The Best Golf Balls of 2024

Simply asking “What is the best golf ball?” is like asking “What are the best shoes?” The answer is, it depends on who needs them. That’s why we created this list of the best golf balls in every category. 

I've tested many of the latest golf balls, examining how each performs off the tee, on approach shots, and around the greens. When reviewing golf balls, I also weigh cost and whether the performance benefits justify the price.

Whether you’re a low-handicap golfer, beginner, senior, or average weekend warrior, there’s a great golf ball for you on this list. Whether you want a distance ball, one that flies straight, you need the best value, or prefer a soft feel, we’ve got you covered.

The Titleist Pro V1 is the gold standard golf ball. It’s among the most popular golf balls on professional tours and club championships alike. That’s because the iconic ball delivers on the most important needs of the best players.

The Pro V1 is a 3-piece, urethane-covered ball that’s firm enough to hold up to any swing speed, yet delivers satisfyingly soft short game feel and control. With the proper swing speeds, the Pro V1 produces as much ball speed as any ball in the premium market. The top-end distance blends with a desirable penetrating ball flight to appeal to the single-digit handicapper. 

From tee to green, the Pro V1 performs on every shot. Better players can shape the Pro V1 on command, and pull a wood or long iron on a second shot into a par-5 without worrying about stopping-power. Many low-handicappers like the Pro V1 for its standout feel in the short game, where command is paramount.

Pros:

• Excellent ball speed on full shots
• Workability
• Great short game feel, spin, and response

Cons:

• Naturally low-hitting players may need a ball that flies a little higher

The Noodle came out around the time of the Pro V1 about 25 years ago and is becoming a classic with a strong following.

The name alone is brilliant, referring to exactly what it is – a soft golf ball that is plenty long for most players. It has 342 dimples for great carry and an ultrasoft 34 compression core. At a buck a ball, how can you go wrong?

Pros:

• Distance, feel, and budget trio
• Long-standing Noodle is becomming a classic

Cons:

• Not ideal for players with faster swing speeds

The Maxfli Tour X is a great ball for mid-to-low handicap players with moderate or faster swing speeds. For starters, it flies forever. With four layers and a urethane cover, it's workable, holds greens with long irons, and yields all the short-game creativity your heart desires.

In our testing, Maxfli Tour X produced some of the best greenside spin and control of any ball we've tried. Plus, it's one of the best-value golf balls out there, especially when you buy in bulk. 

Pros:

• Excellent combination of distance, feel, and short game control
• Great value

Cons:

• Some players may not prefer the firmer feel

Spin causes your ball to curve left or right, so the less spin your ball has, the straighter it flies.

Lower spin also helps increase distance, and the Titleist Velocity is a great straight-flying ball. It launches high with low spin, so your hooks and slices won't be embellished.

Titleist says the high-speed LXS Core and a fast NAZ+ cover are responsible for its distance. It's available in white, matte orange, and matte green.

Pros:

• Less spin and less curve than most other balls
• Low spin also boosts distance
• Multiple colors available
• Higher compression fits players with average and above average swing speeds

Cons:

• Not the best fit for players with slower swing speeds

Bridgestone’s most popular golf ball with ordinary golfers really does have a great soft feel to it, and if you don’t swing too fast, you can maximize distance with the e6 as well. That’s because with its large, soft core, it’s a low-spin ball off the driver and launches well off the tee.

Pleasantly, the e6 holds greens fairly well. Of course, it won’t spin back like a tour ball will, nor will you get that one-hop-and-stop off a well-executed low-trajectory lob wedge shot. Still, it feels good around the greens and off the putter.

Pros:

• Excellent distance for slower to medium swing speeds
• Better green-holding ability and short game feel than other balls in its class

Cons:

• Lower compression may make it too soft for many players

Statistics show that as your age increases, your swing speed decreases. According to mytpi.com, 17-29-year-old golfers have the fastest swing speeds, and it starts to go downhill from there. Golf is a lifetime sport, and equipment tweaks can help you keep all the distance you need, even with a slower swing.

The Srixon Soft Feel is the complete package for aging golfers who still want feel and performance, that's why it's our recommended golf ball for seniors. It launches high and produces great distance with moderate swing speeds. As the name suggests, it feels nice and soft off the club face.

The ionomer cover helps reduce some sidespin and keep the Soft Feel flying straight, although the tradeoff is a little short game control. The Soft Feel doesn't quite perform the way a 3-piece urethane-covered ball like a Pro V1 does around the greens.

With a compression rating of 60, the Soft Feel hits the sweet spot to fit a massive spectrum of players. Any player with a swing speed under 95 MPH who wants maximum distance, soft feel, and a great value should consider the Srixon Soft Feel.

Pros:

• Excellent distance for moderate swing speeds
• Soft feel (hence the name)
• Easy to launch

Cons:

• Players transitioning from a premium ball may notice a dip in short-game performance

The Bridgestone Tour B X is long and comes with excellent greenside spin performance. 

Who doesn’t want a ball that lets you bomb it off the tee, and get crafty around the green? That performance can be attributed to Bridgestone’s REACTIV IQ cover, which is designed to deliver maximum distance off the driver, and more spin on approach and greenside shots.

The Tour B X is among the straighter-flying tour-caliber balls, so if you rely on playing the most workable ball possible, this might not be the pick for you, but any player can appreciate that it's one of the least-likely balls to produce a flier.

Pros:

• Top-tier distance
• Very high greenside spin
• Best ball for fighting fliers
• Favors straight-flight over workability

Cons:

• Players who rely on workability should consider a different ball
• Firm feel may not appeal to some players

If you're a mid-handicap player with a middle-of-the-road swing speed, the Titleist Tour Soft could be a great ball for you.

The large core is key to Tour Soft's performance. Titleist says the core is the largest ionomer-covered core on the market, and it gives it both a soft feel and explosive distance. Plus, the “Fusablend” cover is formulated to increase spin and control into and around the greens. 

It’s worth noting though that Titleist, still the leader in golf ball sales, offers lots of golf balls. If you don’t need as much spin and want a little lower ball flight, the more affordable TruFeel is also a great option.

Pros:

• Increased greenside control
• Great option for players with middle-of-the-road swing speeds

Cons:

• Some mid-handicap players may prefer the greenside control of a urethane-covered ball

The Maxfli Trifli stands out in two huge ways. First, it’s a three-piece ball with an extra layer that helps keep spin low on full shots, maximizing distance.

Second, Maxfli designed its unique find the fairway dimple pattern for maximum accuracy. We've tested the Trifli and put that dimple pattern under the microscope, and we must say, it’s quite effective. 

The bottom line is the Trifli is long and straight, a combination that pretty much any high-handicap player can enjoy.

On top of all that, the Trifli has an effective alignment aid that’s helpful if you need it, and easy to ignore if you don’t.

Pros:

• One of the straightest-flying distance balls
• Great value when you buy two dozen for $40
• Excellent distance

Cons:

• Greenside performance is OK, but doesn’t compete with premium, urethane covered balls

The Callaway Supersoft is one of the best golf balls for players with slower swing speeds, regardless of the weather. 

For the sake of colder temperatures, the Supersoft lends itself well to a much wider range of golfers because of its low 47 compression rating. Not only will the Supersoft move through the heavy, cool air, but it will also feel incredibly soft at impact and around the green.

The Supersoft is a high-launch, low-spin ball, so some players will see better distance numbers with the Supersoft in the cold than in warm temperatures.

Pros:

• Great for most players in cold weather and in all conditions for modest swing speed players
• Long distance plus soft feel
• Good value

Cons:

• Compression may be too low for some players