Wilson Ultra 500 Golf Balls Review

Updated March 8, 2023
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Wilson Ultra 500 golf ball
  • DESCRIPTION
    Wilson Ultra 500 golf ball
  • SOURCE
    Walmart
  • PERMISSION
    Permission given by Walmart

The Wilson Ultra 500 golf ball has been on shelves for over 25 years. This two-piece distance ball has evolved and today it lends itself to a specific segment of golfers quite well. Could the Wilson Ultra 500 be a good fit for you and your game? Let’s dive deeper into this timeless ball.

Wilson Ultra 500 Specs

Here are the specs of the Wilson Ultra 500 golf ball.

Category Distance
Cost $15 (15-pack) | SHOP NOW 
Compression 90
Dimples 432
Spin Medium
Launch High
Construction Two-piece
Material Surlyn

Given these specs, the Wilson Ultra 500 golf ball is a great option for beginners and high-handicap players, mid-handicappers who favor distance over stopping power and feel, and value-seekers.

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About the Wilson Ultra 500

Wilson debuted the Ultra 500 model in the early 1990s. At the time, the ball was played by some of the best players in the world including PGA Tour players who were under contract with the Chicago-based sporting goods giant. As golf ball technology changed with time, the Ultra 500 in some ways stayed true to its original construction, and today is considered a quintessential distance ball. It is also a great value golf ball as you’ll normally find the Ultra 500 in boxes of 15 at a cost of $15.

RELATED: The 10 Longest Golf Balls to Maximize Distance

The Wilson Ultra 500's 90 compression makes it a versatile ball that just about anyone can play. While players with a slower swing speed might prefer a ball with a much lower compression, the Ultra 500 gives that harder cover feel, but still has a good deal of compression at impact. It has a high launch, so approach shots into greens hold better than most distance balls.

RELATED: The 12 Best Cheap Golf Balls You Should Actually Play

The cover of the Ultra 500 is one of the most durable you’ll find. It can withstand quite a beating, whether it’s a collection of trees or a long cart path. Its cut-proof cover is certainly a high selling point for this golf ball.

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Who Should Play the Wilson Ultra 500

Given that the Wilson Ultra 500 comes in a 15-pack for only $15, beginners and high handicap players should have this golf ball on their shopping lists. In the early stages of the game, spending $50 per dozen is like flushing money down the toilet. $1 per golf ball, however, is a great deal.

RELATED: The Best Golf Balls for Beginners

If you’re a mid-handicap player though, this is still a solid golf ball that you can easily play. Better players will find it hard to get a ton of check or greenside spin with the Ultra 500, but distance off the tee is a huge upside.

Golf Outings

If you play in charitable or company golf outings, chances are you’ve been given a sleeve of Wilson Ultra 500 golf balls. They are generally the most cost-efficient golf ball to have imprinted with a logo.

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Wilson Ultra 500 Fun Fact

In 1996, Wilson Sporting Goods had scheduled a commercial shoot that featured two of its endorsed athletes, Michael Jordan and John Daly. The commercial was to feature the Ultra 500 golf ball, with Jordan dreaming about winning a major with Daly on his bag. It’s unknown if the commercial was ever shot, but it never made it to its intended airing spot during the 1997 British Open because Daly was released by Wilson.

The Ultra Dilemma

If you’re still on the fence about whether the Wilson Ultra 500 is right for you, the answer is pretty simple. For $15, your investment is low and you could discover your new favorite golf ball. If you don’t like them, you have new golf balls you can use to chip around in the backyard.