Finding the right golf ball to match your game can make a huge difference to your consistency, your confidence and, as a result, your scores. This is the case for all levels of golfers, and while experienced players will likely have a better idea of what they need, it’s a tougher proposition for those who are new to the game.
While it might be tempting to look at what the professional plays and follow suit, these premium-priced options aren’t designed with the high-handicapper in mind. Rather than look at the best golf balls, many of which are used in tournament play week in, week out, instead it’s more prudent to focus on a dedicated ball for inexperienced players.
The best golf balls for beginners utilise modern technology to deliver the distance gains that can really benefit newer players. They’re also typically designed to get the ball in the air more easily, resulting in a higher flight that again is a welcome sight for beginners.
We’ve tested numerous balls aimed at the higher handicap golfers and have selected our favorites here, chosen for a variety of attributes including distance, feel and price. After reading this guide if you're still undecided about which is the right ball for you, why not check our our guide to the best distance golf balls for distance as well as the best golf ball for higher handicappers.
The Quick List
The Trufeel from Titleist is an excellent ball for beginners and high handicap players because of the strong performance and value price.
Another great option for beginner golfers trying to get more range. The Warbird delivered distance and a good putting feel at outstanding value.
The Pinnacle Rush is a very good cheap golf ball that offers up plenty of distance in the long game, a nice feel off the clubface and decent durability.
A great ball for beginners with a fast swing, with a nice soft feel around the greens. But beware the Srixon Ultisofts have a high trajectory, which won’t suit all playstyles.
A solid performer at a fair price, the Carver delivers impressive spin control around the greens and good consistency throughout the bag.
Best Golf Balls for Beginners
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Top pick
We’ve chosen the TruFeel as our top pick because it’s both well suited to the slower swing speeds of most beginners, while still delivering bags of feel for a gold ball in this category.
Despite its two-piece construction the TruFeel lives up to its name. We were impressed with the feel of the 3.0 Truflex cover and the level of control we were able to have over the ball, especially around the greens. Our numbers showed surprisingly high spin rates for a ball of this nature.
Perhaps unsurprisingly then, this isn’t the longest ball we’ve tested. While it will still provide those aforementioned slower swings with plenty of distance, this isn’t a ball for those chasing pure distance. Rather, it’s an accomplished all-rounder that will suit beginners but also provide them with control and spin as their game improves. We were able to control our trajectories during testing as well as get the desired reaction on the green, from our approach shots as well as pitches and chips. As such, we also think the TrueFeel qualifies as one of the best value golf balls around.
- Read our full Titleist 2024 TruFeel Golf Ball Review
Best for distance
For many beginners, chasing distance can become all-consuming. While it’s far from the only consideration when choosing clubs and balls, we appreciate that for high handicappers a few more yards can really make the game a lot more fun. And if you’re just starting your golfing journey and want to maximize your distance, then the Callaway Warbird ball is an obvious place to start.
Like previous iterations, the latest model places a premium on distance. To achieve this, Callaway uses a two-piece construction with a large core, aimed at making the ball fly high and far, regardless of your swing speed.
Certainly, our testing showed this to be the case, especially with our irons, and if you’re struggling to hit it far enough, or high enough, then it’s well worthy of your consideration. But there’s a price to pay, and the firm ionomer cover doesn’t provide the degree of check to always hold greens, as well as offer the feel and spin that you might like around the greens.
However, for newbies who just want to get the ball up and make those forced carries with a little more confidence, it’s probably a worthwhile tradeoff and one we’d support. You can always change your ball as you develop your skill set, but there’s little better for your confidence when you’re just starting out than to see the ball airborne! For that reason alone, the Warbird is one of the best Callaway golf balls you can buy.
- Read our full Callaway Warbird Ball Review
Cheapest ball
Pinnacle has gained a reputation over the years for making affordable distance balls. And the Rush is certainly that.
We love it for its great value, helping golfers to get started without having to spend a fortune. But it also delivers the desired performance too. During our testing we were happy to see decent distance across the bag, with plenty of yards off the tee, as well as with our irons. The ball flight was beginner-friendly too, with plenty of height and not too much spin to accentuate those costly hooks and slices. It achieves this via an icosahedral dimple design, comprising 332 dimples in a durable ionomer cover.
While it did feel pretty firm off the face, it wasn’t as loud, or as ‘clicky’, as we had expected. That said, it’s not a golf ball that’s going to deliver much feel around the greens, but for beginners it’s likely a very good fit indeed.
- Read our full Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball review
Best soft feel
Srixon says the UltiSoft is its softest ball ever and is designed to enhance the game of those with slower swing speeds. This makes it a good match for beginners who should benefit plenty from this low-compression ball.
It’s that low-compression core that’s designed to maximise energy transfer for more yards, while still delivering a softer feel off the club face. And it works. We were left impressed with not only the distance the ball went, but with how accurate it was. Low-compression balls typically are effective at reducing side spin and in turn tightening dispersion rates, and this was certainly the case here.
A far bigger surprise was just how soft it felt around the greens. While not comparable to a premium-priced ball aimed at skilled players, nonetheless it did allow us to play a variety of shots with confidence. All told, the UltiSoft is a great all-rounder with a level of feel that’s true to its name.
- Read our full Srixon UltiSoft 2022 Golf Ball Review
Best for spin
Now for something a little different. Carver is a new name on the golf ball market and can be purchased either as a one-off purchase, as is the case with most other brands, or using a monthly subscription. The latter option aims to provide a 3-piece, urethane-covered ball at a far more affordable price, as well as ensuring that you won’t run out of balls.
It’s a novel concept and one that’s likely to appeal to a range of players, including less experienced golfers who still fancy playing with a ‘tour style’ ball, without the prohibitive costs of buying a dozen balls from one of the big guns.
During testing, the ball certainly performed like one with a higher price tag. There’s plenty of distance off the tee and with the irons for slower swing speeds, but it was the degree of spin control that really impressed us; we were able to get the ball to check up even on firm greens, as well as produce plenty of spin with our chips and pitches.
If there’s a downside to the Carver ball it might be its durability; after hitting a few wedge shots the covers were scuffed. Still, at this price it’s a ball that represents real value for money.
- Read our full Carver Golf Ball Review
How we test golf balls
Our ball testing is headed up by the vastly experienced Sam De'Ath and Joe Ferguson. Along with other Golf Monthly testers they applied a comprehensive process that involved taking the balls to the range to evaluate their spin rates, carry and launch, with the help of one of the best launch monitors , before hitting the course to see how the numbers translate to real-life conditions.
We made sure to test the balls across a range of weather conditions, and from various lies, so we can better understand how they perform and feel, and in turn assess which level of golfer they are best suited to. We also kept them in play for many rounds so we could see just how durable they were.
As with any product we test at Golf Monthly, a good review cannot be bought by a brand. All of the balls in the guide have been selected because we genuinely believe they are a quality product that’s well suited to the beginner golfer.
What to consider when buying golf balls
Choosing golf equipment can be a daunting task even for experienced players. The huge array of products, and associated claims from the manufactures, means it’s easy to become confused and overwhelmed. For the new golfers, this is even more so.
When it comes to golf balls, we hope the reviews above will help you make an informed decision but if you’re still unsure about the right ball for you, then please consider the following factors before you buy.
Long game or short game?
While there are golf balls that deliver both distance and spin control, it’s worth asking yourself which is your priority. For many inexperienced golfers getting the ball up in the air and travelling a good distance is the first port of call. If this sounds like you, then look for a firmer, two-piece ball that’s designed to launch high and travel far, while limiting the amount of spin that can exaggerate hooks and slices.
If you’re after more control around the greens, then a ball with a softer cover should pay dividends.
Durability
Distance balls by their nature are firmer and thus more resistant to cuts and scrapes than a softer ball designed for experienced players. Certainly this translates to better value for money providing you don’t lose the ball in the rough or a water hazard - if you go through a fair number of balls each round then price is likely more of a priority than how long it will last.
Color
While traditionalists will likely always use a white golf ball, there are far more colour options should you want to explore them. The advantage of a brighter golf ball is that it's easier to follow in the air as well as spot in the rough.
Budget
In the beginner section of the golf ball market, there are different price points to be aware of, so assess how much you want to spend before heading down to the golf shop and picking up a pack of balls.
Number of balls
Given how cheap some of the models are above, you can occasionally find deals on models that mean you can get 24 or sometimes even 36 golf balls for a generous price. Beginners tend to lose golf balls more quickly so it makes sense to get as many as possible when you can in the sales.
For more advice on golf balls, check out our guides on the best golf balls for high handicappers, best golf balls for seniors, and best winter golf balls.
FAQs
What types of golf balls should a beginner use?
This will vary from golfer to golfer but we have found the most common requirements are: balls that help players get the ball into the air and hit it further, adequate feel for those shots around the green, durable enough to deal with marks and dents during a round and a good value price.
Do golf balls matter for beginners?
We think golf balls matter at every level of the game. From a game improvement standpoint, there are serious gains to be made for a newcomer to the sport using the correct ball for their needs. There is no point in a beginner using a Tour-level golf ball as they wouldn't be able to consistently utilize what the ball has been designed for. But there are balls out there that can help beginner players get to a stage where they might one day be able to use a Titleist Pro V1, for example. So yes, golf balls do matter for beginners, as they can help you become a better player.
How many golf balls does a beginner need?
Generally, beginners tend to lose more balls on the course than players who have been playing for some time. Granted we all have days where we swat three balls into the water, but as beginners are less experienced players, it is wise to carry a few extra balls in the bag to ensure you have enough to get around with. Make sure though not to weigh your bag down too much with too many balls!
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