Best Golf Balls for Distance Control – The Helpful Guide

Usually, when you start golfing, all you think about is distance. How far can I hit the ball? Can I make it go any further? Then you eventually realize not all is in pure distance. The key ingredient to your golf game is distance control. Just ask any golfer on the LPGA or PGA tour. Yes, they do work on hitting it long but controlling your shots beats everything. However, not all is in swing technique, you also have to play the right ball. Not all balls are made equal and you should look for one among the best golf balls for distance control.

As your game evolves so should your equipment. When you acquire advanced skills it should be reflected by what clubs you use, but more importantly what golf ball you use. You can get away with using the same golf clubs, but where the real difference is made relates to the right golf ball. How do I know that? Because I still use the same clubs I used when I could not control my distance the best. But now I am using a different ball, one I can rely on when it comes to controlling the distance.

Now, I am not saying I can do miracles on the golf course. My long game still needs a lot of improvement, but my short game is decent and this is where I benefit from a premium golf ball. One thing I would not recommend is getting a ball that can perform better than your current skill level. It is going to be a pure waste of money since these balls are in a more expensive bracket. All right, you got the idea, let’s move on to the important stuff.

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Golf Balls Choices for Distance Control

I like to say this and I will repeat it. Your golf ball is the only piece of equipment you use for every single shot when you play. Therefore, choosing the right ball is extremely important for you to play your best golf. These balls are the best in the industry and that is the reason for their place on this list. They come from the biggest golf brands and are trusted by professional players. Here we go.

Titleist

Pro V1 (Editor’s Choice): This is my ball of choice because it suits my game. I have tried different balls but this one has the feel and performance I am looking for. It is the softer of the two Titleist balls. The medium penetrating flight trajectory and very decent spin capabilities make it appealing to a wide range of golfers. Read the full 2023 Titleist Pro V1 golf ball review.
Pro V1x: I have tried it and it did not feel as good as the Pro V1. It sounds harder on impact than the Pro V1, but it is a great ball for a different type of player. Its spin rate is higher as well as the flight trajectory. Because of its performance capabilities, it suits more golfers with the fastest swing speeds.

TaylorMade

TP5: TaylorMade has a unique premium ball design since its balls have five layers. However, that does not make them any better or worse than the others. It is a competitor of the Pro V1. According to independent tests made by industry experts like MyGolfSpy it has improved since the previous model. Read the full 2024 TaylorMade TP5 golf ball review.
TP5x: It is the firmer of the two balls. This one, like the Pro V1x, has a higher flight trajectory. Golfers with the fastest swing speeds benefit the most from this ball.

Callaway

Chrome Tour: This is a completely new ball just released by Callaway that caters to golfers who play the Titleist Pro V1 model. It has replaced the Chrome Soft X LS with some tweaks. Read the 2024 Callaway Chrome Tour golf ball review.
Chrome Tour X: It is the firmer ball of the two that replaced the Chrome Soft X ball. They engineered it to compete with the Titleist Pro V1x.

Bridgestone

Tour B X: This is the ball of choice of Tiger Woods. Previously he used the Tour B X, but switched not so long ago. It is the firmer ball of the two Bridgestone models made for players with the fastest swing speeds.
Tour B XS: It is a bit softer than the Tour B X, directly competing with the Pro V1. I did try this ball and I liked it in general.

Srixon

Z-Star Diamond: From the Srixon premium balls lineup, this is the one for golfers with the fastest swing speeds. It directly competes with the Pro V1x, Tour B X, Chrome Tour X, and TP5x.
Z-Star: This one is a bit softer and it is the more popular Srixon premium ball model.

Who Are These Balls For?

This is a simple question with easy yet complicated answers. All the balls from above are premium golf balls that are played on professional tours. Nonetheless, the same balls are used by a large number of players with different skill levels and handicaps. From that, you can say that literally every golfer on any level can play these balls. Not so fast, there is more to it despite the theoretical approach.

Let’s start with the professional players. They are the reason these balls exist and they can use them to their advantage the most. A lot of these balls (if not all) are engineered in collaboration with top players who play them. Therefore, the players are the ones who benefit the most from the balls’ performance capabilities which include distance control. That is a fact and it will never change.

Next, let’s talk about highly skilled recreational players with low handicaps. At this level, players can do things that an average golfer can’t. They can shape shots on demand, they adapt better to playing conditions, and more importantly, they can control the distance better. Hence, they can benefit a lot from these balls.

Finally, the rest of the world. Even though mid-to-high handicappers can’t play as well as lower handicappers, they can too benefit from these balls. Wait a minute, they as well? Yes, I can be a case study for that. I am a golfer with a higher handicap, but my short game is way better than my long game. For that reason, I play the Pro V1. It just gives me such great distance control compared to other non-premium balls. When I was just starting I would never get it, because I would not get anything out of it. Now, I can benefit from its characteristics.

The Right Golf Ball at the Right Moment

Throughout your golfing career, you evolve. As you are evolving, your golf ball must evolve with you. Granted, you can stick with the same golf ball for different reasons. It might be anything from the price to your style of play. Choosing the right golf ball is a road to a better game and more enjoyment on the course. Even if it takes you time to find it, it is worth it, trust me.

Even among all the balls listed above, there are going to be balls that feel better or worse. Just because all are premium balls it does not make them all the same. On the contrary, even with similarities they can be very different for each individual. As an option, you can go for ball fitting. It costs money, but it can save you time and potential frustration on the course.

If you are looking for pure distance and don’t care about premium balls, that is fine. Anything is fine as long as you know what you want out of a ball. It could be feel, therefore you might be looking for a low compression ball that feels like hitting a marshmallow. You won’t get the same distance control out of it, but you are going to be happy. All good.

At the end of the day, we are talking here about balls for distance control. If you are ready for that step, start looking at the balls listed above. It is going to come down to personal preference and whatever feels the best for you. We are talking about a change that can improve your game and your scores. So, look no further and find your perfect distance control ball.

Bonus – Pitching Distance Control Video

Here is a video courtesy of “Golf Distillery” on how to control the distance of your pitch shots. It shows you how you can practice distance control so you can hit that ball even more efficiently.

What is your ball of choice? Share below!

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