Complete Review of the OnCore Golf Ball Lineup

Direct to consumer golf balls, as a whole, have seriously strengthened their reputation in recent years, thanks to rock-solid performance results in several unbiased tests, and favorable pricing. OnCore, the DTC golf ball maker from Buffalo, New York, has helped boost golfers’ confidence in affordable golf balls with its impressive lineup.

Launched in 2011, OnCore’s lineup today includes four models. We took the OnCore VERO X2, VERO X1, ELIXR and AVANT 55 to the course to find out for ourselves how each ball performs. Here’s a close-up look at the OnCore golf ball lineup.

CHECK AMAZON

The VERO X2 is OnCore’s second iteration of the VERO, but the balls are different enough that the VERO X2 fits a different segment of player than the VERO X1. In other words, if you played the X1, the introduction of the X2 doesn’t necessarily mean you should switch.

The VERO X2 is a four-piece, cast urethane-covered ball. It’s firmer than the VERO X1, with a compression of 95, compared to the X1’s compression of 85. The VERO X2 is not for the faint of heart. OnCore recommends it for players with swing speeds of 110 mph and above, noting that it’s built for advanced and tour players.

The VERO X2 is one of the most workable balls on the market today, particularly with the irons. Where the VERO X1 is more of a middle-of-the-road option on the accuracy-vs-workability scale, the VERO X2 is decidedly on the workability end.

On top of that, it holds its own against the market’s premium balls from a distance standpoint, and that four-piece construction and urethane cover give it exceptional greenside control.

CHECK AMAZON

The VERO X1 is OnCore’s original VERO ball. With a slightly lower compression of 85, it feels a touch softer on full swings, greenside shots, and off the putter. The four-piece performance around the green offers excellent control. 

While the VERO X2 is extremely workable, the VERO X1 skews more to the accurate end of the scale, reducing sidespin to help players hit straighter shots. With the lower compression, the VERO X1 fits a wider range of players, including those with swing speeds upwards of 95 mph. That makes it a much more realistic option for the larger segment of recreational players than the X2. Most of those players are also more likely to enjoy a ball that favors accuracy over workability.

CHECK AMAZON

Evaluating the complete package, OnCore’s ELIXR might be the brand’s best ball for the meat of the market.

The ELIXR is a 3-piece, urethane-covered ball that incorporates OnCore’s perimeter weighting. With a compression rating of 84, the ELIXR is ideal for golfers in the 90-100 mph swing speed range. 

In our testing, the ELIXR proved to be a great option from tee to green. It’s long off the tee, easy to control, and delivers the short game feel and performance you’d expect from a 3-piece urethane ball. As a keep-the-ball-in-front-of-me type player, I really appreciated the accuracy of the ELIXR in a ball that still gives me all the creativity options I need around the green.

Finally, checking in at $30 a dozen, the ELIXR is exactly what most players shopping DTC balls are looking for: a considerable discount compared to the Titleists of the world, without a sacrifice in performance.

CHECK AMAZON

While the VERO X1, VERO X2 and ELIXR are competing with each other in the multi-layer, urethane-covered category, OnCore’s AVANT 55 stands by itself in the two-piece distance category. The surlyn-covered ball is ideal for players who want to squeeze maximum distance out of slower swing speeds. 

With a compression rating of 55, the AVANT 55 is significantly softer than OnCore’s other offerings. It’s designed to launch high, another element that milks every last yard out of slower swings. Given the lower compression, it’s a great option for cold-weather rounds, something the folks in Buffalo know a thing or two about, and it’s also a top choice for seniors, juniors, and – at the $20 a dozen pricepoint – new golfers.

Don’t expect drop-and-stop short-game performance from the AVANT 55. Like it’s 2-piece distance ball peers, its attributes revolve around distance and feel. Players using the AVANT 55 should anticipate some roll-out on shots around the greens.

ONCORE PERFORMANCE PACK

The first step in determining which OnCore ball is likely the best fit for your is to compare your swing speed to the recommended swing speeds for each of OnCore’s balls. That should narrow down your choices to one or two ideal matches. From there, it’s up to you to decide where your priorities lie.

Keep in mind, the best way to know for sure which ball performs best for you on the course is to try them. That’s why OnCore offers its Performance Pack, which includes a sleeve of each of these four balls, allowing you to test them on the course for yourself.