Best Golf Balls For Beginners

July 2024

With dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of different kinds of golf balls, it is overwhelming to know what the best brands are, especially when you’re a beginner!

Golfers of all levels need to balance quality, playability, and price when considering the right golf ball for their game.

6 different golf ball brands showing 7 balls

Golf Balls: Some Factors To Consider

The science behind how golf balls work is fascinating. The core is usually tightly-wound synthetic fibers. The outside is a dimpled shell designed to cut down on wind resistance. When your club hits the ball, it compresses and flies, particularly with this selection.

Golf ball manufacturers are constantly working to improve ball technology. They experiment with different cores, consistencies, and shells to offer less drag, which means greater distance and more control over your ball.

Golf Balls: Some Factors To Consider

Evaluating Compression Ratings

When selecting golf balls, it’s important to consider their compression rating. This rating measures how much a golf ball deforms upon impact. For beginners, it’s generally recommended to choose golf balls with a low compression rating. These balls are softer, which facilitates better energy transfer, making it easier to achieve distance even with slower swing speeds. Low compression balls generate more ball speed and launch higher, resulting in longer shots. For optimal performance, beginners or low swing speed players should look for golf balls with compression ratings below 80.

Comparing Multi-Layer And Two-Piece Golf Balls

In addition to compression, understanding the differences between multi-layer and two-piece golf balls is crucial. We believe that the best golf balls for beginners usually have 2 layers. Two-piece golf balls consist of a solid core and a durable cover, providing excellent distance and low spin. These attributes make them ideal for beginners, offering forgiveness on mishits and longer, straighter shots. Their affordability also makes them a practical choice for those developing their skills.

Conversely, multi-layer golf balls have a soft core, an outer mantle layer, and a cover. These balls offer better control and feel around the greens, enhancing spin and precision. While they may not match the distance of two-piece balls, they benefit beginners who prioritize control and their short game.

However, multi-layer balls tend to be more expensive than two-piece options.

Understanding The Impact Of Dimples

Dimples on a golf ball significantly affect its performance. They create turbulence in the air, reducing drag and allowing the ball to travel farther. The design and pattern of dimples impact the ball’s aerodynamics and flight characteristics. As you read about the various golf balls we are suggesting for low swing speed golfers you will notice the number of dimples on a golf ball varies from brand to brand as well as among the styles offered by each brand. For beginners or low swing speed players, selecting golf balls with a dimple pattern optimized for maximum distance and forgiveness is essential. The best golf balls for beginners feature dimples that enhance lift and minimize the effects of errant shots.

Considering Your Budget

As a beginner or high handicap golfer, managing your budget is crucial. For beginners and high-handicap golfers, there is very little need to play with premium golf balls. Overspending on premium golf balls is generally not advisable since the performance benefits may not be noticeable at your current skill level and it’s unlikely you will unlock the full potential of the golf ball. Instead, focus on affordable options that provide durability and adequate performance to help you develop your game without the added expense.

Does The Right Golf Ball Matter For Beginning Golfers?

It does! When you’re buying golf balls, you should know who they’re for and what they’re trying to accomplish. Similar to clubs explicitly made to help beginners improve, these balls are designed improve performance for low swing speed golfers.

To take the guesswork out of choosing a golf ball, some players choose to undergo a ball fitting session with a professional. Ball fitting can help identify the right ball for your swing speed, launch conditions, and playing style. Having a professional breakdown such factors as the ball’s compression, spin rates, and trajectory, will provide valuable insights and help guide you in your decision.

The thing to keep in mind, though, is that no matter what ball you use, even the best ball won’t make you a great golfer automatically. So have fun, try a few out, and see your game improve!

Callaway Supersoft

Callaway Super Soft

Callaway is a well respected golf brand. Their Supersoft ball is one of the most popular balls you can buy. So many beginning golfers love the Supersoft because it’s great for golfers with a slower swing speed. See this video of the Supersoft golf ball when it was introduced in 2023.

When you swing the golf club slower, your swing has a better chance to go offline, which means you’re more likely to draw, fade or add a ton of unwanted spin on your shots. The Supersoft is designed to combat that.

The Supersoft’s High-Speed Soft Compression Core optimizes energy transfer from the club to the ball, which means you’re getting more out of your golf swing. Especially when you’re just starting, this means straighter shots that go a bit further. A little ego boost goes a long way!

Callaway continues to refine the Supersoft design, including a new Hybrid Cover with an Impact Modifier. What this means for you is that you have a little bit better control over your shots. For example, a pitching wedge shot is more likely to land near the green and sit instead of spinning back off into the rough.

Because these balls are for mid-handicap players, they also are relatively easy on your wallet. You can stock up at the beginning of the season and be in good shape for the rest of the year. The Supersoft is a great ball and one that you’ll come back to over and over again.

Bridgestone E6

Bridgestone e6

The Bridgestone e6 is a 2 piece low compression golf ball with a larger softer core that allows for a high ball speed while maintaining a soft feel. It is designed for golfers with moderate swing speeds seeking maximum distance on all shots.

First introduced in 2005 the newest generation of the Bridgestone e6, with a softer and larger core for faster compression, is aimed at players with moderate to slow swings, who want an exceptionally soft feel and pleasing sound at impact without losing any distance off the tee.

We found that the Bridgestone e6 flew with a mid-trajectory, ideal for the windier conditions with good launch off our driver, long irons and hybrids. The soft feel provide quality feedback when using a good wedge. Surprisingly, there was more check and reaction on bunker shots and mid-range wedge shots than we expected. We feel that the Bridgestone E6 is ideal for golfers who like a soft feel on or around the greens.

A seamless Surlyn cover helps provide a combination of speed, distance, and exceptional durability.
A soft and extremely large gradient core
Great feel and increased spin around the greens
Patented advanced dimple technology and aerodynamics
Far more forgiving when it comes to slices and mishits
Available in white and optic yellow.

This is a two-piece ball at a value price point that delivers serious all round performance.

Vice Pro Air

But we feel that the best ball that Vice offers for beginner golfers is the Vice Pro Golf Air which replaces the Vice Pro Soft golf ball, a favorite for many players.. With the lowest spin in the Vice Pro ball family, the Vice Pro Air golf ball produces the best distance. For golfers looking for more spin on approach and in their short game, the Pro or Pro Plus golf balls would be a better choice.

The Pro Air is a 3-piece ball with a 318 dimple pattern structure improving the ball’s aerodynamic performance during flight. It has a cast urethane cover creating an extra thin cover leading to optimal performance with enhanced feel and control on the course. The thin cover has a “sticky” feel which helps the ball hold the green better with more stopping power..

With a compression rating of 75, which is optimized for high efficiency at low to medium swing speeds, the ball will help your shots go farther off the tee.

Vice Pro Air has been engineered to increase ball flight trajectory and reduce spin. The increased launch angle will help players, especially those with slower swing speeds who struggle to reach optimal heights, to be better able to attack the pin from a distance.

Due to a slightly higher launch angle, the ball achieves a relatively steep landing angle in the short game making it perfect for maintaining control in the approach even with lower spin rates.

In addition Vice helps golfers take strokes off their game with an alignment aid right on the ball itself. The black line printed on the ball is designed with crisp edges that taper towards the target. We suggest that you use it as a guide when lining up a putt after reading the green or to visualize your aim on the tee.

The German ball manufacturer Vice is a relatively newer player in the golf marketplace.They have five different Vice Golf Pro balls to consider: the Vice Golf Pro, Vice Golf Pro Plus, Vice Pro Golf Air, Vice Golf Tour and Vice Golf Drive. The Vice Pro Golf Air and Vice Golf Drive are better for golfers with lower to medium swing speeds, providing exceptional distance while retaining control.

Players who are familiar with Vice golf balls know that color and customization options are plentiful. If you’re hitting the ball all over the course, having a bright green or cool drip ball that you can track will be easier than the standard white. The Vice Golf Pro Air currently has 5 Color options:

Vice Pro Air Color Options

White
Neon Lime
Neon Pink
Drip Red Black splatter on white
Drip Petrol Yellow and aqua splatter on white

The prices are reasonable, especially when buying in bulk. The bottom line is that we found the balls to be strong performers.

Srixon Soft Feel

Srixon Soft Feel Golf Balls

Srixon’s Soft Feel, and Soft Feel Lady golf balls are Ideal for golfers with moderate swing speeds seeking a soft feel, good distance, and reliable spin control. The SOFT FEEL offers a solid yet comfortable impact on every swing, thanks to Srixon’s advanced FastLayer Core technology that generates impressive ball speeds for greater distance.

Srixon Soft Feel Lady golf balls are engineered for female golfers or those with slower swing speeds, providing a very soft feel, optimized distance, and good control. These balls are designed with a slightly softer core than the standard Soft Feel to accommodate the slower swing speeds typically associated with beginner women golfers.

Both of these Srixon Soft Feel golf balls have a two-piece ball with a 338 Speed Dimple pattern. Their fast-layer core has a soft center that transitions to a firm outer edge, enhancing ball flight when hit with your drivers, woods, and irons allowing an increased and more prolonged lift. Since these balls quickly they return to shape as the inner core quickly snaps back in place upon impact, they are a delight to hit.

The Soft Feel golf balls are available in Soft White, and Tour Yellow. The Soft Feel Lady golf balls are available in Soft White and Passion Pink

Wilson Duo Soft

Although Wilson doesn’t specialize in golf equipment, they make one of the best golf balls for beginners.

The Duo Soft is Wilson’s golf ball geared toward the beginner. The ionomer cover is tough and durable.

Wilson engineered the ball to maximize your distance because the Wilson Duo Soft is geared toward the newest golfers. The result is that your shots will fly farther and launch easier with less effort. However, many golfers who use the Wilson Duo Soft report that the ball still does pretty well in the short game. You won’t get a large amount of backspin with the Wilson Duo Soft, but it has a good roll and won’t hurt your score when you’re near the green.

Interior illustration of the Duo Soft Wilson golf ball

Wilson Duo Soft Low Compression Core w/ Mid-hardness Cover

DUO SOFT core is engineered for maximum energy return.
302 cube dimple pattern provides flight stability
Low driver spin creates a straighter and longer ball flight
Low compression – has an average compression of 40
Recommend for golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph
Available in white, yellow, red, orange, pink, and green

No ball will help cure your slice or hook on its own, but the Wilson Duo Soft does limit spin including side spin to make your shots straighter off the club.

What sets the Wilson Duo Soft apart is the value. It’s tough to find this quality of a ball at such a value price point. Buy a few dozen of these, and you’ll be a happy golfer.

Volvik XT Soft

Volvik XT Soft Golf Balls

Volvik’s XT Soft is an excellent beginner ball for those players with slower swing speeds. Engineered for players with slower swing speeds between 75-95 miles per hour, they feature a low spin, high launch angle, and soft feel. Promoting straighter shots, its low spin off the driver reduces those pesky hooks and slices. As a reasonably priced ball, we feel that the Volvik’s Vimax XT Soft is a great golf ball for players just starting out on their golf journey.

VU-X Urethane Cover helps maximizes feel & shot shaping control on the green
Extreme Power Core gives explosive distance delivery
70compression
336 cube octahedron dimple pattern provides flight stability
Available in white and yellow.
Volvik Alignment Tracking System as a visual key off the tee

We found the yellow version is really easy to see off the tee.

While the ball doesn’t spin as much as we would like, it does perform well enough around the greens. And we can definitely say the ball is consistent. The ball does roll true and the sound and feel coming off the our clubface, is constant whether it was for a long lag putt or a shorter firm putt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beginner golfers have a ton of questions about their equipment when starting out. Here are just a few of the more common ones.

What’s The One Thing That I Want Out Of A Golf Ball As A Beginner Golfer?

It really depends on what element of your game needs the most work. If your shots are short or the speed of your swing is slow, focus on distance. If your ball is slicing or hooking a lot, find a ball that controls sidespin. For most beginners, a ball that does a little of everything is a great starting point.

Does The Ball Material Matter?

The design and material of a golf ball significantly impact both beginners/high handicap players and low handicap players, but in different ways. For beginners and high handicap players, the focus should be on durability, cost, distance, and forgiveness, with two-piece, low compression balls being the ideal choice. For low handicap players, control, spin, and precision are paramount, with multi-layer, high compression balls made from advanced materials being more suitable. Understanding these differences helps players choose the right ball to match their skill level and playing style.

For Beginners and High Handicap Players:

Durability and Cost: Beginners and high handicap players often lose more golf balls, so durability and cost are critical. Balls made from Surlyn covers are ideal due to their durability and lower cost. This allows beginners to practice without worrying about the expense of lost balls,
Distance and Forgiveness: Two-piece golf balls, which combine a solid core with a durable cover, are popular among beginners. They provide maximum distance and minimal side spin, which helps in hitting straighter shots. These balls are more forgiving on mishits, making them suitable for players who are still developing their skills.
Low Compression: Low compression balls are softer and compress more easily on impact, which helps beginners achieve better distance even with slower swing speeds. This feature is crucial for beginners who may not yet have developed the strength and technique of more advanced players.

For Low Handicap Players:

Control and Spin: Low handicap players benefit from multi-layer golf balls, which include a core, mantle layers, and a soft urethane cover. These balls provide greater control and spin, especially around the greens, allowing for more precise shot-making and stopping power on the green. The soft urethane cover enhances the feel and provides better feedback on shots.
High Compression: High compression balls are designed for players with faster swing speeds. These balls provide less deformation at impact, resulting in more control and accuracy. Low handicap players can generate the necessary speed to take full advantage of high compression balls, achieving better performance.
Advanced Materials: The materials used in multi-layer balls, such as urethane, offer better performance characteristics that are essential for advanced play. These materials provide a softer feel and more spin, which are crucial for low handicap players who need to execute precise and controlled shots.

Do I Need Different Balls If I’m Right Or Left-Handed?

You do not! As opposed to clubs, where your dominant hand really matters, a good golf ball will still be good no matter what.

Does My Golf Ball Need To Be The Same Brand As My Clubs?

It doesn’t. Some golf equipment manufacturers may recommend that you use the same brand of club and ball, but that’s not really true. Just focus on hitting the ball with your club for a start! No need to worry about brand loyalty.

Beginner golfers have numerous options when it comes to golf balls, but that doesn’t mean they all will help you improve your game. We suggest you purchase a few different types of balls, try them out, and see what you like.

Best Golf Balls For Beginners

Golf Balls: Some Factors To Consider