The 11 Best Golf Balls of 2024: Play the Ball That Fits Your Game (and Budget)

If you’ve ever stood in the store staring at a vast selection of golf balls, unsure of which is the right choice for your game, you’re not alone.

When it comes to finding the best golf balls, golfers can be easily confused.

Each ball manufacturer claims, of course, that their product is the best with the latest and greatest technology. So reading just the hype on the boxes won’t help narrow things down too much.

And then there is such a wide variety of price points. How can one dozen golf balls cost $55 while the next dozen cost only $15? What are the differences that constitute that kind of price disparity?

And what to make of two-piece vs. three-piece golf balls, or Surlyn™ vs. urethane covers?

Many of us would be willing to pay whatever the asking price for a golf ball if we knew that it would help us play our best. But how do we know which ball is right?

Others of us would prefer to save some money, but we’d still like to find the best cheap golf balls that won’t compromise our scores. So how do we know which are the best budget golf balls?

Those are the types of questions we’re going to try to answer here. Better still, we’re going to give you some specific suggestions to match different skill levels and budgets. So no matter what type of golfer you are or how much you want to spend or save, we’ve got the best golf balls options here for you. Let’s get to it.

Understanding the Different Types of Best Golf Balls

It’s helpful to understand how the modern golf ball is constructed. What’s interesting is that by altering things like the golf ball’s core, the material that the outer shell is made of, and the dimple pattern, golf ball engineers can change the performance characteristics of the ball.

So, while golf balls may all look about the same at a glance, there can actually be a fair amount of differences between one model and the next, even within the same company’s product line.

Core

Golf balls are either of two-piece construction or multi-layer construction. A two-piece ball has a larger core and thicker cover. A multi-layer ball’s core is made up of multiple materials with a thinner cover.

The core determines compression, impacting how the ball reacts at impact. Higher compression, multi-layer balls suit experienced golfers with faster swings, while lower compression two-piece balls benefit those with slower swings, enhancing distance through a spring-like effect.

Cover

Golf ball covers come in two main types—Surlyn™ and urethane. Surlyn™, known for its durability, offers lower spin and is ideal for less experienced players. Urethane provides a softer feel and greater control, preferred by skilled golfers.

Dimples

Golf ball dimples create a thin air layer that enhances lift and reduces drag, affecting distance, stability, and spin. Without dimples, a golf ball would travel only half as far. By changing the size and number of dimples on a golf ball, engineers can experiment to see which pattern produces the best overall results.

How To Choose a Golf Ball

When selecting a golf ball, consider your game’s strengths and areas for improvement. While there are no absolutes, beginners may benefit from low-spin, distance-focused balls, while more skilled players might opt for high-spin, multi-layer balls for better control around the green.

There’s also budget and logic to consider. If you’re not particularly skilled and are likely to lose a lot of golf balls, do you really want to buy the most expensive ones? In fact, the higher-spin characteristics of the expensive multi-layer balls may hurt your game more than it helps it, causing you to lose even more of those expensive balls.

There’s no substitute for a high-spin, multi-layer ball for shots around the green. This is the type of ball that gives you that predictable hop, hop, stop ball control on chips and pitches. The golf ball is easier to stop on the green, which, after you have some experience, makes it easier for you to envision and plan for shots, knowing how the ball is going to perform. A low-spin, two-piece ball, on the other hand, may be more difficult to stop on a dime, requiring more guesswork when it comes to greenside shots.

But if those same characteristics that make the ball stop on the green are also causing you to lose control of your drives and send them into the woods, is it really worth it?

Below are options for every type of golfer, from the best golf balls for beginners to the best rated golf balls. Find the description that resonates most with your situation, and you should have a ball that’s appropriate for your game.

Best Golf Ball for Low Handicap Players: Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x

At $55 a dozen, they certainly aren’t cheap, but the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x are synonymous with premium golf balls. More than any other golf ball, these are most often considered the best golf balls on the market. They dominate the high-end segment, known for their consistent performance and reliability. And when you watch the pros play on TV, you’ll see these Titleist golf balls more than any other.

The Pro V1 golf balls, a three-piece construction, offer a balanced blend of soft feel, stable flight, and impressive distance, making it a favorite among better players for its repeatable performance, especially around the greens.

In contrast, the Pro V1x, a four-piece ball, caters to players seeking higher trajectories and increased spin. It has a firmer feel and provides a higher launch angle with more backspin on longer shots. Both balls excel in greenside control, but the Pro V1x’s firmer feel and higher flight may appeal more to those needing spin and distance enhancement.

Check out this thorough Pro V1 review from our main man Sean Ogle at Breaking Eighty.

Best Callaway Golf Balls: Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X

While the Titleist Pro V1 and 1x have had a stranglehold on the premium golf ball market for a long time, there is a new challenger to the throne. The Callaway Chrome Tour, also priced at $55 per dozen, offers a lot to like, including:

• Soft Feel: The Chrome Soft retains the signature soft feel of the Chrome Soft with a low 80s compression level, providing excellent greenside spin.
• Enhanced Aerodynamics: The new hexagonal dimple pattern improves aerodynamics, resulting in a higher launch and longer distance.
• Four-Piece Construction: Both the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X are four-piece balls, designed for players seeking a balance of distance and control.
• High-Performance Urethane Cover: This cover enhances spin and control, offering a tour-level feel.

The Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X is an excellent option for serious golfers seeking a premium ball that competes with the best in the market.

Best Value Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus

If you want to play a ball that’s remarkably similar in feel and performance to both the Titleist Pro V1 and Callaway Chrome Tour, but don’t want to pay $55 a dozen, check out the Vice Pro Plus.

Here’s a company that doesn’t market much and really only sells their golf balls online but that has sneakily gained a reputation as producing a premium golf ball at a fair price. The Vice Pro+ balls come in at $32.99, which feels like a steal compared to the Titleist and Callaway big-brand counterparts.

Like all premium golf balls, the Vice Pro+ is designed for players with higher swing speeds. This is a great ball for better players who want to save some money. It’s also a great best golf balls for mid handicappers option for those who want to step up to a premium golf ball without paying top-tier prices.

Best Golf Ball for Spin Control with Higher Swing Speeds: Bridgestone TOUR B X

The Bridgestone TOUR B X, designed for golfers with swing speeds over 105 miles per hour, features the innovative REACTIV cover technology. This breakthrough allows for both increased distance and enhanced spin, addressing the common trade-off between the two.

Key Features:

• REACTIV iQ Cover: This smart cover technology adapts to different shots, delivering explosive velocity for tee shots and increased spin with a soft feel for approach shots.
• Gradational Compression Core: Provides higher initial ball speed and lower side spin, enhancing distance and forgiveness.
• Dual Dimple Technology: Enhances aerodynamics for a more efficient trajectory and reduced drag, leading to extra distance.
• Seamless Cover: Ensures consistent flight and performance with a perfectly balanced dimple pattern.

Priced at $49.99 per dozen, the TOUR B X is professionally validated by Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Kuchar, and Lexi Thompson. These best Bridgestone golf balls are ideal for players seeking maximum distance and control.

Best Soft Golf Balls: Callaway Supersoft

The aptly named Callaway Supersoft golf balls feel, well, soft. Super soft, actually. If ever there was a product with the right name, this is it.

While some golfers may be turned off by a ball that feels a bit too mushy off the clubface, others will love the incredible feel and feedback you get, especially around the greens. This is a golf ball that can really aid in perfecting your touch.

Priced at $24.99 per dozen, this is a relatively inexpensive, two-piece golf ball. It’s a low-compression best golf balls for slow swing speed choice, which also makes it a best golf balls for seniors candidate. The Supersoft is a great option for mid-to-high handicaps, or for anyone who could benefit from the extra greenside feedback.

Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicappers: Callaway Chrome Soft

OK, so it’s certainly not inexpensive, but if you can pick up a dozen Callaway Chrome Softs for $49.99, you’ve actually found some really good value. The full retail on these Callaway golf balls is $54.99, but you can regularly find them for that better price.

This is a golf ball that’s good enough for the tour pros but that also features some of the forgiving qualities that make it a good fit for amateurs. It might be best for a skilled player who doesn’t want to spend the extra for the most premium golf balls of 2024.

This three-piece ball with a urethane cover has a soft feel (though not as soft as with the Callaway Supersoft) with excellent greenside spin. The 2024 model features updated aerodynamics with a new hexagonal dimple pattern for a higher launch with slightly more distance.

Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers: Bridgestone e12 Contact

OK, so you’ve still got to hit a decent shot to get a good result, but the Bridgestone e12 Contact, priced at $34.99 per dozen, is designed to give you your best chance at success.

The revolutionary FLEXATIV Cover Technology and Contact Force Dimple create 46 percent more surface contact, resulting in longer, straighter shots and better control around the green. The Active Acceleration Mantle boosts initial velocity for greater distance while the Gradational Compression Core delivers a consistent feel, and the Contact Force Dimple enhances surface contact for more control.

Best Golf Balls for Distance: Titleist Velocity

If your goal is to bomb it, the Titleist Velocity is your ball. At $29.99 per dozen, this is a relatively cheap two-piece Surly-cover ball. And it flies!

Everything about this ball, from the dimple pattern to the formulation of the cover material has been engineered for maximum distance.

This isn’t a ball that’s going to give you a lot of stopping power on the greens, but who cares when you’re smashing it so many yards further than your buddies off the tee?

Best Golf Balls for Beginners: Srixon Soft Feel

Golf is expensive. Getting into this game can really strain a budget. Which means there’s a place for best cheap golf balls. And the Srixon Soft Feel, at just $22.99, gets our nod for the best budget golf balls available in 2024.

Which is why it’s also our pick for the best golf balls for beginners as well. If you’re just getting started, there’s no reason to drop a bunch of money on golf balls you might lose.

But you also don’t want a ball so cheap that it won’t perform. There are cheaper golf balls than the Srixon Soft Feel, but none that come close to the same quality. Here’s an inexpensive golf ball with a soft feel that gives great feedback around the greens for someone trying to learn the game. And all without breaking their budget.

Best Golf Balls for Kids: Volvik Marvel Vivid Golf Ball Gift Set

If you’ve got a kid who you hope will take up the game of golf and they happen to also be a fan of the Incredible Hulk or another Marvel superhero, here’s the perfect golf ball to add some fun while they learn. The only problem: There could be some heartbreak when they lose a ball.

Not only is the Volvik Marvel set a fun novelty, it’s actually a legit golf ball. These four-piece matte-finish Vivid golf balls feature an oversized energy core for maximum distance. They are designed for low driver spin, high wedge spin, and a mid-to-high ball flight. This ball works best with swing speeds between 70 and 90 miles per hour.

Each set includes a magnetic hat-clip superhero ball marker.

And who says you need to be a kid to enjoy these best golf balls? 

Best Practice Golf Balls: Callaway HX

The best thing about the Callaway HX Practice Golf Balls is that hitting them mimics real on-course conditions. You’ll get a lifelike ball flight just at shorter distances.

These are durable, soft-lite golf balls that won’t damage your surroundings, allowing you to practice wherever you’ve got enough space to swing a club. And you can pick up a pack of 18 of them, including a mesh carrying bag, for just $24.99.

What Are the Best Golf Balls For You?

Whether you’re looking for the cost-no-object, most premium golf ball to help you card your personal best score, or you just want something decent and respectable that doesn’t cost a fortune, there’s an option for you here.

To recap:

• Best Golf Ball for Low Handicap Players: Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x
• Best Callaway Golf Balls: Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X: Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X
• Best Value Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus
• Best Golf Ball for Spin Control with Higher Swing Speeds: Bridgestone TOUR B X
• Best Soft Golf Balls: Callaway Supersoft
• Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicappers: Callaway Chrome Soft
• Best Golf Balls for High Handicappers: Bridgestone e12 Contact
• Best Golf Balls for Distance: Titleist Velocity
• Best Golf Balls for Beginners: Srixon Soft Feel
• Best Golf Balls for Kids: Volvik Marvel Vivid Golf Ball Gift Set
• Best Practice Golf Balls: Callaway HX

If nothing else, with a little more understanding of the components that comprise the construction of a golf ball, you should be in a better position to make a more informed decision when you’re at the store, staring at that huge selection of products that all claim to be the best. You should now know what is actually the best golf ball for you specifically.

Our advice, especially when it comes to finding the best golf balls for beginners, is to experiment a little. Start to pay attention to how different types of golf balls perform. Realize that they aren’t all built the same way. See if you can note any differences between the best cheap golf balls and something like the Pro V1 golf balls. Pay attention to which type of ball seems to help you play your best. The best golf balls for you aren’t necessarily the same as what’s best for someone else in your group.

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.