A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Golf Ball for Your Swing, Handicap and Playing Style

“What golf ball should I buy?” sounds like one of the simplest questions in golf.

Walk into a golf shop, however, and the answer suddenly becomes complicated. You are confronted with dozens of models promising more distance, softer feel, straighter flight, greater spin, higher launch, lower spin, Tour performance or some combination of all of them.

The good news is that choosing a golf ball does not need to be complicated.

The best golf ball is not automatically the most expensive ball, the softest ball or the ball played by the world’s best professionals. It is the ball whose performance characteristics best complement your swing and the shots you need to play.

If you would first like a broader explanation of construction, compression, covers and the different categories available, read our golf ball buying guide.

For everyone else, we can begin with a much quicker answer.

1. The 30-Second Answer: The Quick Selection Quiz

If you don’t want to study golf-ball engineering and simply want to know what category you should consider, start here.

“I lose a lot of balls and slice off the tee.”

Start with: A value-oriented 2-piece ionomer ball

Good options include:

Titleist TruFeel
Bridgestone e6

These balls generally emphasize durability, lower cost, soft feel and relatively low long-game spin.

They are particularly sensible for beginners and higher-handicap golfers who may lose several balls during a round.

There is little point paying premium prices for sophisticated urethane construction if three or four balls disappear into lakes and woodland every weekend.

“I want a very soft feel and plenty of distance.”

Start with: A low-compression distance ball

Good options include:

Callaway Supersoft
Wilson Duo Soft

These balls are designed around exceptionally soft feel and accessible performance.

They can be particularly attractive to:

Slower swingers
Seniors
Beginners
Players who dislike firm impact feedback

One important clarification, however: low compression does not automatically mean more distance for slower swingers. Modern ball fitting is more complicated than matching one compression number to one swing speed.

Think of compression primarily as one element affecting feel and overall performance—not as a rigid speed limit.

“I shoot in the 80s and want more control around the greens.”

Start with: A urethane-covered performance ball

A particularly strong option is:

Srixon Q-Star Tour

This category bridges the gap between inexpensive distance balls and premium Tour models.

The big upgrade is often the urethane cover.

It provides greater greenside friction and spin potential than the harder ionomer covers commonly found on inexpensive distance balls.

That can mean more control on:

Chips
Pitches
Partial wedges
Approach shots

A useful distinction here: Titleist Tour Soft is not a urethane-covered ball, so it should not be grouped with Q-Star Tour as a like-for-like “mid-compression Tour ball.” Tour Soft uses an ionomer cover and is better considered a soft-feeling performance/distance option.

“I am a low-handicapper and want maximum control.”

Start with: A premium multi-layer urethane ball

Examples include:

Titleist Pro V1
TaylorMade TP5
Titleist Pro V1x
TaylorMade TP5x

These balls are engineered to combine:

speed off the driver + controlled long-game spin + iron performance + high greenside spin.

That combination is usually what separates a true premium Tour ball from a simple 2-piece distance model.

Quick Golf Ball Decision Table

If This Sounds Like You…	Start With This Ball Type	Examples
Beginner who loses lots of balls	Value 2-piece ionomer	Titleist TruFeel
Persistent slice / wants straighter long-game performance	Low-spin distance ball	Bridgestone e6
Slower swing / loves very soft feel	Low-compression soft ball	Callaway Supersoft
Wants extremely soft impact feel	Ultra-soft 2-piece ball	Wilson Duo Soft
Improving golfer wanting more greenside control	Urethane performance ball	Srixon Q-Star Tour
Low handicap / maximum all-round performance	Premium multilayer urethane	Titleist Pro V1
Fast player wanting firmer Tour performance	Premium Tour ball	Pro V1x / TP5x

If you recognise yourself in one of those descriptions, you already have a sensible starting point.

Now let’s understand why.

2. The Core Variables: How to Filter the Market

Ignore the marketing slogans for a moment.

Most of the differences between golf balls can be understood through three broad variables:

Compression
Cover material
Construction

Understanding those three characteristics makes shopping considerably easier.

Compression: How Firmly the Ball Responds

Golf-ball compression describes how much the ball deforms under load.

In everyday terms:

Lower compression = generally softer

Higher compression = generally firmer

You’ll often see rough categories such as:

Compression	General Description
Below 65	Very soft / low compression
65–85	Soft-to-medium
85–95	Medium-to-firm
95+	Firm / Tour-style

But there is an important warning.

Don’t Buy a Golf Ball From Compression Alone

Traditional advice frequently claims:

Under 85 mph → low compression
85–100 mph → medium compression
105+ mph → high compression

This can be a useful starting point for feel, but it should not be treated as a law of physics.

Modern golf balls use sophisticated combinations of:

Cores
Mantles
Covers
Different material formulations

Two balls with similar overall compression can therefore perform differently.

More importantly, golfers do not need to reach some magical minimum swing speed before they can “activate” a Tour ball.

Your actual:

Launch
Spin
Ball speed
Trajectory
Short-game performance

matter more than the compression number printed on a comparison chart.

Cover Material: The Engine of Greenside Spin

For the average golfer trying to understand the market, cover material may actually be more useful than compression.

The two main categories are:

Ionomer / Surlyn

Ionomer covers are typically:

Durable
Relatively inexpensive
Firm
Lower spinning around the green

They are extremely common on:

Distance balls
Beginner balls
Value balls

Their durability makes them excellent for golfers who frequently encounter:

Trees
Cart paths
Bunkers

or simply lose balls regularly.

Urethane

Urethane is commonly found on premium performance balls.

It is:

Softer
More flexible
More responsive to wedge interaction

The result is generally more:

greenside spin and control.

That is why balls such as:

Pro V1
Pro V1x
TP5
TP5x
Z-Star
Q-Star Tour

use urethane covers.

What Does the Difference Look Like?

Imagine hitting the same 30-yard pitch.

Ionomer Distance Ball

Land → bounce → roll → roll

Urethane Performance Ball

Land → bounce → check → controlled release

That is simplified, because technique, conditions and clubface friction matter enormously.

But it illustrates why cover construction matters.

Construction: 2-Piece vs. Multi-Layer Golf Balls

The next number you will encounter is:

2-piece, 3-piece, 4-piece or 5-piece.

This refers to the number of major structural components within the ball.

2-Piece Golf Balls

Typically:

Large core + cover

They tend to prioritize:

Distance
Durability
Simplicity
Lower price
Lower spin

They are excellent for many recreational golfers.

3-Piece Golf Balls

Typically:

Core + mantle/casing layer + cover

The additional layer allows engineers to manipulate different types of shots more independently.

For example:

Driver speed
Long-game spin
Iron spin
Wedge interaction

can be tuned more precisely.

4- and 5-Piece Golf Balls

More layers give engineers additional variables to manipulate.

TaylorMade’s TP5 family is perhaps the best-known example of a 5-layer golf-ball architecture.

The important principle is not:

More layers = automatically better.

Instead:

More layers give engineers greater scope to separate different performance characteristics.

That concept is known as spin separation.

Why Spin Separation Matters

Ideally, many golfers want a ball that can provide:

Driver

High speed + controlled spin

Irons

Predictable flight + stopping power

Wedges

High friction + greenside control

Producing all three characteristics from the same 1.68-inch ball is the engineering challenge.

That is why premium balls have become increasingly sophisticated.

3. Categorized Product Recommendations

Rather than declaring one golf ball the universal “best,” it makes much more sense to divide the market according to golfer needs.

Best Value & Forgiveness Balls

Titleist TruFeel

Best for: Beginners, high handicappers and budget-conscious golfers wanting a dependable soft-feeling ball.

TruFeel occupies the affordable end of Titleist’s range.

Its appeal is straightforward:

Soft feel
2-piece construction
Durable cover
Accessible price
Dependable all-round performance

It makes particular sense for golfers who do not yet require premium urethane greenside performance.

If you’re losing several balls per round, TruFeel is considerably easier on the wallet than Pro V1.

Choose TruFeel if: value, feel and simplicity matter more than maximum wedge spin.

Bridgestone e6

Best for: Recreational golfers prioritising soft feel and straight, low-spin long-game performance.

The e6 has long targeted golfers looking for an uncomplicated combination of:

Distance
Soft feel
Low long-game spin

A golf ball cannot magically eliminate a slice—your clubface and swing path ultimately create the curvature—but a lower-spin ball can sometimes reduce the severity of curvature.

Choose e6 if: excessive curvature is a problem and greenside spin isn’t your first priority.

Best Soft-Feel Golf Balls

Callaway Supersoft

Best for: Golfers who place exceptionally soft feel near the top of their buying criteria.

Supersoft has become one of the most recognisable recreational golf balls because it combines:

Very soft feel
Low-compression construction
Good distance characteristics
Multiple high-visibility options

It is particularly attractive to:

Seniors
Beginners
Moderate-speed players
Golfers who dislike firm impact feedback

Its trade-off is greenside spin compared with premium urethane balls.

Choose Supersoft if: comfort, feel and easy recreational performance matter most.

Wilson Duo Soft

Best for: Golfers searching for one of the softest-feeling mainstream golf balls.

Wilson has built the Duo franchise around extremely low compression.

It provides a particularly muted impact sensation from:

Driver
Irons
Putter

That makes it an interesting choice for players who find firmer golf balls unpleasant.

Choose Duo Soft if: your number-one priority is extremely soft feel.

Best Balanced Performance Balls

Callaway ERC Soft

Best for: Golfers wanting more sophisticated construction without necessarily moving directly into the full Tour-ball category.

ERC Soft attempts to combine:

Distance
Soft feel
Useful greenside performance
Alignment technology

It sits in an interesting middle ground for golfers who want something more sophisticated than a basic 2-piece distance ball.

Choose ERC Soft if: you want a premium-feeling all-round ball but aren’t necessarily demanding maximum Tour-level greenside spin.

Srixon Q-Star Tour

Best for: Improving and mid-handicap golfers wanting urethane performance with a relatively soft overall feel.

This is one of the most interesting balls for golfers moving beyond basic distance balls.

Its key advantage is:

urethane.

That gives the Q-Star Tour genuine short-game performance credentials.

It therefore makes sense for players who are beginning to notice the difference between:

getting onto the green

and

controlling where the ball finishes.

Choose Q-Star Tour if: you want urethane greenside performance without necessarily wanting a particularly firm Tour-ball feel.

Best Elite Premium Golf Balls

Titleist Pro V1

Best for: Golfers seeking premium all-round performance with controlled flight and elite greenside spin.

Pro V1 remains the benchmark against which many premium balls are compared.

Its appeal comes from its balance.

Rather than trying to maximise one single characteristic, it attempts to provide:

Excellent distance
Controlled long-game spin
Penetrating flight
High greenside spin
Soft premium feel

It can suit far more than just scratch golfers.

Choose Pro V1 if: you want a premium urethane ball with highly balanced performance throughout the bag.

TaylorMade TP5x

Best for: Golfers wanting premium multilayer performance with speed, higher flight and firmer feedback.

TP5x uses TaylorMade’s 5-layer architecture to manipulate different performance requirements throughout the bag.

Compared with softer premium options, its firmer characteristics will appeal to golfers who prefer:

Fast feedback
Strong flight
Premium greenside performance

Choose TP5x if: you want a firmer premium Tour ball and its launch/spin characteristics suit your delivery.

4. The Master Golf Ball Selection Matrix

Here is a practical starting point for narrowing the market.

Player Profile	Typical Swing-Speed Context	Cover to Consider	Main Priority	Starting Recommendation
Complete Beginner	Often under 85 mph	Ionomer	Value / durability / forgiveness	Titleist TruFeel
High Handicap / Slice-Prone	Variable	Ionomer	Controlled long-game spin	Bridgestone e6
Senior / Soft-Feel Seeker	Often 60–85 mph	Hybrid/Ionomer	Soft feel / comfortable impact	Callaway Supersoft
Extremely Soft-Feel Player	Any moderate speed	Ionomer	Maximum softness	Wilson Duo Soft
Improving Mid-Handicap	Often 85–100 mph	Urethane	Distance + greenside spin	Srixon Q-Star Tour
Performance-Focused Golfer	Any suitable speed	Urethane	Total performance	Titleist Pro V1
Low Handicap / Fast Swing	Often 105+ mph	Urethane	Flight and spin separation	Pro V1x / TP5x

Important: Don’t Treat Swing Speed as a Prescription

Notice the words:

“Typical” and “starting recommendation.”

A 78 mph golfer is not forbidden from playing Pro V1.

A 110 mph golfer is not forbidden from playing a softer ball.

Swing speed helps establish context.

It does not choose your golf ball for you.

5. Critical Golf Ball Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing a ball becomes much easier once you understand the traps.

Mistake #1: The Tour-Ball Ego Trap

A golfer sees their favourite professional using:

Pro V1x

and concludes:

“That’s obviously the best golf ball.”

It may be one of the finest golf balls manufactured.

But “best” requires context.

Professional golfers demand extremely specific combinations of:

Flight
Spin
Feel
Trajectory
Wind performance
Greenside response

Your requirements may be completely different.

The Important Correction: Slow Golfers Can Play Tour Balls

It is misleading to say:

“You need 105+ mph to compress a Pro V1.”

You don’t.

Modern premium balls can perform very well across a wide range of swing speeds.

So don’t reject Pro V1 because you’re “not fast enough.”

Reject it if:

Another ball performs better
You don’t need its characteristics
You dislike its feel
Its price makes no sense given your loss rate

That’s a much better buying decision.

Mistake #2: Believing Soft Equals Spin

This is one of the biggest misconceptions in golf-ball buying.

A ball can feel:

incredibly soft

while producing relatively modest greenside spin.

Why?

Because:

feel and greenside spin aren’t the same thing.

A very soft ball may combine:

Low-compression core
Firm ionomer cover

The core creates the soft sensation.

The cover doesn’t provide the same wedge interaction as premium urethane.

So if you want:

maximum greenside spin

look closely at the:

cover material.

Not merely the word SOFT printed across the box.

Mistake #3: Buying Purely by Compression Rating

Compression charts are useful.

They are not fitting systems.

Do not assume:

80 mph = 50 compression

or:

110 mph = 100 compression.

Golf-ball performance involves too many other variables.

Instead compare:

Ball speed
Launch
Spin
Iron flight
Wedge behaviour
Feel

Compression should help you understand the ball—not dictate your purchase.

Mistake #4: Buying the Cheapest Lake Balls You Can Find

Used golf balls require a more nuanced discussion than:

“Water ruins every ball.”

Research into submerged golf balls has produced mixed findings depending on:

Construction
Age
Water temperature
Duration underwater
Condition

The bigger buying concern is uncertainty.

When purchasing random lake balls you often do not know:

How old they are
How long they were submerged
How they were stored
Whether microscopic damage exists

That makes them less attractive when consistency matters.

Refurbished Balls Deserve Particular Caution

“Refurbished” and “used” do not necessarily mean the same thing.

A used ball may simply be:

retrieved → cleaned → graded → resold.

A refurbished ball may have been:

stripped/sanded → repainted → reprinted.

That can make it look almost new while telling you relatively little about its original condition.

For casual practice?

Potentially fine.

For serious competitive golf?

A known, consistent model in good condition is the safer choice.

Mistake #5: Buying Whatever Is on Sale Every Month

January:

Callaway.

February:

Srixon.

March:

Titleist.

April:

TaylorMade.

You may save money.

But you continually change:

Feel
Flight
Spin
Chip rollout

Once you find a suitable ball, consistency has value.

6. The Green-to-Tee Testing Protocol

Once you have narrowed the market to two or three balls, how should you decide?

Many golfers start with:

driver distance.

I would reverse that process.

Fit your golf ball:

Green → Tee

not:

Tee → Green.

Step 1: Start With the Putter

Take your two candidate balls onto the putting green.

Hit:

3-foot putts
10-foot putts
30-foot putts

Ignore logos.

Ask:

Which sound do I prefer?
Which gives me better pace control?
Does one feel too hard?
Does one feel too soft?

Putting is partly subjective.

That’s fine.

You use the putter more than any other club.

Step 2: Test Short Chips

Now hit 10–20 yard chips.

Watch:

landing point → first bounce → rollout.

This is where cover differences become obvious.

Ask:

Can I predict what happens after the first bounce?

That is more important than simply producing the most spin.

Step 3: Hit 30–70 Yard Pitches

Now increase speed.

Test:

30 yards
50 yards
70 yards

Compare:

Launch
Spin
Check
Rollout
Distance consistency

If you rely heavily on wedge play, this stage can decide the fitting.

Step 4: Hit Full Wedges and Short Irons

Move farther away.

Evaluate:

Carry
Peak height
Spin
Descent angle
Stopping power

Do not merely ask:

“Which ball goes farther?”

Ask:

“Which one produces the shot I can use?”

A 7-iron travelling 165 yards is not particularly helpful if it cannot hold the green.

Step 5: Test Mid- and Long Irons

Now evaluate:

Flight window
Carry
Dispersion
Landing angle

Players who naturally hit low shots may prefer a ball that helps create additional height.

High-ball hitters may prefer something more penetrating.

Step 6: Driver Comes Last

Finally:

bring out the driver.

Compare:

Ball speed
Launch
Spin
Carry
Dispersion
Peak height

If one candidate clearly performs better:

you have your winner.

Why Driver Distance Shouldn’t Decide Everything

Imagine:

Ball A

Driver carry: 243 yards

Excellent wedge control.

Ball B

Driver carry: 246 yards

Noticeably worse greenside control.

Would you sacrifice scoring performance for:

3 yards?

For most golfers, probably not.

The driver is important.

It just isn’t the entire game.

7. What Golf Ball Should Beginners Buy?

A beginner generally needs:

Reasonable price
Durability
Predictable flight
Soft-to-medium feel
Sufficient distance

Premium Tour balls are not “too advanced” for beginners.

They’re simply often unnecessary.

If you lose:

five balls per round

and each premium ball costs several euros, economics quickly become relevant.

Start with:

Titleist TruFeel
Bridgestone e6
Callaway Supersoft
Wilson Duo Soft

Then upgrade when your short game becomes sophisticated enough that additional urethane spin becomes genuinely valuable.

8. What Golf Ball Should High Handicappers Buy?

High handicappers should first identify why they lose strokes.

Excessive Driver Curvature?

Consider:

lower long-game spin.

Poor Launch?

Consider:

higher-flight characteristics.

Losing Lots of Balls?

Prioritise:

value and durability.

Improving Rapidly Around the Green?

Consider moving toward:

urethane.

There is no rule saying a 22-handicap golfer cannot play a premium ball.

If that golfer has a good short game and rarely loses balls, premium urethane may be worthwhile.

9. What Golf Ball Should Mid-Handicappers Buy?

This may be the most interesting category.

Improving mid-handicap golfers often have enough consistency to benefit from additional short-game performance without necessarily wanting the price or characteristics of flagship Tour models.

Strong candidates include:

Srixon Q-Star Tour
Callaway ERC Soft
Bridgestone Tour B alternatives depending on fitting
Softer premium urethane models

The decision increasingly becomes:

How much greenside control do I want?

This is where cover material becomes particularly important.

10. What Golf Ball Should Low Handicappers Buy?

Low handicappers generally need more precise control over:

Launch
Spin
Flight
Wedge behaviour
Wind performance

Premium urethane balls become logical candidates.

Examples include:

Titleist Pro V1
Titleist Pro V1x
TaylorMade TP5
TaylorMade TP5x
Srixon Z-Star
Srixon Z-Star XV
Callaway Chrome Tour
Callaway Chrome Tour X

At this level, choosing between balls becomes increasingly nuanced.

The question isn’t:

“Which is best?”

It is:

“Which produces my preferred flight and spin windows?”

11. How Much Should You Spend on Golf Balls?

Think about cost per round, not merely cost per dozen.

Suppose:

Golfer A

Premium balls: €55/dozen
Loses 4 per round

Approximate lost-ball cost:

€18 per round

Golfer B

Premium balls: €55/dozen
Loses one every three rounds

Approximate lost-ball cost:

€1.50 per round

The same golf ball represents two completely different financial decisions.

The Ball-Loss Rule

As a general purchasing framework:

Lose 4+ Balls Per Round

Prioritise:

value + durability.

Lose 1–3 Balls Per Round

Consider:

performance/value crossover models.

Rarely Lose Balls

Premium balls become much easier to justify.

You may use the same ball for multiple rounds.

12. Does Golf Ball Colour Matter?

Performance-wise, colour usually isn’t the main consideration.

Visibility can be.

Golfers with difficulty tracking white balls may benefit from:

Yellow
Orange
Green
Matte finishes
High-contrast designs

Visibility can improve:

Flight tracking
Ball identification
Rough searches

and potentially reduce lost balls.

If yellow helps you follow the ball:

play yellow.

There are no style points on the scorecard.

13. Should You Use Alignment Golf Balls?

Modern balls increasingly feature:

Thick side stamps
Alignment arrows
Triple-line systems
360-degree alignment graphics

These can be useful for golfers who like visually aligning:

Putts
Tee shots

But they are preference tools.

Some golfers gain confidence.

Others find large graphics distracting.

Test both.

14. Should You Buy One Sleeve Before a Dozen?

Absolutely.

In fact, this is one of the best purchasing strategies.

Do not immediately buy:

four dozen

because an online review says a ball is perfect for you.

Buy:

one sleeve.

Test it against your existing model.

If it wins:

buy a dozen.

Then play it for several rounds.

Only when you’re confident should you consider buying in bulk.

15. The Ultimate “What Golf Ball Should I Buy?” Checklist

Before placing a box in your shopping basket, answer these questions:

Your Game

What is my approximate handicap?
What is my driver swing speed?
Do I launch the ball high or low?
Do I generate too much or too little spin?
How many balls do I normally lose?

Your Priorities

Distance?
Straighter flight?
Soft feel?
Greenside spin?
Durability?
Price?

Your Ball

Ionomer or urethane?
2-piece or multilayer?
Soft, medium or firm?
High or low flight?
High or low long-game spin?

Your Testing

Have I putted with it?
Have I chipped with it?
Have I hit partial wedges?
Have I tested irons?
Have I tested the driver?
Have I played at least one full round?

If you can answer those questions confidently, you’re far less likely to buy the wrong golf ball.

Frequently Asked Questions

What golf ball should the average golfer buy?

There is no single answer, but an average recreational golfer should usually start by deciding whether they prioritise value and durability or greenside spin and control.

If value matters most, consider a quality ionomer ball.

If short-game control matters significantly, investigate urethane-covered models.

What golf ball should a beginner buy?

A durable, affordable 2-piece ball is usually a sensible starting point.

Examples include:

Titleist TruFeel
Bridgestone e6
Callaway Supersoft
Wilson Duo Soft

What golf ball should I buy for a slow swing speed?

Do not choose purely from swing speed.

Soft, lower-compression balls such as Callaway Supersoft and Wilson Duo Soft may be excellent candidates if you prefer their feel and performance, but slower swing speed does not automatically require low compression.

What golf ball should I buy for a 90 mph swing speed?

At around 90 mph you have an enormous selection.

Depending on your priorities, you could potentially fit into:

Soft distance balls
Performance ionomer balls
Urethane crossover balls
Premium Tour balls

Use your:

launch, spin, short-game requirements and feel

to narrow the choice.

What golf ball should I buy if I slice?

A golf ball cannot cure a slice.

The fundamental problem is the relationship between:

club path and clubface.

However, a lower-spinning ball may reduce curvature somewhat.

Bridgestone e6 is one category worth testing.

What golf ball should I buy for maximum spin?

Look primarily toward:

urethane-covered balls.

Premium urethane models generally offer substantially greater greenside spin potential than basic ionomer distance balls.

Are expensive golf balls worth it?

They can be.

Premium balls generally provide more sophisticated:

Spin separation
Greenside control
Flight tuning

But their value depends on your game.

If you lose six balls per round, the economics are very different from a golfer who uses one ball for 36 holes.

Should high handicappers use Pro V1?

They certainly can.

There is no handicap requirement for Pro V1.

The better questions are:

Does it improve your performance?
Do you value the additional greenside control?
Can you justify the cost?

Does swing speed determine golf-ball compression?

Not by itself.

Swing speed provides useful context, but compression should not be treated as a rigid fitting formula.

Actual ball-flight and short-game testing is considerably more useful.

Is urethane better than Surlyn or ionomer?

Not universally.

Urethane generally wins for greenside spin and premium control.

Ionomer generally wins for durability and cost.

Choose according to your priorities.

Should I use the same golf ball every round?

Once you’ve found the right model, yes.

Playing one consistent model helps you learn its:

Carry
Flight
Spin
Chip rollout
Putting feel

Consistency is one of the most underrated benefits of proper golf-ball selection.

Final Verdict: What Golf Ball Should I Buy?

If you have reached the end of this guide and still want the simplest possible answer, use this framework:

Beginner losing lots of balls?
Start with Titleist TruFeel.

Want help controlling excessive curvature while prioritising recreational distance?
Test Bridgestone e6.

Want extremely soft feel?
Try Callaway Supersoft or Wilson Duo Soft.

Improving golfer who wants genuine urethane greenside spin?
Try Srixon Q-Star Tour.

Want premium all-round Tour performance?
Start with Titleist Pro V1.

Advanced player wanting firmer, high-performance Tour characteristics?
Compare Pro V1x and TaylorMade TP5x.

But don’t treat those recommendations as the end of the process.

Treat them as the beginning of your testing shortlist.

The right golf ball is not determined by one number on a compression chart, your handicap or the professional golfer whose swing you admire.

It is determined by what happens when you hit it.

Start at the putting green.

Move to chips.

Then pitches.

Then irons.

Finally, hit the driver.

If one ball gives you:

Predictable putting feel
Consistent chip rollout
Reliable wedge control
Useful iron trajectory
Strong driver performance

and its price makes sense for how often you lose balls, you have probably found the right ball.

The objective isn’t to buy the best golf ball.

It is to buy the best golf ball for your game.

And for even more information the right golf ball for your game then make sure and try out our golf ball selector app which will help you narrow down the best golf ball for you.

Golf Ball Buying Guide
Golf Ball Fitting Guide
Best Golf Balls Guide
Why Most Golfers Play the Wrong Golf Ball
Golf Ball Fitting Mistakes to Avoid
How Golf Ball Compression Really Works
Understanding Golf Ball Compression Ratings
Why Compression Isn’t Everything
How Swing Speed Affects Golf Ball Selection
The Science Behind Golf Ball Spin
Urethane vs Ionomer: Which Cover Is Right for Your Short Game?
Best Golf Balls for Putting Feel
Which Launch Monitor Numbers Matter Most?
Understanding Smash Factor for Golf Balls
How to Interpret Golf Ball Launch Monitor Data
Indoor vs Outdoor Golf Ball Fitting Golf Ball Fitting Using the Sleeve Trial Experiment Spin vs Speed: How to Match Your Golf Ball to Your Driver Swing Speed