five-piece
- Color: White, yellow, and Pix design
The TP5, TaylorMade’s flagship premium and tour-level golf ball, enters 2024 with enhancements that retain its renowned spin control and soft feel. This model continues to be available in the Pix version and is a common sight across professional golf tours.
For the latest iteration, TaylorMade has innovated the core’s composition, opting for a lower-density acoustic material that delivers a softer sound and feel compared to its predecessors. This advancement represents a shift in golf ball design, separating feel from speed through material innovation, marking a significant departure from traditional methods.
In terms of performance off the tee, the TP5 boasts exceptional greenside spin and a notably soft feel across all clubs, albeit slightly slower in speed than the TP5x variant. However, it compensates with a reliable and robust flight path, and its marginally higher spin rate is a boon for players seeking a bit more loft in their shots.
When it comes to the short game, the TP5 allows for remarkable control and spin, enabling the ball to grip the green with impressive efficiency. This level of performance around the greens underscores the TP5’s standout qualities, making it a top choice for discerning golfers.
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6. Mizuno RB Tour X 2022 Golf Ball
Mizuno RB Tour X 2022 Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: High ball flight, durable, and good distance
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White
Mizuno, while renowned for crafting some of the finest golf irons in the industry, also excels in the golf ball market. Their RB Tour X’s design includes an ultra-soft urethane cover, a three-piece construction, and an innovative dimple pattern. Mizuno has significantly improved the RB Tour X’s durability, aiming for a higher launch off the tee and a more controlled trajectory with wedges.
In terms of long-game performance, the new RB Tour X notably enhances distance off the tee, thanks to its higher launch compared to the previous version. Its flight is exceptionally robust, providing ample spin that translates into both distance and stopping power. The improvements in durability are evident, with the ball’s cover withstanding various shots and lies without damage.
For the short game, the RB Tour X shines with pitch shots from 50 yards, offering significantly increased spin for exceptional control around the greens. This golf ball masterfully balances low spin off the tee with increased spin for short game shots, demonstrating its versatility and high performance.
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Best Mid-Price Golf Balls
1. Taylormade Tour Response Stripe 2022 Golf Ball
Taylormade Tour Response Stripe 2022 Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Strong ball flight and good greenside spin control
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White, yellow, and stripe
TaylorMade consistently aims to push the boundaries of golf innovation, and their introduction of the Tour Response Stripe offers a fresh take not commonly seen in the market. While the Pix version of the TP5 is favored by tour professionals, the Tour Response Stripe presents a more budget-friendly alternative without compromising on quality.
The distinctive Stripe feature sets this ball apart, offering a unique visual aid and incorporating significant technological advancements. The Tour Response boasts a urethane cover, similar to other high-end models, and a three-piece construction that includes a new SpeedMantle encircling the low-compression core, enhancing its performance.
In terms of long-game capabilities, the Tour Response immediately impressed us with its increased distance, attributable to reduced spin and heightened ball speed, resulting in greater carry. This improvement wasn’t limited to tee shots; iron shots also benefited from a noticeable boost in ball speed and, consequently, distance.
When it comes to the short game, the Tour Response’s firmer feel, especially noticeable with the putter, stands out. This firmer sensation may appeal to many players, offering a perfect balance of responsiveness. Additionally, its performance on chips and pitches was remarkably consistent, rounding out its comprehensive appeal.
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2. Titleist 2024 Tour Soft Golf Ball
Titleist 2024 Tour Soft Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Generous greenside spin and useful alignment aid side stamp
- Construction: Two-piece
- Color: White, yellow, and green
The Titleist golf ball lineup offers a variety of models, among which the Tour Soft stands out for those seeking a soft feel and solid performance at a more accessible price point. While the Pro V1 and Pro V1x are the flagship models of the range, the Tour Soft emerges as an excellent value proposition, offering similar benefits for a fraction of the cost.
In terms of design and technology, the Tour Soft boasts premium packaging and features a newly formulated, thinner cover alongside a larger core. Its aesthetic appeal is enhanced by a pearly white Fusablend cover that adds a distinctive shimmer, making the ball visually striking.
During long-game testing, the Tour Soft distinguished itself from other soft-feel balls by maintaining the speed of the driver impressively. However, its higher spin rates make it easier to launch, which might not suit players who already generate a lot of spin.
For the short game, the Tour Soft demonstrated effective spin control, with wedges and pitch shots generating a satisfactory spin. Additionally, its durability contributed to consistent spin performance throughout testing, underscoring its reliability and quality in various play conditions.
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3. Wilson Triad Golf Ball
Wilson Triad Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Good distance and consistent ball flight
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White
Wilson is renowned for producing high-quality budget golf clubs, and their Triad golf ball continues this tradition of exceptional value. Marketed as a versatile option for competitive golfers aiming to break 80, Wilson claims this ball offers high speed and low spin off the driver and long irons, alongside a stable flight for enhanced accuracy.
The Triad’s standout feature is its ultra-thin urethane cover, complemented by a uniform density across its three layers, which promotes a smoother roll on the greens. Additionally, its high MOI design redistributes weight from the core to the outer layers, increasing ball speed and reducing the spin of the driver.
In our testing, the Triad exhibited a bit more spin off the tee, leading to a lower trajectory. However, it did not compromise on distance, delivering consistent and lengthy flights. This consistency extended to iron play, where it maintained a solid and reliable flight path.
Its short-game capabilities, when compared to premium golf balls, revealed some differences. Spin control on chips was not as tight, but pitch shots from 50 yards still offered decent control. Notably, the ball’s soft feel when putting stood out, providing excellent control on the greens.
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4. Callaway ERC Soft Golf Ball
Callaway ERC Soft Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Extra distance of the tee and alignment assistance
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White, yellow, and REVA
The ERC Soft is celebrated as the brand’s softest yet longest golf ball, incorporating cutting-edge technology to achieve an optimal balance between tee-off performance and finesse around the greens. Additionally, the ball features a high-energy core and a High-Speed mantle, both aimed at maximizing distance across all clubs.
Our evaluation revealed that the ERC Soft indeed offers increased distance and carry, with a high launch angle facilitated by reduced spin, a common trait among the models reviewed. The integration of new technologies has evidently played a pivotal role in achieving efficient ball strikes.
Where the ERC Soft truly shines is in the short game, delivering a remarkably soft feel and substantial greenside spin on precise short-game shots. While it may not offer as much stopping power as the Chrome Soft, the difference is slight. Furthermore, the Triple Track alignment aids significantly in aiming the ball toward the hole, enhancing overall performance on the greens.
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5. OnCore 2022 Elixr Golf Ball
OnCore 2022 Elixr Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Impressive long-game distance and high ball flight
- Construction: Three-piece
- Color: White
OnCore Golf may not be a household name for everyone, but its rapidly expanding fan base can largely be attributed to the high quality of its golf ball lineup. The Elixir, OnCore’s flagship tour ball, is particularly noteworthy, retailing at an accessible $30 per dozen and designed to cater to a wide range of golfers.
The Elixir is a three-piece ball featuring a urethane cover engineered for tour-level performance from tee to green. Compared to its predecessor, this model boasts a firmer cover and a new core aimed at increasing ball speed. Additionally, an updated dimple pattern is employed to achieve a higher trajectory.
The Elixir’s long game capabilities truly shone, delivering impressive distances both off the tee and with mid to long irons, thanks to its unexpectedly high flight. This enhanced flight contributed to effective stopping power and distance control, with the ball also performing admirably in windy conditions, a testament to OnCore’s innovative cover and dimple design.
In the short game, the Elixir offered reliable spin control. While there may be other balls in this segment that offer quicker stopping, the Elixir distinguishes itself with a pleasing feel upon impact, avoiding the overly soft sensation found in some competitors, and instead providing satisfying feedback that many golfers appreciate.
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Best Price Golf Balls
1. Titleist Velocity 2022 Golf Ball
Titleist Velocity 2022 Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Excellent for distance and good value for money
- Construction: Two-piece
- Color: White, matte orange, blue, and green
The updated Titleist Velocity maintains its reputation as the longest ball in Titleist’s lineup, thanks to its two-piece construction that offers varying degrees of forgiveness.
In this iteration, Titleist has adjusted the firmness to be slightly higher, aiming to retain more energy upon impact for increased speed on full shots. Noteworthy enhancements include the NaZ+ ionomer cover, featuring a novel octahedral dimple pattern across 350 dimples, designed to achieve higher and more consistent flight trajectories.
The Velocity’s standout feature is its low spin, which, when paired with enhanced ball speed and its high-flying nature, positions it as the longest ball in the Titleist range. However, this low spin can impact the ball’s ability to hold greens on approach shots, though its high trajectory does offer some compensatory stopping power.
In the short game, the reduced spin may challenge control compared to premium balls, but the Velocity’s firmer feel provides satisfying acoustic feedback on chips and putts. This makes it an excellent choice for golfers who prioritize feedback over spin for their short game.
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2. Taylormade Distance+ Golf Ball
Taylormade Distance+ Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Good for low swing speeds
- Construction: Two-piece
- Color: White and yellow
The Distance+ is engineered for those seeking additional yardage, particularly benefiting golfers with lower swing speeds by making it easier to launch the ball. Moreover, its affordability makes it an attractive option for value-conscious players.
TaylorMade advertises the Distance+ as a high-velocity ball designed to maximize distance across all shots, thanks to its React Speed Core and aerodynamics optimized for low drag and high speed.
In terms of long-game performance, Distance+ indeed delivers on its promise, offering competitive distance alongside more expensive balls. It features a mid-launch trajectory that hits a sweet spot in terms of height, particularly noticeable with low irons where it significantly enhances height and distance, ideal for attacking the greens.
However, in the short game, like many distance-focused balls, it falls short for players who rely on loft for their chip shots. It’s better suited for those who prefer a bump-and-run approach. When putting, the Distance+ provides clearer feedback from the club face, making it easier to judge putts.
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3. Srixon Distance Ball
Srixon Distance Ball
- Reason to buy: Noticeable extra distance
- Construction: Two-piece
- Color: White
The Srixon Distance ball is designed for golfers looking to extend their carry distance. It stands out as one of the most affordable options in the market without compromising on performance, offering durability and value for money.
It incorporates a fast layer core and a robust ionomer cover to enhance both distance and feel. Additionally, its 324-speed dimple pattern packs a significant amount of technology into a budget-friendly package.
In terms of long-game performance, the ball impressively added 15 yards off the tee for our tester and maintained a strong trajectory even in windy conditions, demonstrating its effectiveness on both drives and approach shots. However, its performance in the short game does not match up to more specialized models, particularly for shots requiring finesse around the greens. While it offers a solid feel, golfers who rely on the loft for their short game might find better-suited options elsewhere.
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4. Bridgestone E9 Long Drive Golf Ball
Bridgestone E9 Long Drive Golf Ball
- Reason to buy: Solid distance and consistent flight
- Construction: Two-piece
- Color: White
The E9 Long Drive Ball is equipped with an injection-molded seamless Surlyn cover and Bridgestone’s tried-and-true 330 dimple pattern, a combination engineered to enhance flight and carry distance while maintaining consistency. Its gradational core, firmer on the outside and softer towards the center, is designed to increase ball speed.
In terms of long-game performance, while the E9 delivers notable distance off the tee, it stands out for its ability to combine this distance with remarkable spin control on mid and short-iron shots.
For the short game, the E9 maintains its spin control and impresses with its soft feel, making it an excellent choice for players who face fast, firm courses and seek a ball that offers both a gentle touch and substantial distance off the tee.
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As with all golf equipment, golf balls are getting better every year. A common challenge for many golfers is selecting the most appropriate ball for their style of play. Using a ball that doesn’t suit your game can be more detrimental than many realize. However, by paying attention to the factors mentioned earlier and dedicating some time to testing various golf balls, we believe you’ll discover a ball that not only appeals to you but also delivers reliable performance on the course.
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