The 9 Best Golf Balls for Your Money in 2024

You’ve purchased the clubs, taken lessons, and spent time on the driving range. You head out to play a quick 9, but your practice hasn’t paid off. You’re slicing, hooking, missing shots; you’re completely out of sorts.

Well, the answer to your problems could lie in your golf ball. The best golf balls complement your game through increased control, better driving power, and more spin. Let’s take a glance at the qualities that impact a golf ball and some of the most reputable choices on the market today.

The Best Golf Balls Work for You: What To Look for

For amateur golfers, golf balls may not make a huge difference. Your game hasn’t progressed far enough to notice a true difference. In this case, you should choose an affordable ball. You might even consider used golf balls from premium brands. Some clubhouses and websites like LostGolfBalls offer discounted prices on lightly used balls — saving you money in the process.

Before you purchase new golf balls, remember that every ball is different. Each attribute of the ball plays a vital role in ball flight, ball speed, and how it feels when you smash it with your golf club. Some aspects to look for include:

• Dimples: Golf ball dimples increase the surface area of the ball, which can affect spin. The more dimples, the more surface area is created, which can lessen drag and improve spin. Most golf balls have between 220 and 430 dimples, and you probably won’t notice a difference beyond 430 dimples. The dimple pattern can also improve aerodynamics, maximum distance, and spin — although your average golfer may not notice a huge difference.
• Compression/Hardness: This is how much a golf ball distorts or deforms when struck by the club face, as well as its density. Compression is measured between a rating of 30 and 120. The higher the rating, the less the ball deforms when struck. High-compression golf balls are ideal for those with a fast swing (such as PGA Tour pros with a swing above 105 mph), while low-compression balls complement beginners or those with a slower swing speed. Low-compression golf balls also have a harder feel than high-compression golf balls, which have a soft feel and are often known as soft golf balls.
• Coating: The exterior cover of the ball can also affect its performance. Modern golf balls typically have one of three coatings or covers: a soft urethane cover, an ionomer cover, or a Surlyn cover. Soft urethane covers are found on premium balls, have high spin rates, and create more distance. Ionomer or Surlyn covers are on more affordable balls and have low spin, making them ideal for beginners or high handicappers.
• Layers: Golf balls have between one and five layers. One-piece golf balls are the simplest and are often used solely on the driving range. Two-piece golf balls have a cover and a solid core, most often used by average players. Some of the best golf balls are three- and four-piece, which add additional layers in the core that impact flight. Finally, a five-piece is synonymous with golfers on the PGA Tour, offering improvements in a specific characteristic — be it distance, control, or spin. If you’re a pro, these are often long-distance golf balls that are more difficult to control.

The 9 Best Golf Balls for Golfers of All Types

Once you’ve worked on the driving range and putting green, the right golf ball can make all the difference on the course. But remember the golden rule — price doesn’t dictate the quality of the ball or whether it’s the right one for you. The best golf balls complement your game, whether you’re hitting a gargantuan drive or spinning a wedge shot onto the green.

A quick note: When trying to find the best golf balls for your game, you may see an “X.” The “X” signifies that the ball has a higher compression rate. X golf balls have a firmer feel and may also create more spin, which is ideal for fairway approach shots that require more control over greenside spin. However, the actual game spin of the golf ball is also harder to control for amateur players, so consider that when choosing a golf ball.

If possible, always do some ball testing to decide whether you like a softer feel or a harder one and how much you can control the ball when you strike it.

1. TaylorMade TP5x

The TP5x is a high-compression, five-layer golf ball used by PGA Tour pros in both men’s and women’s golf. Its urethane cover improves groove interaction with the club, provides more spin for your short game, and provides better control for high-speed swings. While you may see more distance out of this ball, note that the five-layer construction is difficult for beginner and intermediate players to control. However, experienced players may see a great upside in comparison.

2. Srixon Z-Star/Z-Star XV

The Srixon Z-Star is one of the best golf balls overall, combining excellent distance with a softer feel. Beginners will find value in the Z-Star, as it gets tremendous flight and performs well in the wind—even at an affordable price. Conversely, the Z-Star XV is a similar golf ball with a higher compression, which can complement those with a faster swing.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Srixon Q-Star, which is more balanced and easier to control for players with slower swing speeds.

3. Callaway Chrome Soft/Chrome Soft X

If your putts aren’t finding their way to the hole, the three-layer Chrome Soft from Callaway Golf is an excellent choice. The soft feel is often easier for amateur golfers to putt and won’t have the heavy feel of a higher-compression ball. It still flies off the tee, albeit with less distance, but that’s the trade-off for improved putting.

The Chrome Soft X is better for faster swings, but it also has some of the highest spin rates, which can create control problems. Nevertheless, it’s one of the best golf balls out there for a combo of distance and spin.

4. TaylorMade Tour Response

The TaylorMade Tour Response might be your answer if you're constantly slicing your drive. It has one of the lowest spin rates among golf balls but is also low-launch. Another interesting feature is a stripe pattern, which can help you align your putts slightly better than other balls.

5. Bridgestone Tour B XS

Tiger Woods has been known to play with the Tour B XS from Bridgestone Golf, and many top-notch golfers have done the same. Stopping power, high velocity, distance, and putting touch are among the top features, although the soft feel may not agree with those who like a harder ball.

The Bridgestone Tour B RX is another option for golfers who want a firmer feel but with similar characteristics to the Tour B XS.

6. Titleist Pro V1/Titleist Pro V1x

Although one of the most expensive balls on the market, the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x are among the best golf balls money can buy. This ball has been a tour staple for decades and has superior distance and flight while having superb greenside spin and control. It’s also consistent, giving you confidence whenever you stride onto the green or the tee box.

If you’re struggling with the ProV1 or ProV1x, the Titleist AVX is also a great option. It has less spin than the ProV1x without sacrificing the penetrating flight of the ball.

7. Wilson Duo Soft Golf

With a compression of only 35, the Wilson Duo Soft Golf ball has perhaps the softest feel of any option. Despite its softness, Wilson engineered the Duo Soft to have increased ball speed and low driver spin, which can help golfers who consistently hook or slice the ball.

8. Callaway ERC Soft

Three-layer golf balls have become the norm for the semi-serious or serious golfer, but few have the technological upgrades found in the ERC Soft from Callaway. The HyperElastic SoftFast core combines a soft feel around the green with fast speed off the tee. At the same time, the GRIP urethane coating with high-elongation paint adds increased control on approach shots to boost your short game — even if you’re using a Texas wedge.

Finally, the Triple Track Dagger lines allow you to line up your putt with ease, thanks to three stripes around the golf ball. If you push or pull your putts, the ERC Soft is a solution to your putting woes.

9. Maxfli Tour

Maxfli Tour golf balls remain one of the best golf balls for value, offering consistent flight, spin, and control. They have a soft feel off almost every club, giving consistency no matter where you are on the course. It also comes in three iterations, giving options for those who like soft, hard, or medium balls.

The only downside to the Maxfli Tour is that they’re unwieldy and unforgiving to slow swing speeds — only the quick swingers are welcome.

Invest in Other Golf Gear for the Best Results

The best golf balls are just one part of the equation. You must invest in other gear — and practice — to reach your full potential and dominate a scramble, best ball, or tournament game.

If you’re serious about breaking 90 or shaving strokes off your game, create a solid collection of clubs in your bag, get fitted for your driver, putter, and most-played iron, use tracer apps and other technology, and take lessons. Add all of this together, and you’re on your way to becoming a respectable golfer — or at least one that can win money off their opponents.