Golfers have an overwhelming amount of choices to make when choosing the best golf balls for their game, and finding the best golf balls for high handicappers can be particularly challenging.
You’ve probably seen the hundreds of choices when it comes to golf balls, and after a while, it can become confusing and overwhelming. What’s interesting about choosing golf balls – especially golf balls for high handicappers – is that the most expensive isn’t necessarily the best option! Same goes for “what the pros use”.
We’ll break down the best picks to improve your game with choices for every budget.
Our Picks for the best Golf Balls for High Handicappers
| Our Top Pick for The Best Golf Ball for High Handicappers | Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls |
| Runner-Up | Titleist Velocity Golf Balls |
| #3 Pick | Callaway SuperSoft Golf Balls |
| #4 Pick | Bridgestone E6 Golf Balls |
| #5 Pick | Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls |
| #6 Pick | Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls |
| #7 Pick | Titleist DT TruSoft Golf Balls |
| #8 Pick | Volvik Crystal Golf Balls |
| #9 Pick | Titleist AVX Golf Balls |
| #10 Pick | TaylorMade Burner Golf Balls |
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls
Callaway is one of the biggest brands in golf – and for good reason. Callaway Chrome Soft Golf balls feature a patented dual-core construction that pairs a firm outer core with an exceptionally soft inner core.
The firm outer core provides better control for low handicappers with higher club head speeds, while the the soft inner core allows for better distances and faster ball speeds for golfers with a lower swing speed.
This golf ball’s setup and construction ensures that you’ll see a direct benefit no matter your play style.
Pros:
- Construction allows for more consistent and easier long-distance shots
- Great value for the money compared to similar performing golf balls (comes in a pack of twelve golf balls)
- Easy-to-spot design
Cons
- Limited design / color options (golf balls available in white, yellow, and a red Truvis pattern)
Titleist Velocity Golf Balls
Titleist is one of the most respected brands in golf, and for good reason- they keep turning out high quality, high value products season after season.
The Titleist Velocity’s LSX core produces faster ball speed, which results in greater downrange distance while also minimizing spin to give you better results off every club in your bag.
These balls provide great mid-range softness and are great for beginners or high handicappers, especially those still perfecting their strike.
Pros:
- Great launch angle
- Mid-range soft feel makes this ball perform well with every club
- Generous roll on landing provides plenty of distance
- Comes in unique, eye-catching matte colors (green, orange, pink, and classic white)
Cons:
- A little bit more expensive than other golf balls in it’s class (still an excellent value)
Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls
Callaway holds multiple spots on this list, and for good reason: they make outstanding golf balls with different features for players at any stage in the sport.
As the name implies, these golf balls are super soft (get it?) and are best suited for newer golfers who don’t have very high swing speeds. In fact, these are some of the softest golf balls on the market.
Pros:
- Ultra-Low compression core produces long, straight drives
- Great feel for short game
- Designed for low spin on drives and short game
Cons:
- Some players may find the ball feel too soft for their preference
Bridgestone E6 Golf Balls
If you’re looking for a soft-feeling ball that still delivers distance, the Bridgestone E6 is the rare example that can do both very well at the same time.
The beauty of this ball is that you won’t give up too much accuracy with the E6 either, as it’s designed to reduce spin off the tee.
Pros:
- Mid-level compression is perfect for high handicappers
- Great mix of softness, distance, and reduced spin
- Affordable and comes in a variety of colors
Cons:
- Not recommended for faster swing speeds
- Short game control can be a bit challenging
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
This 3-piece construction ball from Titleist features a soft feel, 352 dimples, and features Titleist’s patented Drop-and-Stop short game technology to minimize roll and provide you better control in every area of your game.
These balls are used by players of varying skill levels, as they offer a lower flight trajectory that some players prefer. Don’t be confused by it’s similarly-named counterpart, the Titleist Pro V1x – the V1x is better suited for more experienced players who prefer a firmer feel and higher spin.
The Pro V1 is a great golf ball for beginners that combines solid, consistent performance with any club to help you shoot your best scores.
Pros:
- Low spin maximizes control
- Excellent shot trajectory and distance
- Nice, soft feel
Cons:
- Highest-priced on this list of best golf balls for beginners
Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls
Srixon has been making golf balls for over 70 years, and in that time have won over 70 PGA Tour events and hold over 500 worldwide golf ball patents- more than Titleist, Callaway, and Nike combined. This expertise comes across in their products!
These are great golf balls for beginners as they respond well from drivers and irons to give you better consistency in your game. Srixon claims that independent testing shows their Soft Feel golf balls outperform their competitors in the 2-piece soft golf ball segment in the areas of drive length, accuracy, and stopping power, while still providing great spin for shots made on the green.
Pros:
- Soft cover and low compression core provides for great distance and a softer feel
- 338 Speed Dimple pattern cuts through wind for straighter shots and increased accuracy
- Spin is great where you need it (green shots), and minimized where you don’t (drives and iron shots)
- Excellent price
Cons:
- Spin and softness are less than other more expensive balls
Titleist DT TruSoft Golf Balls
With its ultra-soft feel, solid performance, and great pricing, the Titleist DT TruSoft is our pick for the best golf ball for high handicappers on a budget.
Titleist has squeezed in new tech (TruTouch and TruFlex) in this iteration of the DT TruSoft to help you in each area of your game, resulting in an extremely soft ball that still delivers distance while minimizing spin.
Pros:
- Trusted consistency and quality from one of golf’s top brands
- Low spin and compression helps maximize distance
- TruTouch technology helps maximize stopping power to improve short game
Cons:
- Priced higher than most other selections on this list
Volvik Crystal Golf Balls
The first thing that you’ll notice about the Volvik Crystal line is the four bold colors that are offered, which certainly will catch your eye. However, there’s much more at work here than what meets the eye.
This three-piece ball offers enhanced accuracy due to it’s dual-core construction, high-level durability, and consistent flight and stability for those long drives.
These do have a distinctly firmer feel than most balls offered on this list, so be aware of that if you have a strong preference for a soft-feel ball.
Pros:
- Consistent performance and straight flights
- High control and good distance
- Increased visibility due to vibrant colors
Cons:
- May not feel soft enough for some players
Titleist AVX Golf Balls
Titleist created the AVX as an alternative to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, borrowing lots of features and tech from those two in the process while creating a distinctly different ball with it’s own personality, profile, and feel.
If you’ve tried a Pro V1 and feel it’s too soft, then you’ll love the AVX. This is a great ball for high handicappers because it’s set up as a low compression ball that also reduces shot height, helping you escape wind influence and helping to maximize distance.
Once you’re on or near the green, the urethane cover will help with stopping your shots as well as give you improved backspin on wedge play.
Bottom line, the Titleist AVX is a great step up from a two-piece ball for any high handicapper who’s looking to get extra performance out of their setup.
Pros:
- Consistent, strong flights with low shot height
- Extremely durable
- Soft feel
Cons:
- Some players may find this ball feels too firm
TaylorMade Burner Golf Balls
TaylorMade’s Burner Golf Balls provide a great ball choice for newer golfers by combining a ball that can achieve max distance while also providing a soft feel. These golf balls allow for you to get a high launch angle with every club in your bag, providing for a better and more consistent game from this 2-piece ball.
Don’t be fooled by the 2-piece construction, though: these balls really do provide a soft feel from drivers all the way to your putter, and manage to pull off the stunt of not feeling like hitting rocks in the process.
Pros:
- Great feel across all clubs
- React Core provides better energy transfer from club to ball, offering long shot carry and distance
- Excellent pricing for performance as compared to higher-priced balls such as the Titleist Pro V1
Cons:
- Limited color options: currently only available in Yellow.
Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers Buyer’s Guide – What to Look For
Golf balls may seem like a minor piece of the puzzle, and it’s easy to get caught up in the many options available, chuck it all up to fancy marketing, and randomly pick a ball that “looks good” in the store. This would be a mistake! A golfer’s ball is an important part of their game.
While we do have a wide variety of choices when selecting the best golf ball for high handicappers, we need to keep in mind the different factors of golf balls, and the roles those factors play in your game.
What Do High Handicappers Need from Their Golf Balls?
As a high handicapper, you’ll want to think about what issues in your play style are keeping you from getting to the “next level” in your game.
Typically, we see three main areas that need improvement (these can be addressed individually or all together):
- Driving Issues
- Iron Troubles
- Short Game (Chipping and Putting) Challenges
Don’t get too hung up on construction style, dimple count, or other factors- focus on what feels great and improves your game the best.
Look through the following areas to gain a better understanding of how each can be improved by choosing the right golf ball.
Addressing Driving Issues for High Handicappers
Choosing a ball with the proper compression rating for your swing speed ensures you’re getting the best distance performance out of your golf ball. Choose a ball that’s too stiff, and you’re robbing yourself of extra yards on each shot.
Additionally, if straight drives are proving to be a challenge, be sure to look at low-spin balls on the higher end of the compression range.
Addressing Iron Troubles for High Handicappers
Correcting distance and accuracy issues in iron play will be similar to the driver issues we just covered, with the exception that you will likely want to lean toward a performance-focused, softer type of golf ball when addressing iron troubles.
Addressing Chipping and Putting Problems for High Handicappers
Not dialing in your short game’s performance can really add up, costing most players an average of 10 strokes per round!
While changing your ball is not a magic wand, selecting the best golf ball for your situation will improve feel, playability, and confidence, resulting in overall better play.
Generally speaking, softer is better when you’re attempting to solve any type of short game problem. Just be aware of softer balls’ tendencies to wear out faster and you’ll be in great shape.
Cost
High handicappers should take price into consideration as a key point when choosing the best golf ball to start with. Even avid golfers can easily lose balls to water hazards, deep rough, and more at the rate of between 1 and 2 balls per round!
Considering that you may lose up to a few balls per round, you’ll want to keep your budget in mind when choosing a ball.
The bottom line here is that you don’t need to buy super expensive golf balls, as your skills won’t really allow you to benefit from the technology in most premium golf balls.
Spin
Spin in your golf ball actually allows your ball to travel higher in the air, using the aerodynamics of the dimples to create the “push” beneath the ball. Simply put, the more spin a ball has, the higher in the air it will go. You’ll often find that the best golf balls for high handicappers have low spin in order to provide better control and consistency in shots.
Compression (a.k.a. Hard vs. Soft Golf Balls)
Simply put, compression is a measurement of how much a ball compresses against the club face at impact. The ball launches as that compression is released, which directly affects your shot distance.
The lower a golf ball’s compression rating, the softer the ball feels, while a ball feels firmer as it’s compression rating increases.
Typically balls are marked with compression numbers, ranging from 60 to 110. Overall, these ranges are split into three compression ratings to make it easy for you to determine which compression rating is best for you.
Which Golf Ball Compression Rating is Right for You?
If your swing is 85mph or less
Low-compression golf balls are the best bet here, as every yard matters in your game. Beginners, juniors, ladies, and seniors will benefit most from low compression. Look for a rating 80 or lower.
If your swing is 85-104mph
Mid compression golf balls are suggested for you, as low compression balls could create control issues. These balls will provide a combination of control and distance for most players. Look for a compression rating of 80 to 90.
If your swing is 105mph or above
Your best bet is a high compression or premium ball, as you’ll generate good distance with nearly any ball due to your strong swing speed. Low compression balls could result in a lack of control. Target a compression rating of 90 or above.
Not sure of your swing speed? Check out our golf ball selector guide where we show you how to measure your swing speed without the need for any expensive equipment!
Construction
Golf balls come in five main construction types that involve different materials and technology, each of which can impact your game.
Let’s walk through the most common ball types on the market today:
1-Piece Golf Balls
Construction: typically made 100% from Surlyn, molded with dimples
Best for: Beginners, driving ranges, and mini golf courses
Pros: Highly durable and inexpensive
Cons: Poor feel, minimized spin
2-Piece Golf Balls
Construction: Solid core made from rubber or Polybutadiene (a synthetic rubber), surrounded by an exterior cover of Surlyn or urethane.
Best for: Beginners
Pros: Highly durable, good distance coverage
Cons: Harder to control
3-Piece Golf Balls
Construction: Solid liquid or rubber core, wrapped in a secondary layer of enhanced rubber, surrounded by an exterior cover of Surlyn, Balata, or urethane.
Best for: mid-level and experienced players
Pros: More spin than 2-piece balls, greater feel and control
Cons: Higher cost and less distance than 2-piece balls
4-Piece Golf Balls
Construction: Solid rubber center, inner cover layer, then a middle cover, surrounded by a urethane exterior cover. 4-piece balls typically have higher dimple counts than their 2-piece and 3-piece counterparts.
Best for: Professionals and experienced players
Pros: More spin than 3-piece balls (especially when hitting with irons), and better performance on the greens.
Cons: Less forgiving, higher cost
Dimple Count
Dimples in the golf ball help it fly by creating a thin layer of air that “grabs” the ball’s surface, increasing lift and decreasing aerodynamic drag.
Varying patterns, sizes, and shapes affect the ball’s distance, spin rate, and stability. A totally smooth golf ball hit by a pro would travel around half the distance of today’s modern golf balls!
Most golf balls on the market today have a dimple range of 300 to 500.
Here’s a great video from the PGA on the science of golf ball dimples and how they help:
Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Difference Between Golf Balls Made For High Handicappers And Regular Ones?
The best golf balls for high handicappers have features that compensate for common challenges, such as driving distance and keeping the shot straight. This typically involves low compression (to offset slower swing speeds) and low spin (to help keep the ball on target).
By comparison, other golf balls on the market may provide additional spin or other features based on what each golfer’s needs might be.
Does A Golf Ball’s Cover Affect Its Performance?
Surlyn and Urethane covers each have different characteristics that absolutely affect a golf ball’s performance. For high handicappers, we recommend golf balls with Surlyn covers as they offer better control, response, and durability.
How Does A Ball’s Spin Rate Impact My Shot?
Yes, a ball’s spin rate will absolutely affect your shot. The rule of thumb is the higher the spin rate, the more power you’ll need to hit the desired shot distance. Balls with low spin are recommended here because most high handicappers tend to have slower swing speeds and less overall experience controlling shots.
What Number Is Considered A High Handicap In Golf?
Generally, any golfer with a handicap over 18 is considered a high handicapper. If you haven’t figured out your number yet, check out our guide to handicap calculation here.
What Are Golf Balls Made Of?
Golf balls are usually made of a rubber or resin core, wrapped in a surlyn or polyurethane cover. The core or inner layers can be between 1 and 3 layers of different types of materials, even using liquid within a membrane for advanced balls. Surlyn covers are the most durable and have a harder feel, while urethane covers provide greater control and a softer feel.
What Is A Golf Ball Compression Rating?
A golf ball’s compression rating is a measurement of how much a ball compresses against the club face at impact. Compression ratings usually fall between 60 and 110, with lower compression ratings being best for new golfers.
What Sizes Do Golf Balls Come In?
While golf balls come in varying sizes, the minimum size should be 1.680 inches according to the official Rules of Golf. Most balls found at retail will be of the same size, and you shouldn’t worry about this factor when making your purchase.
What Is The Weight Of A Golf Ball?
Similar to the golf ball size question above, a golf ball’s weight should not exceed 1.620 ounces per the official Rules of Golf. Don’t get hung up on ball weight when making your purchase either.
What Are Golf Ball Dimples?
Golf ball dimples are symmetrical pits or grooves on the ball’s surface. These typically come in a circular or hexagonal pattern, although some manufacturers have experimented with ovals as well. Golf ball dimples allow air to flow smoothly around a ball’s surface which reduces drag and increases lift.
Do Dimple Counts Matter?
While balls with higher dimple counts perform better, professionals have found that there is minimal difference between most standard dimple counts on balls. We don’t recommend paying a premium between the same general type of ball only due to a difference in dimple count.
What Colors Do Golf Balls Come In?
The most common color for golf balls are white, but you will find other popular colors such as yellow, green, red, and pink. Most of these variations are neon to help them stand out on the course to aid with visibility. Some golf balls also come in unique patterns or have stripes on them to help them be identified.
Why Are Golf Balls Numbered?
Golf balls are numbered to make it easier for golfers to identify which ball is theirs. This comes in handy especially when multiple players are using the same brand of ball, or if playing in a scramble or tournament. (If you’re not sure what a scramble is, check out our glossary of golf terms).
Should I Buy New Or Used Golf Balls?
If you’re learning to play golf or still getting used to the sport, we suggest purchasing new golf balls. Some used balls have imperfections such as cuts in the cover or other wear and tear that can cause the ball to fly inconsistently and result in poor shots even when hit well. Don’t make it harder on yourself!
If you’re looking to save money, you can consider “X-Out” versions of your favorite brand of golf ball. These are the same balls and construction as regularly-priced golf balls, but may have misprints of the logo or markings on the ball which make them essentially factory seconds.
You can find used or recycled golf balls easily and inexpensively from retailers online, but consider that you’ll get a better performance from a new ball, which is key when you’re learning the game.
Should I Buy Lake Balls?
It’s tempting to buy these balls, as they are cheap! That savings comes with a greater price, which is reduced distance. We recommend using these if driving balls on your personal property and for practice only.
What Golf Ball Should I Use For My Swing Speed?
Generally speaking, if your swing is 85mph or less you should aim for a low-compression golf ball. These balls will have a compression rating of 80 or below.
If your golf swing is 85-104 mph, a mid compression ball will work best. These golf balls will have a compression rating of 80 to 90.
If your golf swing is above 105mph, you’ll likely want to go for a high compression or premium ball, with a compression rating of 90 or higher.
Do I Need Special Balls For The Driving Range?
Most driving ranges have golf balls available, and the fee to use the range balls will be much lower than the cost of bringing your own balls. Plus, you don’t have to retrieve the range balls after hitting them!
Conclusion
A good beginner golf ball should be matched to your play style and swing speed. A ball that provides some forgiveness on less consistent hits while traveling a long distance without fast swings is desirable.
Of the all the golf balls we reviewed above, the Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball is best suited for high handicappers and beginners and is our top pick for the best golf ball for beginners.
If you’re in the market for a new set of clubs, take a look at our picks for the best drivers for beginners and high handicappers while you’re here!
