As with many things in life, if you want the best you have to pay the highest price - buying golf balls is no different . The best golf balls on the market come with the highest price and for good reason as these premium options are used by tour players at the majors and on the professional tours like the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LPGA Tour. Whilst premium golf balls delivers top levels of both distance and control, it doesn't make sense for players of all abilities to buy them, particularly those with higher handicaps and newer players to the game. For these players, we should look to find a balance between performance and value.
If you can’t, or don’t want to, pay premium prices there are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there which our testing has shown have improved beyond all measure over recent years. Gone are the days when all lower-priced balls felt like rocks. Times have changed, technology has advanced massively and so have the performance levels on offer.
Because of this, we've dedicated this guide for those who want to find that sweet spot between good performance and value for money. There is little point in spending over $50 on a box of Titleist Pro V1s if you lose three balls a round so the options on this list will make you feel less guilty if you chunk one into the water hazard or slice one out of bounds. They'll even help your performance which can lead to lower scores!
Of course, value is a subjective term - it doesn't always mean the cheapest option as you'll see with our 'best premium ball' entry. It is more so about getting the most value for your money whilst setting yourself up with a ball that will compliment your game and golfing abilities the best.
If you are interested, feel free to take time to check out our other golf ball guides too, whether you’re looking for the best mid price golf balls, the best distance golf balls or the best cheap golf balls.
The Quick List
The TruFeel golf ball from Titleist is a perfect option for the higher handicapper or less experienced player who want a strong performing ball for an affordable price.
A ball that really wowed us during testing, the Mizuno Pro X passed the tests when compared to the best golf balls on the market and comes in at a much cheaper price.
Six different color options are available with the Callaway Supersoft, a ball that offers outstanding performance at this price point - particularly for senior players.
A newcomer to the market, the Piper Black is a really solid effort from Piper Golf at entering the budget-friendly golf ball space and delivers solid performance off the tee as well as great durability.
The Srixon Distance golf ball feels like it's been around forever and for good reason, delivering durability for days and a strong, penetrating ball flight for the mid-to-high handicappers out there.
Considering the price point, the Duo Soft golf ball from Wilson performs well in most areas, most notably in the distance and feel departments.
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The TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink golf balls offer a balanced blend of feel and performance along with an eye-catching splatter design that makes them easy to find in the rough and grab your buddy's attention when you pull them out on the first tee.
Best Value Golf Balls
Top pick
A dozen Titleist 2024 TruFeel Golf Balls in packaging, lying on grass
First up we have the TruFeel golf ball from Titleist. Although these cost slightly more than some of the other models in this list we believe the performance on offer still makes them excellent value.
It's a two-piece golf ball which usually means it's difficult to control around the greens, but Titleist has incorporated a softer 3.0 Truflex cover to provide more greenside spin and control. We noticed a springy feel on and around the greens during our testing but also a surprisingly positive amount of spin which broadens the appeal of this ball from just beginners to even those with mid-teens handicaps. The new TruTouch has been added to the 2024 TruFeel with the goal of adding distance off the tee as well and it provided more than adequate distances for us during testing.
We also love golf balls with solid alignment features on the sides as this can really help players improve their putting no matter their handicap. The TruFeel features a prominent red alignment cursor on the side that helped me with those short putts in particular.
Despite the fact the TruFeel is roughly half the price of the tour-level golf balls, the performance is very solid and overall it is unquestionably one of the best cheap golf balls on the market.
- Read our full Titleist 2024 TruFeel Golf Ball Review
Best premium ball
After getting our hands on and testing the Mizuno Pro X golf ball we were left stunned at the performance on offer - so much so that we feel it's one of the best premium golf balls on the market for 2025.
Why is this so stunning? Well, the price... a dozen of these Mizuno balls come in at only £40 or $50, significantly cheaper than the likes of the Titleist Pro V1 or the TaylorMade TP5.
We found ball speed and distance numbers to be terrific, as was the stopping power with our iron approach shots into greens. With iron in hand it felt easy to create a consistent, penetrating ball flight which will really help players who try and visualize the shot they are about to play before committing to it. It was a joy to chip with as well, providing a lovely soft feel whilst feeling very responsive - we felt in control of this ball from tee to green which is the best compliment we can give. The Tru Feel only just pipped it for the top pick as we wanted to choose a slightly cheaper golf ball, but if you're after premium performance for a reasonable price then look no further than the Pro X. For those who want a spinnier golf ball more similar to the Pro V1x, check out our Mizuno Pro S golf ball review too.
Best color choice
The Callaway Supersoft golf ball next to a putter on a green
Who doesn't like a bit of flair or individuality with their golf ball? The Supersoft golf ball from Callaway is aimed at the slow to moderate swingers of the club who want to stand out from the crowd with six color options and several neat patterned designs to choose from.
The Supersoft has undergone several improvements over the years and in the most recent model there is a new hybrid cover featuring what Callaway is calling a Paraloid Impact Modifier. The benefits from this are added distance and durability without sacrificing feel and short-game control. This is a ball ideally suited to the golfer who struggles to get the ball in the air, as Callaway’s patented HEX Aerodynamics cover pattern reduces drag and increases lift to help you launch the ball better. Furthermore, the Soft Compression Core then enhances energy transfer for more ball speed and a high-launch, low-spin combo in your longer clubs. In our testing we definitely saw this to be the case but pleasingly we also saw some receptiveness with our approach shots, especially with longer irons and hybrids.
- Read our full Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball Review
Best durability
A teed up Piper Black golf ball with a driver behind it
Piper Golf may have only been around since February 2021, but its Piper Black golf ball is an exceptional product and a worthy entry on this guide. It's a three-piece golf ball with a urethane cover, offering premium tee-to-green performance at a price point that we have found to be much lower than many comparable golf balls.
This ball really impressed us in testing. We found it to be exceptional around the greens in terms of spin, control, and feel, while it also offered ample distance in the long game, making it a fine all round performer. Another plus was that it feels soft off the putter face, but crucially not too soft. One final aspect we loved about this ball was the durability as it has one of the most durable covers of any ball we've tested. Even after full rounds and the comprehensive testing sessions we conducted this ball looked like it had barely been used, which certainly adds to what was already a great value product.
- Read our full Piper Black Golf Ball Review
Best for distance
The Srixon Distance golf ball with red packaging lying on the ground
The new Srixon Distance is designed to deliver optimum length via greater initial velocity and a higher launch angle for a more penetrating ball flight. Interestingly, the dimple count is down significantly too (108 fewer), which Srixon says is to reduce drag and increase lift for better performance in all wind conditions.
In testing we did see a good increase in distance and - as advertised - it also penetrated the air in windy conditions a little better than other models as well, which resulted in extra yardage. The trade off for this extra distance is the lack of significant feel when compared to more premium models. That being said, it's not like it feels like you're hitting a rock, which has often been an issue with golf balls designed purely for distance. For mid-to-high handicappers this might not be such a problem and you'll likely adapt over time, but for the more skilled players or those who are rapidly improving it could be worth trying out one of the more premium Srixon golf balls - our best Srixon golf balls guide can help advise you with that.
Considering the durability, distance from the tee and arguably most importantly the very low price, the Srixon Distance is a top choice for the golfer seeking extra yards without spending extra cash.
- Read our full Srixon Distance Golf Ball Review
Best for slow swing speeds
The Wilson Duo is a great value golf ball that will suit older players or those who have naturally slower swing speeds due to the low compression on offer. The faster you swing, the more you compress the golf ball, meaning faster players will always look for a firmer ball to play like the Titleist Pro V1x or a TaylorMade TP5 that have a higher compression. The lower compression on offer with the Duo Soft means those who don't swing out of their shoes can still achieve high launch and (hopefully) longer distance as a result.
Wilson claim on the cover of the box that this is the 'softest golf ball in the world' and to be honest it's hard to argue against this. You can really feel this no matter what club you have in your hand and can take some time getting used to if you're used to a firmer golf ball.
The look has also been refined since the previous iteration. The color has been removed from the face of the ball, giving off a slick but premium aesthetic, more fitting with the best Wilson golf balls.
- Read our full Wilson 2025 Duo Soft Golf Ball Review
Most unique design
The TaylorMade Soft Response golf ball in packaging on the ground
TaylorMade is a brand known for its capacity to think outside the box and start trends in golf equipment design and technology, and their latest 'Ink' golf balls continue this theme. Similar to the Callaway Supersoft golf ball, golfers can add some extra individuality with unique ink splash deisgns available in a range of colors - or you can blend into the crowd by opting for the standard white or yellow option if the bright colors aren't for your tastes.
While the design will be thing thing that draws most golfers to this ball, they will not be disappointed with the performance on offer. It is labeled as a mid-launching ball but in our testing we got it to spin and climb a little higher than we expected, so this will be good for those players who struggle in that regard. The SpeedSoft Ink golf balls have a compression delta below 50, so they feel extremely soft off the face at impact and will greatly benefit golfers with a slow/moderate club speed. A dozen of these balls won't break the bank either which makes them a good gift idea.
- Read our full TaylorMade Speedsoft Ink Golf Ball Review
How we test golf balls
We take product testing very seriously and when it comes to testing golf balls - as the video above shows - we use several members of the Golf Monthly team (of various skill levels) to put golf balls to the test out on the golf course. At Golf Monthly we are all regular golfers and therefore seek to be as honest and insightful as possible in reviews and buyers' guides, in order to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Headed up by Joe Ferguson and Sam De'Ath, two men very well qualified to partake in such testing and whose expertise has been used at Golf Monthly for many years. Joe is a former head pro at the Celtic Manor Resort, home of the 2010 Ryder Cup, whilst Sam competed at the highest level of Division One College Golf in the United States. The duo have over 30 years of combined experience within the golf industry, meaning they've hit a golf ball or two in that time!
We believe that golf balls have to be tested over a number of rounds because that is how you can test for things like distance, feel, durability, spin and so on. Additionally we should make very clear that no manufacturer can buy a good review because we pride ourselves on our honesty and will tell you exactly it how it is.
How to choose golf balls
What factors should you consider when buying golf balls? We take a look here.
Durability
When it comes to value golf balls we believe durability is one of the most important factors. Occasionally cheaper models don't last as long because they cut up, or the cover isn't a high quality. Therefore they do not perform as well, for as long as other models. If you tend to lot a lot of balls during a round then durability is less important, but if you want something that will get you through a round or two, then check out balls that have firmer covers because they will be resistant to cuts and scrapes. Alternatively if feel is more important to you than durability, go for softer cover models.
Long game or short game?
What is your priority? Do you want to squeeze as much distance as possible out of your golf ball or would you prefer a model that allows your short game to flourish thanks to improved feel?
If distance is your preference, then firmer and harder golf balls are your best bet. Something like the Srixon Distance golf ball for example. Alternatively, if you put a premium on feel then models like the Titleist TruFeel are the way to go. Whatever you value, there is a model for you. (Also read our best soft feel golf balls guide for more models designed for feel.
Budget
Even in the value golf ball market there are still different levels and different price points so you need to be aware of how much you want or are willing to spend. The Titleist TruFeel is a value golf ball but it carries a higher price than, say, the Srixon Distance ball. Pretty much all of the models above can be found at different price points depending on the retailer so we would definitely recommend checking different sites to get the best price, and keep an eye out for events such as Amazon Prime Day when there are often great deals to be had.
Color
No longer do your golf balls have to be white, instead they can be different colors like yellow, red, or even green. These colors have different benefits especially in terms of being brighter and easier to see for those who may struggle with their eyesight. Additionally you can get models that have patterns or alignment aids on them as well so these days there are designs for every golfer.
Number of balls
Of course 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 cheap price. It is always worth checking this because we could always do with more golf balls in the bag right?
FAQs
What is the best inexpensive golf ball?
Thankfully there are lots of brands that mae excellent inexpensive golf balls, from the well-known ones like Titleist, Callaway and TaylorMade, to ones like Inesis, Volvik and Wilson. Importantly many of them have been designed to do different things - some are built for distance, some are designed to offer as much soft-feel as possible so be aware of what you want from a golf ball and find a model that matches that.
What are good golf balls for the average golfer?
Not all average golfers are the same and not all 20 handicap players will benefit from the same golf ball. Many factors determine which ball is best for a specific golfer, so things like swing speed, ball flight, launch trajectory all come into play. Be aware of your own game and what you require, and that will make it easier to choose the right ball. Specifically for the average golfer who doesn't want to over spend, we think models like the Titleist TruFeel, Callaway Supersoft, TaylorMade Soft Response, Wilson Triad and Srixon Q-star Tour or Soft Feel balls are good options to consider.
We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best value golf balls. For more golf ball buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf balls for high handicappers, or best golf balls for seniors.
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